Author of The Dark Secrets of SHTF Survival and the online course SHTF Survival Boot Camp
When highly organized force with a mission, resources, a plan, and the will go to finish a task usually there is no reasoning with that force, or explaining that you are trying just to prove some point, or you are just filming, taking selfies or holding a cardboard sign. When that force starts to sweep the street the difference between you (holding cardboard sign) and the guy next to you who is looting is very small for that force. Sometimes that difference is actually invisible.
Controlling the protest, riots, or mass of people who are on the verge of becoming violent is a very “fluid” task, and once when orders are given you are kinda all the same.
You are all “possible threat” to them, training goes like that. It cannot be different.
The “light em up” video sums up a huge amount of things, all of them important for prepping and survival.
Now, about this video alone the whole article can be written, lamenting and philosophizing about freedom, constitutional rights, maybe even founding fathers (you could do that, not me) and discussing what is freedom about and what you have right to do on your own piece of land (property, house). (Daisy wrote that here.)
I’ll be short about this video, and I’ll just say: “FFS, when you see the whole bunch of armed, organized guys, clearly on the mission, please forget everything and just get the f*ck out of there!” Then a day later, think about how to sue those guys because they forbid you to be on your own property.
It’s a shock to see how fast police got violent.
After watching a whole bunch of videos the last few days there are several conclusions there. The most important one is that people are kinda shocked how violent the police got, and how fast and arbitrarily police go and beat people up, You have to change your mindset to survive in situations like this. Check out my on-demand webinar to talk about my experience with civil unrest and violence.
Folks, in a situation like this, whoever stands in front of the force when order is given is the SAME, and usually will be dealt with same way.
You can try to explain to the cop that you are “just (choose the word)”, but nobody listens in that situation.
I watched this unfold last night. Go to my IG page for the FULL VIDEO and more details (it’s too long for Twitter). Instagram: @Brittmtv pic.twitter.com/ajwWCCtwUJ
— Brittany Miller (@Brittm_tv) May 31, 2020
Understanding mob mentality
Another thing is that most folks also do not realize and understand the mentality of a mob. The word MOB here does not necessarily have to be negative – it’s just a word for a big group of people. So when you find yourself in a big group of people doing something wild, let’s say you are very angry together with a bunch of people because of something, and you are all together breaking display windows, for example, it just might give you a temporary feeling of being protected, because you are in a mass of people. It’s like you are “not visible”.
That feeling can push you more, bit by bit, and you might decide to do more provocative things, more dangerous things, for example, something really threatening. You may not even get it – you maybe not gonna see it how risky it is.
In a large group, individuals often feel the urge to do stuff that they would never do it otherwise. Sometimes those things and actions can be very stupid. You can not ever be prepared what the individual next to you in groups like this can suddenly do, where that action may lead, and, how dangerous it might be.
You can one moment be in a group of perfectly peaceful protesters with signs, and the next second all hell can happen because of the action of one man from the group.
Now take that, and take all above mentioned about an organized force having a task and you should conclude how easily you could get killed by that force.
You can’t treat these times like normal times.
What did that guy expect to do with the rifle? Start a revolution? Just wanted to look cool in front of his friends? He wanted to take that rifle home? Was he aware of what kind of target he made of himself and how lucky he was?
My opinion is that big mistakes are made when common folks mix up the timing and they act like they are going through some normal time event.
What I am trying to say here is that there are two sides of this event, right and wrong, I think most of the folks would agree that killing a man who is not resisting is murder and that murderers have to be punished. It is clear what is there right and what is wrong.
There is also a “survival” side of the whole story, which says “use common sense”, and very often also says “do not be there”, or simply “stay safe”. The survival side of the story does not have anything to do with right and wrong, It is only about what makes sense.
These events are clearly something that should “switch” you into survival mode, and survival mode is just that: survival.
The truth about protests
I hope these events will calm down soon. But it is possible they are just the “tip of the iceberg”, and it is not something new. I have been involved in several protests, violent ones. I was very active in the protest that sparked (or was the intro) to the war here years ago. Some protests change things, others do not. The fact is that almost all violent protests usually hurt people who are completely innocent and do not have anything to do with the reason for the protest.
Generally speaking, usually, guys who loot have the most to gain during violent protests.
Then again, watching how the situation goes there, and how “both sides” are actually bringing things to higher (and sharper) level hopes that this will calm soon and without new victims pretty much fade away.
Probably it will be worse before it gets better.
Somewhere in the avalanche of videos about protests and violence there, I saw one or two, about Americans, who are practicing their right to carry weapons and defend for shops from looters. I liked that a lot. For me as a “non-American,” it is what the US is about.
Let’s hope stuff like these protests will not be used for taking away that right.
About Selco:
Selco survived the Balkan war of the 90s in a city under siege, without electricity, running water, or food distribution.
In his online works, he gives an inside view of the reality of survival under the harshest conditions. He reviews what works and what doesn’t, tells you the hard lessons he learned, and shares how he prepares today. He never stopped learning about survival and preparedness since the war. Regardless of what happens, chances are you will never experience extreme situations as Selco did. But you have the chance to learn from him and how he faced death for months.
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Real survival is not romantic or idealistic. It is brutal, hard and unfair. Let Selco take you into that world.
Superb article Selco.
The other side of these riots ( and probably most of them around the world) is that outside forces are promoting them and the violence. There are deeper Political agendas that what ever the protest was supposed to be about in play here.
I say “agendas” ( plural) because often it is more than one group.
Many groups will take advantage of situations like these to further their aims. Usually it is the destabilization of the rightful government, with the hope of overthrowing it and replacing it with one of their own choosing. The interim result would be a Civil War or a SHTF scenario.
Now I am not saying that this is likely to happen here in the US. We have a strong Government and a unity that is greater than that of many nations. It is just something that must be understood about the Nature of violent demonstrations.
It goes to the old saying of “knowing your enemy”. If you don’t know them and what they are all about, then you can not stand against them.
This is why Europe is having protests and violence over a man killed in the US. Bigger agenda’s are at work here and this is just a convenient vehicle to use to push them.
So do not consider these light;y riots or as a “one time” thing. Pay close attention as to how they have gone from local problems to National ones over the years. From mostly peaceful with some looting and property damage to a much more murderous group bent on destroying churches, historical landmarks, etc. The very fabric of our History and Society.
These things are the basis for a political coup.
So expect these to keep happening and to get worse and worse, especially if we get a weak president elected into office in the Nov. elections.
Great article Selco and Great post @ Mike B as well. Read at Breitbart recently that some of the “Peaceful Protesters” the Police have arrested are from other countries and/or have large amounts of cash on them to pay other rioters. The article pointed a finger at Cuban/Venezuelan types as well an BLM and Antifa. Remember this, Antifa is a world wind organization, not just a bunch of stoner college pukes. This helps to explain the pallets of bricks, bottles filled with gas and so on.
Selco – you have eyes to see. Me and Pops served as big city cops, experiencing
several big riots. You are so right about the mob mentality. So many people have been killed or injured in this latest mess. Nothing justifys it. I wonder how many are aware that we are nearing the end. Thanks for letting me post – please take a peek at
daniel11truth.com while there’s still time…
Selco, as usual, is correct about everything. (And you provided very good video clips demonstrating it.) I was part of general group of people peacefully demonstrating against George W. Bush who was fund-raising for a local politician in Santa Clara, CA. There was ONE guy (always is) there who tried very hard to INSTIGATE TROUBLE and have the group go against the orders of the Sheriff Department’s instructions/orders.
Like Steve Quayle warns: “Only go where the people aren’t.”
No national guard, no violence against looters, this seems to be the general idea. What are we supposed to do with them? Pat them on the head, maybe give them some hugs? Just let them take whatever they want while destroying everything you’ve worked so hard for? I don’t understand this way of thinking.
Selco, FANTASTIC article. If you want to come to the states, I have a spare bedroom for you to use. I’m a pretty good cook and hand load my own ammo too.
Looters need to be shot on sight, period.
Rioters need to be shot on sight, period.
Politicians who openly support them, are treasoners, should get their trial, then a firing squad to be shoot on sight.
Those having protests should be allowed to do so and reminded to stay within the bounds of the law, because when they start looting, rioting, burning the place down, they are no longer protesters, they are looters and rioters, and will be shot on sight.
This stuff is not going to go away, if you get it quieted down from this round, they are just planning their next attack, at whatever venue they can hijack for it. Antifa is a cancer to society. You get rid of cancer by killing it before it kills you.
A A Ron
Selco,
Personally, I have never felt compelled to go out and protest….not my thing but if that’s what youre into…go for it but be prepared to be verbally abused, punched, kicked and trampled. I get enough of that from my three teenage daughters….so no thanks. I don’t really feel sorry for any of them that deliberately put themselves in harms way…whether lookie loo or peaceful protester or looter…you deserve what you get.
To all of those who just want to go downtown to “check it out”, take a few selfies, roll down the block or two with the BLM crowd shouting and screaming? Please don’t be totally surprised when you get sucker punched, have your balls kicked so hard theyre are now in your throat and find yourself violently peeled away from your buddies and dragged down an ally way by three huge dudes to be finished off…..If you really want to do your part? STAY HOME and PROTECT YOUR OWN.
SELCO, I do take one issue with your statement that “people are kinda shocked how violent the police got, and how fast and arbitrarily police go and beat people up” The acts of violence AGAINST the police were numerous. but when the coalition forces announced via Paul Bremmer that the Iraqi army was “no more” and thus unemployed and that oh by the way…those American guys wearing tan that are holding M4’s that dropped in a couple weeks ago just took your jobs….it took less than 24 hours for the first IED to go off blowing a convoy to shit. They became targets. and went from basking in the glow of being glorified as liberators for having just donated blood, bullets, bombs and eventually freedom to a slave nation to being hunted like a wabbit during wabbit season. I am in no way no how defending the tiny tyrants that wear blue like Chauvin who so despicably abuse their power to humiliate and dominate another human being as a result of some sociopathic ego trip but I have an immense amount of respect for those who everyday have to deal with the scum of humanity and the acts of horror they inflict at will on society and are then expected to execute 100% correct decision making 100% of the time despite unimaginable circumstances or face the full weight of a liberal flash mob.
When the uniform your wearing makes you a target for assassination, for a crime you’ve not committed and perhaps is not even in your DNA to commit, you tend to be less warm and fuzzy. So far dozens of police have been injured…dozens and I belive about 10 have died fighting these pricks. One guy…shot in the back of the head in NYC. So when you see the dorks they popped in that video….1) Standing outside 2) Wearing black 3) with masks 4)And refusing to go back inside…theyre thinking hmmm…..probably Antifa-retards or at the very least demonstrating their support….hardly think the masks were for “social distancing” reasons. Conclusion: Yep….light em up.
Wanna talk about survival? These “peaceful protests” are the ever present effort to put a knee on the neck of the country and force their will, their twisted version of mob “justice and equality” and their warped set of values on American culture. I agree with Michael below who states there are multiple agendas; well funded, coordinated and organized efforts to transfer wealth and power in play for the sole purpose of creating a leftist, government centric dystopia. It is a slow march to death for individual rights, liberty and our Constitution. ICE and the police are simply targets of convenience. Churches, schools, universities, news organizations, individuals, their speech, proven facts, reason or logic….anything that counters the mob is silenced through ridicule, banned, deemed heretic and sent to the guillotine by the mob. Let them have their way and it will be one completely shattered nation, completely divided with bloodshed and justice for none.
God Bless and I sincerely thank all of YOU for your service.
After having a discussion with Daisy I decided to comment. This topic is extremely personal and emotional to me right now.
Rather than be all outraged, choosing sides, pointing fingers, talking smack etc. if you are reading this then you are SUPPOSED to be in PREPAREDNESS. I see very very little commentary on true productiveness.
If you are in the situation then get out of the situation. If you near the situation then decide the course of action being staying and bunkering OR leaving. If you aren’t in the situation then rather than wasting your breath and testing your typing skills then PREPARE. I’m not talking about protests I’m talking riots/looting.
My group does a weekly e-mail on what we did to prepare. The topics are purchases, accomplishments, training, received items and thoughts. The purpose of this is to learn one another, learn from one another and to keep us honest.
If all you’ve done on this threat of civil unrest is type to carpal-tunnel then your not keeping honest with yourself or those depending on you.
What should you have learned from the current situation? That supply and logistics includes brick throwing so how do you combat that? Maybe expanded metal cut to fit over windows. They have good communication skills. Hows yours? When’s the last radio test y’all did? The come in mass. Can you funnel that mass with the wire and other items you have on hand? In the army we have a FPL ( Final Protective Line). This is the line in which anything and everything goes because you will die soon. Do you know where yours is when they come? Does everyone in your group know it and know what to do? They are setting fires? What’s your plan? Mine is hoses and sprinklers on the roof which isn’t much of a plan. I gotta work on it with the neighbors.
Just as I’ve led in my life I’ll not ask what I’ve not done or am willing to do so what I’ve done is to increase my vehicle stopping hedgehog count, bought 2lbs of Legacy cheese powder, got in 400rd 69gr BTHP 223 from Freedom Arms to replace and add in to my stock AFTER going shooting out to 400yds on a 15mph quartering crosswind day. We drove 2hrs there and same back just to go to some public land that would facilitate this.
Preparedness = Action= Sacrifice. If it was easy everyone would do it.
Y’all had best listen to Selco and others who’ve seen the elephant and then ACT. Outrage should only be a tool for motivation to Act.
OODA Loop = Observe, Orient, Decide and ACT.
BTW I’m very pro protest. I’m your nightmare boogieman if you are a rioter and/or looter though.
Stay safe
Thank you so much for your input – truly great advice!
Good points indeed. We are seeing The Fourth Turning unfolding LIVE so yeah there are clearly unstoppable forces at play now and for the foreseeable future. There’s no time in history that such deep changes in society, economy, etc. happened without societal upheaval, great turmoil and destruction.
It’s not just a retrofit anymore, it will be a rebuilt of society on a global scale. There will be destruction, suffering, lots of fear, chaos, disorder, attempts at keeping the order. I guess many of us can already smell the smoke and hear the drums.
Whatever happens though, it will be “survival mode” for most for some time from now on, of course at different levels but it will be hard and painful and no one can think he/she will be left untouched by what’s going to happen. This is just “living through history” as the Stoics say.
But it will pass for sure, at great cost as usual but at one point the order will return and things will improve greatly again. So let’s do the work and keep moving ahead as best we can, good luck everyone.
If you were to place a number of really bad outcomes in a blender and were able to blend them all together it would result in the environment we currently find ourselves.
The “Plandemic” has resulted in many now unable to earn a living, or earn a living at the level necessary to maintain even a basic lifestyle to meet their financial obligations while keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table. Little despots have seized on the opportunity to impose unconstitutional and draconian edicts on the citizenry that are nothing more than tyranny, and with no end in sight.
A communist insurgency is now underway in our nation and will soon spread from the major Democrat-controlled urban areas into the suburbs and beyond if it is not stopped. Aiding and abetting this insurgency are elected officials in these cities who have abdicated their responsibility to preserve the peace for the health and welfare of all in the municipality they were to serve. Businesses and lives have been destroyed, boarded up, or abandoned and will not return to any kind of normalcy in a long time, if ever.
Our government at all levels is corrupt. Those populating government mostly serve themselves and their special interests, not the public at large. The only difference between the levels – local, state, or federal – is the size of the trough they feed in at the public’s expense.
The police do not work for you! It would pay to keep that in mind. They work for the government entity that hired them and keeps the paycheck and benefits coming. They will crush you if ordered to do so. It is both easier and safer for them to stomp on your neck than take on the Antifa/BLM thugs looting and burning. They are used by the government to threaten you with force and keep you intimidated so government can continue the thievery of your livelihood under the color of law.
I need not go into the external threats we face. We have enough problems domestically. BTW, I don’t view myself as a pessimist, but a realist. Strangely I don’t stress over it. Understanding brings a calm and helps one arrange their priorities .
I get disgusted with people who can see only their own viewpoint, their own selfish “rights,” and cannot think with the whole situation. Distracting a cop in a dangerous situation with “me, me, me” rights, reasons or ANYTHING is as good as an attack on the cop and will be treated as such. We NEED our Law Enforcement–were you paying zero attention to the “defund the police” and the DEATHS that created?
When cops REALLY need the honest citizens SAFE INSIDE, why would a thinking person want to stay in danger?
Selco is as usual spot in with his survival/ common sense admonitions. The first rule is avoid crowds and protests. 2nd rule is if you protest in large crowd fashion make sure you have planned a rapid egress point/route if things turn nasty. Personally I always avoid large crowds of anything. Makes me nervous.