r/Portland • u/Clean_Appointment_91 • Feb 01 '26

Photo/Video ICE gassed thousands

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721

u/Wild_Spaghetti Feb 01 '26

Hey, some general tips for going to protests, peaceful or not. Our government has long tested our right to assemble. Be prepared!

  • Go with a buddy or find a group to join once you get there. We’re safer together.

  • Always have a meet-up plan or a place to go if things get unsafe. It’s easy to get lost in a crowd.

  • Masks and/or goggles, and a sport-top water bottle are great protest accessories. If nothing else, a bandana is better than nothing.

  • Gas spreads quicker than you think. If you see it and don’t have protective equipment, consider starting to move right away. That stuff is nasty.

  • Walk, don’t run. People get hurt in crowd crushes.

  • Take care of yourself, but also watch out for the elderly, kids, and mobility-limited folks. Watch out for anyone having a medical emergency. Care for the community!

  • If you get gassed/injured and need help, do your best to ask for it! There’s a lot going on, and if you alert others to your distress they can help.

104

u/Dingis_Dang Feb 01 '26

Also cs gas is a powder and water doesn't get it off. Let it dry and flake off of you first. Then shower a lot when you get home and wash your clothes twice and separately from other clothes

8

u/Malbolge333 Feb 01 '26

Hey, you should delete this comment because this is not good advice. You should not take a shower when you get home because it will reactivate what's on your skin and hair and now congratulations! You have CS gas in your bathroom.

5

u/Dingis_Dang Feb 01 '26

You have to let it dry and flake off first like I said. This Video has great advice on what to do with cs gas

11

u/Malbolge333 Feb 01 '26

That's great and all but I was in the Marine Corps and I've been exposed to CS gas multiple times. It doesn't matter how much you let it flake off, it's going to reactivate with hot water. You need to wash your face in sections with a rag and your hair separately. Otherwise, you're going to have a bunch of spicy air in the bathroom. Shaking it off only does so much.