Protest Safety and Preparedness Guide

Written by Caryss Fraser, with additional insights and resources from Centered America

Peaceful protest is a powerful tool for change.

As the actions of the Trump administration continue to infringe on the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness, the right to free assembly and speech, protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, becomes an essential tool for progress. Many excellent resources regarding procedures, rights, and best practices can be found online, from well-known organizations to seasoned protesters. In all things, seek to inform yourself and use common sense.

Know Your Mission and the Type of Protest

First, know what type of protest you are attending. I suggest looking for one organized by a group with a clearly defined mission and a commitment to nonviolence. For example, 50501 is a very popular and well-known organizer, helping establish events nationwide. Under their Values and Commitments webpage, they state: “We are dedicated to promoting nonviolence in all aspects of our interactions, fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and peaceful conflict resolution.” Looking for language like this will help you avoid protests that plan to use more antagonistic tactics. Two other organizers who promote safe and well-planned protests include Indivisible and Women’s March.

Verify the Organization's Values

• Look for public statements on nonviolence

• Check for social media presence and reviews of past protests

• Follow verified organizers like Indivisible (https://indivisible.org/) and Women's March (https://womensmarch.com/)

Prepare What to Bring

An essential part of the protest process is preparation. When deciding what to wear, many suggest plain clothes, such as a basic T-shirt and jeans. I personally wore a shirt with a quote from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but in the future, I will likely adhere to a more inconspicuous look. Others recommend wearing sunglasses and a hat to further obscure your identity, but this is not always necessary at a peaceful protest.

Suggested Items to Bring:

• Enough water to stay hydrated

• Healthy snacks (granola bars, trail mix)

• A small first aid kit

• A protest buddy or someone who knows your location

• A written emergency contact in case your phone dies

• Mask (for health and anonymity)

• Cash (in case digital payments aren’t an option)

Legal and Safety Tools:

• National Lawyers Guild for legal support: https://www.nlg.org/

• ACLU Protester Rights Guide: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights/

Protecting Your Privacy

A tip that has been circulating via articles and social media posts is to leave your phone at home or put it on “lockdown mode” so that your data cannot be tracked. Disable fingerprint or facial recognition and set a strong passcode.

Be Mindful of Your Limits

My number one takeaway from my recent experience protesting and learning about these demonstrations is to know your mission and your limits. If tensions are rising and you think that it might be time to bow out, trust yourself and follow your predetermined exit plan.

Situational Awareness:

• Stay with a group you trust

• Don’t share personal information with strangers

• Be cautious of street interviewers or people asking questions as some may be agitators

• If you see suspicious behavior, alert others calmly and quietly

At the April 5th protest, a street interviewer walked past me, followed by a silent yet assertive woman pointing at the man and carrying a sign announcing that he was an antagonist. This was a peaceful yet powerful act, alerting fellow protesters that he was not to be engaged.

What Not to Bring:

• Weapons of any kind

• Drugs or alcohol

• Valuables

• Items that could be used or interpreted as tools for vandalism

Stay Informed and Calm Around Law Enforcement

Lastly, quickly follow the instructions of law enforcement officers if they arrive to avoid being arrested. Towards the end of the protest, I noticed an increased police presence, leading to my decision to exit. Increased presence can indicate that tensions are rising. If your protest turns unexpectedly confrontational, exit swiftly and safely.

Know Your Rights:

• Don’t consent to a search without a warrant

• You have the right to remain silent

• Film interactions when safe and legal to do so

Emergency Preparation:

• Write down or memorize a local bail fund number

• Inform someone not at the protest about your plans

• Keep phone notifications off or disable social media location tagging

---

Support Our Work

This living guide is a collaborative publication, combining Caryss Fraser’s firsthand experience on the ground with Centered America's ongoing mission to reform the Democratic Party’s messaging and protect democratic participation. If you found this helpful, please support our continued advocacy and education efforts:

Stay safe. Stay informed. Stay grounded.
Caryss Fraser & The Centered America Team