PROTESTING: STAYING SAFE WHILE ADVOCATING FOR A BETTER WORLD

There are a mind boggling number of ways the world is literally and figuratively on fire. That being said, one great way to start fixing some of these problems is attending protests! Unfortunately, many protests can become dangerous for those involved if proper precautions aren’t taken. While you’re getting out there to make the world a better place for everyone, here are some ways you can also keep yourself safe!

BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT:

After you’ve found a protest that you want to attend, it’s important to put in some work up front to prepare. For your safety and the safety of those around you, ensure that you have the necessary supplies, connections, and plans before you make your way to any protesting event.

What to pack:

Water: Make sure you have water both for drinking and for flushing out any chemical irritants that may be deployed against protestors
Snacks: Bring easy to eat, filling snacks to ensure that you’re staying well fueled while you’re protesting
Important Phone Numbers and Addresses: Write down the phone numbers of your emergency contact(s), attorney/legal counsel, and the addresses and phone numbers of the nearest fire stations and emergency rooms
Cash and Coins: Bring along money for emergencies (pay phones, transportation fare, etc.) that can’t be traced back to you
Signs/Flags/Posters: Bring a sign, a flag, or other visual symbol to show your support and solidarity at your chosen protest

What to Wear:

Masks/Face Coverings: Not only are surgical masks a great way to keep yourself from getting sick while at a protest, but they can preserve your anonymity. Bandanas are another good face covering option

Prescription Glasses: If you require prescription glasses or contacts, opt for glasses when attending protests, as contacts can make it more difficult to flush chemical irritants from your eyes
Hat/Head Covering: Wearing a hat/head covering to a protest is a great way to protect your identity from anyone looking to incriminate those attending a protest
Nondescript Clothing: Wear plain, non-distinct clothing that covers any unique features (freckles, scars, tattoos, piercings, etc.) to protect your identity

What to Communicate:

Tell at least one person about your protest plans: Find at least one person you trust and tell them when and where you’ll be protesting, when you’re planning to arrive and leave, and keep them updated as much as is safely possible
Make plans with your protest group: Ideally, you should never attend a protest on your own; find at least one other person to attend with you and establish several meeting points in case you get separated or things start going south

WHEN YOU ARRIVE:

Once you arrive at the protest, you can put all of your preparation to good use. In order to have a safe, positive, and effective experience, there are several things to bear in mind as the protest gets underway.

Stick together and take care of each other: As much as possible, stay in groups, especially large groups. People in groups can protect and support one another and stragglers make easy targets for arrest; There is strength in numbers, look out for your fellow protestors and work together to keep everyone safe.

Do NOT talk to cops: At protests, law enforcement are NOT your friends, period. Do not engage with or talk to any law enforcement, as anything you say to them can and will be used against you.

Be aware of your surroundings: Keep an eye on all of your surroundings, above, below, and around you. Keep an eye out for any suspicious people, vehicles, containers, and activity. Steer clear of any unattended bags, boxes, or containers, as well as public containers like trash cans, crates, and mail boxes.

Concealment vs. Cover: Concealment refers to structures that conceal you from sight, while cover refers to any structure that could protect you from projectiles or bullets. If gunfire or other weapon use breaks out, head for cover when possible. If cover isn’t available, find concealment until you can find cover.

Be ready to head to your emergency meeting spots: If violence, gunfire, explosions, or any other dangerous situations arise, make your way as quickly, intentionally, and safely to your group meeting spot(s) as possible.

Be sparing with photos and recording: As a general rule, don’t record or photograph other protestors or post them on personally identifiable social media accounts. Anonymity at protests is important for everyone’s safety and no amount of online clout is worth risking anyone’s well-being.

AS YOU LEAVE:

As you’ve hopefully kept yourself and your fellow protestors safe, you can head home knowing you’ve used your voice to contribute to a better future. Until you step into your home, it’s still important to keep your wits about you and be intentional in a few key ways.

Stick together part 2: As you’re heading home from a protest, make sure you’re still

sticking together. There is still potential for arrest/detainment, so play it safe and don’t go it alone.

Avoid using your phone: As much as possible, keep your phone powered off until you arrive home to avoid location tracking and surveillance.

Evaluate personal risk: Consider what personal risks you’re willing to take when deciding what to post online about your protest attendance. Photos or videos of yourself at the event could present a risk to your safety if you choose to publicly share them.

References and Further Reading

Dreamscapes_are_odd. “I’m Going to My First Protest, Any Tips?” Reddit, Reddit.com, 5 Mar. 2024, www.reddit.com/r/punk/comments/1b7aorf/im_going_to_my_first_protest_any_tips/. Accessed 2 June 2024.

Hooks, Brandon. “Tips for Protesting Peacefully and Safely.” Human Rights Campaign, Human Rights Campaign, 5 June 2020, www.hrc.org/news/tips-for-protesting-peacefully-and-safely. Accessed 1 June 2024.