Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Organizing a protest
• Part 2 of 3: Prepare your protest
• Part 3 of 3: Demonstrate effectively and safely
• Tips
• Warnings

If you no longer want to remain silent about a social issue, a protest is a good and positive way to raise awareness. Speaking out with others against injustice is a fundamental right and a strong way to initiate change. Quickly read step 1 to learn how to organize a safe and peaceful protest.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Organizing a protest

1. Set a goal. Protests can serve to spread awareness about an issue or to pressure those in power to change something. What do you want to achieve with your protest? Think about the target audience of your protest and start planning your approach there. You will reach your goal sooner if you take the time to set yourself a goal.
   • For example, you want to organize a protest at a local industrial farm to make people aware of the bad treatment of the animals and stop them from buying these products. In this case your target audience is "the population".
   • Maybe you have a more specific goal, such as preventing the arrival of a sex shop in your area. In this case, the purpose of your protest may be to pressure the property owner into renting out the building to another, more desirable company.
   • In some cases your goal can be very broad, for example if you are protesting against a war or government policy. In this case, the protest can be used as a tool to show your political leaders that their constituents want a policy change.
2. Choose a location. Find a location that is practical, symbolic, or convenient - or all three. The chosen location should help you reach your target audience, so that your protest is as effective as possible. This could be the sidewalk for a business, a street corner, a court, a town hall, or a park that has often been used for protests in your city in the past. Just keep in mind that you must choose a public place if you want your protest to be legal.
3. Choose a time for your protest. Protest at a time when you can gather the largest possible group of people and thus leave the greatest possible impression. For example, if you want to bring up the practices of a particular company, the best thing to do is to protest when the CEO is present - probably during office hours. But if your goal is to get as many people as possible, you should probably protest on weekends when more people can come.
4. Get the necessary permits. Contact the municipality to find out if you need a permit for a demonstration at the chosen location. Each city has its own rules about how many people can protest and where they can gather. So do your homework and get the right permits so that your protest is not dismantled before it can start properly.
   • The permits can in some cases impose restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather, the noise you are allowed to make, and the places where the protesters are allowed to go.If you disagree with the terms, you can contact a lawyer to try and amend them.
   • Some cities do not issue protest permits at all. If you expect a large group of protesters, make sure that the municipality or the police station is aware of your action. If they know what to expect, they can help with audience control, and there will be less risk of conflict.
5. Plan the events during the action. Which actions will help you achieve your goal the most? It is important to have a schedule for when everyone will gather for the protest. Research other effective protests and come up with a plan to achieve your goal. Here are a few ideas:
   • Have important people in the community introduce the action and give speeches on the issue.
   • Appoint a master of ceremonies who can lead protest songs, and let bands play protest music.
   • Plan a march from one location to another. This is a classic form of demonstration that can draw attention to an issue.
   • Use performance art to make your point.
   • Show an educational video or documentary on the topic.
   • Organize a sit strike or sleep strike - occupy a spot until your requirements are met.
6. Publish the protest. This is an important step to give your protest as much attention as possible. Your goal here is not only that people show up for your protest, but also that the media pay attention to your action. Do everything you can to get your message across, and start a few weeks before your protest.
   • Publish information about the promotion on all social media channels.
   • Make flyers about the action and distribute them throughout your city or town. Go to college campuses and other places where people are likely to be interested in your action.
   • Call local newspapers and radio stations and ask them to publish and promote information about your promotion.

Part 2 of 3: Prepare your protest

1. Bring protest materials. Create posters, flyers, banners and pamphlets to spread your message and share your concerns with others. During the protest, you can distribute information to interested parties about the matter.
   • It is wise to put the name of the group you are protesting with on your protest materials. That way people always know who to contact for more information.
   • Come up with a catchy catchphrase for the materials - something that is easy to remember and pass on.
2. Wear protective clothing. You can protect yourself in a protest action by wearing appropriate clothing. Make your outfit comfortable - after all, you might be standing or walking for hours - but also safe, in case you get knocked over by the crowd or find yourself in the middle of a conflict.
   • Wear comfortable sneakers.
   • Wear several layers of thick clothing for extra cushioning.
   • If you plan to be at the forefront of a protest that could end in conflict, wear safety glasses.
3. Bring emergency supplies. Bring a backpack with amenities you may need. Bottled water and food are good to have with you if the protest goes on. In addition, pack the following as well:
   • A copy of your protest permit
   • Your ID card
   • A first aid kit
   • A bandana dipped in apple cider vinegar, in a plastic bag - this seems to counteract the effects of tear gas, so you can find a safe place.
4. Understand that protests are incalculable. Whatever you bring up, there will be people who strongly disagree with you. You may even run into a group of protesters protesting for the other side of the issue. For larger operations, police may be on hand to keep the crowd under control and to make sure things go smoothly. With all these parties facing each other, you better be prepared for the unexpected.
   • Research the group you are demonstrating with. If you are not with the organization, it is good to know the history of the group before participating in the promotion. If the group has used illegal strategies or incited violence at a protest in the past, you may need to think twice before joining.
   • Most protests do not end in violence, but it can happen. The behavior of people with strong opinions can be unpredictable. So stay alert and be aware of your surroundings while demonstrating.
5. Know how to deal with the police. Make sure you know your rights as a protester and that you know how to deal with the police in case you are stopped by a cop. If you stick to the terms of the protest permit, you shouldn't get in trouble, but you never know what could happen.
   • Always try to follow instructions from both the organizers and the police.
   • If you believe that your freedom of speech is being curtailed, talk to the organizers or contact a lawyer.
   • If a cop asks if he or she can search you, remember that the police don't always have the right to do so. When in doubt, ask for the reason.

Part 3 of 3: Demonstrate effectively and safely

1. Always be respectful. A protest can be an effective way to express your opinion, make your voice heard and drive change. But disrespect towards the person you protest against can undermine your and your group's reputation and hurt your cause. People are less likely to take your arguments seriously if they act disrespectfully. So avoid the following (and urge your fellow protesters to do the same):
   • Insult people when they disagree with you
   • Destroy other people's property (public or private)
   • Throw or spit water
   • To use violence
2. Decide how far you want to go. If you are considering civil disobedience as part of your protest strategy, think carefully before taking action. Civil disobedience can be a brave and nonviolent way to make a point, but it also has serious consequences - like getting arrested. It is important that you know what you are getting into before breaking the law for your cause.
3. Measure the effectiveness of your protest. When the action is over, you can reflect on the protest and determine what worked and what didn't. Think about whether you have achieved your goal and whether a different approach might be more effective next time. Either way, be proud of yourself for holding on to your ideals and your right to be heard. Even if the protest has not produced the change you would have liked, it is an important step in the right direction that you have spoken out.
   • It is not often that a single protest changes everything completely. You probably have to organize several protests. Also consider other ways to approach the issue. For example, you can start a letter campaign, lead a boycott, express your opinion on a blog, or take other actions to raise awareness and achieve your goals. Don't just give up!

Tips

• Be prepared for questions from passers-by. Know your facts. It would seem crazy if you couldn't even answer questions about your own protest action.
• Make sure you only tell the truth. Even a wrong fact can cause your entire credibility to be affected. You shouldn't have to twist the truth to explain why you're protesting.
• Avoid violence at all costs! Violence undermines the credibility of protests and gives the police a legitimate reason to shut them down.
• Consider recruiting and training volunteer peace keepers to keep your action peaceful.
• Avoid long debates, discussions and arguments during your protest action. These can escalate into conflict and usually only distract from the focus of the protest. Rather give visitors a pamphlet and possibly a way to get in touch with you for later discussion.
• People may come to you to ask questions and to waste your time on purpose. Always talk to them for at least a moment, but if they repeat themselves, make this clear to them, and after a while tell them that you have given them the best possible information and that it is best for them to continue.
• Realize that not everyone is interested in your demonstration. If you are holding a calm and informative protest, don't force people to listen. If people don't want to listen, they don't listen. So if someone says no, say "OK, thanks anyway," and stop thinking about it. You don't want them calling the police for harassment.

Warnings

• Prepare for counter-protesters and / or troublemakers. Both groups can disrupt your peaceful protest, undermine your credibility, and divert attention from your cause. Consider deploying peacekeepers (see tip above) if you expect these kinds of disruptions.
• Make sure you don't enter private property! You may have the right to enter the site if it is open to the public, but never assume this. So always find out whether you can stand on the sidewalk in front of the site. If not, ask the neighbors for permission to use their property, or schedule your demonstration in a public place such as a court or town square.
• In some cities you need a permit to demonstrate. Contact the police station of the protest site to find out.