Membership in the Handmaid Army New York carries the responsibility of protecting the purpose, the members, and the image of the organization. This code always applies to all members, whether participating in a Handmaid Army action, another organization’s event, or engaging in private life.
1. Protect Secrecy –Never share internal planning activities or communication without express permission of the leadership.
2. Act Non-Violently – Engage only in non-violent civil disobedience; no threats, intimidation, impeding passage, or property damage.
3. Protect the Uniform – Wear the uniform proudly. This includes the red cape, white bonnet and if you are so inclined, the white canvas bag and a SHAME sign. Freedom of expression is encouraged with regards to masking, makeup, shoes, and clothing beneath cloak. We request cloak and bonnet to be worn at planned events for this role. Avoid wearing the uniform extensively when you are not making a protest statement.
4. Prioritize Member Safety – Never reveal the identity of other members without their permission. Always safeguard the well-being and anonymity of our members.
5. Remain Loyal to the HMA and your ReSisters – Support, encourage and engage new members sharing your experiences and bringing together this community through dedication and unity of your fellow ReSisters. If they come for one, they come for us all.
6. Civil Disobedience – While all events will be confidential, participants can choose their level of engagement. All participation is voluntary. If mass civil disobedience becomes imminent, and is not your intent, Handmaid Army encourages you de-cloak and calmly dispersal or video the activity.
7. Accept Immediate Dismissal – Any breach of this code, exposure of identities, disclosure of operations, or violent conduct will result in immediate removal from the organization with no recourse.
HANDMAID ARMY ROLES
“If they didn’t want us to form an Army, they shouldn’t have given us uniforms”
Women and men, of all ages, to join the cloaked army.Whether you are here as a Handmaid or Guardian, you are vital in standing up to the injustice, cruelty, and fascism happening right now. Here is a summary of our organizational roles, responsibilities, and structure, that together with our CODE OF CONDUCT, will serve as a guide for making decisions about our group actions. Once enlisted, our members may serve in one or more roles, at any time.
Strategic Leadership
Keepers – “Keepers” define and guard the mission, resources, and safety of all participants. A voluntary Keeper’s Circle will provide administrative and thought leadership. They will consider member safety and event actions, and joint collaboration for alignment with the organization’s mission.
1. Set overall strategy for protest actions, events and marches
2. Evaluate, including assigning a threat and risk assessment, and approve protest activities and events, including collaboration with other groups and the role/action of HMA at any event
3. Assess locations, dates, and event scale for safety, feasibility, coordinate messaging and Guardians.
4. Oversee compliance needs (i.e., permits) budget and manage financial accounts
5. Maintain secure participant rosters and contact methods
6. Monitor membership activities and effectuate dismissal of any member at their discretion
Eyes – Messaging & Documentation. In Gilead, the “Eyes” were secret police watching for dissent. We reclaim this to mean watching over our message and our truth.
1. Capture and receive photos/videos for documentation
2. Prepare press releases
3. Social media content
4. Newsletter, email distribution
5. Monitor news and opposition activity before and after protest actions
6. Coordinate signage for actions
Field Command
Aunts – Formation leaders. In Gilead, Aunts trained and controlled Handmaids. Here, the title is reclaimed for leaders who train and coordinate participants, and led Army members and Guardians actions throughout events.
1. Lead on-site formation, movements and coordinated actions during the protest
2. Relay signals to Handmaids
Guardians – Escort, Security & Safety Guardians (safety marshals), In Gilead, Guardians served as guards for the Commanders. Here we reclaim as Guardians as safety marshals and protectors. They are responsible for guarding the membership during events, and identifying and de-escalating situations to avoid physical or verbal threats.
1. Escort members from staging throughout the entirety of the event or march.
2. Provide physical support for participants if needed, water, first aid, etc.
3. Watch for counter-protesters, harassment, or unsafe conditions and de-escalate any conflicts.
4. Coordinate with local law enforcement, if necessary.
Operational Support
Marthas – Transportation & Logistics. In Gilead, Marthas handled domestic work and behind-the-scenes tasks. In our context, they quietly move the machinery of the events into place.
1. Assist in coordinating transport, signage, props, water, first aid to events
2. Assist in coordinating lodging near events
Protest Action
Handmaids – Formation Marches and Primary Protest Presence. The striking red-cloaked women of Gilead are reimagined here as symbols of oppression, defiance, and resistance.
- Commit to participant in events, or portions of events.
- Meetup at staging area, march in formation and execute upon written and verbal messaging that aligns with theme of the veent and Keeper talking points.
- Each Handmaid is responsible for assessing their risk tolerance of any event.
- Educate the public on why we dress as Handmaids and our mission
- Do not tolerate any interventions restricting first amendment rights, nonviolently of course.
- Commit to protecting human and constitutional rights, and using Fuck Trump, as an expletive.
- Always respect the desired level of anonymity of every member.
