How to stay safe at Tesla protests
March 21, 2025 4:11 PM Subscribe
My girlfriend is planning to go to a protest at a Tesla dealership this weekend. I can't go, for health reasons. I'm worried for her. What can she do to stay safe?
I'm worried about anti-protester violence, the possibility of her getting arrested, etc. She tends to make a lot of noise at events like this, she's not one to just blend in with the crowd, and if things do go south she's liable to be right in the thick of it.
So, what are best practices for a woman on her own at a protest like this? How best to avoid getting arrested or stomped? What should she do if she does get arrested?
Christ, I hate 2025.
I'm worried about anti-protester violence, the possibility of her getting arrested, etc. She tends to make a lot of noise at events like this, she's not one to just blend in with the crowd, and if things do go south she's liable to be right in the thick of it.
So, what are best practices for a woman on her own at a protest like this? How best to avoid getting arrested or stomped? What should she do if she does get arrested?
Christ, I hate 2025.
If she has any interaction with the cops, shut the fuck up!
posted by rockindata at 4:55 PM on March 21 [10 favorites]
posted by rockindata at 4:55 PM on March 21 [10 favorites]
Bone up on your protest rights (ACLU). In the UK we have little printable wallet cards that give you advice on arrest but I haven’t found a US equivalent atm.
posted by lokta at 5:14 PM on March 21
posted by lokta at 5:14 PM on March 21
Legal Aid Society
ACLU; 10m video overview of that information
Center for Constitutional Rights
VICE Magazine:
For your first protest
Digital Privacy
Protesting without wearing yourself down
The only words you say to a cop until you're in the presence of your lawyer. The police are not your friend. The police are not your friend. The police are not your friend. Repeat it until your body memorizes it.
Am I free to leave? Am I being detained? I am not answering questions until I have a lawyer. Am I free to leave? Am I being detained? If you're not getting an answer, then the answer is you are not being detained and you are free to go. Don't hang out if they won't answer you. Walk your ass away and let them stop you if they really want to, and then start asking again until they answer. Then ask for a lawyer and shut the fuck up. Practice it until muscle memory can do it when you are panicked and being threatened.
When can police demand ID?. You do need to know your state laws here.
Head on a swivel, sharpie the numbers she'll need on her body, watch for crowd surge and watch for the crowd being directed somewhere without an exit. Avoid bridges and overpasses - this has been a kettling tactic since the 60s. Understand the protest location in advance - on google maps, check out the area, because protest laws have a bunch of very fine lines around "public" space. Not that you should expect the cops to adhere to the law, but just don't let them get you onto private property and don't follow the crowd onto private property unless you are sure you want to do that.
I have a burner phone for political activity. You'll find a bunch of advice like ooooo turn off location they'll find you - eh, they already can find you, you can turn that stuff off but it's by no means making you stealthy, but what you want is a phone with nothing more interesting on it than a text from your mom saying she loves you. You still want to lock that phone with a PIN and not biometrics; they are supposed to get a warrant to use your PIN but they will absolutely take their knee off your face to scan into your phone.
I personally want my phone broadcasting my location if I am in custody, at least until they break into or get a warrant to legally get into my phone.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:21 PM on March 21 [15 favorites]
ACLU; 10m video overview of that information
Center for Constitutional Rights
VICE Magazine:
For your first protest
Digital Privacy
Protesting without wearing yourself down
The only words you say to a cop until you're in the presence of your lawyer. The police are not your friend. The police are not your friend. The police are not your friend. Repeat it until your body memorizes it.
Am I free to leave? Am I being detained? I am not answering questions until I have a lawyer. Am I free to leave? Am I being detained? If you're not getting an answer, then the answer is you are not being detained and you are free to go. Don't hang out if they won't answer you. Walk your ass away and let them stop you if they really want to, and then start asking again until they answer. Then ask for a lawyer and shut the fuck up. Practice it until muscle memory can do it when you are panicked and being threatened.
When can police demand ID?. You do need to know your state laws here.
Head on a swivel, sharpie the numbers she'll need on her body, watch for crowd surge and watch for the crowd being directed somewhere without an exit. Avoid bridges and overpasses - this has been a kettling tactic since the 60s. Understand the protest location in advance - on google maps, check out the area, because protest laws have a bunch of very fine lines around "public" space. Not that you should expect the cops to adhere to the law, but just don't let them get you onto private property and don't follow the crowd onto private property unless you are sure you want to do that.
I have a burner phone for political activity. You'll find a bunch of advice like ooooo turn off location they'll find you - eh, they already can find you, you can turn that stuff off but it's by no means making you stealthy, but what you want is a phone with nothing more interesting on it than a text from your mom saying she loves you. You still want to lock that phone with a PIN and not biometrics; they are supposed to get a warrant to use your PIN but they will absolutely take their knee off your face to scan into your phone.
I personally want my phone broadcasting my location if I am in custody, at least until they break into or get a warrant to legally get into my phone.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:21 PM on March 21 [15 favorites]
Encourage her to leave her phone at home (or use a throwaway phone if she must carry one)
If she doesn't want to do that she should disable fingerprint and face ID on the phone and make it password only
Have her write one emergency number on her arm in sharpie, someone who will 100% answer if she is arrested
Like a hiking trip you should know her route in and out, and what time you can expect her back
Have her read this article from the ACLU about protester rights, including the section on what to do if you're arrested ("shut the fuck up" is 100% the right answer here)
No backpacks. Have her wear a cross body bag where the strap can be run under clothing. Bag should have water, a basic first aid kit, a snack, some cash. A bandana is great, or a covid mask (although I strongly doubt they'll tear gas at a Tesla dealership). Nothing that could in any way be considered a weapon, including a pocket knife or first aid scissors.
If she has long hair she should braid it or otherwise put it up. Wear very basic clothes - boots, jeans, long sleeved shirt, jacket or vest, hat if its cold. Don't wear contacts. Wear clothes that fasten up the front not pullovers. No hoodies. The goal is to have as few parts of your body as possible that can be grabbed, pulled, or hooked on something. Footwear should be very stable and comfortable, and something you can run in.
There is no sure fire way to avoid being arrested. However, historically many arrested protesters are released pretty quickly, as its hard for the cops to handle the volume of people at intake. (Obvs this may no longer be true) Getting arrested is, weirdly, not that big a deal.
Before she goes she should figure out at least two walking routes out of the area. Take public transit or park far away and walk in.
If there is violence it will become clear pretty quickly whether or not there are folks there who have dealt with that before. Follow their lead. No shame in falling back. Don't throw things at the cops or try to antagonize them. Stay focused on what you're there to do, and don't get distracted by people trying to start something more.
If you think there is a chance she could be knocked down onto the ground, have her practice a "defensive down" position where you're on your side in a fetal position with your arms covering your head and face. Generally good situational awareness will help you avoid being on the ground.
Most of all - she should overall just stay alert for signs of trouble. Most protests are fine - there might be cops but there is no violence. Know her fall back points and avoid getting boxed in.
Tell her you're proud of her.
posted by anastasiav at 5:28 PM on March 21 [10 favorites]
If she doesn't want to do that she should disable fingerprint and face ID on the phone and make it password only
Have her write one emergency number on her arm in sharpie, someone who will 100% answer if she is arrested
Like a hiking trip you should know her route in and out, and what time you can expect her back
Have her read this article from the ACLU about protester rights, including the section on what to do if you're arrested ("shut the fuck up" is 100% the right answer here)
No backpacks. Have her wear a cross body bag where the strap can be run under clothing. Bag should have water, a basic first aid kit, a snack, some cash. A bandana is great, or a covid mask (although I strongly doubt they'll tear gas at a Tesla dealership). Nothing that could in any way be considered a weapon, including a pocket knife or first aid scissors.
If she has long hair she should braid it or otherwise put it up. Wear very basic clothes - boots, jeans, long sleeved shirt, jacket or vest, hat if its cold. Don't wear contacts. Wear clothes that fasten up the front not pullovers. No hoodies. The goal is to have as few parts of your body as possible that can be grabbed, pulled, or hooked on something. Footwear should be very stable and comfortable, and something you can run in.
There is no sure fire way to avoid being arrested. However, historically many arrested protesters are released pretty quickly, as its hard for the cops to handle the volume of people at intake. (Obvs this may no longer be true) Getting arrested is, weirdly, not that big a deal.
Before she goes she should figure out at least two walking routes out of the area. Take public transit or park far away and walk in.
If there is violence it will become clear pretty quickly whether or not there are folks there who have dealt with that before. Follow their lead. No shame in falling back. Don't throw things at the cops or try to antagonize them. Stay focused on what you're there to do, and don't get distracted by people trying to start something more.
If you think there is a chance she could be knocked down onto the ground, have her practice a "defensive down" position where you're on your side in a fetal position with your arms covering your head and face. Generally good situational awareness will help you avoid being on the ground.
Most of all - she should overall just stay alert for signs of trouble. Most protests are fine - there might be cops but there is no violence. Know her fall back points and avoid getting boxed in.
Tell her you're proud of her.
posted by anastasiav at 5:28 PM on March 21 [10 favorites]
Find your local chapter of the National Lawyers Guide. If the local chapter provides a jail number that would be the first one sharpie on the arm. Anti-oppression work is fundamental to the mission of the NLG.
posted by zenon at 5:37 PM on March 21
posted by zenon at 5:37 PM on March 21
I don't think I've ever heard anyone say it's best practice to go in to potentially dangerous situations alone. But lots of sources agree that the buddy system is good.
If she can't/won't find anyone else to go with her, she should try to find someone there at the beginning to buddy up with and hang out near. Doesn't have to be much more than exchanging names and some small talk, but there's a big difference between "some solo rando in the crowd" and "This is Sharon who we've been hanging out with at this protest." Yes there may be a crowd of protesters, but crowds of strangers don't necessarily grant safety in numbers. It's good to cooperate in smaller groups and have more eyes watching out together.
Re: phones. I like to bring walkie-talkies /FRS radios to this kind of thing.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:00 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]
If she can't/won't find anyone else to go with her, she should try to find someone there at the beginning to buddy up with and hang out near. Doesn't have to be much more than exchanging names and some small talk, but there's a big difference between "some solo rando in the crowd" and "This is Sharon who we've been hanging out with at this protest." Yes there may be a crowd of protesters, but crowds of strangers don't necessarily grant safety in numbers. It's good to cooperate in smaller groups and have more eyes watching out together.
Re: phones. I like to bring walkie-talkies /FRS radios to this kind of thing.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:00 PM on March 21 [1 favorite]
anastasiav has most of the advice I'd give, but I'd just add in terms of the "basic" clothes bit -- wear things that are nondescript and boring as possible. No logos or slogans on T-shirts. No excessively bright colors or anything that would stand out or be identifiable later, which has happened.
If she has visible tattoos, I'd recommend covering those. Same if she has a unique hairstyle. The goal is to basically be as anonymous as possible. Even if she's vocal, "oh, it was the person in the plan black T-shirt" will be harder to pinpoint than say, "the woman in the bright pink hat" or whatever.
I'm glad she's doing this and I wish her the best.
posted by edencosmic at 6:30 PM on March 21 [6 favorites]
If she has visible tattoos, I'd recommend covering those. Same if she has a unique hairstyle. The goal is to basically be as anonymous as possible. Even if she's vocal, "oh, it was the person in the plan black T-shirt" will be harder to pinpoint than say, "the woman in the bright pink hat" or whatever.
I'm glad she's doing this and I wish her the best.
posted by edencosmic at 6:30 PM on March 21 [6 favorites]
I feel that some of the advice in this thread may be a bit...2024.
I would make sure to be carrying proof of citizenship, personally. And I would work on the assumption that federal prosecutors will be under pressure to massively throw the book at any perceived criminal infraction, no matter how slight.
posted by kickingtheground at 8:49 PM on March 21 [4 favorites]
I would make sure to be carrying proof of citizenship, personally. And I would work on the assumption that federal prosecutors will be under pressure to massively throw the book at any perceived criminal infraction, no matter how slight.
posted by kickingtheground at 8:49 PM on March 21 [4 favorites]
What can she do to stay safe?
avoid cybertrucks, they're on their 8th recall
posted by HearHere at 4:04 AM on March 22 [4 favorites]
avoid cybertrucks, they're on their 8th recall
posted by HearHere at 4:04 AM on March 22 [4 favorites]
Not sure if it's too late now, but she should avoid talking about going to the protest anywhere that can be turned over to the authorities. No posting about it on social media, no taking photos, nothing. Almost all social media (including Bluesky) will turn data over to the police and/or federal authorities if required. I might even suggest she posts something boring and normal or something later on like photos of the two of you in a coffee shop so it looks like that was what she was doing instead. She should wear a mask to cover her face as much as possible. Ideally, nobody should know she was there.
Here's some more general guidance.
posted by fight or flight at 5:14 AM on March 22 [3 favorites]
Here's some more general guidance.
posted by fight or flight at 5:14 AM on March 22 [3 favorites]
I've been to a Tesla protest recently, and felt safe enough to go again. Based on what I saw and did and what I saw others do:
* Check whether the Tesla protest is organized through a group like Mobilize or Indivisible (it very likely is). If so, make sure to register FOR it, and then try to find and introduce yourself to the organizer there. That way she at least would know who's ostensibly in charge and who to pay attention to if she suddenly hears the organizer holler "everyone leave" for any reason. (Also, the organizer would have some basic first aid supplies if necessary for more mundane things like "ouch, I tripped on something and fell down".)
* Nthing what everyone says about nondescript clothing.
* Keep your eye on your surroundings and keep moving. If you see the cops setting up to watch at one end of the crowd, shift to the other end. If a Cybertruck dude comes by to holler at one person in particular, edge away from the fight. If you see someone wandering around taking pictures try to stay out of them unless you know who they are and why they're doing so. Scope out the area in case she has to leave in a hurry.
* Don't go inside the Tesla dealership property (office, parking lot, etc.).
* If there was a set time the organizers have for the protest, obey those rules. You'll still do a lot even if it's just those set two hours the organizers planned out.
* Finally, a note to you - depending on where you're located (i.e., are you in a blue state or blue city), this is likely to be a pretty tame protest. The crowd I was with was peaceful, the majority of passersby were supportive, the cops were watchful but hands-off, and the people inside the dealership just kept to themselves. The only thing we did was to wave signs and make noise out on the sidewalk, encouraging passersby to "honk if they hate Tesla" and we had a lot of people doing that. I packed my super-loud Irish drum away when I saw a cop cars take up position at either end of us in the crowd, and I made note about a lot of possible streets I could duck down and stayed close to a couple, and if anyone in the crowd looked a little too ornery I edged away from them. I did trip and face-plant on the sidewalk and need to leave early (that's how I know about the first aid thing), but that's the worst thing that happened to me.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:50 AM on March 22 [4 favorites]
* Check whether the Tesla protest is organized through a group like Mobilize or Indivisible (it very likely is). If so, make sure to register FOR it, and then try to find and introduce yourself to the organizer there. That way she at least would know who's ostensibly in charge and who to pay attention to if she suddenly hears the organizer holler "everyone leave" for any reason. (Also, the organizer would have some basic first aid supplies if necessary for more mundane things like "ouch, I tripped on something and fell down".)
* Nthing what everyone says about nondescript clothing.
* Keep your eye on your surroundings and keep moving. If you see the cops setting up to watch at one end of the crowd, shift to the other end. If a Cybertruck dude comes by to holler at one person in particular, edge away from the fight. If you see someone wandering around taking pictures try to stay out of them unless you know who they are and why they're doing so. Scope out the area in case she has to leave in a hurry.
* Don't go inside the Tesla dealership property (office, parking lot, etc.).
* If there was a set time the organizers have for the protest, obey those rules. You'll still do a lot even if it's just those set two hours the organizers planned out.
* Finally, a note to you - depending on where you're located (i.e., are you in a blue state or blue city), this is likely to be a pretty tame protest. The crowd I was with was peaceful, the majority of passersby were supportive, the cops were watchful but hands-off, and the people inside the dealership just kept to themselves. The only thing we did was to wave signs and make noise out on the sidewalk, encouraging passersby to "honk if they hate Tesla" and we had a lot of people doing that. I packed my super-loud Irish drum away when I saw a cop cars take up position at either end of us in the crowd, and I made note about a lot of possible streets I could duck down and stayed close to a couple, and if anyone in the crowd looked a little too ornery I edged away from them. I did trip and face-plant on the sidewalk and need to leave early (that's how I know about the first aid thing), but that's the worst thing that happened to me.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:50 AM on March 22 [4 favorites]
One more thing: if she has piercings in highly visible places like ears and face remove earrings.
posted by mareli at 6:52 AM on March 22 [1 favorite]
posted by mareli at 6:52 AM on March 22 [1 favorite]
Seconding:
- sharpie phone numbers esp and inc legal aid
- cover visible skin - not just because of identifying marks but it's to have one more layer to keep out chemicals from the tear gas or stink juice
- crossbody bag with at least one small towel and a bottle of water (sure for hydration, but mainly for the chemical attacks and if other ppl passes out)
- the advice I'd run with on phones is to not have anything that reveals your location rather than otherwise but maybe the pros/cons would be different now. People get detained and disappeared here for years with no habeas corpus to try to extract them so a quick call to legal aid/friends is more important.
Addition:
- tie up hair if long, and if possible wrap with a bit of scarf for similar reasons above
- comfortable shoes; nothing trailing or long for clothes - all for quick movements
- that said, learn to spot what type of shoes your police would wear in this sort of situations especially the plain clothes ones. That's the giveaway to avoid potential provocateurs or the first layer to an arrest.
- I don't always do this and have been scolded accordingly: have a backup friend in addition that's on standby (that could be you). Get ready with any kind of getaway transport (like if she can squirm out via rail or another ride and had to be dropped off somewhere).
posted by cendawanita at 7:21 AM on March 22 [1 favorite]
- sharpie phone numbers esp and inc legal aid
- cover visible skin - not just because of identifying marks but it's to have one more layer to keep out chemicals from the tear gas or stink juice
- crossbody bag with at least one small towel and a bottle of water (sure for hydration, but mainly for the chemical attacks and if other ppl passes out)
- the advice I'd run with on phones is to not have anything that reveals your location rather than otherwise but maybe the pros/cons would be different now. People get detained and disappeared here for years with no habeas corpus to try to extract them so a quick call to legal aid/friends is more important.
Addition:
- tie up hair if long, and if possible wrap with a bit of scarf for similar reasons above
- comfortable shoes; nothing trailing or long for clothes - all for quick movements
- that said, learn to spot what type of shoes your police would wear in this sort of situations especially the plain clothes ones. That's the giveaway to avoid potential provocateurs or the first layer to an arrest.
- I don't always do this and have been scolded accordingly: have a backup friend in addition that's on standby (that could be you). Get ready with any kind of getaway transport (like if she can squirm out via rail or another ride and had to be dropped off somewhere).
posted by cendawanita at 7:21 AM on March 22 [1 favorite]
Does she really have to go? Three guys who were arrested recently for protesting might get 20 years in prison. While they did physical stuff there's no way of knowing these days if 'being loud' might also be intepreted as domestic terrorism. Great advice from posters above, but it does seem as if the only real way to be safe is stay at home and protest online etc.
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 8:07 AM on March 22 [1 favorite]
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 8:07 AM on March 22 [1 favorite]
If she is not a citizen, green card or no green card, or is a naturalized citizen, do not go. If she goes and there are antifa types, folks wearing full facial masks, backpacks, carrying clubs, any of that, pretend you are just passing by and walk away. But it doesn't sound like she is likely to heed these suggestions.
posted by beagle at 10:44 AM on March 22
posted by beagle at 10:44 AM on March 22
I just walked in the door from a Tesla protest. There was an old woman handing out ginger cookies. There were dogs. It was one of the most mainstream, uneventful protests I've ever been to.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:20 PM on March 22 [4 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:20 PM on March 22 [4 favorites]
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posted by Sauce Trough at 4:25 PM on March 21 [3 favorites]