What should you do if the threat isn’t a natural disaster, but human-caused turmoil?
The truth is: We are as much at risk of societal breakdowns, civil unrest, government tyranny, and crime waves as we are natural disasters.
It’s easy to see countries like Venezuela and Sri Lanka fall to pieces and believe that something similar can't happen here.
But it can happen—and it has happened.
We are often too quick to assume that the government or good citizens will step in to protect us from wide-scale rioting and anarchy.
Often, it starts as a peaceful protest that devolves into arson, looting, and death. This chaos can lead to lawlessness and government inability to protect citizens.
If civil unrest begins in your community, do you know what you need to do to protect your family? Are you prepared to live through the damaging effects of civil unrest?
You’ll want to be after you read this.
How Quickly Civil Unrest Can Lead to Cracks in the System
Civil unrest threatens freedom anywhere in the world—including the United States.
In fact, throughout America’s history, acts of civil unrest have left communities debilitated.
Let’s start at the beginning.
The Insurrection Act of 1807 and the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 allow the United States government to deploy federal troops within American land—whether for natural disasters, terrorist attacks, epidemics, or domestic violence.
Think about it.
How often have you heard in your lifetime that the National Guard has been deployed to help protect communities here in America?
You can probably think of a few times.
According to Military.com, “When it comes to curbing civil unrest, the military has been called out on multiple occasions – and it wasn’t just the National Guard, either.”
Here are a few examples:
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In 1932, federal troops were deployed to remove the Bonus Army composed of struggling WWI veterans who set up camp on Capitol Hill. “The Army shot tear gas and marched on the Bonus Army with fixed bayonets. As the vets retreated from Capitol Hill, the U.S. Army burned their encampment.”
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In 1967, approximately 160 race riots broke out across America. “For five days, the citizens of Detroit ran wild through the streets. It was one so rampant that then-Governor George Romney (yes, Mitt Romney's dad) chose to call in the Michigan National Guard. When even that didn't work, President Lyndon Johnson called in the 82d and 101st Airborne. In the wake of the riot, 43 were dead and more than 2,000 buildings were destroyed.”
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The same summer of 1967, the city of Newark also experienced civil unrest. “What began as a protest against police brutality soon turned into widespread rioting and looting. Even after the National Guard was deployed, the violence continued, causing $10 million dollars in damages ($77.6 million today) and killing 26 with hundreds injured. Almost 40 of the injured were from the New Jersey National Guard.”
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The Los Angeles Riots of 1992 took over 32 square miles. “In the end, it would take every Los Angeles law enforcement officer, 10,000 California National Guard troops and hundreds of United States Marines to restore order and begin putting Los Angeles back together again.”
More recently, there have been several examples of civil unrest that began as peaceful protests and devolved into days of terror, such as Ferguson and the 2015 Baltimore riots.
The death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism.
Protests took place in 140 cities, and arson, looting, and vandalism resulted in “at least $1 billion to $2 billion of paid insurance claims — eclipsing the record set in Los Angeles in 1992.”
In Minneapolis alone, more than 1,000 buildings were burned or damaged in the days after George Floyd’s death.
More than 1,500 businesses in the Twin Cities were damaged or destroyed between May 24 and June 16, 2020, with an estimated $500 million in damage to Minneapolis alone.
At least 25 cities imposed curfews and numerous states activated National Guard forces to support overwhelmed local law enforcement agencies.
While things calmed down eventually, what if they hadn’t?
We need look no further than Venezuela, where after Chavez’s death in 2023, country-wide protests and riots broke out.
And the government cracked down. Hard.
The result: Millions of Venezuelans were forced to flee the country in search of food, work, and safety.
And today?
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One out of every three people in Venezuela is food insecure.
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The health system has collapsed, and as a result, diseases that had once been eradicated—such as measles and malaria—are back and spreading.
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The monthly inflation rate has remained above 2,000%.
When riots and looting get out of control, governments crack down to stop the violence and regain control.
What if, next time, the government doesn’t loosen its grip? What if Draconian measures set in place aren’t revoked? What if, next time, National Guard troops aren’t sent back home?
It’s hard to think we could become like Venezuela. But the possibility is there.
Signs of Coming Civil Unrest
When citizens lose trust in their governments due to corruption, it is hard for them to respect, let alone obey laws.
One of the signs of a collapsing society is social inequality and class conflict, both of which we're seeing unfold in the news and our communities.
When citizens lose faith in government and religious institutions, chaos and disintegration follow.
When citizens revolt, it can quickly turn into arson, rioting, looting, and even death.
Worse… what happens when the wrong people gain power?
Stay Free by Staying Prepared
Civil unrest is more than just noise in the streets, it’s a crack in the system that can spread fast.
And you can’t count on the government to save you—especially if it’s the one tightening the grip.
When civil unrest hits, cities go dark, services collapse, and panic spreads fast.
We’ve seen it before, and we’ll see it again.
Roads get blocked. Grocery stores are looted. First responders are overwhelmed, or worse, ordered to stand down.
So, what do you do?
You prepare now. Because when the chaos starts, it’s already too late.
- Start with food. A pantry of long-term emergency meals means you don’t have to fight through crowds or rely on broken supply chains. Build up your reserves gradually, and always have at least a three-month supply on hand.
- Grow what you can. Seeds aren’t just for gardeners anymore! They’re survival tools. With a stockpile of heirloom seeds, you can grow your own food year after year, without being held hostage by rising prices or empty store shelves.
- Secure your water. If riots or sabotage shut down municipal water, a filtration system like the Alexapure Pro can keep your family hydrated with filtered water from just about any source.
- Power up. A solar generator ensures you can still cook, refrigerate, and communicate when the grid is down. Bonus if it includes EMP protection, which is increasingly essential in today’s world.
- And most importantly, stay off the radar. In a true breakdown scenario, being invisible is one of your best defenses. Keep your home’s lights dimmed or blacked out. Don’t advertise your preparedness. The less attention you draw, the safer you’ll be.
Prepare today for instability tomorrow, friends.
In liberty,
Grant Miller
Preparedness Advisor, My Patriot Supply
