13 Rules to Protect Yourself While Protesting

Read & Share if you're joining the No Kings protest on June 14, or know anyone who is

Peaceful protest is enshrined in the Bill of Rights. It is a right Americans have exercised throughout our nation’s history to protest injustice, tyranny, and government overreach. The Trump regime is once again testing trampling upon this right. Trump is clear he does not respect the right to peaceful protest, so we must be ready. As you protest on June 14 (and I hope you do—find your local protest here), here are some key tips to remember to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Let’s Address This.

Why We Must Be Ready While Protesting

First, a quick overview of the gravity of the current situation.

A Latino Senator, Alex Padilla, dared to ask DHS Secretary Noem a question. He was violently tackled and arrested and now the Speaker wants him censured.

A Jewish Congressman, Jerry Nadler, challenged Trump. His staffer was handcuffed in an illegal raid by Trump’s goons.

A Black congresswoman, LaMonica McIver, allegedly grazed the arm of an ICE agent while doing her job. She was arrested and is now being criminally prosecuted.

Meanwhile, Trump pardoned the white supremacists and Nazis who violently stormed the Capitol, smeared feces on the walls, called to hang Mike Pence and kill Nancy Pelosi, and beat police officers to death.

These are not coincidences. This is violent intimidation.

Trump’s autocratic regime is aggressively attacking and intimidating minority elected officials, just like his goons are raiding minority immigrants. He wants every Black, Latino, and Jewish person to know that if any minority dares to speak up, we will face that same violence and arrest. It’s why Trump continues to raid Black and brown communities, but ignores the 600K+ undocumented white immigrants in the United States. It’s why Trump blocks vetted Afghan refugees facing actual harm from the Taliban, but welcomes random white Afrikaaners on a made up claim of harm.

It was never about immigration. It was never about rule of law. It was always about advancing white supremacy. “MAGA” always meant a return Jim Crow America, and this week proved it once again. We need unity against this fascism, as that is the only way any of us survive this.

Therefore, as you loudly and proudly protest this week, or any week, remember these tips to keep yourself safe and protected, especially if things go south.

13 Rules to Protect Yourself While Protesting

1. If you are undocumented or your immigration status is in processing, it is highly advisable you avoid these protests altogether.

2. Ensure your loved ones know where you are and what time you will meet them at a pre-determined location. Do not leave your location to chance—ensure your loved ones are in the know.

3. Have the phone number’s of your lawyer and loved ones memorized in case you need to call them from memory.

4. If stopped by law enforcement for any reason, ask simply if you are free to go. If they answer yes, then walk away and do not double back.

5. If the answer is no, do not voluntarily talk to police, the military, ICE, or any member of law enforcement, and do not volunteer any information about yourself. Do not initiate conversation. You always have the right to remain silent.

6. Remember that law enforcement can lie to you to get what they want. You cannot lie to law enforcement. Under no circumstance should you lie to law enforcement. The best way to not lie, is to not speak. Simply remain silent.

7. If you are in fact detained or arrested, do not sign anything, do not admit to anything, and do not confess anything. Simply ask to speak to your lawyer. Repeatedly ask in the clearest terms possible that you would like to speak with your lawyer. Period.

8. You can lawfully ask any law enforcement officer or military person to share their name and badge number with you, and what department they represent. You should do this if your rights are violated. But do not volunteer any information about yourself. Some states require you to disclose your name. Here is a helpful resource to determine if your state is one such state.

9. You can lawfully record in any public space, anything that is in plain view.

10. You can march in the streets or on any public space and the police cannot arrest or detain you. However, if you are deliberately obstructing public throughways, you can be detained.

11. Be aware of states like Florida where the MAGA Governor is a known extremist who supports drivers for running over protestors if “they feel threatened.” (That “feeling” definition remains subjective). Here is a brief overview of the states that allow drivers to effectively run over protestors. Observe your safety in these and other red states.

12. Generally speaking, law enforcement can ask you to unlock your phone by Face ID or finger print, but not by entering your passcode. Set your phone security to require your passcode to unlock it. Do Not Voluntarily Unlock Your Phone For Law Enforcement For Any Reason.

13. Be fearless and speak truth even if your voice shakes. Know that you are standing on the right side of history, of protecting our Republic from fascists. Godspeed my friends.

Conclusion

The stakes have never been higher, and silence has never been more dangerous. And that’s exactly why I have the deepest gratitude to the millions of you who will be proudly and loudly protesting for justice and human rights. As a human rights lawyer, nothing makes me more proud than seeing my fellow countrymen and women rise up in unison against oppression. Finally, if you believe in truth, justice, and protecting the vulnerable—then I hope to earn your trust and support as well. Support my human rights advocacy by becoming a subscriber, sharing this advocacy widely, and helping us stay loud, relentless, and rooted in principle.

Because the fight for our rights demands all of us. Let’s get to work. ❤️✊🏽