The Reality of Anarchy

Australia - This officer has failed to realize the increased threat level.

 First let me start by saying I'm a "glass is half full" kinda guy.  I like to find the good in people, give people more than one chance and I get along with most everyone.  I'm an outgoing, friendly person.  I believe in the good in people and the hope for all humanity.  With that being said, let me go on to say I also realize that as a society (around the world), we are in sad shape.

 First let me explain the difference between Laws and Rules.  You see Laws are things that I cannot break.  Like gravity, laws of speed, time, etc.  Those are physical laws that I cannot break.  Rules however are a different matter all together.  You see, Rules are things that we as a society choose to put in place to help guide the actions of people within the society.  They aren't always fair or intelligent, but for the most part they work.  However, you or I can choose at any time to simply break those rules and do something different.  Choose to play unfairly.  To harm others, steal, kill and in other ways take advantage of others unable to prevent us from doing so.

Greece - armed and amored protestors attack the police

 What keeps people from breaking these rules most of the time is a moral code.  Although I would like to assume it's there own moral code that keeps them in check, I know better.  What makes me say that?  Well, all we have to do is look around the world at what happens when the Law (Rule) Enforcement is removed.  Look at the LA riots, riots in Greece, Paris or New Orleans.  Any place where the enforcement ability to removed, anarchy takes it's place.  The thing that keeps society relativey safe isn't an internal moral code at all but instead is a moral code that's inforced by the government or some such power.  As soon as it can no longer provide enforcement, violence and chaos ensues.

 With this reality that society can erupt into chaos at any moment, how does that effect our training in the martial arts and the necessary overlap into protecting our loved ones?  All of the pictures in this post are recent, modern pics.  these riots are happening all over the world, right now.  Here in America and civilized cities around the world.  Of course the front lines are protesters and police, who knows, maybe that's you, maybe not.  But even if you try to stay away from it, civilians are commonly killed and injured during these types of civil unrest incidents.  Homes and business are burned, cars burned, people stomped, stoned and drug through the streets.  Long improvised weapons like the ones in the above pic are commonly used to repel police officers.

 Shields, helmet, body armor and a team of trained warriors didn't help defend agains the most basic attack known to mankind, the groin kick.  This proves training (software) is far more important than tools (hardware)!!! 

 In Sayoc Kali we teach and practice projectiles of all kinds regularly.  This is commonly ridiculed in the martial arts world as being useless.  Yet, in every modern riot you will see tons of projectiles.  Bricks, chunks of concrete, knives, molotov cocktails, etc. are all commonly used.  Your training should include projectiles and the defenses for them.  As I explain to my class, not all enemies are two legged.  If you were facing a dangerous animal, would you rather try to kick and punch it or throw rocks at it?  The answers and use for modern projectiles is obvious.

 Imagine that all your training consisted of boxing or grappling in this pic above.  With a opponent wearing a motorcycle helmet and swinging a big stick you might not opt for empty hand strikes.  In fact this is an excellent time to discuss the real and modern use of conventional and improvised shields.  Does your training include them?  How and what would YOU use in a similar situation to block, deflect or absorb the blow of that long weapon?

France

 Common strategies on fighting more that one include taking out the leader, going for the biggest guy first to scare the others, hit or kick first and run, maybe bluff your way out.  Which one of those do you think is going to work when faced with the crowd in the pic above?

United States

 Other tactics include dropping and curling up into a ball to protect your vitals, cover you head and pray for the best.  Do you think that is working for the guy in the pic above?  Why aren't those people helping him? 

 Here's another pic of a guy on the ground.  This really shows you the value of staying up and being on the move.  You don't have to be a world class sprinter, but I don't care if your the world's greatest grappler, you end up down there and you won't ever get up. 

Los Angeles

Many people go for the hide and ride method.  Hoping they can hide in their homes and ride it out.  Possibly.  If the riots are not in your area, sure.  But all it takes is one fire to end the fantasy of "a man's home is his castle".  You have to be prepared to move, shoot and communicate. 

 Here more "protesters" are wearing helmets and using improvised weapons.  Does your martial art work against an armored opponent using an noncoventional weapon?  Have you trained for this?  Against this?  It's easy to say "Well, I would never be in that situation" but tons of people thought that in LA and in New Orleans.  Tons thought that in Greece and Paris.  Throughout history people have thought it wouldn't happen to them or in their neighborhood.  Don't be that person.  An ounce of prevention (training and hardware) is worth a pound of cure (or thousands of pounds of Government assistance).  Take responsibility for yourself and your family.

 Shields work both ways!  With his hand on the shield, the protester can block most of that blow!  Put yourself in the place of the protester and the officer.  What would you do differently?

 Not all projectiles are rocks!!  Fire is one of mankinds most effective violent weapons.  Able to be delivered by hand to accuate targets with almost no forethought or preparations.  Simple and deadly all over the world.  It ruins vehicles, destroys castles, blocks off advances or retreats and in the pic below, kills individuals. 

 Armor and helmets are effective against weapons like impact and edged weapons, the shield might have worked to keep the fire on it instead of him but it looks like he caught the fire bomb on the bottom of the shield instead, which then spread to him. 

Projectiles work on both sides!!!  Here we have perfect example of non deadly projectles.  These are commonly used in the United States as well as other parts of the world.  But if you look closely, the guy is wearing a gas mask of some sort.  Perhaps not rated as a "gas" mask, it might still prevent most of it from getting to him, thus keeping him in the fight longer.  He is also armed with a long weapon and armored with a hard hat. 

The reality is that the beauty of civilization is only skin deep.  Underneath this enforced rule of playing fair are thousands who will do whatever they want as soon as the threat of repercussions is removed.  Since there is no way of knowing when or where such breakdowns in our society will occur it is in our best interest to consider how it happens, when and why.  What are the common methods employeed by both protesters and police or military during these times?  What can I do now to prepare for those threats?  What kind of training (software) and what kind of equipment (hardware) should I get now to prepare?  As you can see in these pictures, both sides will be armed, armored and there are casualties on both sides.  

This is a post on preparedness and the reality of conflict in large masses.  It has nothing to do with the political, social or religous beliefs of anyone.  It does not condone or condem riots or violence and it does not in any way suggest you should take any action except to become more educated and prepared to protect your family.  I realize that many of the pics contained in this article are related to polictical issues but this article assumes no relationship or opinion on those topics.

Guro Harley