-
If someone seems to strangely walk up to you holding a microphone up to you saying “i’m just asking questions.” they are likely Boditle (a well known alt right troll who will posts their interactions on Youtube with your face without asking for your permission.) or they may just be an right wing troll. So without adding a celebrity name to it, these individuals are usually signified as alt right trolls or similarly.
-
If someone doesn’t have a microphone and they approach you, to talk, make good judgement. Do they make you feel comfortable with their presence, are they talking like they are seriously here for the movement, protest, or LGBTQ+ parade. Are they questioning your sign or shirts, or outfit (if you’re holding a sign or etc.)
-
You should avoid putting hands on the individual (even if they aren’t seriously injured they can still claim assault to the law cops against you.) and report them to the event organizers, and if things escalate, with the alt right trolls behavior, may have to get the law involved. In short don’t feed trolls.
Just a bit of advice: maybe use the Jehovah’s Witnesses playbook of never act alone like some kind of prime directive. Seriously, this is effective and why you never see Witnesses knocking on people’s doors or slinging literature solo. This applies both if approached or if you see someone being approached. The key is not to gang up on the other person. It only takes 2 people and should only be 2 people to avoid making the other person uncomfortable. The second person is there to mostly support and occasionally act like a moderator. The second person can pull back the conversation, tone down, or redirect in ways that the first is less in control of in the flow of conversation.
Witnesses encounter a lot of confrontational people. When I was one, I was chased, threatened, followed, and a number of other things. Witnesses are directed to always be friendly and amicable while walking away from all confrontational people.
A little off topic but Mormons, at least in my area, are also always in groups of 2. Either way, sounds like pretty solid advice in my eyes.
There is a scripture about evangelizing in pairs. It was part of how first century Christians operated. The early Christians were structured in a very egalitarian socialist-like system where all members preached in all settings and there was no central figurehead or authority like a pope. Witnesses are probably the closest you will find to a group that follows what it would have been like in the first century… If you’re into that kind of rabbit hole. The scripture about preaching in pairs is why you’ll find most neo reformation Christian religions have many members that preach. It is actually written as a fundamental requirement in order to be a Christian. This is ignored by most because it is not compatible with a clergical class or central authority.
Damn good advice!
This part is a tangent, hell, an outright off topic thing.
But, I’ve never had beef with witnesses in terms of them showing up. All I’ve ever had to do is say that I’d prefer if nobody came here again, and it would be years before the next visit. And they seem to be perfectly willing to respect a sign saying no witnessing. And, like you said, even when I was barely awake and grumpy, they were always polite about it.
It’s a pretty nasty cult to be stuck in, but they tend to be about the least invasive sect I’ve ever run across. Way less hassle them Baptists, and even less than Mormons
Makes sense though, that there would be prep for us grumpy bastards.
That is a good tip. Always good to have someone that can back you up, incase that troll puts fake allegations against you or other situations they might put you through…
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, and I’m sorry you had those experiences 🫂