How to Deal with Stormtroopers
Original image by Randy Colas on Unsplash.
Identify potential attackers.
Police officers and their more heavily-armed Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T) units should, by law, have visible name badges and insignia representing their force/unit. Stormtroopers—who may be part of BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit), a division of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol—may wear no identifying markings on their uniforms.
Check vehicles.
Municipal and other police used marked vehicles in most cases. Stormtroopers may use SUVs and vans with blacked out windows and no markings. If you see troops milling about these vehicles, prepare for confrontation.
Survey physical size of troops.
BORTAC and other, similar units are typically composed of men very large in stature and include few women among their ranks. Most will be veterans of the armed services and have been deployed on active duty in foreign operations. (CBP may operate within 100 miles of any U.S. border, including the coasts, allowing them to legally patrol most cities within the United States.)
Survey buildings.
Stormtroopers may have been deployed by President Trump to (ostensibly) protect federal buildings; this should be their primary mission. However, reports indicate many have moved beyond these structures and out into surrounding areas. Take special care around these buildings and nearby locations.
Prepare for confrontation.
BORTAC and other armed federal agents may deploy tear gas, pepper spray or chemical irritants, stun grenades, batons, rubber bullets, or other means of crowd dispersal. Gas masks with canister filtration may offer some protection, as will plastic goggles and open umbrellas (from eye irritants only). However, these units are rarely trained in proper crowd control measures and may escalate to physical confrontation quickly.
Do not resist.
These troops may be wearing helmets and body armor, and are likely to be heavily armed. If confronted, link arms, sit on the ground, and keep your head down. Avoid becoming separated from the crowd, as you may be singled out for abuse or retaliation.
Pro Tip
Filming stormtroopers with your phone may be ineffective as their faces are likely to be covered with gas masks and/or balaclavas.