So, what I'm reading this morning is that the president is considering invoking the Insurrection Act in Minneapolis. Whether that's good, bad, or something else is a topic for elsewhere, as it delves deep into political territory. The object here is keeping you from getting swept up in it and being a victim or finding yourself in cuffs.
Of course, #1 way to avoid this is to, duh, avoid it. Stay out of the area and don't even think of visiting until it all gets resolved.
If, however, that is not an option due to actually residing there, or because of work, let's brainstorm and share some ways to help keep you safe.
A good friend of mine from the Marine Corps works as a building engineer there. Couple days ago he said it took him hours to visit the buildings he services. Apparently in the middle of the protests.
If your car is surrounded.
Orange smoke grenade, followed immediately by bear spray release [orange color blends in]. They think the smoke is the irritant and run from it. Drive away.
EE.
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FCJaa-Xx8riI%2Fhqdefault.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=368f637ee3df74bc2cd4f0aae93e5ab676aac5129142c0bb15c767a657395479)
Pro version smoke is $55 each, consumer version is $20.
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi5.walmartimages.com%2Fseo%2FMace-Brand-Guard-Alaska-Bear-Deterrent-Self-Defense-Spray-Heavy-Duty-Nylon-Spray-Holster-9-17-oz-20-Feet-Range-Max-Strength-20-OC-Wildlife-Safe-Formu_bd3de6d7-0766-4afe-a839-0ef2a2af9031.425481c14abbd5f4e1ed03443588a1d1.jpeg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=014e930403bc644061e1fad09644c2bd6bbf55d0b1d5ccebbb2a66eedba4ee19)
You might want your own respirator for that scenario.
(https://i.imgur.com/LfUjo9k.jpg)
I'd suggest that if you have to be in the area, grey man yourself and your vehicle. Remove or don't wear stickers, clothing, hats, or such with political slogans, and check your bumper stickers and such.
If you have to be in areas where ICE is active, carry your passport and/or your current photo ID (Real ID compliant is best) plus a notarized copy of your birth certificate. If you are stopped, those are the quickest ways to establish your citizenship.
There are videos popping up online of protestors harassing people who drive cars that look government issued. If you have one of those, I'd suggest driving something else if at all possible.
Quote from: DarkAxel on January 15, 2026, 09:01:28 PMThere are videos popping up online of protestors harassing people who drive cars that look government issued. If you have one of those, I'd suggest driving something else if at all possible.
you're suggesting don't buy a car from Elwood?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKmuKjpKPIo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKmuKjpKPIo)
Personally, I wouldn't take any vehicle at all into those areas. Protesters are waking up to the fact that agents are using all manner of vehicles to conduct operations, such as recent reports of construction work trucks being used in raids on construction sites.
.gov agencies generally have permission to rent vehicles "as required" for their operations, and are covered under an insurance policy that my wife describes as the "return the bigger chunks in a basket and you're good to go" policy.
I think a lot of these vehicles are coming from impound yards and auctions, which just doubles down on the idea that no vehicle is going to be trusted by the mobs soon.
I have avoided most news for the last month. Just don't want to deal with the stress and worry.
HOWEVER....
I can't avoid everything.
I watch several streamers on Twitch and a few on Kick.
Several of them have been showing tiktok videos of participants in the goings on in Minnesota (boy, am I treading lightly on language here!).
Many participants are encouraging their viewers (and presumably fellow participants) to "exercise their 2nd Amendment rights* and immediately go out and purchase a firearm.
Not a word about training, etc. Just urging them to "get one NOW". One participant stated "make no mistake, we are at war now". Even more volatile, assertive and even threatening language was used, but I am not quoting any of that as it definitely delves deep into the political spectrum.
This scares the shit out of me, to put it bluntly.
The idea of untrained, inexperienced and emotionally volatile participants on the streets carrying firearms is horrific.If the participants take this advice things will get MUCH worse.
If you are in that area, stay the hell away from any of the current street activities, regardless of your politics or lack of politics.
Tiktok needs to go back to the Tide pod challenge....
Quote from: Lambykins on January 16, 2026, 07:48:59 PMI have avoided most news for the last month. Just don't want to deal with the stress and worry.
HOWEVER....
I can't avoid everything.
I watch several streamers on Twitch and a few on Kick.
Several of them have been showing tiktok videos of participants in the goings on in Minnesota (boy, am I treading lightly on language here!).
Many participants are encouraging their viewers (and presumably fellow participants) to "exercise their 2nd Amendment rights* and immediately go out and purchase a firearm.
Not a word about training, etc. Just urging them to "get one NOW". One participant stated "make no mistake, we are at war now". Even more volatile, assertive and even threatening language was used, but I am not quoting any of that as it definitely delves deep into the political spectrum.
This scares the shit out of me, to put it bluntly.
The idea of untrained, inexperienced and emotionally volatile participants on the streets carrying firearms is horrific.If the participants take this advice things will get MUCH worse.
If you are in that area, stay the hell away from any of the current street activities, regardless of your politics or lack of politics.
Tiktok needs to go back to the Tide pod challenge....
Avoiding the political line myself. I have seen similar reports. Those are not anomolies. And have been widely shared by larger influencers.
Quote from: Moab on January 16, 2026, 10:03:27 PMQuote from: Lambykins on January 16, 2026, 07:48:59 PMI have avoided most news for the last month. Just don't want to deal with the stress and worry.
HOWEVER....
I can't avoid everything.
I watch several streamers on Twitch and a few on Kick.
Several of them have been showing tiktok videos of participants in the goings on in Minnesota (boy, am I treading lightly on language here!).
Many participants are encouraging their viewers (and presumably fellow participants) to "exercise their 2nd Amendment rights* and immediately go out and purchase a firearm.
Not a word about training, etc. Just urging them to "get one NOW". One participant stated "make no mistake, we are at war now". Even more volatile, assertive and even threatening language was used, but I am not quoting any of that as it definitely delves deep into the political spectrum.
This scares the shit out of me, to put it bluntly.
The idea of untrained, inexperienced and emotionally volatile participants on the streets carrying firearms is horrific.If the participants take this advice things will get MUCH worse.
If you are in that area, stay the hell away from any of the current street activities, regardless of your politics or lack of politics.
Tiktok needs to go back to the Tide pod challenge....
Avoiding the political line myself. I have seen similar reports. Those are not anomalies. And have been widely shared by larger influencers.
Fortunately (in this case), Minnesota has some very stringent firearm laws. 7 day waiting period, etc.
A friend of mine in the Minnesota National Guard was followed to his Armory by three cars. He's in uniform, as the guard has been mobilized.
Might not be the best time to wear camo right now.
Now might be a good time to consider a dash cam (dual channel with rear cam). If as you're about normal business, you've video evidence if you're being followed or anything else during your travels. Mine can capture license plates and records cabin audio.
Quote from: Z.O.R.G. on January 17, 2026, 04:35:30 PMNow might be a good time to consider a dash cam (dual channel with rear cam). If as you're about normal business, you've video evidence if you're being followed or anything else during your travels. Mine can capture license plates and records cabin audio.
I used to have an app for my phone that worked as a dashcam, with G-shock sensing and GPS. In the event of an accident or manual trigger, it would automatically upload the last 5 minutes recorded to a cloud server. I wish my current dashcam did that. Good as it is, it can't send to anywhere but the SD card in the camera.
Quote from: NT2C on January 17, 2026, 05:58:50 PMI used to have an app for my phone that worked as a dashcam, with G-shock sensing and GPS. In the event of an accident or manual trigger, it would automatically upload the last 5 minutes recorded to a cloud server.
Mine supports Wi-Fi to view and/or transfer video. I've been wondering if it could be streamed thru the phone to a cloud server. I wonder if VLC would work...
I've been doing a better job of rotating through my pantry, IFAK, and water storage. All the filters for my 40mm respirator are technically expired as of last year, but are likely fine for particulates and RCA. I'm a .gov worker and we've recently had to recert on our anti-terror and suspicious activity training (the real stuff from the FBI and the Postmaster General) before these events started. There were "nonspecific" threats during the last election cycle and the polling stations were on the first floor of my building. Not having a good time right now. Family thinks I lost grip with reality and I couldn't be in a safer place than a big government building and that's what 911s for anyway.
Current plan is to bug in and work from home if things get bad. All things equal, I can stay put for 2 months so long as utilities remain uninterrupted. Only ways in and out of town are major state highways, which would be a log jam within minutes if people had to evacuate or a cordon was called because of the airbase nearby.
Quote from: Z.O.R.G. on January 17, 2026, 04:35:30 PMNow might be a good time to consider a dash cam (dual channel with rear cam). If as you're about normal business, you've video evidence if you're being followed or anything else during your travels. Mine can capture license plates and records cabin audio.
There is never not a good time to get a dash cam. Even when the S isn't HTF way too many people are shit drivers.
Having cameras on his motorcycle is what got Handy Kid a civil judgement that covered all of his medical costs, his legal costs, and a nice chunk of change from the [expletive] that nearly killed him but claimed she "barely sideswiped him" and "only hit his mirror". Had the traffic court judge bothered to view the video and her long history of similar traffic incidents in that same location, he likely would have revoked her license and at least done something more than fine her $200, but alas, he refused and she's free to kill somebody else's kid (mine moved away).
When I can steel my nerves enough to upload it somewhere, I'll share the video now that his case is over.
Get a dash cam.