Green Governance

The Counterintuitive Safety of the Front Lines

Understanding the Paradox

In the face of oppression and violence, it is natural to seek safety by avoiding confrontation. However, this strategy may not always be the most effective.

"Counterintuitive though it is, in a confusing situation, often the best, if not safest, place to be is the front lines, so you can get a clear visual grasp of what is going on around you."

-What I Do for a Living, an account from the demonstrations against the 2003 European Union summit

Historical Examples

My friend's grandfather, a Jewish man living in Germany in the 1920s, experienced this paradoxical phenomenon firsthand. By actively engaging in confrontations with Nazis, he escaped their wrath and avoided the fate of his family, who perished in concentration camps.

Similarly, participants in the Jewish resistance during the Holocaust had higher survival rates due to their active involvement in guerrilla warfare.

The Power of Agency

In both individual and collective situations, asserting oneself can provide greater security in the long run. Even if initial engagements go badly, bringing the conflict to a head may prevent further escalation. This is because it eliminates the possibility of complacency and a false sense of security.

"It doesn't always work out this way, but sometimes, it's safer in the front."

Activism and Resistance

This principle has played a crucial role in real-world demonstrations and resistance movements. In 2001, the author participated in the Quebec City anti-summit protest, and while initially apprehensive, found that moving to the front lines provided a clearer understanding of the situation and allowed them to take action.

In subsequent demonstrations, such as the protest against Bush's second term and the 2008 Denver Democratic National Convention, the author and others used this strategy to successfully navigate police barriers and evade arrest.

"The longer we were in the streets, the more dangerous it got."

Lessons from the Trump Era

During the rise of authoritarianism, it became increasingly important to confront the threat head-on. In the 2017 Inauguration Day protests, the author and others used their position at the front to outmaneuver police lines and escape arrest.

"It sounds like a metaphor, but I mean it literally as well as figuratively. Whether it's a march or a court case, sometimes it's safer in the front."

The Atlanta Block Cop City Protest

In 2023, the Block Cop City protest in Atlanta provided another example of the paradoxical safety of the front lines. Despite apprehensions, those who took the lead and engaged with the police were able to make significant gains and protect their fellow protesters.

"People accept a lot of negative consequences in their lives just to avoid responsibility...try as we might, there is no avoiding the fact that as long as we are able to make decisions and take action, we are responsible for ourselves."

The Importance of Resistance

In the end, the risk of abandoning the streets and surrendering to oppression outweighs the risks of confrontation. It is through resistance that the long-term safety of society can be preserved.

"In all our anxiety, we had forgotten the greatest risk of all: that we might do nothing, that we would let ourselves be cowed into abandoning the streets."

Embracing the Front Lines

While staying home may seem safer in the immediate term, complacency and fear can lead to worse consequences in the future. It is through bold and proactive actions that we can create a more just and equitable society.

"The front isn't a spatial location. Understood properly, it doesn't necessarily require a particular kind of physical ability or skillset. It's a way of engaging with events, of remaining focused on our agency."

It's Safer in the Front : Taking the Offensive against Tyranny