Hey First Time Protestors
So You're Protesting?
Cool. Here are a few thoughts.
- It's ok to leave
- Not everyone there is there for the same reasons
- Decide your commitment level before hand
- Go with a friend
- Plan your exit route(s)
- Know your limits
- Is it worth it?
It's ok to leave
You want to take a stand and support the cause. Awesome. Depending on the cause and crowd, things will probably be fairly calm initially and escalate. If you need/want to go, go.
Not everyone there is there for the same reasons
You're there because of your particular commitment to some aspect of the apparent reason for the protest. Some people are there for different reasons. Here is who else could be there:
People just going from point A to B
They might be headed to/from work/play, just curious. They might just be less intense or committed than you but generally supportive.
More intense protestors
These people might be a little more intense than you. Maybe they're shouting more. Maybe they're carrying signs. Maybe they're saying things you wouldn't say.
More general or tangential-cause protestors
Some people's reasons for being there are more general. They could be anti-capitalists or eco-minded or vegans or some combo of other causes. This might not be their favorite cause, and they might be there in support of a more general or tangential effort. Some of the causes might seem broad, reaching, unrealistic, or silly in comparison of why you're there.
Media and phones
Professional and amateur. Phone cameras and big shoulder mounted ones. Be prepared to be on social or professional media. Understand the implications of that in given the sophistication of facial recognition (hint: You don't need to be "tagged" anymore. Your face is your metadata).
Location tracking (which you likely can't turn off in a really real way) on your phone is also metadata. Should you still take your phone? Probably. It sucks that security and privacy are at odds here, but it's probably important to your exit strategy and for text people to let them know where you are or to call for a ride. It's very unlikely (in the US) for a kill switch to be deployed to stop cell signals. If the network is very busy, keep in mind that calls don't get through as well as texts.
If you're taking pictures of people, one consideration is to do so of the crowd, not faces. Landscape mode, up high or down low. Facing towards the backs of people.
The EFF guide has some more specific advice on digital security/privacy.
Counter-protestors
There might be some groups of people yelling or sign waving the opposite of what you support. They might escalate beyond that. Assuming you're not willing to fight (which is super dangerous and legally way worse than protesting), keep your distance and be ready to get away.
Cops
They could be carrying tear gas, pepper spray, rubber/bean bag bullets, batons, and real guns/ammo. In full riot gear, backed up by armored cars and helicopters, and all lined up, they look scary as hell.
I keep one thing in mind for every encounter with police. It's from a government report from 1991 called "On the front lines: Police stress and family well-being."
Two studies have found that at least 40% of police officer families experience domestic violence, in contrast to 10% of families in the general population. (source: Feminist Majority Foundation's National Center for Women and Policing)
These started as pro-police studies (to the end of better family/stress counseling and mental health treatment overall), which is pretty good evidence of the reports not seeking to affirm a thesis that cops are abusive.
Maybe the these reports are outdated and the trend is positive, but I haven't seen anything to contradict them. Overall, I'd encourage you to think about whether you mean more to the cop than his/her spouse. You probably don't. And if those studies cited above still hold, that's at 40% chance that you're dealing with a pretty violent person. Among 30 cops in a line, you're odds are not very good at all.
Way more intense people
Maybe these are very intense protestors, and maybe they're "agent provocateurs." You're probably not going to be able to tell the difference in the moment. They might smash windows, steal, damage/turn over cars, set things on fire, etc. You will probably see an escalation of things, so get ready to bail if you see something close to your threshold.
Some people consider property damage as violence. Others consider blocking roads as violence.
Decide on your commitment level before hand
Do you want to still walk/stand if the cops start to "kettle" the crowd? Do you want to walk with people if they're causing property damage? Are you willing to get tear gassed or hit with a baton? Would you mind your face being on social/local/national media? Would you mind being arrested?
Will you shout? Carry a sign? How will you handle escalation (from either side)?
Go with a friend
If you want to stick with your initial plan, let a friend know your commitment level. Your friend can also be helpful in getting out.
Plan your exit route(s)
Decide how you will get home or just away from the crowd. After cops close in on all sides is a bad time to make this plan.
Keep in mind that these are two separate things. Getting away from the crowd (or just members of any of the groups above) is not the same as getting home.
Know your limits
How far are you able to walk? How long are you able to stand? Does your exit plan (for getting home as well as disengaging) work with how fast/long you can run?
Is it worth it?
Up to you. Protesting does actually have an effect. If nothing else, it's a chance for you to express your worldview and affirm it with others. At best, real change and legislation and what not.
It does matter and is important. In any case, please have a plan and be safe out there.