Basic rules of engagement for all rebellion

Core principles

Non-violence only. Under no circumstances initiate violence. Defence to protect a person from imminent harm should be last-resort, proportionate, and aimed at preserving life, not retaliation.
No killing, no serious bodily harm. Never plan, order or carry out actions intended to maim or kill.
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No damage to property. Do not damage buildings, infrastructure, vehicles, monuments, or private/business property. Respect public and private spaces.
Protect civilians. Prioritize the safety of uninvolved people (bystanders, families, medical staff). Avoid tactics that put civilians at risk.
No targeting by identity. Do not target people because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nationality or other protected characteristics. Discrimination and hate are forbidden.

Conduct and discipline

Clear objectives. Every action should have a defined, public objective that aligns with the movement’s principles — not chaos for its own sake.
Consent & transparency. Participants must understand the plan, risks, and their rights before joining. No one should be coerced.
Chain of responsibility. Assign roles (medics, legal observers, marshals, communicators) and a clear, limited decision-making structure for safety and accountability.
No clandestine violence or sabotage. Covert plans to injure people or destroy things are prohibited.
Respect the law where possible. Know the legal risks; use lawful protest avenues when they are effective. If laws are broken, aim for peaceful civil disobedience that highlights injustice rather than causing harm.

Safety & de-escalation

De-escalation first. Train and empower marshals/mediators to calm tensions, create space for people to leave, and prevent confrontations.
Medical support. Always have trained first-aiders and a plan for emergencies (evac routes, contact numbers). Prioritize care for injured people regardless of affiliation.
Avoid escalation triggers. No firearms, explosives, incendiaries, knives or makeshift weapons at actions. No throwing objects at people or police.
Protect privacy. Do not publish personal data of opponents, individuals, or private citizens; avoid doxxing. Protect participants’ identities when needed.

Information & accountability

Document responsibly. Record abuses and evidence of wrongdoing by others in ways that do not endanger people. Use trusted channels and back up footage safely.
Designated media spokespeople. Use trained, authorized communicators to speak publicly to keep messaging consistent and reduce misunderstandings.
Ethical intelligence only. Gathering publicly available information and lawful research is OK. Spying, theft, or illicit surveillance is not.
Transparency and review. Maintain internal accountability: investigate misconduct, apply sanctions for rule violations, and publish post-action reviews.

Solidarity & long-term thinking

Build alliances, not enemies. Work with civil society, legal groups, medical volunteers, and community leaders to broaden support and legitimacy.
Mutual aid. Provide support (food, shelter, legal help) to affected communities — especially those most vulnerable.
Exit strategy & reconciliation. Have plans for safe dispersal and for transitioning from protest to negotiation, healing, or institutional reform.
Learn & adapt ethically. Run after-action evaluations focused on safety, effectiveness, and respect for rights; update rules accordingly.

Quick checklist for any action

Is the objective clear and public?
Will this action avoid harming people or property?
Are medics, legal observers and marshals present and briefed?
Have participants given informed consent?
Is there a de-escalation plan and safe exit routes?
Are spokespeople and documentation protocols defined?

Why damaging buildings or property ultimately harms you and your cause

You lose public support.
Images of broken windows and burnt cars make neutral or sympathetic people turn away. Public sympathy is often the single most valuable resource for a movement — once it’s gone, pressure on authorities evaporates.
It hands your opponents the narrative.
Damaging property lets authorities and media frame you as “violent” or “criminal” instead of legitimate. That narrative justifies harsher policing, emergency restrictions, and propaganda against you.
Legal consequences drain the movement.
Arrests, fines, asset seizures and criminal records remove active people from organizing, scare off volunteers, and consume money and legal effort that could be used strategically.
It escalates repression.
Property damage gives security forces political cover to escalate tactics (curfews, mass arrests, militarized response). That makes future nonviolent actions more dangerous for everyone.
It harms the very people you claim to help.
Destroyed shops, damaged housing, and interrupted services disproportionately affect local residents, small businesses, and vulnerable people — often the same communities you need on your side.
Infrastructure damage has long-term costs.
Breaking power, water, transit or health infrastructure causes lasting harm: lost wages, cancelled medical care, and economic fallout that takes months or years to repair — again hurting ordinary people.
It wastes scarce resources.
Repairing damage consumes money, time, and skills that organizers could use to build networks, legal defenses, mutual aid, or outreach. It’s a net loss of capacity.
It corrodes internal morale and discipline.
When actions produce harm or backlash, people get demoralized, internal trust breaks down, and radicals and moderates clash — fracturing the movement.
It creates security vulnerabilities.
Property damage invites heavy surveillance, informants, and evidence-gathering. That makes it easier for opponents to identify leaders and disrupt organizing.
Moral high ground is strategic power.
Nonviolence and restraint win allies (including those inside institutions) and make negotiations possible. Moral authority can force concessions without the costs of conflict.
It’s often tactically ineffective.
Smashing a window or burning property rarely produces the policy change you want — it more often causes symbolic spectacle than meaningful leverage.
There are better, high-impact alternatives.
Strikes, targeted boycotts, mass civil disobedience, sit-ins, legal pressure, revealing documents, and mutual aid campaigns can produce pressure without the backlash.

Quick, shareable lines you can use to persuade others:

“Destroying property destroys our credibility.”
“Every broken window is one less ally.”
“We win by building support — not by burning bridges.”

If you want, I can convert this into:

a short leaflet for marshals,
a 2-minute speech script to convince fence-sitters, or
a German translation. Which do you want?

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