Safety Tips for Attending Rallies & Protests

Safety Tips for Attending Rallies & Protests

Sierra Club believes that the freedom to peacefully protest and rally together is an invaluable part of our movement. While most protests and rallies remain peaceful, even a peaceful event can turn violent or confrontational, so you should be prepared for any eventuality, including the possibility of arrest.  It is the intention of Sierra Club that our staff, members and supporters uphold the values of non-violent, peaceful protest at all events. These safety tips are some of the ways you can prepare. Always seek out and follow the safety protocols of the specific event you are attending in addition to the following.

Prepare Before:

1. Have a buddy system. Find a buddy or a group of folks to attend together.  Make sure you all maintain contact and check in with each other throughout the event.  One way for your group to keep in touch would be to set up a Signal* Group (learn more about the Signal* App here). Make sure your group discusses and agrees on a plan for your attendance prior to heading out.

2. If heading to the event solo, identify an offsite contact that knows your plans and make arrangements to keep them posted on your status and safety during and after the event. (Where you will be; How you will get there; Where you intend to go in an emergency; Your government-registered name, emergency contacts and date of birth; and, What time you intend to get back). You and your offsite contact can use Signal*, too!

3. Prepare a go bag & plan your outfit!

   1. Pack a small backpack or waist bag with key supplies: Water, high-protein snacks, sunscreen, required meds. You may wish to bring a small first aid kit or battery pack—but remember your phone may not get service at the event. If in the evening, wear a headlamp.

   2. Take supplies to protect from and safely remove chemical irritants (face mask/covering, glasses or goggles, milk of magnesia, towelettes). Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, be sure to bring an extra mask in a plastic bag to protect it from irritants. If you use contacts, consider glasses instead for the protest.

   3. Determine the appropriate level of body-cover for your participation (ie: do you want to cover tattoos, wear a hat, remove high-profile earrings that may get caught/snagged, etc.).

   4. Memorize or keep on your body 1-2 emergency contact numbers.

4. Have a solid understanding of the environment. Before you go, you should know:

   1. The local terrain: download a protest or event map, and/or a Google Earth screenshot of the venue and surrounding areas.

   2. Multiple routes into and out of the protest area.

   3. Several predetermined meeting points where you’ll meet your group if you get separated

While There:

Follow these simple, yet effective safety and security best practices:

1. Always assume you are being audio & video recorded. Don’t say anything, or divulge private or personal information, in front of others that you wouldn’t want seen or heard on the nightly news.

2. Maintain 360o “situational awareness” at all times. Know what is going on around you, above you and below you.

   1. Be alert to suspicious persons, packages, activity, and vehicles: Stay away from unattended bags, backpacks, boxes, or other packages.  Avoid public containers such as trash cans, dumpsters, mailboxes, and newspaper stands.

   2. If you see something you think is a problem, get away, keep others away, and consider alerting event leaders or safety monitors if able.

3. As you move, keep multiple points of egress in mind: both conventional (gates, openings in fences, etc.) and unconventional (jumping a fence, dashing in to a building, or crawling through a ditch)

4. Know the difference between “cover” and “concealment.”

   1. Cover: something that will stop a bullet (i.e. heavy concrete wall or flower bed, car or truck, ditch, a building)

   2. Concealment: something that would prevent an assailant from observing you (i.e. bushes, shrubs, signage, banners, etc.)

5. Be extremely alert if rallying on a roadway or other surface large enough for vehicle traffic.

   1. Stay on the edges of the crowd & watch for unusual vehicles or traffic

   2. Listen for and react quickly to the sound of revving engines or squealing tires

   3. Look for other vehicles, telephone poles, or other objects that could protect you from an oncoming vehicle

   4. Move quickly and decisively at right angles to an on-coming vehicle.  DO NOT RUN IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF THE VEHICLE

If Violence Erupts:

Chemical Agents Dispersed:

• Know which way the wind is blowing

• Quickly move up-wind if possible

• Use water, not milk, especially in your eyes to remove irritants once safe to do so

Gunfire:

• Be prepared to move quickly to “cover” if gunfire erupts

• Get low – then go to cover. If you can’t find cover, move to concealment until you can safely egress

Explosion:

• Get out quickly via the safest and fastest route

• Assume that a “secondary” device may have been planted nearby – BE ALERT, MOVE QUICKLY, DELIBERATELY, AND SAFELY

• Go to your predesignated rally point and account for your group. 

If you choose not to show up in person, for whatever reason you have, that’s okay, too! Consider looking for other ways to offer support.

If as an individual you intend to participate in civil disobedience, have a plan beforehand.; At a minimum, know your rights, prioritize safety, and have a plan for legal and cash-bail support. Participation in civil disobedience in an official capacity representing Sierra Club requires Board pre-approval.

*Sierra Club does not endorse or have a relationship with Signal. The mention of Signal should not be construed as a solicitation or formal relationship with Signal. Sierra Club makes no warranties regarding the use or efficacy of Signal or related products.