How to Protest Effectively

Define Your Purpose and Specific Goals

• Exactly why are you protesting?

• What is it you hope to accomplish? 

• Write down 3-5 specific, achievable demands and a reasonable timeline in which you want them fulfilled

Obtain Required Clearance

• This may include obtaining mandatory permits and fees at city hall.

• Ensure security, medical relief and water will be available to support the safety of protesters.

• Pre-Walk the route of your march to identify potential barriers.

Spread the Word

• Succinctly summarize the purpose, location, date, time and duration of your protest. Be sure to specify a start time and end time. 

• Share your event details via multiple social media platforms, texts, emails, radio outlets, newspapers, etc.

  • Casting a wide net improves turnout​​

• Set up a social media page specifically for your protest​

• Directly invite community leaders and your target audience (e.g. police chief, mayor, senator, district attorney)​

• Invite the Press

Get Volunteers & Donations

• Volunteer Position Ideas

  • Set-Up Crew​

  • Drivers

  • Protest Registration Station

  • Voter Registration Station

  • First Aid Station

  • Security Station (in conjunction with professional security)

  • Water Distributors

  • Media Crew (experienced public speakers to communicate message to media cameras)

  • Photographers & Videographers

    • Document your protest well​

    • Consider live streaming 

  • Merchandise Station

    • Consider selling hats, shirts and signs with unified, specific messages and colors

    • All profits go to the cause

  • Local Food Vendors (if applicable/appropriate, paid by individuals customers)

  • Break-Down Crew

  • Clean-Up Crew

• Donation Ideas​

  • Money​

  • Bottled Water

  • Coolers

  • Granola Bars

  • Vehicles for Transportation

  • Trash Bags

  • Gloves

  • Hand Sanitizer

  • Masks (if applicable)

  • Signs

Brief Protesters in Advance

• Pre-record a video stating your purpose, demands, rules for participation, chants and songs in advance to promote unity and enhance success

  • Post on designated social media platforms​

• Encourage protesters to prepare signs in advance​

Visibly Unify Your Message

• Carry signs with brief messages specifically stating your goals

  • Examples:

    • "Stop Police Brutality"​

    • "No More Choke Holds"

    • "Convict the Felonious Four(TM)"

• Wear identical shirts or shirts of the same color​

Clearly Label Leaders

• Special shirts, badges and megaphones are ways to make leaders easily identifiable

Utilize a Registration Station

• Collect names, addresses, emails and phone numbers of participants

  • Do so via your designated social media site, if possible ​

• Review the Protest Policies with each participant

  • Emphasize Unity, Respect for Others, Non-violence ​

• Consider having protesters recite a Peaceful Protest Promise

  • "I promise to protest peacefully with no violence, destruction or theft. I recognize that doing otherwise ​reduces our message and takes away from our common goals"