trump and his minions are WATCHING for opportunities to crush us.
They are waiting for violence during our protests so they have justification to unleash violence against us.
So, on April 5th,
Do NOT give them that opportunity.
Do NOT engage in any kind of violence.
Report any kind of violence to key people in the protest.
Learn how to keep yourself and others safe.
MOVE ON: Hands Off & De-escalation training
Here are a few ideas.
PROTEST SAFETY TIPS:
Preparations
Research any protest or march you plan to attend for guidelines for the event, i.e. rules, date and times, parking, etc.
Go with someone, never alone and tell your family or friends where you will be and when.
Carry water with you, both for hydration and for rinsing eyes, nose, mouth should they use pepper spray.
Carry a bag, clear is recommended, to bring snacks, nuts, extra water, band aids and meds if needed.
Legal Protection
Turn off fingerprint and facial recognition settings on your phone.
Turn your phone off/power down so that if arrested, you have to type in a passcode to open it. They cannot force you to open your phone or give them a passcode.
Write the numbers of an emergency contact and emergency legal counsel on your arm in permanent marker. Memorize important phone numbers for contact purposes.
Dress Appropriately
Check the weather forecast and wear layers.
For identification purposes, wear simple clothing, keep easily identifiable tattoos or scars covered to reduce your chance of being identified.
Long sleeves and pants, gloves, and goggles can also help protect your skin and eyes in the event that you’re faced with tear gas or rubber bullets.
Wear glasses instead of contact lenses, since the latter can trap pepper spray in your eye.
Wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes for marching and moving away from the crowd quickly, if necessary.
Protect People of Color
People of color are more likely to be directly and negatively impacted by the issues at hand during a protest, so it’s the responsibility of white protesters to act as allies for anyone in need of assistance.
Opposition & Counter-Protesting
Protests have the potential to become unsafe quickly. Opposition can range from drive-by hecklers to white supremacists looking to incite violence to intentional police brutality. With tensions high, stay aware—take notice of those around you and how they’re behaving.
Avoid engaging with counter protesters, who are often the source of escalation.
Know Your Location
Keep an eye on the exits, should you need to leave quickly.
Document police actions.
You have the right to photograph or videotape police actions, even if officers ask you to stop doing so. While police can order the dispersal of a protest, they should only do so as a last resort if the crowd poses a threat. If you are ordered to disperse and do not, you risk arrest.
If you are arrested,
Legally, you must be told why you’re being detained and be given access to a lawyer and your family via phone. (The National Lawyers Guild has a guide on what to say—or not to say—to law enforcement for both citizens and noncitizens.)
While in custody, they may tell you to call a friend or family member which means you have to open your phone. Don't do it. They can grab it while it's open.
Don't Show Photos of Other Protesters
After the protest, do not post photos of the protest of anyone but yourself. Posting photos of others contributes to identification.
If Protesting is NOT for You
If you’re unable to be out in the streets yourself, you can donate supplies, like hand sanitizer and bottles of water, directly to organizers. Or consider making a financial contribution to local bail funds or organizations like the ACLU that are working to protect your First Amendment rights.
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