Back Office support for an action
Back Office consists of a group of trained volunteers. The main functions of Back Office during an action are to:
- Compile and maintain a record of arrestees;
- Co-ordinate, and remain in contact with, supporters at police stations to which arrestees have been taken;
- Respond to phone calls, mainly from: people reporting arrests, arrestees (custody calls), friends and family members of arrestees, people reporting on incidents such as police misbehaviour, rebels with legal questions.
We also liaise with Arrest Welfare so that arrestees can be supported later in their journey, for example with Court Support and financial support.
Most regions are supported by the main Arrestee and Legal Support Back office; East of England has a regional Back Office that can support EofE groups taking local action.
If you are coordinating an action and would like Back Office support:
- Use this form to request Back Office cover for your action https://cloud.extinctionrebellion.uk/apps/forms/s/DcxrjgPGAFbAjpDdjLkbxbbW
- Once you have completed it notify Back Office you have done so by emailing backoffice@riseup.net
In addition:
- Please ask rebels willing to do Police Station Support (PSS) for their team to join one of the three WhatsApp groups listed below. A PSSC (PSS coordinator) will post in them when a police station is confirmed as 'live' and supporters can then join the relevant station group and post their offers of support there.
A fuller guide to doing PSS is available on the Toolkit. - WhatsApp group joining links:
For East of England regional Back Office only email xr-eoe-backoffice@protonmail.com