By Leyya Sattar

If you’re attending protests over the weekend, we’ve pulled together a guide on how to protest safely. Please take care of yourselves and each other.

What to wear

• Non-descript clothing (ideally a dark block colour without logos)

• Cover tattoos and distinguishable features

• Tie your hair up and back

• Face mask (to protect your identity but also to protect from Covid19)

• Gloves

• Eye protection (from the sun, and surveillance!) 

• Closed-toe comfortable shoes

• Sun protection (SPF!)

• Avoid contact lenses

What to bring

• Hand sanitizer

• Protest signs

• First-aid supplies

• Water + snacks

• Power bank for your mobile phone

• Extra face masks

• A copy of emergency phone numbers and a card declaring necessary medical information that someone may need to know if you're unable to tell them yourself

Covid-19 precautions

• If you have any Covid-19 symptoms we recommend supporting the protests from your home (see the last image)

• Check travel arrangements beforehand as services are limited

• Keep a 2-metre social distance from people

Know your rights! (UK based)

• This will be different wherever you are in the world so please check your individual region/state. 

• If you’re based in the UK check out the Green & Black Cross resource (greenandblackcross.org) for more information. They are an independent grassroots project set up to support social and environmental struggles within the UK and help with legal matters arising from protest and actions.

• In particular, read the following sections so you’re equipped with key advice: 

  • Protesting during Covid-19

  • Being Stop & Searched

  • Being Arrested 

  • Being Trans and Protesting

  • Download the ‘bustcard’ for your region

A note for white people and non-black people of colour. Educate yourself

• Remember why you are there.

• Do not go to a protest without knowing what you are fighting for. 

• Do not show up and ask someone there to educate you. Do the work yourself and study as much as possible—not only about the actions you're protesting but the context and history around them.

• Show up, listen and support. 

• Amplify what Black people are saying. 

• Continue the work AFTER the protest. Do not just go home after you’ve marched and consider it done. Follow up with the organisers and ask if there’s more action to take or how you might continue to push local government representatives.

Remember:

• There is strength in numbers, if you can avoid it, don't protest alone.

• Keep hydrated

• Look out for your fellow protesters - if the police are targeting individuals, stay and witness - with the person’s permission (@hatezine)

• A protest is not a social media photo op - Do not take photos of people’s faces without their permission 

• If you’re uploading photos to social media, screenshot and then upload (as this removes traceable meta data - @hatezine)

• Study your surroundings and make sure to maintain awareness of what's going on around you.

• To stay safe

If you’re protesting from home...

• Keep an eye on the news/social media and update protesters, on key information

• Contact your local government representatives and call for action and change

• Donate money to the cause

• Drop off supplies such as water, snacks and face masks (if possible)

• Hang banners and posters in your window

• Share resources with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues 

Header image by @claybanks