Security Culture

A Comprehensive Guide for Activists in Australia

About this project

Think for a moment, about why it is that you’re an activist.

Perhaps you’re active to fight against injustice, the creep of corporate power, or to directly address conditions for workers, animals or the environment. I imagine your reasons for being active, however, probably don’t include a desire to have your home raided or to be locked up in prison.

As movements continue to grow across the world, so does the imperative need for a strong security culture to exist. Law enforcement and corporate interests together have shown extensive interest in the last few years in not only targeting and prosecuting activists, but prosecuting them to the fullest extent possible—usually meaning longer-than-average jail sentences, more severe bail and probation conditions, and of course, the use of ‘anti-terror’ laws.

Unless better methods of protection are put in place, many more people will end up prosecuted and imprisoned than already have been. This is especially important to realise in the modern world of the surveillance society where it has never been easier for governments and corporations to use the permeation of technology for social control.

This means that it’s more important than ever to cultivate good security practice throughout our movements. A failure to do this could mean the difference between victory or defeat, freedom or imprisonment—and not only for yourself, but for others around you. All of us need to be well versant on what we are up against and how we can best deal with the issues and threats involved with our various work.

This book contains essential information for all groups—from peaceful symbolic protest, civil disobedience and open direct-action groups, to underground movements and beyond. We all need to incorporate good security practice into our actions, and work to strengthen the overall effectiveness of our movements with a strong security culture.

The stakes have never been higher.

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