GUEST POST from Don – Protesting Safely

PROTESTING SAFELY

Protesting is unsafe.  It always has been.  There are many risks and few personal benefits.

First, there are ALWAYS potential consequences that come with being part of a protest.  The ground is uneven and you can fall down and go “boom.”  One should consider all the things that can happen and evaluate the value of the protest.  Realize that no protest is “safe.”  For instance there seldom are bathrooms or snacks involved.  

Second, few protests accomplish the goal.  That is, change rarely is the result.  Most “revolutions” are supposed to accomplish grand goals.  All that really happens in most cases is a change of leadership.  The poor remain poor.  It all seems so “righteous,” but in reality only the leaders of the movement get what they want.  The street rabble usually get little except a cracked head.

Third, the street rabble seldom know “why” they are protesting.  Time after time when reporters ask them why they are protesting the protestors cannot explain beyond vague slogans.  I realized long ago that the rabble often are being used.  

Fourth, if you are being paid to protest, it isn’t your issue.  You don’t care about the protest.  Same with being “bussed in.”  I have seen so many “union” protests that I laugh.  Busses pull up after the press leaves and 30 people disappear from the numbers walking the line.  They go to home and family while the local smucks have to walk the picket all night.  They were there merely for the optics.

Fifth, there are dangers one wouldn’t think of.  Where else can pickpockets roam where the police can and will do nothing?  Protesters have nice phones and camera equipment.  They are vulnerable because it is night and they are not among actual friends.

Another danger comes from counter-protesters.  Those aren’t police, they are angry people who have opposing beliefs and who are willing to create a disturbance.  You wouldn’t know they are counter-protesters until they declare the same by their words or behaviors.  They don’t wear uniforms and they often infiltrate the crowd looking for a way to disrupt.  (More on this later.)

Some precautionary advice:  1) Do not engage in destruction, obstruction, or violence.  2) If you observe any of those, you should plan to leave.  The police will be moving in and using counter-force soon.  3) Hey!  It isn’t a bad idea to know and obey all laws regarding protests.  4) Stay off private property and out of buildings.  5) By the way, it is always illegal to start a fire in public streets and sidewalks.  6) If you know the law then you also know that there are times when the police have the right to disperse protesters (or arrest those who don’t obey commands to disperse).  7) There is a clear difference between protesting and rioting.  8) In some cities the protesting organization must be granted a permit.  Don’t get involved in a counter-protest in that place because you will not have the legal protection a permit grants.

If you are going to do something illegal while protesting (like threatening a police officer or lighting a fire), then listen to WIRED.  They have an article “How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance.”  I disagree with them but some of the advice would help those who plan to engage in illegal stuff.  They say, for instance, protect yourself from prosecution by NOT carrying your smartphone and not taking pictures or video.  They also recommend full-face masks (But if you’re anonymous, why should anyone listen to you?) and being careful to park far from the event.  Wired claims, without evidence, that police “demonstrated their willingness to arrest and attack entirely peaceful protesters as well as journalists observing demonstrations.”  (What is not true about that statement is that some protesters in the case they mention had been obstructing legal police actions.  Even if YOU didn’t you might be arrested if SOME did.  The SOME caused a response and the response was legal.)

Still, if you don’t trust SOME you are protesting with, maybe you should either protect yourself or just don’t go in the first place.

It might be useful to arm yourself with clear facts, not wild claims.  Calling a killing a “murder” might be irresponsible if you were unaware that the authorities were within their rights to use deadly force (not speaking here of any particular situation).  Not all killings are murder.  All murders are killings.  Different word, different meaning.  I have another of those word combinations (and so do you).  All pine trees are trees, but not all trees are pine trees.  Words should be accurate.  Be careful of stating an opinion as a fact.  Let’s be clear, “murder” is a determination of a court, not public opinion.

Although not often cited, speaking opinion as fact can put a protester at risk of lawsuit.  I recommend the use of good sense.  

What other risks might be found?  Well, people identified as protesters have lost jobs.  Some have been prosecuted for unlawful entry or other illegal activities.  No one is above the law, at least that is what some have said.  They say that until they are accused of illegal activity.  Then they claim that they have special rights and privileges.  They don’t.  

So is it wrong to protest?  No.  And it isn’t illegal to protest.  However, it is easy to cross the line from legal to illegal.  It is never legal to throw objects, for instance.  Avoid doing wrong and I will celebrate your right to speak your mind.  Realize, as I say that, that I’m also celebrating MY right to do the same.    

Copyright 2026 Donald Whelpley

[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]

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