50501 Veterans Protester Guide
Part 1 – Preparing for a Protest
Note: As stated in our mission, 50501 Veterans stands firmly for nonviolence
Photo by Joshua Myers, 50501 Veterans
The right to protest is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and our 1st Amendment.
Still, for many veterans and our allies, protesting can be daunting. Honestly, how many of us truly expected as little as a year ago to have to mobilize on such a massive scale to advocate for our core democratic principles – especially on issues that so adversely impact our veterans?
Yet here we are.
Time is of the essence in stopping this administration’s march toward fascism. That’s why we welcome all the new protesters who have joined our ranks – whether you have served or not, and whether you are joining in a mass mobilization of veterans, a national day of action, a general strike or boycott, or a local protest in your hometown.
As a new protester, it is critically important to know what to expect and how to prepare for a protest. Just as you would for any military deployment, you need to have proper training, the right equipment, and a plan before you move out.
Following is a compendium of some of the more critical recommendations for new protesters from various advocacy organizations and media outlets. At the end of this article are links to the sources used to compile these tips, where you can dig deeper to make sure you are ready for the battle ahead.
Many of these organizations also offer Spanish-language versions of their protest safety resources as well as online training. 50501 Veterans frequently shares notices about that training through our social media channels and in our chats on Signal.
PLEASE NOTE: 50501 Veterans urges every protester to attend at least one protest safety training session online before they attend a protest, in addition to reviewing this article and some of the resources which are linked at the end.
Before You Go
The first thing you should do before attending a protest is to understand exactly what the organizers plan to do at the protest, and if at all possible, do not deviate from that plan.
A recent protest saw a disproportionate and violent police response after one speaker urged protesters to march across a bridge – something that was not in the organizers’ program. So know before you go what is planned.
From there, you should build your own personal plan for the protest. Here are some essential steps in that process:
Ally on Call – Have someone you trust who is not attending the protest on call. Tell them where you are going and how long you plan to be there. Make sure they know your date of birth and your name as it appears on your government-issued ID, your emergency contact numbers, and your medications and medical conditions.
Check in with them when the protest is over and you are safely on your way home. Note: 50501 Veterans also offers a Safety Chat on Signal for checking in as well.
Emergency Numbers – On your body, write in permanent marker one or two phone numbers of people you can contact in an emergency, in case your phone is confiscated.
Dress Appropriately – Avoid wearing easily identifiable clothing with logos and cover up any tattoos you may have, to prevent easy identification by authorities on the scene. Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes and close-toed shoes so you can move quickly.
Use the Buddy System – Recruit a buddy – or buddies – to accompany you. There is safety in numbers, and a buddy can alert others if you are harmed or arrested so they can take the appropriate medical or legal action on your behalf. They can also help record any violations of your rights.
Know the Terrain – As in any battle, it is critical that you know the environment in which you will be protesting. Print out a map of the venue and surrounding areas, since cell service may be limited and you may not be able to access them online. Identify multiple entry and escape routes from the central protest area ahead of time, avoiding known traffic choke points and high congestion locations when possible. Then set up a rally point to meet your buddy – or buddies – in case things go south and you get separated.
Practice Safe Cyber – Bringing a personal mobile device is a double-edged sword. Yes, it can allow you to quickly connect with your buddy or emergency contacts. But it also contains personal data that you may not want the authorities to have access to if you are detained.
One way to get around this conundrum is to leave your mobile phone at home and purchase a prepaid phone (AKA burner phone) and SIM card. These are offered at most large retailers.
Be sure to put the contacts in the prepaid phone who you want to connect with on the day of the protest and the emergency contact(s) you may need in the event you are detained. Likewise, be sure to let your contacts know the number of the prepaid phone ahead of the protest.
To prevent your identity and location from being known, you should also turn off your prepaid device before going home or anywhere else that might help determine your identity.
Of course, most people still prefer to use their own phone, but there are some precautions you should take before leaving for the protest.
Most mobile phones today already incorporate device encryption, but that is easily compromised if you have a weak password. Use a strong password for your mobile phone (a password manager application can help with this) and two-factor authentication for your online accounts and social media. Also, remove fingerprint or face recognition unlock features so a law enforcement officer cannot physically force your to unlock your phone.
You may also want to consider installing Signal on your phone. Signal offers strong end-to-end encryption of your text messages and voice calls, so your communications are secured while they are in transit.
Finally, protests can get gnarly, so make sure that you back up the data on your mobile phone regularly in case it is lost, stolen or confiscated by law enforcement.
Packing Essentials – Know the location, time, duration and weather for the protest, and stuff your personal supplies in a backpack accordingly. Protests may go longer than anticipated, so pack snacks like protein bars, granola and mixed nuts to keep your strength up. Also pack a water bottle so you can stay hydrated.
The vast majority of protests are peaceful and organizers coordinate with local law enforcement ahead of time, but there is always a chance a protest may be met with force.
Make sure you have packed protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses in case tear gas or other irritants are used on protesters. Also consider bringing a face-covering to protect against chemical irritants. Milk of magnesia and towelettes can also help alleviate skin irritations from these chemicals.
We recommend bringing a light change of clothes in case the clothes you are wearing get contaminated with pepper spray or tear gas.
And of course, hand sanitizer and a travel first aid kit should be in your backpack as well.
What Not to Bring – Just as important as what you bring is what you shouldn’t bring. Don’t bring anything you aren’t prepared to lose, such as large amounts of cash, credit cards or expensive jewelry.
Also, don’t wear your contact lenses, since those can trap tear gas. Avoid wearing anything that can be pulled or grabbed, including hair ties, long or loose hair, and necklaces
Don’t bring anything illegal or that can be construed as a weapon.
Power Up Ahead of Time – Make sure your vehicle is fully fueled/charged and that you have a fully charged phone as well before you leave for the protest.
Know Your Rights – Research local laws about protests, curfews and interacting with the police. These may vary not just from state to state, but among neighboring jurisdictions.
The American Civil Liberties Union provides an excellent guide (in English and Spanish) on Protesters’ Rights. As the guide points out, although you do have the right to peacefully assemble and express your views at a protest, police and other government officials can place certain narrow restrictions on how you exercise those rights. More on that in Part 2 of this guide.
Your rights are strongest in “traditional public forums” – streets, sidewalks, and parks. You also likely have the right to speak out on other public property – such as plazas in front of government buildings – as long as you do not block access to the government building or interfere with other purposes the property was designed for.
It is important to note that counterprotesters also have the same rights to peacefully assemble and protest as you do, and those rights should be respected as well.
In Part 2 of our Protesters Guide, we will discuss best practices on how to behave and stay safe at a protest.
SOURCES
Human Rights Campaign: Tips for Preparedness, Peaceful Protesting, and Safety
WIRED Magazine: How to Protest Safely: What to Bring, What to Do, and What to Avoid
American Civil Liberties Union: Know Your Rights – Protestor Rights
National Resources Defense Council: How to Protest Safely
Surveillance Self-Defense: Attending a Protest
Mental Floss: How to Stay Safe During a Protest
The Conscious Citizens: High Risk Protest Safety Guide
How to Protest: What to Know, Bring, and How to Stay Safe
The Intercept: How to Stay Safe Protesting ICE – And What to Expect from Cops in Your City
United We Dream: Young Leaders Participating in Protest
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-California: Know Your Rights: Guide to Protesting & Community Safety
The Emancipator: Here’s How to Protect Yourself During Protests