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Preparing for a Protest

Know before you go

• Find out as much information as possible about the times, locations, purpose, and demands of any rally or protest. When possible, find out who the organizers are leading the efforts.
• Turn off your biometric locks (Face ID and fingerprint) on your phone and ensure a traditional passcode is active.

Identify your emergency contact

• This person should know where you are planning to be and assign a moment to check in and make sure that you returned home safely.
• It's a good idea to write your emergency contact's name and phone number with a permanent pen on your arm, in case your cell phone is unavailable for calls.

Make an exit plan

• Make a plan and share it with the people going with you and your emergency contact. Identify exit routes and safe meet-up points for your group.

Bring essentials & a buddy

• Bring water, snacks, and an extra cell phone battery pack in case you need to stay put until it is safe to move. A small Ziplock bag with wipes, a small first aid kit, and earplugs can also come in handy. Avoid bringing large, bulky backpacks that may raise suspicions with the police.
• Wear comfortable and weather-appropriate clothes. It's always a good idea to check the weather forecast in advance.
• Do not go alone: have another adult with you, especially if you will be bringing minors along.

De-escalation & Assertive Intervention

If you encounter counter-protestors, DO NOT ENGAGE. Assess the safety of the situation, remain vigilant, and make sure you can distance yourself and those with you in case there's verbal or physical confrontation. DO NOT intervene.

Look for identifiable marshals and/or law enforcement to call attention to any potentially violent situation.

• Hecklers (insults, name-calling, or filming): Ignore, step away, or drown their messages with songs and chants. Alert the event organizer, marshal, or safety lead.
• Suspicious activity (unfamiliar individuals avoiding chants or asking odd questions): Step away. Alert the event organizer, marshal, or safety lead and record if safe.
• Instigators (reckless urging, disruption, or physical aggression): Stay calm, don't engage, and step away. Alert the event organizer, marshal, or safety lead.
• Counter-protesters (shouting opposing messages): Ignore, step away, or drown out their messages with songs and chants. Alert the event organizer, marshal, or safety lead.
• Tear gas: distance yourself from the area, clean it out from your nose and eyes by coughing and spitting, DO NOT rub it in, use a calcium-based product like milk to flush it out, remove contact lenses, and remain calm to prevent further irritation. Once home, put your clothes in the bag and take a shower with dish soap.

Know Your Rights

Disclaimer:This is not legal advice. Check out this guide for protestors from the National Lawyers Guild.

In peaceful, nonviolent protests and mobilizations, you are organizing under the First Amendment to the US Constitution, guaranteeing freedom of speech, assembly, press, religion, and petition. However, you must adhere to state and local laws, so it is important to check regulations on curfew, permitting, blocking streets, etc. Often, there will be legal observers in bright yellow or orange vests at large protests. You can alert them if you need help.

Before making arrests, law enforcement might provide a dispersal order specifying that you must leave and give you space to do so. If you do not want to risk getting arrested, immediately comply with such a dispersal order. In the event you are arrested, do not resist. Listen to the rights that are read to you by the police. Do not speak to anyone. Phone calls are recorded. You can say: “I am choosing to remain silent and want to speak to an attorney.”

Check out this guide from the ACLU for taking pictures or videos at a protest.

If ICE agents appear, it is important to stay calm, do not run, and activate your safety plan. Do not answer questions about your immigration status. Additional “know your rights” resources from our partners at the National Partnership for New Americans can be found here.