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We live at a time when trans rights are under attack, student protestors are being unlawfully detained, and our social media platforms are reportedly being tampered with to spread right-wing propaganda. For people who care about queer rights, immigrants, reproductive rights and to be blunt, democracy, it's easy to feel like we've been hurled into the darkest timeline. But even in the most hopeless times, New Yorkers have always been able to do one thing: hit the streets to exercise their First Amendment rights.
Back in 2020, we created a guide for things you need to know while protesting. Five years later, we feel called to make a similar guide, but with a few updates to reflect the times. Here are some things you should keep in mind if you plan to go out and protest.
1. Check in with yourself about how safe it is for you to protest right now.
Under the current administration, the rules of the game are changing faster than most of us can keep up with. Most notably, Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestine graduate student at Columbia, was arrested and detained by U.S. immigration agents last week while taking part in campus protests. Despite being a legal permanent resident with a green card, the current administration is allegedly trying to deport him. For that reason, it might be more risky for you to protest if you are not a U.S. citizen. If you're part of a group of people that the current administration is targeting, weigh your options and decide if it's worth the risk for you.
2. Try to cover any identifying features.
Assuming you're not breaking the law, try to protect your privacy. If a protest escalates, chances are the cops will arrest whoever they're able to, and they can use bodycam footage to identify and potentially question you. For that reason, you'll probably want to conceal any features that could easily rat you out. "Leave your jewelry at home, mask up, and wear comfortable shoes," says Mikaela Berry, a writer who also protests frequently. "If you have any tattoos or identifying marks, try and keep those covered too. You don't want to make yourself an easy target."
3. If possible, plan to leave a protest before it ends.
Protests usually escalate towards the end, when tensions have had time to fester and police are more likely to close in, especially if a crowd is thinning. If you can help it, plan to leave a protest before the very end.
4. Go with a small group.
If a protest escalates and—God forbid—you're arrested, you'll want people to know where you are so that they can take steps to bail you out or help you in whatever ways they can. Make sure you establish a meeting point and have a plan for a worst case scenario, including writing the number of a legal aid somewhere on your body.
5. Have an aftercare plan.
It's going to be a rough few years, so make strap in and make sure you're making things sustainable for yourself. This is a marathon, not a race, so make sure you're always prioritizing taking care of yourself, especially after protesting.
"Protesting exposes you to tons of sensory elements that can elicit a range of emotions. Some feel heightened rage and grief, some feel hope and momentum," Jezz Chung, a writer and activist, tells Time Out New York. "Build in time afterwards to rest, reflect, and integrate. Process alone or with friends. Take a long shower or bath, eat a nutritious meal, and stretch. Treating our minds and bodies as precious will help sustain our movement!"