PRISM: When far-right groups are coming to town, what’s the best way to resist? - January 19,2021

“Though some people might opt out of demonstrating and take a passive resistance approach, some people will still choose to show up in large numbers and use their voice. Cloee Cooper, a research analyst with Political Research Associates who is familiar with far-right movements, encourages people who do decide to counterprotest to arrive as prepared as possible.”

“ ‘Fear is a tactic that is used to advance a white nationalist and far-right agenda to keep people afraid of using their voice [and] afraid of coming into the public squares,’ Cooper said.”

“ ‘I think that if you can equip yourself with some of these tools … it can be a really powerful way to show that the far-right isn’t the only voice or political movement in town,’ Cooper said. ‘Tactics and strategies can shift, as long as the main focus is not only continuing, but emboldening our movements for a more racially just, free, equitable society, and making that loud and clear—especially in the presence of far-right groups that come to town.’”

“Political Research Associates released a field guide in 2020 that breaks down the types of people to expect at far-right demonstrations, how they often dress, their attitudes toward the police, who or what their targets are, and the likelihood that they’ll cause violence. Since people on the far-right are known to show up at Black Lives Matter protests and other progressive movements, the guide offers advice for what to do if you do if you come across someone from a white supremacist movement.”

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