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Protests and Civil Disobedience

A Quick Primer on Protesting Safely

This section outlines how you can effectively demonstrate, protest, and share your voice. Below are helpful resources and safety tips to follow.

A Few Key Tips

1) If applicable, use or "donate" your privilege to stand up for people at rallies who are more likely to be targeted by police and opponents of your cause.

2) Always remember to follow the lead of those most affected by what you are protesting.

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3) The National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense provides legal observers for protests & legal support for protesters in the event of an arrest. They wear neon green hats. 

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4) Know the SF/Bay Area Bay Area Jail Hotline: 415-285-1011

Steps to Take for Protesting Safely

NAACP, Staying Safe During Protest → 

EFF, Surveillance Self Defense: Attending a Protest → 

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BEFORE THE PROTEST:​

  • Dress for anonymity and safety (cover identifiable tattoos, piercings, and avoid bright colors and patterns). Consider wearing masks/bandanas, sunglasses, and other means of protecting your identity. 

  • Bring an ID, and consider bringing basic first aid supplies, water/snacks, extra masks.

  • Remove fingerprint, face unlock, and other biometric forms of protection on your phone. 

  • Use a strong password to protect your phone. 

  • Turn on airplane mode and turn off location services.  

  • Familiarize yourself with the area, download maps ahead of time, plan emergency meeting spots and potential routes into and out of protest area. 

DURING THE PROTEST:

  • Take photos and videos WITHOUT unlocking your phone. Avoid posting photos and videos with other protestors' faces are visible (or digitally blur any identifiable people and/or features).

  • Follow the lead of organizers and other protestors. 

  • Stay VIGILANT and aware of your surroundings. 

  • If you are approached by media journalists, you may want to consider any risks of personal safety and how your words may be framed. 

Commonly Used Crowd-Control Weapons

Physicians for Human Rights, Fact Sheets on Crowd-Control Weapons → 

  • Crowd-Control Weapons and Social Protest in the United States

  • Acoustic weapons

  • Chemical irritants (tear gas)

  • Directed energy devices

  • Disorientation devices (stun grenades)

  • Kinetic impact projectiles (rubber bullets)

  • Water cannons

​PHR, Protect Against Tear Gas and Other Chemical Irritants → 

  • Wear masks, scarves, or bandanas that can cover your face from nose to chin. 

  • Shatter-resistant eye protection (e.g. shatter-resistant sunglasses, swim goggles, or a gas mask).

  • Clothing covering all your skin as much as possible

  • Comfortable, closed, protective shoes that you can run in

  • AVOID wearing contact lenses, which can trap irritating chemicals, such as tear gas powder, underneath. If you do wear contacts lenses, keep a full facial gas mask or goggles on at all times.

  • AVOID wearing makeup such as eyeliner, for the same reason.

IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO TEAR GAS:

  • Get away from the cloud of tear gas. Seek higher ground, as tear gas is typically heavy and sinks closer to the ground. 

  • Walk, don't run. Try not to breathe in too much. 

  • If your eyes are exposed, flush with cold water immediately for 10-15 minutes (it is not necessary to use baking soda/milk/baby wipes).

  • Do not try to remove the tear gas canisters, you could put yourself at further risk. 

  • Change your clothes as soon as possible. Leave clothes AND shoes in a ventilated space for 48 hours before washing, and do not contaminate with other clothes until washed. 

  • Take a cold shower for at least 20 minutes, keeping your eyes closed and breathing even. Wash your hair especially well.

  • If you are still exhibiting symptoms even after getting all of the agents off, or if you are having eye or lung issues, seek medical care. 

Police at Protests & Arrests

ACLU NJ: The Role of Police at Protests → 

  • If you think you’re being detained, ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly walk away. Don’t argue, resist, or obstruct the police, even if you believe they are violating your rights.

  • For a police officer to arrest you, they must have probable cause to believe that you have committed a crime or offense. Once arrested, police officers may search you. If you are under arrest, you have a right to ask why, although police officers do not need to tell you. Otherwise, say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don’t say anything or sign anything without a lawyer.

  • You can provide general information such as your name, address, etc. You have the right to make a local phone call, and if you’re calling your lawyer, police officers are not allowed to listen. You never have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings. If you do explicitly consent, it can affect you later in court.

To the best of your ability, stay calm and keep your hands visible.

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