Protest Tips: What to bring, how to take action, how to stay safe

Americans are taking On the streets, thousands of people appeared in American cities to protest President Donald Trump’s second term policy and challenge Trump’s power to undermine the federal government. Over the past few years, public outcry and civil disobedience have become increasingly common as citizens challenge Trump’s threat to women’s rights, travel bans and deportation policies in foreign countries, police brutality against black Americans, and U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade.

Now, protests include Tesla’s withdrawal movement and mass action across the country, aiming to hostilely take over the government and a wider threat to American freedom. (Trump also seriously threatened the long-standing free trade agreement and landed alone in the process.)

The wired guide to security protests was originally written during a 2020 outcry against police brutality, which is overwhelmingly targeting black people like George Floyd, Brena Taylor and Tony McDard. Now, we have updated this guide to include recommendations for mass action, your rights and protections as a U.S. citizen, protests in or around government property, and laws surrounding property damage (e.g., Tesla).

If you are considering joining a nearby protest, there are some key factors to consider: The U.S. government is now allowing federal immigration agents to conduct full-scale attacks, and ICE is reportedly detaining and deporting people with visas in the U.S., including many students, including many students. And, while police brutality is an abstract concept for some, it is a stark reality for others. You can make other contributions if you don’t have a safe protest or otherwise can’t actually protest. You can also donate your time to community groups, revoke protests or contact local lawmakers. Now, it is crucial to put pressure on our legislators.

That being said, protest is the right of all Americans in the First Amendment (more below). Before you set out, you should know that police across the country have taken unnecessary forces, including driving vehicles through crowds, Partly blinded the photographerand McKin’s kids. The list is still ongoing.

If you still want to join, we’ve collected some suggestions, as well as a list of items you might want to take with you. Be careful and stay safe.

What to bring (not bring) protest

It is wise to protest for one day. We recommend the following. You may have everything you need around your home, and if not, these items will most likely be available in your local store. We provide some links to online retailers for your reference.

• Bags and/or backpacks: You need something small and durable. I, Louryn, use Walgreens’ cheap day pack for most supplies, and I also tie it to a belt bag that I use to hold the basic items I need if I’m going to lose my backpack. Use everything you have so that you can keep your hands free. If you don’t have anything, we have a list of our favorite Fanny bags. While your bag should be large enough to hold all the supplies you need, be sure to avoid anything bulky.
• water: Your protests are likely to include parades, so you need to be careful about proper hydration. Bring drinking water. Bring the largest bottle you can hold in your bag. Water can also be used to clean the wound and rinse the eyes of anyone hit by chemical gas or pepper spray.
• Mask or turban: When we first wrote this guide in 2020, we recommended wearing masks because of the 19020 pandemic. Now, this isn’t a problem for many, but you may still want to take precautions and cover your face with a mask or turban. Facial coverings can also protect your identity from the benefits of camera and police surveillance. (We have a guide on digital privacy during the protests.). If there is an extra mask, bring an extra mask.
• Hat and/or sunglasses: In addition to blocking your sunshine during a long day, hats and sunglasses can also keep your face from surveillance and protect your privacy. If you wear a hat and you are interested in further protecting your identity, keep a low profile.
• snack: You might have a long day. Lightweight, nutritious and protein-rich snacks. Agility, energy bars and nuts are all good choices.
• Signs of protest: If you want to carry a logo, consider some things. Make sure your slogan is bold letters that can be read easily from a distance. A short and powerful proverb can be said to be a script block. The poster board is flexible, but the harder foam core board is more durable. You can use strong tape to stick paint sticks or other flat wooden sticks to create a handle. You may need to do something extra to distribute to other protesters. Don’t litter – When you finish the sign, handle it correctly or donate it to another protester.
• Suitable clothes: Wearing all black is a good idea because it’s what the most united protest organizers suggest, and because it helps you get into one with the crowd. Privacy experts also recommend covering any tattoos, if you can, and hiding your hair if you dye a unique color.
• Change clothes: If you protest on particularly hot days, you may need extra clothing. These may come in handy if you are exposed to substances that may harm your skin, or you are splashed with paint, big road water or someone else’s sweat. I usually carry a pair of shorts, a vest and a pair of socks, and a pair of socks in my backpack.
• Hand sanitizer: You may find yourself holding hands with a stranger, grabbing a clumsy street sign, or tripping and falling into a puddle. All of these scenarios, along with Covid-19, make manual disinfectants an essential thing.
• Good walking shoes: This is not negotiable. Wearing fragile toe shoes, it is perfect for long distances.
• Your ID (maybe): If you are detained, not having an ID on your ID can cause you to get stuck for a longer period of time. However, in some states, if they ask the police, you may not have to provide your ID to the police. Use your best judgment and consider finding your state’s laws for more specific guidance.
• Your phone (maybe): To protect your privacy and prevent surveillance, the best thing you can do is leave your phone at home. Consider using a secondary or burner phone. If you want to bring your phone, avoid traditional phones and text. The signal is a secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging application that deletes messages after sending them. You should also disable biometric unlocking, such as FaceID or fingerprint feature, and then use a six-digit password. If you do need to carry your main phone, turn it off until you absolutely need to use it. This will make it harder for law enforcement to track your movements, as law enforcement officers can collect or purchase data that can tell them which devices are monitoring and what data they belong to.
• cash: Just like your phone can leave digital crumbs indicating your whereabouts, using a debit or credit card will make it easier for authorities to track your movements. Instead, bring cash. Separate the bill; hide some in your schoolbag and place your people in your shoes, bra, pants pocket or elsewhere safe.
• Electric Power Bank: If you or a member of the group will have a phone call, you need to make sure you have a way to charge your device. Other protesters may also need to charge. If you don’t have one yet, I really like this option from Anker. The company also manufactures another smaller premium power bank.
• Other things you might want: Cool towels. Tape or Gaffer’s tape. Flashlight or headlight. ibuprofen. goggles. Foam prevents plaques. Extra hair tie. A pen and paper. A sharp. Laser pointer. Bandages or other first aid supplies. Earplugs. brine solution. Additional masks. Emergency phone number and a copy that announces that someone may need to know if you can’t tell them (for example, if you have asthma or can’t hear it,). The medication you need to take as planned (in a prescription bottle if possible) and understand that you may be leaving your home much longer than expected.

Before leaving

We asked some organizers and civil action experts about the key things about the protest. This is their advice.

Educate yourself

Don’t protest without knowing that you are fighting for. Don’t show up and ask someone to educate you there. If you are an ally, do your own work and learn as much as you can – not just an action to protest, but the background around you. You may know that reproductive rights are under threat, but do you know the historical struggle for abortion in the United States? You can now read several books to get more knowledge on this topic. If you’re angry with Elon Musk, it’s helpful for all the ways the government can demolish the country’s federal agencies.

Go to the right mindset

Mental preparation is important. Protests can be physical hardship and emotional taxation. You may encounter pure joy. You might cry. You may be angry. You may be scared. Most likely, you will experience all of the above. Take some time to prepare yourself and go out again. Make sure to drink water, apply sunscreen, and have a meal.

Realize that it’s not about you

One of the main reasons for participating in the protest is not only to insist on giving it to men and taking pictures while doing the protest, but also to attend for others. Ready to listen. Prepare to enlarge what people are saying. If you are not satisfied with potential physical interventions and block vulnerable protesters from police violence rather than speaking, your efforts to become an ally may be better spent elsewhere.

Tony Williams, a member of MPD150, a Minneapolis coalition that studies the history of police activities and seeks police-free community safety alternatives, shares vital advice for anyone who is not affected by the current incident but wants to participate in the protests. (Of course, the demolition of American democracy is something that affects all of us.)

“The most important thing is to realize that you are united with others. Deciding how you should develop is not your job. It is your job to show up, listen and support and support yourself. Depriving yourself is a very important part of the experience.”

Understand your rights

In the United States, this is entirely your right to present peacefully in public. According to the First Amendment Coalition, there is no doubt that the fundamental acts of gatherings and protesting the government’s actions are protected, a Californian nonprofit dedicated to protecting freedom of speech. Also, often, “people have the right to film or otherwise record what’s happening in public spaces,” said FAC director David Snyder. “If the police asked you to flip your notes, I would say you can assume they don’t have the right to catch this.”

That is, if it is to be attributed to force and the physical comparison is far from exceeding it, you may have to weigh the risks of immediate personal safety, possibly stripping notes or phone calls from you and taking legal action later. Similarly, Snyder noted that the First Amendment to the Constitution does not protect protesters engaged in illegal activities, including destroying property or assaulting others.