How do I prepare for a protest?
July 9, 2019 2:01 AM Subscribe
I am going to be attending a "Lights for Liberty" vigil this Friday. My main concern/worry is that at least part of the vigil will be at the border, and thus the potential for CBP/ICE presence. I suppose the first question is, how worried should I be about that aspect? But additionally, what things should I do in preparation for the event?
I wouldn't worry about ICE/CPB presence on a personal level if I were attending such a thing. I have attended many, many protests and the only ones where truly random attendees got swept up and beaten/arrested were ones which were known to be militant ahead of time. The "Lights for Liberty" protests will not be like that.
If there is civil disobedience, those people will know what they are doing. If there is some kind of militant action, it will almost certainly be well-defined and will not sweep up random attendees.
Sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, a bag you can wear/carry for long periods, snacks, water, any meds you usually carry, any small practical items. If you typically carry a large backpack, maybe throw in a couple of extra waters to give away.
Pay attention to the weather forecast and make sure you're dressed appropriately.
My chronic advice if you are bringing your own sign is to use duct tape on the back to make arm straps so you can carry it like a shield. This is even compatible with making a sign on a stick - just keep the stick short (so that it won't drag on the ground when you're holding it by the straps) and put the straps low - that way you can carry it on your arm if your arms get tired from holding it up. If you are going to make a stick-and-straps sign, use slightly stiffer cardstock than normal.
Your hands may get tired or cramped carrying a large cardstock sign with no stick or straps if you're just standing around for over an hour, IMO.
You may feel better/more a part of things if you bring your own sign.
If you've never made a protest sign before:
1. Get a couple of pieces of material (so you have a spare if you mess one up) - cardstock, foamboard, cardboard, etc. Should be light-colored unless you're going to do fancy light-colored letters. Make sure that it is stiff enough to stand up if you're going to have it on a stick.
2. For the stick: make sure that signs on sticks are allowed in your jurisdiction. Technically they are not allowed here, but this has not been enforced since Trump that I have seen. A long flat paint-stirrer type stick is usually good. Make sure it's strong enough to hold the cardboard.
3. For the words: Think about what you really, really want to convey. When in doubt, be simple, not clever - clever protest signs are fantastic, but if you're thinking "is this too clever, will people get it" or "is this too long, will people read it", just go with something simple. "Close the camps/Stop the raids" or "Close the camps/No ICE", etc.
4. Doing the lettering: Lightly sketch your letters in pencil to get the spacing right, then go over them with sharpie or paint. (Sharpie is probably easiest - but get the big sharpies.) I always make my letters hollow/draw outlines of them and then lightly fill in with scribbles rather than trying to color all the way in.
5. If you are making handles or using a stick, duct tape the stick to the sign or make straps out of tape. To make a strap, take two pieces of duct tape of the same length and put the sticky sides together. Then tape this to the sign.
~~
Can you bring anyone with you? This tends to boost morale.
~~
How will you get to the protest? If it's a big event, can you carpool? Either way, allow time to find parking.
~~
Protests rarely start on time - there's usually a wait as people gather. If you are delayed, don't worry.
~~
If for some reason you are anxious about arrests (I don't think you should be at this event) you can write any relevant phone number on your arm in sharpie so you can call from jail.
If there is mass sorta-civil-disobedience, like walking in the street, don't worry about that. If there is a serious blocking of the street that seems likely to go on for more than a few symbolic minutes, it's okay to nope out if you're nervous - although it is very unlikely that the police will do mass arrests on a peaceful protest like that rather than warning people until they leave the street. (Remember that arrests are work and mass arrests require a lot of staffing and admin; if the cops don't have the people, that won't happen.)
~~
Now personally I don't think this will be necessary, but if it eases your mind, be sure to practice good situational awareness and have a line of departure in mind. I've never been arrested at a protest when I didn't want to be, and while some of that is down to luck, I attribute a lot of it to being aware of where the cops were and always having a plan about peeling away from the group if things seemed to be heating up. (There are certain situations where you don't want to go off on your own, but those are for large militant protests with a heavy police presence where it's obvious that something is going to go down.)
If there were, for instance, militant people at this protest, you could hang back from them and let them do their thing - they aren't going to pull you in and the cops' focus will be on them.
~~
Think about how much you want to hear the speeches. Some speeches are good and some are not; if you're in the back of the crowd you may have trouble hearing. If you can't hear but can see a convenient spot nearby to sit/stand in the shade, you can go do that.
~~
Report back and tell us how it goes!
posted by Frowner at 8:12 AM on July 9, 2019 [7 favorites]
If there is civil disobedience, those people will know what they are doing. If there is some kind of militant action, it will almost certainly be well-defined and will not sweep up random attendees.
Sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, a bag you can wear/carry for long periods, snacks, water, any meds you usually carry, any small practical items. If you typically carry a large backpack, maybe throw in a couple of extra waters to give away.
Pay attention to the weather forecast and make sure you're dressed appropriately.
My chronic advice if you are bringing your own sign is to use duct tape on the back to make arm straps so you can carry it like a shield. This is even compatible with making a sign on a stick - just keep the stick short (so that it won't drag on the ground when you're holding it by the straps) and put the straps low - that way you can carry it on your arm if your arms get tired from holding it up. If you are going to make a stick-and-straps sign, use slightly stiffer cardstock than normal.
Your hands may get tired or cramped carrying a large cardstock sign with no stick or straps if you're just standing around for over an hour, IMO.
You may feel better/more a part of things if you bring your own sign.
If you've never made a protest sign before:
1. Get a couple of pieces of material (so you have a spare if you mess one up) - cardstock, foamboard, cardboard, etc. Should be light-colored unless you're going to do fancy light-colored letters. Make sure that it is stiff enough to stand up if you're going to have it on a stick.
2. For the stick: make sure that signs on sticks are allowed in your jurisdiction. Technically they are not allowed here, but this has not been enforced since Trump that I have seen. A long flat paint-stirrer type stick is usually good. Make sure it's strong enough to hold the cardboard.
3. For the words: Think about what you really, really want to convey. When in doubt, be simple, not clever - clever protest signs are fantastic, but if you're thinking "is this too clever, will people get it" or "is this too long, will people read it", just go with something simple. "Close the camps/Stop the raids" or "Close the camps/No ICE", etc.
4. Doing the lettering: Lightly sketch your letters in pencil to get the spacing right, then go over them with sharpie or paint. (Sharpie is probably easiest - but get the big sharpies.) I always make my letters hollow/draw outlines of them and then lightly fill in with scribbles rather than trying to color all the way in.
5. If you are making handles or using a stick, duct tape the stick to the sign or make straps out of tape. To make a strap, take two pieces of duct tape of the same length and put the sticky sides together. Then tape this to the sign.
~~
Can you bring anyone with you? This tends to boost morale.
~~
How will you get to the protest? If it's a big event, can you carpool? Either way, allow time to find parking.
~~
Protests rarely start on time - there's usually a wait as people gather. If you are delayed, don't worry.
~~
If for some reason you are anxious about arrests (I don't think you should be at this event) you can write any relevant phone number on your arm in sharpie so you can call from jail.
If there is mass sorta-civil-disobedience, like walking in the street, don't worry about that. If there is a serious blocking of the street that seems likely to go on for more than a few symbolic minutes, it's okay to nope out if you're nervous - although it is very unlikely that the police will do mass arrests on a peaceful protest like that rather than warning people until they leave the street. (Remember that arrests are work and mass arrests require a lot of staffing and admin; if the cops don't have the people, that won't happen.)
~~
Now personally I don't think this will be necessary, but if it eases your mind, be sure to practice good situational awareness and have a line of departure in mind. I've never been arrested at a protest when I didn't want to be, and while some of that is down to luck, I attribute a lot of it to being aware of where the cops were and always having a plan about peeling away from the group if things seemed to be heating up. (There are certain situations where you don't want to go off on your own, but those are for large militant protests with a heavy police presence where it's obvious that something is going to go down.)
If there were, for instance, militant people at this protest, you could hang back from them and let them do their thing - they aren't going to pull you in and the cops' focus will be on them.
~~
Think about how much you want to hear the speeches. Some speeches are good and some are not; if you're in the back of the crowd you may have trouble hearing. If you can't hear but can see a convenient spot nearby to sit/stand in the shade, you can go do that.
~~
Report back and tell us how it goes!
posted by Frowner at 8:12 AM on July 9, 2019 [7 favorites]
Snacks and drinks are a really good idea, especially if you bring some to share with other protesters. A really good way to make friends that way.
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Trainers are better than boots.
I'd let some sympathetic friends/family know that you're going to be there, and that it's your first protest. If you're worried about possibly being arrested/hospitalized, I'd see if any of them would be willing to be called in case that happens. If so, write their phone number on your arm or chest, in sharpie.
If you do bring prescription medications, make sure that they're in their original containers.
Be flexible; if you're starting to feel tired or that the protest is getting too uncomfortable for you, there's no shame in ducking out, even to just take a break. Self-care is important.
If you find a coffee house nearby, buy a drink and tip heavily. Maybe talk to them about the protest. Now you have access to a bathroom.
posted by spinifex23 at 9:42 AM on July 9, 2019
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Trainers are better than boots.
I'd let some sympathetic friends/family know that you're going to be there, and that it's your first protest. If you're worried about possibly being arrested/hospitalized, I'd see if any of them would be willing to be called in case that happens. If so, write their phone number on your arm or chest, in sharpie.
If you do bring prescription medications, make sure that they're in their original containers.
Be flexible; if you're starting to feel tired or that the protest is getting too uncomfortable for you, there's no shame in ducking out, even to just take a break. Self-care is important.
If you find a coffee house nearby, buy a drink and tip heavily. Maybe talk to them about the protest. Now you have access to a bathroom.
posted by spinifex23 at 9:42 AM on July 9, 2019
Speaking of bathroom access: when it's uncertain, people often try to limit fluids -- risking dehydration and heat exhaustion/heat stroke. An OTC anti-bladder-urgency product like AZO will delay the need to urinate for a few hours, starting about an hour after dosing. (Please check all side effects, contraindications, etc., information.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:40 AM on July 9, 2019
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:40 AM on July 9, 2019
Seconding writing a phone number on your arm if you think you are likely to get arrested. Preferably one of the numbers you write on your arm should be a local area code as some jurisdictions don’t allow long distance.
ACLU also has a mobile justice app.
Also, if you’re white, try not to be that person who is starting all the chants. Likewise, if you’re white and media approaches you, refer them to the people leading the vigil.
posted by donut_princess at 6:56 PM on July 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
ACLU also has a mobile justice app.
Also, if you’re white, try not to be that person who is starting all the chants. Likewise, if you’re white and media approaches you, refer them to the people leading the vigil.
posted by donut_princess at 6:56 PM on July 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
Also, if you’re white, try not to be that person who is starting all the chants. Likewise, if you’re white and media approaches you, refer them to the people leading the vigil.
This is a good idea. I have found (and as a sorta-young-looking but not "the youth", sorta bohemian but not intimidating-looking person media ask me a lot) that it's good to have a canned way to say no so you don't have to think about it. One thing you can say is, "No thank you, I think it's more important to lift up the voices of people of color [or queer people or experienced organizers or or or]".
The last time I said this to a journalist, he did actually go right over and talk to a POC attendee - I don't know if that was the person he would have picked out anyway or if I actually sort of nudged him.
"Lift up the voices of..." is a phrase I've found useful when trying to explain issues around who gets to talk.
posted by Frowner at 7:03 PM on July 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
This is a good idea. I have found (and as a sorta-young-looking but not "the youth", sorta bohemian but not intimidating-looking person media ask me a lot) that it's good to have a canned way to say no so you don't have to think about it. One thing you can say is, "No thank you, I think it's more important to lift up the voices of people of color [or queer people or experienced organizers or or or]".
The last time I said this to a journalist, he did actually go right over and talk to a POC attendee - I don't know if that was the person he would have picked out anyway or if I actually sort of nudged him.
"Lift up the voices of..." is a phrase I've found useful when trying to explain issues around who gets to talk.
posted by Frowner at 7:03 PM on July 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by penguin pie at 2:27 AM on July 9, 2019