Founder of group that organized violent George Floyd protests to speak at CV middle school

The Cumberland Valley School Board has re-invited Mr. Maulik Pancholy to come and speak to Mountain View Middle School on May 22, 2024. Mr. Pancholy is the co-founder of a radical far-left political organization called Act to Change, based in Portland, Oregon. This group encourages children to engage in mass protest to upend the system and advises on how to prepare for and what to wear at their next violent protest. It prepares them for the possibility of going to jail. It tells the kids not to bring their phones because the police could grab and hack them. It warns them to avoid taking and being in photos because that is how the prosecution can build a case against them. It teaches them how to elude the police, prosecutors, and conservative citizens.

In May 2020 following the death of George Floyd, Pancholy published a blog post entitled “Act To Change Stands In Solidarity With Black Communities,” where he encouraged Asian students to act out on behalf of Black Lives Matter, in conjunction with an organization in Minnesota.

The following excerpts from Pancholy’s “Racism is a virus toolkit,” provides a battle plan for its juvenile ranks to assemble to combat police, and the general public, as well as talking points to disobey the advice of the student’s own parents.

For example, “Wear a mask. Before COVID-19, wearing a mask could make you a target, but now in some cities it’s required. So protect yourself not only from the coronavirus but also from the surveillance state by covering up. Sunglasses are also suggested if the protest is scheduled during the day.”

For example, “1. Have a protest buddy. Mass protests can go sideways quickly. This is why it can be helpful to attend accompanied by a group of people you trust. Connect beforehand via Signal or other encrypted messaging apps and decide where you’re going to meet up in case you all get separated. This is why it’s also important to have a protest buddy that you stay with at all times. This should be someone who shares your expectations for the night. Are you just interested in showing your support and watching from afar? Or do you want to get close to the police riot line? No matter how you choose to participate, you should always have someone you trust with you.”

For example, “2. Dress & pack to prepare for violence. What could be a city hall hearing could turn into a protest that later turns into a riot. You could be wearing a dress and ballerina slippers. You could then spend eight hours marching and running to avoid rubber bullets and tear gas. Make it a point to dress and pack for the unexpected when you go to any action. This means: • Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. You may want to look cute for this protest with the combat boots, but your feet will hurt. Wear something you can walk and run in, and something that will protect your toes from someone accidentally stepping on them. • Wear comfy clothes in case you get arrested. Additionally, try to wear layers that you can shed if you’re recognized with darker clothing, usually black, without any identifying labels on top.”

For example, “3. Pack water & snacks. Staying hydrated is key for maintaining endurance. You also never know when you might find yourself in a police kettle and need a snack to keep your energy up.”

For example, “5. Know the area & your transportation Avoid parking in areas with a time limit. If you end up caught in the moment and protesters start shutting down the roads, it may be difficult to get to your car before the meter runs out. If you can afford it, it’s best to pay for parking in a secure lot. This will protect your vehicle from getting towed or impounded if you happen to get arrested. Pre-COVID-19, public transit would be recommended as the best choice in cities that have decent options available, but ride-share is also an option. If you do choose to use an app, be aware of how it tracks your information and location.”

For example, “6. Turn off your location. We’ve seen with previous protests that police use social media location data collected during protests to help create more predictive policing systems. While the Supreme Court has ruled that police generally need a search warrant to access individual location data, police have been known to use devices called cell site simulators as a workaround to directly access this information in real time. Do your part to fight against the surveillance state by turning off your data location before arriving at the protest. This can also help you if you get arrested, so that prosecutors can’t use this data against you or others.”

For example, “7. Avoid taking & being in photos. On January 20, 2017, over 200 people were arrested for protesting at the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump. The prosecution of what became known as the J20 defendants highlighted the danger of photography and live-streaming at protests. Federal prosecutors used video and photos obtained from arrested journalists and protesters to build their cases in an unprecedented mass prosecution. It’s not just the prosecutors you have to worry about either. Some rightwing groups also conduct their own surveillance. This is why it’s important not to take pictures or video of other people at a protest (except if you’re monitoring aggressive police behavior) and to prevent people from taking pictures of you.”

For example, “8. Avoid the kettles. The Network for Police Monitoring defines a kettle as an action where “police surround demonstrators to keep them in a particular place.” This is often how they will conduct a mass arrest. So pay attention to the police because they are paying attention to you. If you notice that police have formed a riot line (a line of police in riot gear) in front of and behind you, the police are possibly preparing to kettle you all in. Being kettled doesn’t always end in mass arrest. Sometimes it’s just a targeted arrest, or they hold you for a while and then allow you to disperse. Either way, paying attention to the police formations can help you avoid a night or more in jail.”

Act to Change provides talking points for Asian children to use when they confront their own parents about their parents’ “internalized racism” against blacks. Mr. Pancholy wants the Asian children of Cumberland Valley to say to their racist first-generation Asian parents, “Much of the violence at these peaceful protests have [sic] been instigated by the police. Also, peaceful protests have historically been unsuccessful and have resulted in further silencing of Black voices. In order to change the structure of our current education, legal, and policing system, many find it necessary to upend the current system by any means necessary.”

For example, “What privileges do you hold? Whether it be race, class, ability, or gender, reflect on how you can use your privilege to your advantage, the advantage of those around you, and the cause.”

For example, “What fears and threats do you face? Fears are things that scare you but that don’t necessarily threaten your livelihood. Threats are things that could directly impact you and your livelihood. For example, a non-Black protester may fear the police, but they do not face the threat of incarceration; they may fear arrest, but do not face the threat of death. Ask yourself what your fears and threats are and how that impacts your activism.”