A discreet posture

Practice assuming a discreet posture that you can take up any time you feel tense.

For example, fold your hands protectively just below your naval. This gives a subconscious message to your body to relax.

Expanding your field of vision

Expanding your field of vision is a good way to stay safe whilst experiencing wellbeing.

We contract our field of vision when scared so widening can bring ease.

Notice your body

Notice where you feel tension or fear in your body and breathe out slowly with attention.

Theatre, fun, music, singing

These can all be used to entertain and change the energy.
If the energy is getting too excitable: music and especially drumming can be used to first meet the energy of excitement and then gradually calm things down by slowing the beat until it is the same as a heart- beat when calm.

Group chanting

This can be a bit pokey so it’s a judgement call when to use it. It might be more appropriate to use against aggressive police than activists.

Ideally, first get the crowd to be quiet.
Then begin chanting: “We’re nonviolent! How about you?”

Distraction

Ask your buddy to support you by standing close behind you.
-Ask the person: Can you help me please for a moment? Move away to the edge of the crowd inviting them to follow.
-Then check if they know about the agreements. Explain that nonviolence requires everyone to maintain a positive and calm atmosphere. If we don’t maintain this then someone could be hurt.

Calming songs

When tension is building, start up a calming song, and invite others to join in.

Establishing silence

One person falls quiet and raises their hand whilst inviting the people them to do the same.
-One person chants:
-Clap once if you can hear me: clap once
-Clap twice if you can hear me: clap twice
-Clap three times if you can hear me: clap three times
Sit down and invite others to sit down too
Make sure there is plenty of space around the violence, especially a free route to withdraw. It can also be helpful to fall silent. This ex- poses the aggression and also makes it difficult to for angry person to move through the crowd.

Mass meditations

Doing a meditation when there is tension in the crowd can calm people down and reconnect with their own needs and feelings.

De-escalation line

This is especially useful for conflict between lines of police or riot police and activists when tension is building too much.
-Form a line of people between police and activists with one person facing toward police, one facing towards activists, alternating.

-Invite activists to take two steps backward to give the police some space and then sit down.

Mass hummm and “stop” hand gesture.
Ideally, first get the crowd to be quiet.
Everyone chants “hummmm” and assumes the “stop” hand gesture towards the aggressive action, arm outstretched. Hand gesture is palm facing towards situation, fingers pointing upwards.
Keep the hummmm going.

We are not shaming and blaming the person. There’s a lot to be angry about so we want to support the person in not venting their anger in unhelpful ways. Make sure that there is plenty of space for the person to withdraw from the crowd.