Paper short abstract:

Protestors often perform their demonstrations within the framework of cultural narratives of knights and nobility, adopting shields as a projection of the individual’s identity. These devices bear the symbols that embody their ideology, even as they are used to protect their body from harm.

Paper long abstract:

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in citizen militia groups staging demonstrations and protests along ideological lines. Whether they are raging against the establishment in power, a perceived threat to their identity, biased police brutality, or an infringement upon what they see as their rights, these protestors often perform their demonstrations within the framework of cultural narratives of knights and nobility. Taking up shields and sometimes pieces of armor, they express a romanticized view of their struggle, warring against an inherently evil adversary. The shields are sometimes purchased, but just as often constructed. This presentation will explore the sources that these individuals draw from for their shield designs and training in their usage. Do the shapes of the shields carry a perceived meaning? How much is form and how much is function? What kind of background do the people who taught them to make these shields have and how has that reflected on their usage? In an era of Twitter and Instagram, how do so many learn to form a shield wall in the city streets? The shield is often a projection of the individual’s identity, bearing the symbols that embody their ideology, even as it is used to protect their body from harm.