Doesn’t everybody test their protest march/demonstration preparations on a national holiday? Just asking.
We had a discussion at a meeting [last week]. Several of us contributed information from our previous experiences attending peaceful public protests. A few basic safety rules and what you may encounter:
1. Wear practical shoes. Ones you can run in. You might have to stand in place for a long time, too. Filp-flops and heels don’t cut it.
2. Wear comfortable/practical clothing. Wear long pants. Dress for the weather. Wear a practical hat (like a Tilley hat).
3. Go with a friend/friends. Share your phone numbers. Let someone who isn’t attending know that you’ll be at that demonstration.
4. Review principles of-non-violence before attending a demonstration.
5. Park upwind from the demonstration, several blocks, or further away. You may not be able to rely on the GPS on your phone, so familiarize yourself with the lay of the land beforehand.
6. Do not take a bulky bag. Some people take small fanny packs. Take your phone, your ID, cash, and your car keys. A bandana could prove to be useful. A bottle of water, too. That’s it.
The exceptions are protest medics – they wear red crosses – (yes, they exist) and news media/documentarians – usually wearing outlet media credentials. They usually wear backpacks appropriate for their gear.
DO NOT take anything to a demonstration that you’re not willing to let go of forever. Like your children. Seriously, in these times infants and school age children should not be at a demonstration. Period. Independent teenagers, sure, maybe, depending on their maturity. You know your kid(s) best, it’s your call.
7. Pay attention to demonstration marshals – if there are marshals at a demonstration they wear armbands. They are there for your safety – they do go through safety and de-escalation training. Stay off the street – in most jurisdictions this will get you arrested.
8. Don’t expect access to a restroom. Plan accordingly.
9. If you’re planning on attending protests in the near future (there will be plenty of opportunities), consider purchasing a small Faraday bag suitable for your phone so it can’t be tracked.
10. Make a protest sign. Posterboard, usually 22 x 28. 4 to 6 inch block lettering, solid color fill. Permanent ink only, water soluble ink smears and leaves evidence on your hands and clothes. Stick letters are unreadable at any distance. Anything longer than a short sentence is unreadable. Nobody can or wants to read a dissertation on 22 x 28 posterboard.
If things go south, drop your sign and leave. If you’re wearing a protest t-shirt, zip up or button up your outer coat. “I was minding my own business, just watching.”
11. If it looks bad, leave. Trust your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, leave.
12. If you’re speaking at a rally, keep it short. Then shorten it even more.
13. If you’re marching, participate in the chants.
If the police are present, start a chant, “Higher pay for our police.”
14. Memorize these phrases:
A) “Am I under arrest?”
B) “Am I free to go?”
C) “Officer, there’s a crowd looting the Kroger’s over on the next block!”
Say nothing else.
15. Stay away from the Anarchists (yes, they exist). They are there to cause trouble. They will try to incite confrontation. They are assholes.
16. If shit gets real and you can’t get out of there, find the Antifa, if they’re present, they will put their bodies on the line to protect others.
[17.] “…don’t engage with counterprotestors.”
[18.] “…DO NOT bring any weapons, open carry or concealed, to a street protest/demonstration.”
[19.] 99.9% of all peaceful demonstrations stay that way. Expect and hope for the best, plan for the worst.
