This piece is part of Rebel Well: a Starter Survival Guide to a Trumped America for Teens and Emerging Adults.
Deciding whether, how, and when to protest is a personal choice. You aren’t a bad person if you choose not to engage in protest that you don’t feel comfortable with; for example, if you’re a wheelchair user, attending street protests can be chaotic and dangerous for you, and it’s okay to say you don’t want to do that. There are lots of ways to resist injustice, and they don’t have to look the same for everyone.
Protest, whether taking to the streets, setting up an encampment, disrupting events, or engaging in other direct actions, is a protected activity in the United States. The First Amendment guarantees citizens of the United States the right of free speech, which includes engaging in peaceful (nonviolent) assembly or protest in public forums by yourself or with others. You also have the right to document law enforcement activities as long as you aren’t deemed an “interference.” Police can ask you to step back, but not to stop filming or writing things down.
Although protest is protected by law, it’s also true that police may also order unlawful dispersals or attack people in an attempt to break up a protest. They may also try to intimidate people into voluntarily leaving or ending a protest. Governors may also use a martial law declaration to disrupt protests, which suspends certain civilian protections and the civilian legal system and allows the military to take over; this is designed for crisis situations, but can be abused as well.
If you are stopped by police or arrested: Don’t run and keep your hands where police can see them. Follow the guidelines for dealing with the justice system. You can make clear — ideally, calmly — that you are protected in your right to peacefully protest by the First Amendment and ask if you are free to leave. If they say you can, quietly walk away; the ACLU’s protest guide external link, opens in a new tabhas full details.
If your rights are violated: As soon as you can, write down everything you remember, including badge and patrol car numbers, which agency the officers are from, and any other details. Get contact information for witnesses, especially if a legal observer is present. Organizations such as the National Lawyers Guildexternal link, opens in a new tab dispatch volunteer legal observers to big protests — look for the people in bright hats and/or vests. If you are injured, take photographs of your injuries (but seek medical attention first). Once you have this information, you can file a written complaint with the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian complaint board; in many cases, you can file a complaint anonymously if you wish. You can also seek the assistance of an attorney or the ACLUexternal link, opens in a new tab.
It is necessary to remember, as we think critically about domination, that we all have the capacity to act in ways that oppress, dominate, wound (whether or not that power is institutionalized). It is necessary to remember that it is first the potential oppressor within that we must resist — the potential victim within that we must rescue — otherwise we cannot hope for an end to domination, for liberation.”― bell hooks, Talking Back: Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black
PROTEST SAFETY
Dress plain and comfortable: Pants, flats, and layers, glasses and not contacts, and a hat for shade. Avoid bright colors, logos, or other things that could make you identifiable. Keep long hair pinned and tucked away. Consider facial protection: A painter’s mask, safety goggles, or even a bandana can help.
First aid basics: If chemicals land on your clothing, remove the layer and discard it. The gold standard for getting stuff out of your eyes is cold water. Use cold water and mild soap to clean your skin. Don’t use milk or antacids in your eyes — they aren’t sterile and can cause infection. You may want to consider taking a Stop the Bleedexternal link, opens in a new tab training to learn how to safely treat someone who is experiencing severe bleeding; you could save a life!
Be infection-conscious: If you’re in a large crowd of people, especially indoors, you run an increased risk of contracting respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza. Wearing a mask can protect you and others around you (and carrying extras is a great idea). It also obscures your face, making you harder to identified, which is why some municipalities are starting to pass mask bans. Before attending a protest, check on the status of mask bans and make an informed choice. You can also advocate for safety precautions such as social distancing to protect yourself and others.
Take supplies: Cold, sealed water, any medications you need, contact numbers written on your arm. Leave identifying information behind if you want to be anonymous in the event of arrest. If you take your phone, install an app like the ACLU’s “Mobile Justice”external link, opens in a new tab for recording law enforcement interactions, and always check with bystanders before snapping or posting photographs.
Be aware that carrying your medications can come with risks. If you bring them in bottles with your name and prescription info, that will make you identifiable if you’re arrested or drop your bag. If you carry loose medications, that can cause problems if your bag is searched or if you are arrested, as law enforcement may question you about why you’re carrying unlabeled medications.
Know the law about campus protest: K-12 schools and college campuses are legally permitted to impose restrictions on student expression, especially if they are private schools. They may argue that this is about safety and security, especially when it comes to protest that involves “unlawful conduct,” such as setting up an encampment on campus or taking over a school building. At private schools, restrictions on student speech are not considered censorship because the school is not a government entity. At public schools, there’s a “time, place, and manner” test that allows administrators to forbid some types of conduct.
Bring a friend: Protesting is always safer with a buddy to look out for you.
all of rebel well: front page • why we made this guide • for everyone • healthcare • relationships & sex • conflict resolution • for those suffering harassment online, at school or at work • for those in abusive/controlling relationships, or who are homeless, transient or in the foster system • for those who are trans or LGBQ • for those who are of color • for those who experience religious intolerance or who are undocumented citizens • for those who are disabled • for those interacting with the justice system • for those engaging in active protest • when everything seems terrible or nowhere feels safe • how to help each other & improve this godawful mess • resources and helplines
