Protest Primer, Part 1: We’re Not Done Yet
[Content Warning]: Violence, Ableism, Racism
Folks all over the world are on the street for Black Lives Matter Protests. Some of us are familiar with the world of organizing and protests. For others, this might be an unfamiliar form of activism and community participation. In this two-part series, we’ll give a primer on participating in protests: things you should consider, and guidelines on what to do once you get there. (Check out Part 2 here.)
My own first experiences with protests were in college, as I was deconstructing my own faith, racial and ethnic identity, and sexuality. Since then, I’ve continued to participate in protests as a concrete expression of my values and my faith. I’m not a professional organizer, but in this two-part article, I’ve collected advice that I’ve learned from organizers and activists from current and past movements.
In this installment, we will discuss what protests are, and how to ascertain the safety and legitimacy of a protest being promoted. Finally, we'll be covering different reasons why protesting may not be the best direct action for you.
First, a quick note on what protests are.
Protesting is a form of mutual aid: disrupting the status quo, fueling action that transforms policies and systems. Protesting is an act of solidarity: centering the voices of the oppressed and physically demanding justice. A protest is a body, and your individual actions have consequences for the whole.
Assessing the legitimacy of an event
Not every protest is organized by justice-seeking groups.The legitimacy of a protest is determined by the organizers. If a protest is organized by organizers or for a just cause they will not hide who they are or information surrounding their identity. Recently, there has been an increase in fake protests created to bait justice-oriented protesters into breaking laws, cornering them in unsavory situations, or simply for enterprising folks to build their own brands. These three questions aren’t hard-and-fast rules, but good ways to gut-check what’s going on with an event.
Who are the organizers?
Look for: Protests organized by seasoned organizers, mutual aid networks, and nonprofits, such as Black Lives Matter.
Red flags: If the organizers will not disclose their identities and affiliations, stay away and report them to organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Black Lives Matter. If anything about the event seems suspicious or off, look more deeply into the organizers’ and affiliate organizations’ social media.
Where are you getting the information from?
Look for: Official pages or well-organized groups that disseminate information. If you can trace the protests back to these pages or groups, they are most likely legitimate.
Red flags: If the pages or organizing groups have no history prior to the event, of if there is no public presence at all.
Where is the protest located?
Look for: Most protests, even if kept secret until a few hours before the meeting time, begin in larger and open public areas.
Red flags: Alleys, enclosed spaces, or cul-de-sac-like settings are often traps to surround and entrap protesters.
When not to protest
It’s also important to consider that protesting may not always be the safest form of activism for you to participate in. Consider these factors as you make your decision.
Your immigration status: Protestors are at risk of arrest, and non-citizens of the United States face potential deportation.
Personal health: Protests can be a risky place for folks with medical conditions and folks with disabilities. Access to medical care may be tricky, and the physical environment may not be predictable or accessible.
People close to you: Your risk of injury, incarceration, and contracting COVID-19 may have serious implications for the well-being of your household, family, friends, and others you interact with normally.
Experience: The tone of a protest can vary a lot, and organizers are often clear about the potential for “sticky” situations such as police confrontations. Pay close attention to the general feeling of the crowd, as well as the organizer’s advice on the protest before deciding to attend.
Other: There are many other reasons that may not lend yourself to going to a protest, and other ways to participate in movements towards liberation.
Editor's Note: In this post, we focused on whether or not you should attend a protest. In the next post, we’ll focus on the day-of: what to bring, and how to conduct yourself.