On Tradecraft
Or
So you want to get away with protesting the Church of Scientology
And still remain Anonymous
"Tradecraft" is a general term used in the intelligence community to talk about "things that a spy does." Most of those things that a spy does are irrelevant to Anonymous, but there are three very important aspects that are very relevant.
===============
1. How To Look Like Someone Else.
The general idea when trying to look like someone else is to misdirect. Make any parts of you that are distinct look bland, and any parts that are bland look distinct.
If you have any tattoos, birthmarks, distinctive moles, odd hairstyles, or other features that would make you easy to identify, then cover them. Wear long sleeves, hats, closed-toe shoes, etc.
Wear several brightly colored or distinctive items that will draw attention to themselves. Consider argyle socks, outrageous shirts, flashy scarves and hats. The aim of the game is to be described as "The guy in the hat" or "That one in the orange sweater".
If possible, wear a wig to disguise your hair. Otherwise, put your hair into an easily-removed hairstyle. For long hair, try a braid or a ponytail or pigtails. For short hair, consider a hat.
Bring at least two pairs of sunglasses that look completely different. Make sure they're not particularly distinctive by themselves. We don't want Minnie Pearl sunglasses, or Paris Hilton frames. We want regular off the rack at walmart sunglasses.
Consider those athletic pants that snap up the sides to wear over some other kind of pants. Layers are key, but make sure the lower layers will not show over the upper layers. An observant observer (or someone with a good digital camera) may be able to tell who you were even after you've changed.
Ideally, you should be wearing two complete outfits, and be carrying enough to make up another. Needless to say, this may become bulky, so make sure that the individual items are lightweight and capable of being compressed into a small space.
If you have a backpack or a bag that you are carrying things in, carry another one inside it for when you leave.
In addition to the above, you should have (or wear underneath) the most low profile, common clothes you can find. Consider what everybody else in the city is wearing at the moment, and have that available. It must be as generic and unremarkable as possible. It should be worn more than once. It must not be obviously new, because that will be a tipoff that you have recently changed. Consider a t-shirt and jeans, unremarkable sneakers and regular socks. Consider a touristy sundress, if appropriate for the area and your gender. Try the 'tourist from out of town' look if appropriate, especially if there are large groups of tourists from out of town nearby that you can get lost in.
Make sure that all your outfits look nothing like each other. There should be as little similarity as possible between them.
If you're wearing one and walking down the hall and you catch a glimpse of a stranger in the mirror, then have to do a double-take to realize it's your reflection, then you have a good disguise.
===============
2. How Not To Be Followed
First, assume that the opposition will know exactly what you look like when you leave. Digital cameras are common, and anyone with a cellphone can have a 'snapshot' of your distinctive appearance quickly in this day of picture messages. Assume that there are people for blocks in all directions who know exactly what you presently look like and are ready and willing to follow you. There probably are.
Don't think that running will help, either. Nobody yet has outrun a radio.
First and foremost, do not change any aspect of your appearance where anybody can see you. This includes other Anonymous. Scientology has demonstrated that they are ready and willing to infiltrate into groups of Anonymous, and they will attempt to gather any and all information about you that they possibly can.
If you have sufficient cash and there are taxis available, take a cab for a few blocks, then get out and walk. Observe any cars that may have been following the taxi. If they slow down and pace you, or if they park nearby, they may as well be carrying a sign of "I'M FOLLOWING YOU" on their bumper.
Catch a bus, and find somewhere unobtrusive to sit where you can see the other passengers. Try taking more than one bus route, and ensure that anybody who was with you at the start is no longer with you at the end--and even then, assume that they may have switched with someone else.
Other forms of mass transport, such as trains or subways, are also useful. Take multiple lines, switching directions for some time.
Walk down a street on one side, and cross the street in the middle, away from a crosswalk. This is legal in some jurisdictions if the nearest intersection is far enough away. Check your local ordinances. If anyone else crosses, they may be following you.
Walk along a row of stores with well-washed windows, so you can look at the people behind you without seeming to do so.
If you are with a trusted friend (as you should be), consider splitting up and going two separate ways for a brief time, and check to see if anyone is following each other.
Regard anyone who you see with a cellphone, a walkie talkie, or any similar technology who you see more than once to be suspicious. Regard anybody at all who you continue to see after a few blocks as suspicious.
Above all, be patient. Expect to spend at least an hour doing this. The longer you spend covering your trail, the less likely anyone will be able to follow you.
===============
3. Losing A Tail
Even if you are sure you're not being followed, take at least some of these steps.
Sudden, unpredictable course changes can be helpful. Familiarize yourself with the area beforehand for any short alleyways that may allow you to sprint over to another street and around a corner if you find yourself being tailed.
Look for any public bathrooms that lend themselves to quick changes, especially if they are busy. Practice your changing routine beforehand, so you know how to get in and out of your disguises as fast as possible. Practice in a closet or other confined space, because you may not be able to get the handicapped stall.
Never change when in view of anybody, even other Anonymous.
Maintain some kind of face covering. Switch your sunglasses for other sunglasses. If it's cold enough not to be noticed, have a scarf on. Wear a different hat.
It's best if you can ditch your 'obvious' costume after your first change. Disguise it in a trash bag, if possible. Make sure nobody sees you dumping it--do it behind a dumpster in a pile of other bags, for instance.
Malls can be useful, if they are within range. If you're not carrying an (obvious) bag, you may be able to use a department store changing room, if it's busy enough.
Elevators are potentially useful and very tempting, but be wary: anybody with sufficient determination can beat them to the next floor. Use only with extreme caution. Enclosed stairwells, on the other hand, tend to be less obvious, and provide the careful anonymous not only with quick-change cover, but with a choice of exits.
Hotels can be useful, but can also be dangerous. On one hand, they provide a place to change at your own leisure, where you can modify further aspects of your appearance such as hairstyle or color, makeup, or other time-intensive changes. On the other hand, most require some sort of proof of identity, and a clever tail (and a slow-witted hotel clerk) may be able to determine not only who you are but what room you are in. If you choose to go the hotel route, be sure you are not being followed into the hotel, and make sure you've registered and checked in beforehand. Further, be careful going out, and make sure nobody is in the hall when you leave.
If a particularly persistant tail continues to evade all your attempts to throw them off your trail, find a friendly police station and walk in. Explain to the officer on duty that you are being stalked. They may be able to help, provided that you are not walking into a police station known to be friendly to Scientologists. Be polite and well spoken, and try not to look as though you're under the influence of hallucinogens.
===============
4. What Not To Do
Above all, do not panic. Remain calm at all times, even if you are obviously being followed. If you remain calm, you are less likely to make mistakes that could lead to consequences in the future.
Never go directly back to anything you own, whether it be house, car, apartment, or even hotel room registered under your name. Rental cars are not necessarily safe, either, as rental contracts will have your name on them.
Never leave anything that might identify you behind. Of course, since you must be prepared to leave anything you bring with you behind...
Never bring anything with you that might identify you.
Common sense should dictate, but I will reiterate:
Do not bring any of the following items
-weapons of any kind. This is a peaceful protest and weapons will cause trouble.
-anything with your real name on it. You may have to discard all or part of what you have brought with you. You may have your pockets picked.
-anything that you are particularly attached to, and do not want to risk losing. Make up your mind before you go that you are willing to leave any and all items behind in an effort to get home safe and sound. Items are replaceable. You are, too, but it's more work.
-anything that can be traced to you directly. This includes serial numbers on registered electronics. Cellphones that have been purchased with credit cards.
===============
5. A Final Word
This is not a bible. This is not Dianetics. This is not Holy Scripture. This is a set of guidelines. This is a set of ideas. Do not feel like you must follow it to the letter.
Remain flexible. If you are following a plan and it stops working, then stop following the plan and start following a backup plan.
If you run out of plans, then improvise.
Anonymous is flexible. Anonymous is crafty and cunning.
Remember, above all: Any individual Anon may be caught or tailed, but Anonymous is more than the sum of its parts.
No matter what happens, Anonymous will go on.
Anonymous remembers its own.
Anonymous will avenge its own.
Anonymous will not forgive.
Anonymous will not forget.
Be a face in the crowd. Be like the wind, everywhere at once. Be like the water, seeking the lowest places.
Be Anonymous.