Survival Guide #1: The protest rights cheat sheet
How to show up, protect your people, and know what to say when cops, counter protesters, or ICE get involved.
Quick note: This is safety planning and general legal info, not legal advice. Laws vary by state and city, and cops do not always respect rights in the street. The point is to protect you now and help you protect yourself later if anything goes sideways.
1) The three phrases to memorise before you leave the house
If an officer approaches you, don’t improvise. Keep it simple. The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) emphasises that “invoking your rights” means saying a few key phrases out loud.
Say:
“Am I free to go?” If they say yes, you can leave.
“I am going to remain silent, and I want to speak to a lawyer.” Repeat it as many times as you need.
“I do not consent to this search.” Say it clearly. Silence can get framed as consent.
One important exception: In 23 states, you may have to give your name if asked during a stop.
2) Before you go: make a plan that protects your loved ones, too
If you think an arrest is possible, have an on-call person who does not attend the protest.
Set up a 60-second safety plan:
Pick one person to be your “anchor.”
Text them: where you’re going, who you’re with, and when you expect to be home.
Share: your full legal name, DOB, and any medical needs.
Make sure someone can cover: kids, pets, keys, and essential bills if you get stuck.
Write your anchor’s number on paper, and if you feel it’s necessary, on your body in marker.
A caution worth hearing: written “pre-arrest” forms can be used as evidence of intent in some cases. A standing plan with one trusted person can be safer than filling out formal-looking paperwork.
3) What to bring, and what to leave at home
You want to be able to move, breathe, and get home.
Bring:
Water and a snack
Any needed meds in the original prescription bottle, and only what you need for the day
A small charger or battery bank
A mask, goggles, and weather layers
Cash (small bills) and a physical ID if you carry one
Do not bring:
Anything you cannot afford to lose. An arrest often means your belongings get taken, recorded, and returned later, only with a property voucher.
Valuables and jewellery
Anything illegal, including items that could be labelled a weapon
Anything you do not want cops to see, including notes about routes, organisers, or private info
Makeup and contacts: contact lenses can become stuck, and oil-based moisturisers can make irritants harder to wash off. Glasses can be safer.
4) Digital safety: don’t hand them your whole life in one unlocked phone
Police usually need a warrant to search devices, but in real life, phones still get searched. So you plan for friction.
Do this before you arrive:
Use a passcode, not Face ID or fingerprint. Biometrics can be forced.
Consider turning off location services.
Consider leaving your primary phone at home or using a lower-info device if you have one.
About filming:
You generally have the right to record officers as long as you do not interfere, but be strategic about it. Filming other protesters, posting their faces, or live-streaming crowds can later create evidence that harms your own people. If you capture something important, consider sharing it with an attorney rather than posting it immediately.
5) During the protest: how to stay calm when things escalate
Move like you came home to your family last night.
Go with a buddy. Decide what “we leave” looks like before you arrive.
If violence breaks out, walk, don’t run. Running creates a risk of crowd injury.
If police start grabbing people nearby, you can still get arrested just for being there. Stay calm. Use your phrases.
6) If you get stopped in public
This is where your script matters most.
Step 1: Ask
“Am I free to go?”
Step 2: If they keep you
“I am going to remain silent, and I want to speak to a lawyer.”
Step 3: If they try to search you or your stuff
“I do not consent to this search.”
Police can pat down the outside of your clothes, but they generally need consent or a warrant to go further. They may search anyway. Your job is to say you did not agree.
Also, police can lie to you. They can produce fake evidence, fake deals, and threats like “we’ll just get a warrant.” Don’t debate. Go back to the script.
7) If you get arrested
First: breathe. Second: protect yourself from extra charges.
Say out loud:
“I am not resisting,” resisting can lead to severe charges even when you did nothing else wrong.
“I am going to remain silent. I want to talk to an attorney.” Then stay quiet.
What not to do:
Do not talk about what happened with other detainees or anyone nearby. Assume surveillance. Jail phones are recorded, and you can be recorded in custody.
Do not accept the bait. Officers can lie, and “good cop, bad cop” is a whole tactic.
Phone call:
You can ask to make a local phone call within a “reasonable time,” though they do not always let people. If you call an attorney, the police are not supposed to listen, but keep it minimal anyway. Name, location, you need help.
8) If ICE is present, or you are worried about your status
You are not obligated to discuss your immigration history with government officers.
If you have valid immigration documents, never show fake papers. If you are a lawful permanent resident or have other status documents, make sure you carry copies, not originals, and keep originals safe with a trusted person.
9) Extra safety notes for people who get targeted more
The legal system regularly harms marginalised people, and risk is not evenly distributed.
A few specifics:
Minors: You still have the right to remain silent. Release rules can differ by state.
Disabled protesters: Bathroom access, sit-stand ordinances, and the risk of losing mobility aids are real. Build a buddy plan.
Trans protesters: Pat downs and invasive searches can be traumatic and inconsistent. Policies vary, and jails often have no affirming rules. If you can, have a trans-competent attorney on standby.
10) The bottom line: fight back, but stay in control
You do not have to be fearless to show up. You just need a plan.
Save this as a checklist:
Anchor contact set
Script memorised
Passcode on
Meds in original bottle
Buddy system
Exit plan