How to stay safe during a ‘No Kings’ protest: 7 things you should know first

Saturday is the second No protest from the king In the United States, where demonstrators will gather to demonstrate against the policies of the Trump administration, organizers expect a greater turnout than the first event that took place in June 14. There are more than 2,500 protests across the country and millions of people are expected to attend, but in the current political climate in the United States, safety is a potential concern.

While it is important to make your voice heard, it is also important that you return home safe and sound. This is especially true this weekend as Republicans in Congress and members of the Trump administration claim it will be eventful Antifa protesters.This is what the US Department of Justice did recently Classifying them as terroristsalthough the surname refers to An association of leaderless left-wing groups that oppose fascism.

If you’re heading to an event this Saturday, here are some tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Let someone know you’re going

If there’s one simple tip for staying safe, it’s to let someone who won’t be participating in the protest, like a family member’s friend, know where you’ll be. Give them a reasonable time to check on you to make sure you’re safe. Make an initial plan on how to check up on you if they have difficulty contacting you after the agreed-upon time has passed. Remember, if there are a large number of people in an area, your phone may not work, so don’t expect to be able to make a phone call once the protest is over.

Figure out where you’ll be and how to get out of there

Each event has a start location and a defined path with an end point. You must not only know how to get there, but also how to leave the road for whatever reason. If you are driving to an event, make sure you park a little further away or you may get stuck in traffic after the protest. This also applies to those who ride public transportation: trying to take the bus or subway where the protest ends can only cause trouble. Local police may also redirect any type of traffic near the event, so keep that in mind. If you plan to take an Uber or Lyft to and from the event, don’t be surprised if the return trip costs you some extra money, considering traffic and route changes that may occur.

Maybe don’t bring your phone

Depending on the event, your protest may be hectic. It is possible for you You won’t get any signal If there are a lot of people, it makes sense to think about leaving it at home. For one thing, you won’t have to worry about it getting damaged or lost. If you want to document your time there, consider purchasing a disposable camera on your way to the event. Since you won’t have a phone, make sure you remember the phone numbers you want to call, especially the person you said you would call.

Keep your phone safe

If you plan to bring your phone, keep it safe and locked. To defend against police surveillance, and The ACLU recommends Disable any biometrics you may have on your phone e.g Face ID. Lock your phone with a PIN that can’t be easily guessed, and when you’re at the event, keep the phone locked. Most phones will still allow you to turn on the camera without having to unlock it. If you’re not taking photos, keep your phone in your pocket. It also couldn’t hurt to bring Power bank To make sure your phone stays charged. It’s also helpful to remember important phone numbers in case you lose your phone.

Don’t bring a bag

Most No Kings events are scheduled to last two to three hours, so it shouldn’t be a long day of protest. Although it may seem better to take all your items in a bag, just leave the bag at home. It will be just another item to worry about and some events may have law enforcement check bags. Just keep what you need in your pockets where it is easily available and you don’t have to search in your bag.

Stick with a group

You will ideally want to attend the protest with some friends or family. If not, at the event, see if there are some people you can stay close to or look for friendly people who would be willing to let you join their group. Having someone nearby who can take care of you will make you feel safe and secure.

Dress for the occasion

Depending on where you are in the country, Saturday’s weather could mean packing up or staying cool. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing. Don’t burden yourself with too many clothes if you don’t need them. Keep your wardrobe light and easy to manage instead of heavy and complicated. There will also be a lot of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable sneakers rather than sandals, flip-flops or anything that exposes your feet. If rain is forecast, wear a waterproof jacket and bring an umbrella. There’s no need to overcomplicate what to wear to an event, because what’s important is your voice, not how fashionable you look.

With these tips in mind, we hope you can protest safely.