Saturday is the second No King Protest in the U.S., where protesters will gather to demonstrate against the policies of the Trump administration, and organizers predict an even bigger turnout than the first event that happened on June 14. There are more than 2,500 protests happening across the country with millions of people expected to attend, but with the current political climate in the United States, safety is a potential concern.
While it’s important to make your voice heard, it’s also important to head home safe and sound. This is especially true this weekend as Congressional Republicans and members of the Trump administration claim the events will be filled with “antifa” demonstrators, which the U.S. Department of Justice has recently designated as terrorists, even though the moniker refers to an association of leftist groups with no leader and who oppose fascism.
If you’re heading to an event this Saturday, here are some tips to keep you and loved ones safe.
Let someone know you’re going
If there is one simple tip to keep you safe, it’s to inform someone not going to the protest, such as a friend of family member, where you’re going to be. Give them a reasonable time of when they should check in with you to make sure you’re safe. Come up with a tentative plan on how to check on you if they’re having a hard time getting in touch after the agreed-upon time has passed. Remember, if there are a large number of people in an area, your phone may not work so don’t expect to be able to make a phone call once the protest is over.
Figure out where you will be and how to get out of there
Each event has a starting location and a designated route with an endpoint. You should not only know how to get there, but also how to leave the route for whatever reason. If you’re driving to an event, make sure to park a bit of a distance away or else you could get stuck in the post-protest traffic. This goes as well for those riding public transportation: trying to catch a bus or subway right where the protest ends is just asking for trouble. Local police may also reroute any kind of traffic near the event so keep that in mind. If you’re planning on taking an Uber or Lyft to and from the event, don’t be surprised if the ride back costs you some extra money, considering the traffic and route changes that might happen.
Maybe don’t bring your phone
Depending on the event, the protest you’re going to might be hectic. It’s possible you won’t get any signal if there are a lot of people, so it makes sense to consider leaving it at home. For one thing, you won’t have to worry about it being damaged or losing it. If you want to document your time there, consider buying a disposable camera on the way to the event. As you will have no phone, make sure to remember phone numbers to call, especially the person you said you’d check in with.
Keep your phone secure
If you do plan to bring your phone, then keep it secured and locked. To defend against police surveillance, the ACLU recommends disabling any biometrics you might have on your phone such as FaceID. Lock your phone using a PIN that isn’t easily guessable and when you’re at the event, keep the phone locked. Most phones will still let you operate the camera without having to unlock it. If you’re not taking pictures, keep the phone in your pocket. It also couldn’t hurt to bring a power bank to make sure your phone stays charged. It’s also helpful to remember important phone numbers just in case your phone gets lost.
Don’t bring a bag
Most of the No Kings events are set to last two to three hours, so it shouldn’t be a long day of protesting. While it may seem to be more ideal to take all your stuff in a bag, just leave the bag at home. It’ll be just another item to worry about and some events may have law enforcement checking bags. Just keep what you need in your pockets where it’s easily available and you don’t have to rummage through a bag.
Stick with a group
You will ideally want to attend the protest with some friends or family. If that’s not the case, then at the event, see if there are some folks you can stick close to or look for friendly people who’d be willing to let you join their group. Having someone nearby who can watch out for you will make you feel safer and secure.
Dress for the occasion
Depending on where you’re at in the country, Saturday’s weather might mean bundling up or staying cool. Make sure to dress appropriately. Don’t overburden yourself with too much clothing if it’s not needed. Keep your wardrobe light and manageable instead of heavy and complicated. There’s also going to be a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable sneakers instead of sandals, flip-flops or anything that exposes your feet. If rain is in the forecast, wear a waterproof hoodie and bring an umbrella. There is no need to overcomplicate what you’re wearing to an event because what’s important is your voice, not how fashionable you look.
With these tips in mind you should hopefully be able to protest in safety.
