When martial law is declared, the military essentially takes the place of civilian law enforcement. This extreme measure is like using a broad sword to cut into a problem instead of a scalpel.
Martial law is sometimes brutal, due process is expedited and rules are typically very rigid. This is compounded by the problem that the average soldier typically doesn’t receive a lot of training in things like handling mobs or negotiating peaceful terms with a criminal.
This means you need to take the declaration of martial law very seriously. Chances are if a military agent thinks you did something wrong, you aren’t going to get a typical day in court.
Generally, martial law is only declared in extreme moments when civilian law enforcement simply isn’t up to the task. This includes things like natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes that devastate a large region.
These are times when you can see the declaration of martial law coming. They might even make sense. Yet there are other times when the government might be preparing to declare martial law, without being so transparent with the public.
In the shadows of everyday life, subtle signals hint at a looming threat to our freedoms. From the rapid deployment of military forces to sudden curbs on civil liberties and growing government overreach, there are hidden signs that martial law may be on the horizon. These developments demand our attention, urging us to be informed and prepared for the possibility of a drastic shift in societal order.
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In a time like this, when uncertainty is the only certainty, you don’t want to be caught out or unprepared. So, it helps to watch out for the following signs that the government is about to declare martial law.
Increased Law Enforcement and Military Presence
A noticeable increase in local law enforcement and military personnel on the streets is an early sign that the government might be preparing to declare martial law. It might make sense in areas prone to protests, demonstrations, or unrest. Especially if there’s a contentious election, racial incident, or major sporting event going on.
This is usually as much about de-escalating existing tensions as it is about getting military and law enforcement personnel strategically in place. Having LEOs and military personnel at the ready makes it easier for the government to impose and enforce curfews, manage crowds, or establish control over densely packed urban areas.
Restricted Use of Communication
One of the less-obvious signs that martial law is about to be declared is the government restricting communication such as cellular service and internet access. It’s easy to mistake this as a cell tower being down or a problem with your providers’ network. When really it’s the government throttling network performance.
In an extreme case, widespread censorship in media could also be an early signal of an impending clampdown. This could even come in the form of restricted access to social media, websites, and news outlets, and the government might announce regulations limiting information flow.
Related: The First Thing You Should Do After Martial Law Is Declared
Sometimes the communication restriction is the government’s attempt at preventing the spread of dissenting opinions or what they consider to be misinformation. In the case of throttling network performance, it could be that the government is ensuring they have the signal strength and bandwidth needed to make a widespread declaration.
Limitations on Public Gatherings & Establishing Curfews
The government setting limitations on public gatherings and establishing curfews for public safety is often a precursor to declaring martial law. In the case of recurring riots and civil unrest, the government might establish a curfew on nights two or three after an incident to help restrict the problem from escalating again.
Curfews and shelter-in-place orders also keep the streets clear of people, traffic, and pedestrians. This makes it easier for the government to get personnel, barriers, and equipment in place for when they need to declare martial law later.
Abbreviated Judicial Processes
The temporary suspension of certain civil liberties, such as habeas corpus, or implementation of military tribunals to replace civilian courts is a blatant sign that martial law is about to be declared.
Once martial law is in place, standard judicial processes can be paused to allow for faster decision-making and punishment for perceived dissidents or lawbreakers. The suspension of regular judicial processes can signal a shift to more authoritarian control.
Stockpiling Emergency Supplies & Restricting Resources
If you see local and government agencies stockpiling medical supplies, food, water, and critical emergency equipment, it’s a strong sign that martial law is about to be declared. This could include suddenly closing certain supply depots, distribution centers, or warehouse facilities.
Related: FEMA Will Never Take Your Stockpile If You Hide It Here
Resource control is an essential component of managing the population effectively. Especially during an extended crisis where resources start to dwindle over time. Being able to control critical resources on the ground like this ensures they have what they need to deal with the crisis.
It also gives the government the ability to offer resources as a way of controlling the population. Those who comply with martial law receive a rationed amount of the stockpiled resources.
A State of Emergency Is Declared
Usually, when the government declares a state of emergency, it’s a precursor to martial law. This declaration might grant the government or military temporary control over certain civilian operations, often citing reasons like national security or public safety.
The state of emergency usually comes with a curfew order. If the population obeys the curfew within the government’s tolerance level, martial law can be avoided.
By declaring a state of emergency, the government can start moving to take swift actions that bypass standard legislative processes. This ultimately makes it easier for them to shift to military or martial control if the civilian authority cannot cope with the crisis at hand.
Increased Surveillance
The increased presence of drones and other forms of surveillance technology can also be a sign that martial law might be declared soon. This could also include blacked-out government vehicles being parked in key locations where suspicious behavior occurred in the past.
This could be increased placement of remote cameras linked together using wi-fi. These cameras can even be analyzed using facial recognition software. It could also be the increased presence of aerial drones flying over the area in a greater volume than you’d expect if it was just local hobbyists.
Final Thoughts
Many of these signs point to an increased risk of the government preparing to declare martial law. They’re usually in response to heightened security threats, an impending natural disaster or the increased risk of social unrest.
Sometimes, the underlying reason the government is preparing to declare martial law is less transparent. In the case of a threat of domestic or international terrorism, the government might be preparing to declare martial law while actively trying to prevent an incident—all without letting the terrorists know that they’re on to them.
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So, if you see potential signs that martial law might be declared soon, the wise move is to return and get home. It’s always best to out of the way and in the safest place possible to avoid being swept up in the broad sword control imposed when martial law is declared.
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