✊ Protesting safely
💡 Tip! ActivistChecklist.org is a useful resource for protest prep, legal awareness (especially in the US), emergency planning, and digital safety.
Protest lifecycle
Before the protest
- Know your rights (they vary by country, see Legal resources)
- Plan exits, meeting points, and transportation
- Dress for safety, weather, and mobility.
- Consider whether anonymity matters to you (for example, covering your face, limiting identifiable clothing or unnecessary personal data)
During the protest
- Stay with people you trust
- Avoid escalating situations started by strangers
- Pay attention to crowd shifts and police movement
- Leave early if things feel unsafe
After the protest
- Write down details while memories are fresh
- Know how to access legal support if needed
- Rest, hydrate, and recover
- Be considerate when sharing on social media, especially images of others
Legal resources
Legal Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a lawyer for advice about your situation.
"Police at the Door" Know Your Rights Poster / Activist Checklist (US)
Actionable set of steps if US government agents are at your door (FBI, ICE, DHS, local cops, etc).
Civic Space Watch (EU)
Monitoring and documentation of restrictions on protests, civil liberties, and civic space across Europe.
This section ⬆️ is a work in progress.
If you’d like to help improve global coverage or suggest additional resources, please see this issue on Github
Digital safety while protesting
Some quick tips! - Phones reveal location and identity - Photos may expose others without consent - If possible, consider leaving your (primary/main) device at home. - Review and configure your messaging apps/social media (+backups)💡 Tip! ActivistChecklist.org's Prepare for a Protest is again a very useful checklist-like resource for "protecting yourself and your community [...] while protesting or attending any kind of action where arrest risk and surveillance is higher" (this include digital safety).
For a broader overview of online privacy, account security, and safer sharing practices, see:
Digital safety