So, I work for a bank. Today they sent us this "Protest Safety Handbook"

[arcane1]

I'll quote it here in its entirety, but I will omit the bank's name, and perhaps emphasize certain passages:

Recently all across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East the World has witnessed a surge in
protest marches and civil disobedience actions. The most prominent group to date in the United States
is the “Occupy Wall Street” movement. The “occupation” movement is a semi organized effort of
anonymous groups of “Anti Bank” protesters who are marching and picketing in many major U.S., cities; New York, Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles.

In New York City, they have specifically targeted the financial district and Wall Street. The “Occupy Wall Street” movement’s groups are marching in response to their perception of corporate and banking
greed that followed the U.S. Government assisted “Big” bank bail outs. Their mantra is “We are the 99%
that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.”

The movement in New York has begun to publish a four page news paper titled “The Occupied Wall
Street Journal.” The current edition of the published document loosely outlines the group’s manifesto
and intentions. The group has indicated that they have been inspired by the results from similar groups involved in the “Arab Spring” in the Middle East. The group’s publication cites an intention to first to protest and then to march, escalating to civil disobedience when necessary.

These types of groups are reaching out to the disengaged and disenfranchised population of the United States for members, often encouraging the unemployed and homeless to join the movement. Often these marches and protests are unplanned and result from instant notification on “Social Networks” that produce “Flash Protest Mobs” in a matter of minutes. While this group has not yet resorted to violence the possibility exists that they can.

*redacted* Bank Corporate Security has worked to develop the following safety tips and suggestions for our employees should they encounter the type of activities described above.

At no time should a *redacted* Bank Employee attempt to engage or confront a protest group or stop a march. Instead, *redacted* Bank Employees encountering any such activity should immediately contact the Police.


Safety Tips
When encountering a protest group or march every effort should be made to avoid the group. Consider
using an alternate exit or route.

• Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you at all times.
• If you feel uncomfortable, immediately move or leave the area.
• If surrounded in a protest march or mob don’t panic move to the outside of the crowd as safely as possible.
• Seek refuge in an unaffected business or restaurant until police arrive.
• Plan before you go. Choose the safest route.
• Avoid poorly lit areas and isolated locations that may make you vulnerable to an attack.
• Keep the cars doors locked while driving in the area of a mob or protest march.
• Project an image of confidence and strength. Walk with a purpose and avoid hesitation, keep your head up, shoulders back and make eye contact with people you pass.
• Avoid confrontation and unnecessary contact with protesters.
• Avoid walking or driving alone. There is safety in numbers.
• Carry purses close to the body.
• Wallets and cash are best kept in a front pocket.
• Avoid wearing Bank ID or logo items outside the bank if possible.
• Keep your cell phone charged and close at hand.
• Have emergency contact information pre-programmed into your phone.
• Have your keys out and ready before you need them.
• If you feel that you’re in danger or if you observe suspicious or illegal activities, call the police or dial 911.
• If confronted or attacked, try to remain calm and cooperate by following the attacker’s instructions.
• Do not attempt to reason or argue with the protesters.
• Cooperate and do not risk your personal safety.
• Be a good witness and try to remember as many details of what occurred as you can.

***************************************************************************


I already felt like I needed another job, now I actively hate this fucking place.


***On Edit: I'm in San Francisco

[Scuba]

1. "every effort should be made to avoid them or....

...you'll probably end up joining them"

[arcane1]

18. I wish we were still located downtown!!!

I would spend every lunch hour with the protesters

[workinclasszero]

72. Oh for God's sake avoid the OWS folks..

Yeah...LOL

Avoid the people that are going to save you and your children from a rush limbaugh, hell-on-earth, capitalist paradise!

How stupid do these banksters thing their employees are???

[FedUp_Queer]

82. I work on Broad Street.

Three buildings down from the worlds largest toilet, commonly known as the New York Stock Exchange. I have been to Liberty Square twice to talk to people there. The cops are everywhere and they have blocked off Broad Street for two weeks, other than the sidewalks. Today, we read in the paper here that the City has spent $2 million on over time for police. Then it occurred to me. THAT'S how this is going to play out. Soon, we are going to hear how much the protesters are making New York spend. If that happens, it is up to us to say: Wait a minute. Why are there so many cops down there to begin with? There's been no violence...except when cops come around pepper spraying people and swinging their batons. The cops have not been necessary to this point. It just goes to show how scared the cowardly banksters are and how the cops and corporatocracy will make stuff up and create a crisis to keep the people serfs.

[vets74]

98. INVITATION TO OCCUPY WALL STREET -- Saturday, 11 AM @ Red Cube corner

Y'all come !

OWS will have a speaker there, explaining OWS and how to participate.

[FirstLight]

2. they are getting scared

as they should be...underneath our peaceful movement is a boiling rage.

However, to imply that people are out there with torches and pitchforks is seriously off base.

[Occulus]

21. Exactly.

The fact that the OP received such a message from their employer is a very, very good sign.

[Lizzie Poppet]

42. Yes, and to quote one of the best-ever parodies of the 1%'ers...

"Excellent..."

[workinclasszero]

89. ROFL! Thats perfect! nt

[IrishAle]

125. They are a dangerous group!

Screaming about DEATH PANELS!, and wearing assault weapons slung over their shoulder!

Oh! sorry, that was the Teabaggers.

[elehhhhna]

134. ya forgot the "tree of liberty should be splattered with blood" or WTF

their cute tea-shirts said.

[Enthusiast]

145. They are getting scared but

their media is hitting back hard.

[aquart]

3. That's basic safety information for any city dweller.

And they're right that you shouldn't pick fights.

[HappyMe]

9. You are right.

Good info no matter where you live.

[FarCenter]

23. Standard precautions at all times for NY.

And the avoidance of company logos has been the advice for a long time.

In the '80s you were advised to not wear anything that would identify you as American when traveling internationally. (Although it is really hard for Americans to not look like Americans -- or possibly Canadians).

[canuckledragger]

128. no problems with Canadians...we're loved everywhere!

just ask! lol

[eridani]

154. You were until that tar sands crap, anyway

Now what are us Yanks supposed to do? No one is going to believe Australia or New Zealand.

[SwampG8r]

165. you better not ask in florida

i love canadians after a visit to their far superior country
but in florida when they find out you are canadian they are pretty much done
the curse of a tipping society meeting a decent wage society

[Nay]

170. Yeah! Just make sure to have your Canadian flag patch on your luggage!

[HughBeaumont]

4. Protestors are no different than muggers, apparently.

Amazing. What a bunch of craven cowardice. If this doesn't scream "living in a bubble", I don't know what does.

[aquart]

33. Maybe you missed what happened in Britain.

This is actually more or less responsible corporate behavior. It is a cheap, minimal effort to protect nervous employees.

There is no reason to put propagandistic spin on it.

[RaleighNCDUer]

39. No reason to put propagandist spin on the propaganda.

It IS propaganda. It is saying "Be AFRAID".

This is a protest, and it has been going on for weeks. It is not a spontaneous riot as in Britain. The only violence connected with any of the protests has been on the part of the police.

[oldbanjo]

114. About 120 gang member did the damage in England,

not the protesters, if I remember right.

[minnesota_liberal]

157. More less than more

Responsible corporate whatever would be short and sweet, without spin. This one clearly contains its own propaganda.

[malaise]

95. That's what hit me

Unfuggingbelievable

[defendandprotect]

True --- and notice, banks are the victims -- not the unemployed or homeless!! Blame the victim --

as usual -- !!!

[Demeter]

5. Sounds Like the Banks Are Gearing Up for Infiltration and Contamination

and don't want their employees to have yet another grievance worthy of suing them when the truth comes out that hired 5rth columnists started violence and innocent people got hurt.

[FedUp_Queer]

83. Too late.

I went to Liberty Square last night and one of the protesters told me they've found out that the cops are infiltrating. In addition, I spotted a white, unmarked (save for the license plate which said "NYPD" on it) camera surveillance truck sitting amongst the news trucks. Then there was the "www.occupyparty.org " website, which they told me about and which has NOTHING to do with OWS.

[janet118]

167. "occupyparty" registered anonymously in Australia . . .

with, as Rachel Maddow pointed out, a fake crowd photo used on quite a few Republican candidates' sites. As I recall, during the Vietnam era, the ones advocating throwing rocks at the tactical police force and buildings were mostly infiltrators. Stand up to them. Ask them why they want you to play right into the cops' hands. Film them as soon as they start their bullshit, then tell them it's going right up on YouTube. Many of the anarchist wannabees in the crowd can be easily led astray if these "leaders" are not exposed right away.

[Left Coast2020]

141. I have not had a "bank" account in over 25 years!!!

Thats because I'm a proud member of one of Oregons finest Credit Unions.

I'll give you a hint: Its in Eugene

[NV Whino]

6. Not to worry

That just explains how to deal with the police.

[formercia]

7. Don't forget to wear a Condom

[arcane1]

8. Or hold a hankerchief over my face, so as not to breathe their air

[formercia]

The Banks should issue surgical masks to all employees.

No, wait. That would be too obvious.

[RC]

25. Bandanas would work also.

[formercia]

29. Be sure they're Black n/t

[Capitalocracy]

99. Probably not a bad idea...

you never know when you'll get pepper sprayed.

Actually, the safest thing would probably be to wear a shirt that says in giant letters POLICE: I WORK FOR THE BANK, PLEASE DON'T HIT ME

[Trillo]

10. Yet the bankers themselves have resorted to violence

performed by the police the bankers (JP Morgan, I believe) have paid.

RE: "While this group has not yet resorted to violence the possibility exists that they can."

It sure would be nice if the bankers who write these documents attempted to propagate truth to their employees instead of misleading by suggesting violence hasn't occurred. It has. The police have used violence against protesters who are doing nothing more than using their First Amendment rights to peaceably assemble.

[arcane1]

14. The part that bugs me the most is this:

"groups are marching in response to their perception of corporate and banking
greed that followed the U.S. Government assisted “Big” bank bail outs."


Between the word "perception" and the false claim that it's only the greed from AFTER the bailouts.

[BrendaBrick]

32. Thanks for posting this

Yeah. The word "perception" stuck out for me too!!! As if folks are 'perceiving' all this crap incorrectly. How absurd!

[truedelphi]

90. Although I applaud you for your statement, and agree with it,

I feel I should point out that our "First Amendment" rights to peacefully assemble have been stripped away from us.

Locale after locale has made it a legal requirement to demand that any protesters wanting peaceful assembly rights must apply for a permit. Which is often denied to them.



Naomi Klein has been addressing this quite forecefully - as she understands that you cannot have a dmeocratic government if you have no right to protest.

And if you have a right to protest, but can be arrested, or can be maced, tear gassed, and injured - those harmful actions are also the actions of a group of people who are seeking to deny us democracy.

[Trillo]

135. I agree with you about the stripping of rights,

and it's not just the First Amendment. I believe the majority of our problems are centered around the rise of corporations, specifically, corporate personhood, and which has heaped the pursuit of profit well above natural persons' pursuit of happiness, and which is actually hostile toward humans' happiness (think "stress"). Every possible opportunity to game the legal system is and has been taken for decades, at least a century if not more.

The rise of corporatism, as enabled by corporate personhood, has seen the parallel rise of the police state.

[zipplewrath]

11. Mostly a piece of boiler plate

Most of that direction is just basic security recommendation you'll find in almost any context. Heck, you'll find similar advice for foreign travelers.

[progressoid]

12. But nothing in there about posting this online for millions to read?

[arcane1]

147. Nope

There was nothing in there about posting this online for millions to read

[WillyT]

13. K & R !!!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

15. WATCH OUT! BE AFRAID!

THEY MAY ATTACK WITH FLOWERS!

[dionysus]

16. sounds like old boilerplate text but really is lame.

[immoderate]

17. They left out the headgear recommendation...

--imm

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. banks are getting worried

[Name removed]

20. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[global1]

22. Interestingly Enough - 99% Of Bank Employees Are Really 99%er's Themselves........

the banks better watch out because their own employees might turn against them. Case in point - the Original Poster is a bank employee.

[lonestarnot]

27. Sad isn't it.

[harun]

68. +1

[uponit7771]

70. +1

[The Wielding Truth]

91. "99% Of Bank Employees Are Really 99%er's Themselves.."

Perfect! That's the reminder needed to make the employees realize the real issue is that their owners are crooks, embezzlers and oppressors who are living off the pain of all of us - the 99%!

[Demoiselle]

97. Exactly, global1.

Some of us (namely me) opened a pitiful little savings account in a local bank, newly formed,with African American business roots, about ten years ago. Said bank has since been bought out and absorbed by BankofAmerica.
I want to close out my account..especiallly since this latest fee absurdity, but I never use a debit card with this bank anyway.I know I should put my funds in another bank, and the amount is so small it will make absolutely no difference to the bigwigs......but I think about the employees in the bank branch, and I'm dragging my feet. They are just people trying to make a living. I hate to think that anything I do might jeopardize them personally. If anybody out there can give me a way to think about this that makes it all a little clearer...I welcome suggestions.

[eridani]

155. I think that the jobs will follow the bank accounts. Given no net loss of accounts

--the same number of employees should be needed. They'd just change workplaces. A bigger threatfor them is automation and offshoring of back room functions.

[cyglet]

116. They're afraid

they might join them. That's why it's "best for all involved if their employees don't associate".

[sarcasmo]

137. +1

[formercia]

24. Wear a disguise

Gotta blend.....

[Kurovski]

43. You can't fool me.

That's Hank Williams Jr.

[lonestarnot]

26. What a bunch of chickenshit bullshit.

[WinkyDink]

28. Wow. So protestors are likened to criminals to be avoided, along with dark alleys.

[valerief]

30. Holy crap! That sounds like what people should do to avoid banks! nt

[nc4bo]

36. Oh, that's a good one! nt

[B Calm]

31. GOOD, they are scared shitless, LOL

[nichomachus]

34. I saw the headline and asked, "Why would you protest safety?"

Good advice, because the OWS protestors have beat up so many bank employees. Bullshit.

[Arugula Latte]

35. And, if you see scary Anti Bank protesters ... Serpentine! Serpentine!

[RaleighNCDUer]

37. They left out the best, simplest tip:

"Ask if they have an extra sign, and join them."

[gkhouston]

60. No wonder banks have phased out deposit envelopes.

They don't want their employees making micro-signs with company property.

[Permanut]

38. I feel slighted....

they left out Portland; six thousand muggers here and no arrests!

[kag]

115. They left out Denver too.

Not sure how many muggers we have, but tomorrow we'll have at least three more. My kids and I are going to go enjoy a "scary" Saturday afternoon with the protesters.

[PotatoChip]

40. "Paranoia strikes deep"

Although in this case it's happening to the right people (not you, the OP- I mean)... TPTB in your company seem to be projecting their fears out to you as an employee. Hoping perhaps you agree, and see OWS as a potentially scary enemy just as they do???

On a related note, it's funny how they are painting OWS as a violent, unfocused group of vagrants and ne'er-do-wells. Assuming this memo went out to everyone in the OP's workplace, I wonder if they (TPTB) really believe this? Or is it possibly a desperate attempt to keep their 'lesser' employees from sympathizing with the overall movement??? Serious Q here...

Any Psychology/Sociology types here? Would love to know what you think of this.

Oh, and of course thanks to the OP for sharing. K&R!

[arcane1]

41. It went out to EVERY employee via email, and posted on our intranet

I definitely get the impression that they want to make the protesters seem unsympathetic. I mean seriously: "When encountering a protest group or march every effort should be made to avoid the group" WTF? This is California, there is a protest or march every freakin' DAY about something!

[lumberjack_jeff]

44. Violence is not unlikely.

History shows it's what pissed-off people do. History (e.g. the labor movement) also suggests that TPTB don't take anger seriously until that point.

[Nye Bevan]

67. "Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral"

Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones. Violence is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding: it seeks to annihilate rather than convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.

- Martin Luther King

[lumberjack_jeff]

127. "By any means necessary." - Malcom X n/t

[I Have A Dream]

153. Thank you for posting this.

I'm OK with people ridiculing me for objecting to posts that are condoning or celebrating violence. I'm sad to see that there are so few people who are speaking out about it.

[kag]

117. Okay, but it's also what the cops have been doing.

I'm actually impressed that the protesters have been remaining so peaceful in the face of such brutality by the police.

[Mopar151]

166. Ubiquitous video changes EVERYTHING

Sad to say, the goons are more worried about getting caught than whether they are doing the right thing - and now, they are on view for the world to see.

"'Cuz your'e either a union man
Or a goon for John Lee Brown
So which side are you on, boy?
Which side are you on?"

[tama]

45. How many lay-outs

in banking industry so far? How many more to come this year? Next year?

Not the kind of jobs people need.

[Uncle Joe]

46. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for sharing, arcane.

[Arctic Dave]

47. "often encouraging the unemployed and homeless to join the movement"

They weren't unemployed and homeless until you fucking shitstains destroyed the economy because of your fucking greed and lying. Be scared fuckers. No you know how the rest of the population feels.

[I Have A Dream]

48. Before yesterday, I would have completely disagreed with this memo.

However, some things that I read here since yesterday make me think that the memo's concerns about personal safety are definitely warranted, I'm sad to say.

Oh, and for those who will challenge my comment about violent posts (as was the case in another thread yesterday), there are lots of examples in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...


I don't in any way support the actions of those who have done so much to destroy what is good about our country, and I completely support the OWS Movement. However, I will neither condone violence nor stay silent when I see it being promoted or celebrated.

May the entire 100% stay physically safe.

[kestrel91316]

108. Specify the actual real-life violence that has occurred that you are so

"concerned" about in that thread.

I'll be waiting.

You have a serious problem if you can't tell the difference between hyperbole and physical violence.

[I Have A Dream]

151. If you had read the same things that I read on a right-wing site...

I don't think that you'd be calling these statements "hyperbolic". It's hypocritical to say something is hyperbolic here but an actual threat from there. Just because it's coming from someone at our site doesn't make the celebration of violence acceptable, and just because it's coming from someone here doesn't make it not have the potential to be a true threat.

Why do we have to wait until something violent actually happens before it's considered "politically correct" here to say that we don't consider such statements to be appropriate? OWS is supposed to be a peaceful movement, and it is each of our responsibility to do whatever we can to keep it that way.

[jwirr]

49. LOL My children were deployed to Germany after a restaurant was

bombed by a terrorist. That sounds a lot like what they army told them + how to check your vehicle for a bomb.

These are our citizens we are talking about in this protest not a bunch of terrorist.

I also doubt that anyone is after the lowly employers of the banks - like the police they are the 99% even if they do not know it. Even in our small banks in town here the banker is just an employee of the big corporation. Probably even understands the protesters.

[Liberal_in_LA]

50. "these types of people..." n/t

[Matariki]

51. Sounds like they recycled the "walking to your car late" flyer

[Lizzie Poppet]

52. Delicious copypasta!

Hey, otherwise they'd have had to go to some effort on behalf of their rank-and-file employees, who are after all just part of the rabble, themselves.

[JuniperLea]

53. Just projection from the immoral...

Projection and fear... it's all they have.

[PETRUS]

54. K&R

Another attempt to cast the movement in a bad light and make people fear and loathe it.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

55. That's actually a more even handed description of the protesters than I would have expected.

Clearly not sympathetic but they could have hyped it up and given it the FAUX news treatment.

[pipi_k]

56. They probably should have left out

the first part about the movement itself, and just gotten right to the safety part, with which I have no problem.

Like others have pointed out, basic safety rules.

And no reflection on the movement itself or maybe not even on the majority of people protesting.

So I hope nobody is naive enough to think that everyone there is there with good intent. Because some of them aren't. Some of them might be individuals who see an opportunity, in a large crowd, to grab some wallets, or start trouble.

[slackmaster]

57. Tagged for hilarity

I did my time. Eight years at a bank.

[arcane1]

59. I'm approaching five years now

it has definitely been an eye-opener!!!

[Fire Walk With Me]

58. Aiiiieeee! Chupacabra!

Damn, paranoid much? This is of course a symptom of exactly what must change. Thanks for posting this, hope you find a good job...at a protest!

[MilesColtrane]

61. Be safe out there. Don't forget your cup!

[Duer 157099]

62. Notice how they assume the reader is the 1%?

"They" this and "they" that when in reality, the employees of the bank are the 99% and probably know it.

LOL.

[Kaleko]

66. Sly move to co-opt the bank employees.

It puts their loyalties to the test.

It's starting to feel like the 1930s in Germany around here.

[LibertyLover]

63. I like how the document

conflates "protester" with "attacker". What idiots.

[Shandris]

64. MOST of that list is just good common sense. The parts that aren't...

...are downright fucking disgusting.

The disengaged? REALLY?! The disenfranchised? Isn't that like...I don't know, tacit admission that those 'disenfranchised' are RIGHT?!

Flash Mob Protests my ass. Next they're going to add something in there about 'shooting me an email'. It's like their marketing department put this together with every fucking buzzword they could muster up. What'd they use, the babelfish corporate memo translator?

[Gregorian]

65. REEFER MADNESS

Does this remind anyone else of the Reefer Madness hype?

I know one thing, we've hit a nerve.

[Robb]

69. Kind of smells like corporate lawyers to me.

"If we send this email, we won't be liable if any of our employees are ravaged by the hordes" etc. etc.

Comedy gold.

[lsewpershad]

71. These pricks steal and rob everyday

and they are trying to make the peaceful protesters look like them ..thieves and robbers. They have absolutely no shame.

[Cherchez la Femme]

73. Duck! and Cover!!

they also neglected to add if you came in contact with these nefarious protestors you'll get cooties!

[WilliamPitt]

74. If you don't mind, I'm going to use this in an article.

I will keep your name and this link out of it, but this is just too good.

Thank you for posting this, and let me know if you don't want me using it.

[arcane1]

76. By all means, run with it!

But perhaps send me a link to the finished product?

[WilliamPitt]

78. On my word.

Thanks again. This is epic.

[arcane1]

79. It has definitely been a source of amusement all day :)

[arcane1]

80. PS: if you want, I'll PM you the bank's actual name

unless you prefer the redacted version.

[WilliamPitt]

88. I think keeping the bank's name out of it is wise

Especially for you.

I'd love to know it privately, however. Just to see if I win a bet with myself on which one it is.

[arcane1]

92. Understandable, and agreed

[mmonk]

75. It could be all summed up in one: Don't steal and gamble.

[Tom Ripley]

77. Make sure you check under the bed!!!

[tridim]

81. Thanks for posting this. I assume we'll see all the bank "handbooks" as they are released.

We are the 99%, and that includes most bank employees.

[MsPithy]

84. They forgot, "REPORT ALL SIGHTINGS OF GUILLOTINES,

IMMEDIATELY!"

[kestrel91316]

109. [phone]

[Renew Deal]

111. lol

[Name removed]

152. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MsPithy]

112. And, DON'T OFFER ANYONE CAKE!

[lunatica]

85. They'll soon realize their employees belong to the 99%

Don't worry. They just covering their asses. And fearmongering. Thinking they can kill two birds with one stone.

Let THEM be afraid.

[davidwparker]

86. "*redacted* Bank Corporate Security" - Sounds impressive,

doesn't it?

[truedelphi]

87. Hang in there. (If you can.)

It's not a real good time to go looking for work. And we do need people working at banks who have some larger understanding of what Reality is all about, rather than the usual "I watch American idol and adore working at the bank" types.

[arcane1]

93. I have learned SO MUCH from working here

considering I didn't even have a bank account when I started! Yeah, I work for Satan, but I am becoming wise to his ways

[workinclasszero]

94. Attention, all employees of banksters, rethuglians and teabaggers!!

Don't forget to wear a Guy Fawkes mask if you find yourself among the OWS revolutionaries! Its MAGIC!

[w0nderer]

96. k&r n/t

[Enrique]

100. oops! wrong safety guide!

that's their guide for collections agents going into the ghetto!

[Marnie]

101. What the elites don't "get" is that as long as you don't look like

a rich person, banker, or elite you would be indistinguishable from the "mob."

Of course if a bank employee entered the "mob" with tea bag dangling from their head and carrying an AK47, the "mob" might be excused for assuming that their intentions were not honorable.

[grntuscarora]

102. Yesterday, in Liberty Plaza I was

confronted by a protester intent on giving me *gasp* a hug.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[rucky]

103. check yer wallet

[arcane1]

105. Front pocket!!!

[grntuscarora]

120. congratulations

on exploiting RW stereotypes of dissenters for laughs. I'm sure there's a prize waiting for you somewhere.

[coalition_unwilling]

104. Bank employees below the level of Vice President should not

'stop a march'. They should join the march.

Workers of the world unite!

[kestrel91316]

106. Fits right in with the "angry, violent mob" meme.

[Brigid]

107. I find this unintentionally hilarious.

[TomClash]

110. The NY protestors are NOT violent

I haven't seen any violence in three weeks.

[DissedByBush]

113. Don't engage them?

I don't know about how rowdy or confrontational these protesters are face-to-face, but I once engaged a candle-light protester in front of a military base in Germany.

I just walked up and politely asked what it was about.

Wonderful man, a joy to talk to, very pleasant. Even though I was obviously American and walking out from the base he didn't give a hint of a personal problem with me, just calmly stated disagreement with my country's policies (I agreed with some of his points anyway).

[arcane1]

123. If we talk to them, they might give us "ideas"

We can't have that!!

[eridani]

156. Reminds me of the 1967 antiwar march on DC

The demonstrators made specific attempts to engage the soldiers lined up against them, and I swear that over a big loudspeaker came the words "Don't talk to them! Don't listen to them! Don't think!" Heard that a few soldiers tried to disappear into the crowd but were hauled back, but never saw it for myself.

[CarrieLynne]

118. that looks like the 'how to avoid rape' handbook omg

[JVS]

119. This looks just like the AIG memo to employees in 2008 or 2009

[ChiciB1]

121. I LOVE THIS... We Were In Front Of OUR Skank Of America Yesterday!

A couple of "fat cats" actually entertained us with their idiotic comments! They didn't stay long though, but we were very nice! They really weren't!

There were some at the top of the building with a sign saying "We're HIRING!" We got a big laugh out of it!

[defendandprotect]

122. Proving they are without conscience and liars --

And, of course, ignoring the GREED and CAPITALIST CRIME aht has produced so many

"disengaged and disenfranchised" in America -- the unemployed and the homeless --



These types of groups are reaching out to the disengaged and disenfranchised population of the United States for members, often encouraging the unemployed and homeless to join the movement. Often these marches and protests are unplanned and result from instant notification on “Social Networks” that produce “Flash Protest Mobs” in a matter of minutes. While this group has not yet resorted to violence the possibility exists that they can.


Perhaps what they truly fear in any contact with their bank's personnel is that hey might be

enlightened as to what's really going on in America --


Thanks for letting us know -- !!

[CreekDog]

124. A while back there used to be protests outside my workplace

they'd warn us about them.

and some of us would joke that we should join the protestors because we agreed!

[JNelson6563]

126. Yeah, those protestors are like animals!!1!

Wow. Nothing like instilling fear and trying to drive that wedge. I bet they fear the under-paid nobodies that actually make the banks run from day to day are going to turn on them and join the "mob". I can only hope their fears are realized.

Julie

[Shagbark Hickory]

129. At $300 an hour, I wonder how look it took some lawyer to write that?

I guess the company softball games are out then?

[tcaudilllg]

130. This is one nut-job piece of work....

[arcane1]

131. Good lord, now that I'm home at reading this at my leisure...

there are so many fucking corporate dog-whistles in it, I can't even keep count of them.

I still think the phrase "encouraging the unemployed and homeless to join" is the biggest one. This is a medium-sized bank where 90% of the employees are in the LA area or the SF area. The loose translation of this is "they are giving drug-and-booze money to all those crazy scary people you see on the streets, so they will show up and increase the protest's numbers."

"Automatically dismiss these people, and call the police if you see them. But whatever you do, don't listen to a word they say!" is the basic message.

The "safety tips" are mostly a copy/paste of the annual bank safety things they send out, with a few modifications (notably the word "mob"). This is a subtle way of equating the protesters with the shady characters that wait for you to walk out of a branch with a bag of deposits. The intention is to frighten. They are anti-bank, after all, and they have crazed drug addicts acting as their muscle.

"Anti-bank" is absurd. We all know that. But think of the horror it instills on those who don't pay attention to real news.

Honestly, I think the historical context, referencing the middle east, was added simply to scare people, as was the term "manifesto"

I need a drink

[livingonearth]

132. They forgot to say "wear clean underwear".

[IDemo]

133. If you see a bright flash of light, remember - duck and cover!

[unkachuck]

136. the banksters....

....are getting nervous and frightened....as well they should be....

....they're afraid we're going to do them, like they've done us....

[ZombieHorde]

138. Sounds like they want you to be afraid of the people marching for your rights. nt

[2banon]

139. Hey there neighbor..

I've been sick with bronchial pneumonia and have not participated in local occupy actions. I've been meaning to query into how things are actually working out in SF, but haven't yet. this is a very interesting report generating from the inside. Makes me wonder if bank owners might intend to provoke violence just to prove a point. Thanks for sharing this.

[barbtries]

140. this is the part i don't get:

Instead, *redacted* Bank Employees encountering any such activity should immediately contact the Police.

dial 911 and say, there's a protest march near me? is that really what the banksters want?

they're scared. but never for one frickin second think gee did we do anything for them to be protesting?!

[tropicanarose]

142. Wow......I see this as a really positive sign. We are making progress and they are preparing. YAY!

[ArcticFox]

143. Sounds like an invitation to skip work to me

Seriously, just go hide out at a restaurant or bar on your way to work and report seeing some protesters that made you uncomfortable.

Follow those guidelines.

[arcane1]

144. Haha!! I love it!

Don't tempt me

[999998th word]

146. I feel a lot safer around protesters than I do around those assholes.

Was outside for DAYS in' Walkerville' protests-overnights outside, w/complete strangers, never felt threatened ONCE.

Female senior citizen in a town I was unfamiliar with-but pissed off enough to go. People are not stupid, lonely, bored, or whatever

other negative meme they find it necessary to attach-we are FUCKING PISSED, and see through the BS.

Thanks for posting.

[NICO9000]

148. Disparaging the unemployed and homeless is despicable

Why don't they call them by their real name? Their former customers!

[bengalherder]

149. This is very close to the notices scientology

has put out to their staff to promote fear and prevent their people from accessing information outside of the cult.


It's really funny how absolute power all has the same structure.

And that will be it's downfall.

[lynne]

150. I used to work for a bank -

- and was laid off 20 months ago. Haven't been able to find full time work since. Now working part time at 50% of the hourly wage I was getting at the bank, no vacation or sick leave, no perks.

Consider yourself lucky and leave if you hate the place. There's a long line waiting to fill your shoes.

[MrModerate]

158. I think you're being unfair.

I support the actions in Wall Street and all over the world — at least so far — but it would be naive to think that these actions couldn't go bad, or even go a little bad in a few places and people could get hurt.

Not even including instances of police assault already seen last week, any time you're yelling in someone's ear and telling them to listen up — AND disrupting their business — confrontation is possible.

I think the bank is doing the right thing by issuing the handbook in an attempt primarily to ensure the physical safety of its employees. Much of the advice is reasonable (mostly common sense and a few dumb as dirt clunkers) For all I know, your employer may be the world's nastiest banking fuckers ever, but at least they sincerely don't want you to get your head broken open on the street today.

The bank's explanation of what's going on with OWS itself is cartoony in the extreme, but hell — they're bankers. They don't get "takin' it to the streets" even a little bit.

I've been on both sides of protests in San Francisco (in one instance handing my sign to a fellow protester before ducking under the police line and waving my badge at the rent-a-cops to get inside). Bad people and good people and clueless people just minding their own business can get hurt in these things. In the long run, the fewer violent incidents associated with OWS, the better.

[jonthebru]

159. When you see a protest march...

immediately disrobe and join the protest.

[Tanelorn]

160. The banksters are worried , they have produced a book.

More power to you QWSters.

Australia is getting daily reports on a variety of media. The
most detailed, thoughtful and analytical being the government
funded ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation.  

[mahina]

161. Thank you for sharing this...it begs for a satirical restatement

but it's bedtime for me....maybe another day!

hui hou

[TNLib]

162. I think they are also scared of losing business

all this attention reminds consumers that their banks don't really care about them just the shareholders. I went into my bank the other day to close out an old account that I never used. The bank teller immediately started talking to me about keeping my main account and any issues or questions I might have. I started asking about additional fees and she said I had nothing to worry about.

I had been contemplating banking with a credit union. But I can tell the bank was really worried about loosing business.

I honestly don't see how they think that if they start charging more banking fees that they can stay in business and costumers will not leave them.

[Gman]

163. OMG!! They really are scared to death.

The possibilities terrify them. This is fantastic

[crim son]

164. "Be a good witness..."

"Do not attempt to reason or argue with the protestors."

Is the bank genuinely afraid or just covering it's ass? Either way, how vile.

[Odin2005]

168. They are trying to make ther protesters out to be criminals and thugs! Bastards!

[Turbineguy]

169. "...disengaged and disenfranchised population of the United States..."

That's the problem isn't it?

Maybe they don't want to be disengaged and disenfranchised.

[Douglas Carpenter]

171. Do not attempt to reason or argue with the protesters

Be a good witness and try to remember as many details of what occurred as you can.

[JustAnotherGen]

172. Not one single

incident has been reported of violence by these justifiably angry Americans. I'm absolutely disgusted by this letter from Redacted Bank to it's employees.

[Butch350]

173. The opposition to the "OWS" movement...

could start to implant vandalizing trouble makers into the OWS crowds
that would give law enforcement an excuse to instill a curfew or even ban the movement altogether.

[JackRiddler]

174. Thank you for making this public. You're a good citizen -- seriously.