Irish Left Archive

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Digital collection of political material from the Irish Left.

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"Defence Tactics for Demonstrators"

A 1969 article from United Irishman, newspaper of Sinn Féin, outlines advice for protests and dealing with police.

One tip suggests: "Isolated policemen [are] to be well taken care of and are NOT to be molested apart from having their braces removed. A trousers ready to fall down is the best safeguard against further rioting by a policeman."

You can read the full article here: https://www.leftarchive.ie/document/289/

The United Irishman, Vol. 23, No. 3 (1969) — Sinn Féin [Pre 1970]

Irish Left Archive

Scanned headline reading: Defence Tactics for Demonstrators
An illustration of a placard shield captioned: Shield-cum-placard of wallboard or plywood, with a hole or slot to see through.
Extract from a scanned newspaper article, reading: Unbroken Line Marchers on the right of the parade should carry their placards on their right arms; those on the left on their left arms. During an attack from the side all marchers on the particular side should turn in that direction; stand shoulder to shoulder and under no circumstances, repeat UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, allow the line to be broken. Where gaps do occur, they should be filled instantly. The responsibility to protect women and children should outweigh all personal discomfort.
An illustration of two men in hats and overcoats holding placards on their side. One placard reads: Let there be no panic. The image is captioned: Flankers.
Extract from a scanned newspaper article, reading: Points to note: 1. Careful briefing of all stewards and marchers. 2. Use placard as shields as well as slogan carriers. 3. Always allow the police to start the trouble. 4. NEVER allow the marchers to start trouble. 5. AVOID confrontations. Remember the parable of the incoming tide. 6. Always wear padded headgear and padded shoulders under a topcoat. 7. Never allow a line of defenders to be broken. To do so is fatal. 8. Policemen are not, repeat, NOT supermen. 9. There are only about 5,000 to 6,000 thousand policemen in the whole country. Many of the Dublin police have been on night duty and are not available for duty. Others are tied up on ordinary duties, and the total available for riot duty are less than half of the total. Many are too old for this kind of work and are left to “mind the house”.
Extract from a scanned newspaper article, reading: 10. If you have to, use pepper on police dogs. Or the “shake hands” as outlined above. 11. Use flat headed nails against squad cars and water cannons, but only when it's a matter of defence. 12. Careful reconnaissance of police barriers, and avoid them if at all possible. 13. Use as many routes as possible. This conceals the main march. 14. As many cameras as possible to be used. 15. “Number spotters” well organised. To be used in evidence later. 16. Isolated policemen to be well taken care of and are NOT to be molested apart from having their braces removed. A trousers ready to fall down is the best safeguard against further rioting by a policeman. 17. A GOOD AND STEADY BODY OF MARCHERS ARE THEIR OWN BEST DEFENCE AND ENSURES A PEACEFUL MARCH OR DEMONSTRATION.
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