Image of a pink hand pulling on a yellow hand in a gesture of solidarity

Stringtown Now

A Stringtown Guide to Bystander Intervention & Collective Safety

Image of a pink hand pulling on a yellow hand in a gesture of solidarity

Let’s be real: these are scary times. Many of our immigrant neighbors are living in fear of ICE raids. Our Black neighbors face the ongoing threat of police violence, our LGBTQIA+ friends are under attack, our Muslim neighbors are vilified by racist media… If you’re feeling afraid, you’re not alone, and your fear is valid.

Here’s what we know for certain in Stringtown: true safety doesn’t come from more police or surveillance. It comes from each other. When systems fail us, or actively harm us, our collective response is our most powerful tool. We need to name what’s happening clearly and succinctly. We are descending into white supremacist fascism in the United States, and in Indianapolis, especially in Stringtown, we must fight against it with solidarity, knowledge, and organized community care. Why especially in Stringtown? Our neighborhood’s racist past rears its ugly head every time that navy blue Ford pickup drives around “looking for criminals.” Turns out, the white supremacist behind the wheel has a rap sheet the length of the White River.

The Power of the Bystander

You’ve probably heard about the “bystander effect” or when everyone assumes someone else will help (so nobody does). Bystander intervention flips that script. It’s about developing the courage to step in and send a clear message that in our neighborhood, hate and harassment aren’t tolerated, and no one stands alone. And that goes to the racists in the blue trucks, too!

Organizations like Right to Be have developed something called the 5Ds of Bystander Intervention. Think of them as different tools in your toolkit, depending on what feels safe and right in the moment. Before we dive in, remember… Don’t put yourself at risk. Don’t make things worse. And when possible, ask the person being targeted what they actually need and want.

Here are the 5Ds

TacticDescriptionExample in Stringtown
DistractIndirectly diffusing the situation by interrupting it, without confronting the harasser“Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the gas station?” or pretending you know the person being targeted: “Hey! I haven’t seen you in forever!”
DelegateGetting someone else to help, such as a bus driver, store manager, or another neighbor who might be better equipped to intervene.Asking a store clerk to intervene, finding someone nearby to help you, or calling a trusted neighbor or community organization instead of police.
DocumentRecording the incident, but only after assessing the situation and, if safe, asking the person being harassed what they need.Safely filming from a distance, and then asking the target, “Would you like me to send this video to you?” Keep recording until the person is safe.
DelyChecking in on the person after the incident is over. Harassment can be isolating, and showing care afterward is powerful.Tapping the person on the shoulder and saying, “I saw what happened. Are you okay? Can I walk with you to where you’re going?”
DirectConfronting the harasser directly. This carries the most risk and should be used carefully, if at all.Firmly stating, “Leave them alone,” or “That’s not okay.” Keep it short – don’t debate or argue, as this escalates situations.

When ICE Comes to Stringtown

ICE raids are happening more frequently, and our immigrant neighbors need us informed and ready. If you witness ICE at someone’s door, remember that ICE agents often lie and say they’re “police” or claim they have warrants. Here’s the truth: ICE administrative warrants are just ICE forms. They’re not signed by judges and don’t give agents the right to enter homes without consent.

If you see ICE in the neighborhood, you can loudly ask, “Do you have a judicial warrant signed by a judge?” Make sure everyone can hear you. Yell out, “No one has to open the door without a warrant!” so neighbors know. Document from a safe distance if you can. If someone is being detained, try to get their name and a contact number for family or a lawyer, then immediately call immigrant rights hotlines.

The most important thing to tell neighbors: Don’t open the door for ICE. Ask through the door who they are and whether they have a warrant signed by a judge. Say clearly, “I do not consent to your entry.” Everyone in the US, regardless of immigration status, has the right to remain silent, the right to refuse to answer questions about immigration status, and the right to refuse entry without a judicial warrant. Never lie, but you don’t have to answer questions.

Police As the Threat

Police violence is a systemic problem that disproportionately harms Black people, people with disabilities, people in mental health crisis, and other marginalized folks. Before calling police, ask yourself: Will involving them make this situation better or worse? Could police presence endanger the people involved? For many in our community, police represent a threat, not safety.

If police are already present and you’re white, you have some protection that Black and Brown people don’t. Consider using that privilege strategically. Become a visible presence where officers can see you. Document clearly and say out loud that you’re recording for everyone’s safety. Calmly ask questions about what’s happening. If someone is being arrested, get badge numbers, ask if there’s someone they want you to call, and write down what you witnessed. Never physically intervene or touch an officer.

If you’re Black or Brown and witnessing police violence, you’re at risk too. Get someone white to intervene if possible. Document from a safe distance. Alert others who might help. And prioritize your own safety – there’s no shame in that. You can’t help if you’re also being targeted.

Building Our Own Safety Net

Imagine if Stringtown had a phone tree or Signal group where neighbors could quickly mobilize when someone needs help. We could have trained volunteers ready to provide visible presence, documentation, emotional support, and connections to resources. We could be legal observers for each other. We could organize follow-up care.

This isn’t a fantasy. Neighborhoods across the country are building these rapid response networks. Want to help create one for Stringtown? Please reach out! Our safety cannot be outsourced to systems that often harm us. It has to be built by us, through everyday acts of courage and care.

You also don’t have to be perfect at this. Every time you intervene in harassment, you’re making Stringtown safer. Every time you check in on someone after trauma, you’re building the neighborhood we need and deserve.

In the face of rising fascism, mutual aid and collective action aren’t just nice ideas, they’re survival strategies. They’re how marginalized communities have always protected themselves when systems failed them. We keep us safe. And in Stringtown, we’re going to prove that solidarity is stronger than fear, that community is more powerful than oppression, and that neighbors looking out for neighbors is the most revolutionary act there is.

In solidarity,

Your Stringtown Now Neighbors

Resources

Immigrant Rights, ICE Encounters, & Legal Aid

Police Violence & Accountability

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