Protest tips: What do you bring, how to act, and how to stay safe

The Americans take To the streets and appear in American cities by thousands to protest a large number of president Donald Trump The second -term policies, and to challenge the authority that Trump granted Elon Musk To disable the federal government. Public screaming and civil disobedience has become more common over the past few years, as citizens have challenged Trump’s threats to women’s rights, traveling from foreign countries and deportation policies, police brutality against black Americans, and the United States Supreme Organization. Ro against a valley.

Now the protests, which include Tesla removal The movement and collective action targets the country, and aims to anticipate hostile to the government and wider threats of American freedom. (Trump also threatened long free trade agreements and took the US stock market in this process.)

This wired guide was written for the originally safe protest in 2020 during a protest at the country level Police brutalityWho targets black by an overwhelming majority, he loves blacks George Floydand Briona TaylorAnd Tony Makda. We have now updated this guide to include a special advice for mass procedures, your rights and your protection as an American citizen, protest in or about government property, and laws about distorting property (such as, for example, Tesla).

If you are considering joining a protest near you, there are some decisive factors that must be taken into account: the United States government now allows federal immigration agents to make sweeping raids, and is said to be holding and deporting people in the United States here on legal visas, including many students. Although the police brutality is an abstract concept for some, it is a flagrant fact for others. There are other ways that you can contribute if you do not feel safe in protesting or unable to do this physically. You can also donate a time for community groups, drop supplies to protests, or contact local legislators. Now, more than ever, it is important to put pressure on our legislators.

However, the protest is the right of all Americans within the framework of the first amendment (more from that below). Before going out, you should know that Police across the country unnecessarilyIt includes Driving vehicles through crowdsand Partly illustrated photographerAnd Children Macing. the The list goes on.

If you still want to join, we have collected some tips, as well as a list of the elements that you may want to bring with you. Be careful, and keep safe.

What do you bring (and not bring) protest

It is intelligent to have supplies on hand for a day of protest. We recommend the following. You may have everything you need all over the house, and if not so, these items are likely to be available in your local shopping. We have included some links to online retailers to refer to.

• Bag and/or backpack: You will need a small and durable thing. I, Lauren, use cheap DayPack From Walgrens for most supplies, also confused a belt bag, which I use to hold the basic elements that I need if I lose my bag. Use what you have that allows you to keep your hands for free. If you don’t have anything, we have a list of our Favi Fani packages. Although your bag should be large enough to keep all the supplies you need, be sure to avoid anything very huge.
• water: There is a good opportunity to include your protest, so you need to pay attention to the appropriate hydration. Download drinking water. Bring the largest bottle you can put in your bag. Water can also be used to clean the wounds and put the eyes of anyone who was hit with chemical gas or pepper spray.
• Facial mask or Pandana: When we wrote this guide for the first time in 2020, we advised to wear masks due to the Covid-19s. This is less interested in many people now, but you still want to take precautions and cover your face with a mask or Pandana. Facial covers also benefit from protecting your identity from cameras and police control. (We have a separate guide about Digital privacy During the protests.). Bring an additional mask if you have one.
• Hat and/or sunglasses: Aside from protecting you from the sun during a long day of the march, you can block the solar glasses and glasses of your face from monitoring and protect your privacy. If you are wearing a hat, and you are interested in increasing your identity protection, be sure to drop the edge.
• Snacks: It is likely to be in a long day. Lightweight package, nutritional, rich protein snacks. jerkyand Power tapesAnd Nuts They are all good choices.
• Protest signs: If you want to withstand a mark, there are some things to consider. Ensure that your logo in large and bold letters can be easily read from afar. It can be said that short sayings and punching are better than the mass program block. Sticker Flexible, but more solid Foam More durability. You can install Coating Or other flat wooden sticks of the brand using a strong tape to create a handle. You may want to make additions to hand over the protesters. Do not take garbage – when you finish your brand, get rid of it properly, or donate it to another decree.
• Suitable clothes: It is good to wear all black, because this is what the organizers of the solidarity protests indicate most of them and because it helps you integrate with a crowd. Privacy experts also Recommend To cover any tattoo, if possible, and to hide your hair if it is dyed with a distinctive color.
• Change clothes: If you protest a special hot day, you may want to get additional clothes. These can be within your reach if you are exposed to materials that can harm your skin or if you explode with paint, total road water or others. I usually carry a pair of short pants, the highest tank, and an additional pair of socks in my bag.
• Handson sterilizer: You may find yourself holding their hands with a stranger, holding the signs of Gunky Street, or stumbling and falling into a pool. All these scenarios besides Covid-19 Make the manual disinfectant something essential to carry it.
• Good walk shoes: This is not capable. Wear closed shoes of broken feet and good walking for long distances.
• Your identity (perhaps): If you are detained, do not make you stuck for a longer period. However, in some countries, You may not have to show your identity to the police if they ask for one. Use your best judgment, and think about searching for your state laws to obtain more specific guidelines.
• Your phone (perhaps): to Protect your privacy and prevent monitoringThe best thing you can do is leave your phone at home. Consider secondary use or Text phone instead of. If you want to bring your phone, avoid using traditional phone calls and text if possible. signal security , The encrypted correspondence application from one end to the end This provides the option to delete messages after sending them. You should also disable biometric opening holes, such as FaceID or fingerprints, and use the six -numbers passcode instead. If you need to carry your primary phone, continue to close it until you need to use it completely. This will make it difficult to implement the law to track your movements, because law enforcement officials can Collect or buy data It can tell them which devices that they were in protest are watching, and from those devices to which they belong.
• monetary: Just like your phone can leave digital bread crumbs indicating where you are, using your debit card or credit card will make it easy for the authorities to follow your movements. Instead, bring the money. Separate your bills; Hide some in your bag, and keep some of them to your person, either in your shoes, your chest, pockets of your pants, or elsewhere safe.
• Energy Bank: If you have or members of your group, you need to make sure you have a way to charge devices. Other demonstrators may need to charge their equipment as well. If you do not really have one, I really love This option is to deny. The company also makes another Good energy bank This is a little smaller.
• Other things you may want: A Refreshing towel. Adhesive tape or gaffer tape. A hand lamp or a front lamp. Epoprofen. glasses. Bit for prevention spots. Additional hair relationships. Pen and paper. Sharpie. Laser index. At guarantee or other first aid supplies. Ear removals. brine. Additional face masks. A copy of the emergency phone numbers and a card that announces the necessary medical information that a person may need to know if you are unable to tell them yourself (for example, if you suffer from asthma or if you are difficult to hear). Medicines to be taken on a schedule (in a prescription bottle that carries signs if possible) with an understanding that you may be far from home for a long longer than expected.

Before you leave

We have requested some organizers and civil work experts about the main things to understand about the protest. Here is their advice.

Educate yourself

Do not go to a protest without knowing what you fight for. Do not appear and ask someone there to educate you. If you are an ally, work yourself and study as much as possible – not only about the procedures you need but the context around them. You may know that reproductive rights are threatened, but do you know about the historical battle in order to reach abortion in America? there Many books that you can read Now to gain more knowledge on this topic. If you are angry at Elon Musk, this helps to understand a good understanding All ways The administration dismantles federal agencies in this country.

Get the correct mentality

Mental preparation is important. The protest can be physically stressful and emotional taxes. You may face a transparent joy. You may cry. You may get angry. You may feel fear. Most likely, you will face all of the above. Take enough time to prepare yourself before going out. Make sure to drink some water, apply sunscreen, and eat a meal.

I realize that it is not about you

One of the main reasons for attending the protest is not only to stick to the man and take a personal photo while doing this, but to be present for others. Ready to listen. Be ready to amplify what people say. If you are not comfortable with possible physical intervention, it is possible that the vulnerable demonstrators are protected from the police violence, and listen more than you speak, your efforts are likely to be the best to spend it elsewhere.

Tony Williams, a member of MPD150, is a coalition based in Minneapolis, who studied the history of the police activity and seeks free from the police for the safety of society, shared a decisive advice for anyone who is not personally affected by current events, but wants to attend the protest. (Of course, the dismantling of democracy in the United States is something that affects all of us.)

“The most important thing to realize is that you show solidarity with others. It is not your job to decide how things should go. It’s your job to appear, listen and support,” says Williams.

Learn about your rights

In the United States, it is Quite your rights To pretend peace in public places. The basic act of assembling and protesting the government’s actions is undoubtedly protected, according to the first amendment coalition, a non -profit organization in California that is committed to protecting freedom of expression. Also, as a public issue, “people have the right to photograph or document things that occur in the public space,” says David Snyder, Fac director. “If the police ask to deliver your notes, I say that you can assume that they have no right to seize this.”

However, if it is a matter of strength and you have been physically outperformed, you may have to weigh the risks on your immediate personal safety, and your notes or phone may be stripped, and follow -up later. Snyder also notes that the first amendment to the constitution does not protect the demonstrators who participate in illegal activity, which includes the destruction of property or assault on others.