Arrest Support Group

Guide, examples of texts and sheets for the Arrest Support Group of an action

This guide is also available in PDF format (in Dutch).

Introduction: What does an Arrest Support Group do?

The Arrest Support Group (AG) provides practical support for people who get arrested during actions. What the AG can and cannot do depends on the type of action. In some actions, the number of participants is known, and you know exactly who is taking part. These are called ‘small actions.’ In other actions, like demonstrations, you don’t know who will participate, so the AG’s role is a bit different. These are referred to as ‘large actions.’

‘Small Actions’
For small actions where all participants are known to the AG, the AG’s role includes:

Acting as a point of contact for the lawyer and the friends/family of those arrested
Providing practical support to detainees: calling work to inform them of absence, making sure pets are fed, keeping friends/family updated, bringing clothes or medicine to the police station, etc.
Depending on the type of action, secrecy during preparation may be important, especially if you’re organizing a blockade or occupation. In this case, be mindful of the possibility of eavesdropping on your phone or reading of chat messages. Speak to each other in person, without phones around. The AG must also adhere to these safety guidelines.

‘Large Actions’

For larger actions like demonstrations, the AG’s role is more limited. The AG acts as the central information and communication point for 1) the family and friends of those arrested and 2) the lawyer. For the lawyer, it’s vital to have one contact point (the AG) who can provide all necessary updates to the public and/or friends/family of the detainees. During the demonstration, participants can call the AG if they see someone being arrested. This allows the AG to keep track of how many detainees there are.

Preparations

These are things you need to arrange beforehand:

1) Lawyer

Make sure to arrange a lawyer in advance who is on standby during the action.

2) Documents + phone

Ensure that you bring the necessary documents, such as arrest forms, information flyers, etc. (see guide in PDF). Make sure you have a phone that can serve as the AG phone. It’s best if it’s not your personal phone.

3) Fill in the forms

(This applies only to small actions where the AG knows who is participating.)Everyone who is taking part (even those who don’t plan on getting arrested) must fill out a form (see the “Arrest Form” attachment). The form should include all the information you, as the AG, need if someone gets arrested. This includes: phone number, whether pets need to be fed, who has access to the house, whether there are any outstanding fines, etc. The forms are numbered. If there are anonymous people, communicate their AG numbers only through the phone, not their names.

Carefully read each form filled out. If something is unclear, ask what it means while you still have the chance. Once the person is arrested, you can no longer ask if their ID is at home, how to get into their house, or whether the phone number they provided is a 4 or a 9. If work needs to be called off, ask whether it’s okay to use an excuse or if you can honestly tell the boss that they’ve been arrested. Often, people don’t want their boss to know they’ve been detained!

Once all forms are filled out, the AG will possess sensitive personal information about the participants. Handle this responsibility carefully. Consider all personal information as confidential. If you need to travel, follow all traffic laws to avoid being unnecessarily stopped with this sensitive information on you. Destroy all forms after the action.

4) Informing participants

Participants must know who the AG is, what the AG can do for them, and how they should prepare. It is typically the AG’s responsibility to get this information to the participants.

4a) … for 'small actions’

Before the action starts, check with the group if everyone knows their rights. If not, inform them about it.
Remind people that if they leave during the action or when the action ends, they must check out with the AG. If they don’t (and the AG hears nothing from them), the AG must assume they are arrested!
People should write the name of the lawyer and the AG phone number on their body with a permanent marker. In the cell (where they don’t have a phone), detainees will always have contact details on them.
Check if all AG forms are filled out clearly.

4b) … for 'large actions’

Because it’s not feasible to speak to each person individually during large actions, you can create flyers to be shared online in advance and handed out to participants during the demo. See the “Information for Arrest” attachment.

You won’t distribute the flyers yourself, so arrange for people to do this.
Ensure that the correct names and phone numbers are filled in on the flyer for your action.

During the action

Important: Under no circumstances should the AG be physically present at the action, regardless of the action! Ensure that you arrange a safe, non-public place (such as your home) in advance, where you can remain throughout the action, staying online and accessible.

For 'small actions’

Make sure you agree that people check out after the action so you can be sure they haven’t been arrested. If you don’t hear from them, and can’t get in touch with them, you must assume they’ve been arrested. Make this clear to the participants, as it’s their responsibility.

Anonymous People: If there are people who wish to remain anonymous, ensure that you don’t mention names over the phone.

For 'large actions'

Make sure you have at least one contact person present at the action who can provide you with regular updates. The most important information to pass on is whether and how many people have been arrested. If, during the action, you lose contact with your contact person, there is a chance they may have been arrested as well. However, always try to verify assumptions.
During the action, you will keep track of what’s happening (through the contact person and via live feeds and social media). Make sure to record significant events in the logbook. Events may unfold quickly, and there may be some chaos, especially if arrests are made.
Participants in the action can call you to report an arrest. Ask for physical descriptions of the people being arrested. It’s possible that three people might call you reporting the same arrest. This way, you’ll know it’s just one detainee, not three.
Try to keep track of how many people have been arrested in total. (This can be difficult, especially with mass arrests.)
Try to mention as few names as possible over the phone.
Occasionally update the lawyer. If no one is arrested, ensure that you report back to the lawyer once the action is over.

After the action

If no one is arrested

If the action has proceeded without arrests, your work as the AG is done. Make sure to notify the lawyer so they know the situation. If you have arrest forms, burn them.

If people are arrested...

As long as there are people in detention, there must always be someone from the AG available. If you need to work, make sure you have arranged for someone to temporarily take over. This is why it’s useful to have an AG phone that is not your personal phone. (This is advisable, especially if the AG number has been made publicly available.)

Keep in touch with the lawyer. Through the lawyer, you can stay informed about how many people are still in detention, what they are suspected of, whether they are being held in custody or not, etc. And of course, most importantly, when they will be released!

...for 'small actions'

Check the arrest forms to see who needs to be contacted, what needs to be arranged, etc.

...for 'large actions'

As long as there are people in detention, the AG is the designated point for providing information to bystanders/public.

Everyone is free again

It’s really helpful if someone is ready to receive the released individuals at the police station! It’s best if it’s someone other than the AG themselves, as long as they still have sensitive, personal information about the detainees.
If you can't arrange for someone to pick up the released detainees, try to contact them by phone.
There is often legal follow-up: there may be fines or lawsuits. The detainees need to discuss these matters with the lawyer. Collect the detainees’ email addresses and provide them to the lawyer.
It’s also quite possible that the arrest or being detained has been traumatic for the detainee. Check in with the released detainees to see how they are doing, and if available, provide them with contact information for the Support & Recovery team. This is a team specifically focused on the mental health of activists after intense, high-stress events such as violent arrests.
Het is erg fijn als er iemand klaar staat om vrijgelaten mensen op te vangen bij het politiebureau! Het beste is als het iemand anders is dan de AG zelf, zolang die nog gevoelige, persoonlijke informatie van arrestanten op zak heeft.

Finally

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This guide is part of the ‘Toolbox for Movements’. This toolbox contains more short digital guides, offering fundamental knowledge about strategy, movement building, campaigning, and organizing.

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