A BLACK GIRL’S GUIDE TO SAFE PROTESTING
Photo previously taken. Not shot at protest.
Photo by Carmelo De Jesus Jr.
Last week, I attended an organized protest in my hometown, Jersey City, New Jersey, to help find Justice for George Floyd. Like many of you, I felt it was important to speak up against the violent encounters people of color like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many more have experienced with people who are supposed to protect and serve American citizens. I was proud to be a part of a movement, but I was also scared. It’s no secret that thousands of protestors were beaten and arrested across the United States for no reason. It’s also no secret that general outrage and political manipulation contributed to the recent riots in major cities like New York.
As the only black woman who attended the protest in my group, I had to acknowledge that I was subject to that as a protestor. There was a lot to consider. I want to use the platform my sister and I created with Women of Color on Broadway Inc. to help any woman and/or person of color who is seriously thinking about joining a protest. Hopefully my personal experience can shed light on the steps you should take, so you can be as safe as possible.
Here are some ways you can help create a safe experience when protesting in 2020. Please be safe and remember to do what’s best for you.
#blacklivesmatter
Photo by Carmelo De Jesus Jr.
Photo previously taken. Not shot at protest.
CONSIDER ALL THE RISKS
There are A LOT of things to think about when you make plans to participate in a protest. Sometimes they end well, other times they don’t. – Either way, it’s important that you are realistic with all of the potential outcomes, which may include someone in your group getting confronted by the police, getting arrested, or worse. Before the day of the protest, you need to think of all the things that can go right or wrong, and make the decision that’s best for you afterwards.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Make sure the protest you attend is organized by a city official. Most organized protests are announced by your local new outlets, so please make sure you check legitimate sources such as their websites or channel before committing to participate. Word-of-mouth does not count as a legitimate source.
TALK TO YOUR FAMILY
Participating in a protest effects your family just as much as it effects you. Most of us have people in our lives that love us and care for our well being. For me, it was my mom and dad. We had a loooooonnngggg conversation about me joining a protest. I allowed them to share their thoughts, and then afterwards I vocalized mine.
As a young adult, you have the right to make your own decisions. However, it is not fair to leave your family in the dark about your protest plans. You should tell them details like who you’re going with, how long you’re going to be there, and all the precautions you are going to take. Make sure your family has a direct way to contact you in case of emergency. At least one of your friends should have a family member’s phone number in case of emergency as well. If you are under 18 years old, do not attend a protest without your parent/guardian permission or supervision!MAKE A PLAN
Now that you have decided to go, it’s time to map out a plan with a schedule with friends. My friends and I decided to attend the protest a week before it took place. We met three times in person to draft a plan, and kept the conversation open via group messaging.
Your plan should answer the following questions:
Where and what time you are all meeting?
How long are you taking to prepare for the protest (i.e how long with it take to draw your signs)?
What materials are you using to make your signs? What will your signs say?
What source(s) of transportation do you plan to use to get to the actual protest. (SN: Because protests usually entail heavy foot traffic, I personally advise you not to drive to a protest. Parking is going to be difficult, and you also will have to wait until everyone leaves before you can drive. You and your friends should all walk together instead).
How long do you plan to stay at the protest?
What time are you guys leaving?
It is important for everyone to arrive and leave the protest together. NO ONE GETS LEFT BEHIND!
MAKE RULES WITH YOUR FRIENDS
This is not a social outing, protests are serious. With that being said, if you are one of the few, or the only black person (or in my case, the only black woman) within your group, I 100% recommend that you make rules for the non-black friends who are attending with you. As a black person, the rules you design will naturally assess certain safety precautions your white counterparts usually do not have to consider due to their skin color.
All of the questions previously mentioned should be finalized by the black member(s) of the group, and any additional rules made by the black participants within the group should be followed respectively. Additional rules should include “Do not argue with the police.” “Do not vandalize property.” “Do not participate in a riot.” “Do not take photos for professional social media content during the protest.” “Here is our uniform…” “No drinking or smoking.” If any of your ‘friends’ cannot respect you as the primary rule maker, do not go with them.
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
6. WEAR Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
We are still in quarantine! It seems that a lot of people have forgotten that the coronavirus still exists. There are currently THOUSANDS OF COVID-19 cases in the USA. Many hospitals are anticipating a spike as a result of the protests and rioting. While it is refreshing to see so many people join the movement, we want to remind you to please, wear your mask, wear your gloves, and remember to practice social distancing. Here is a referral I used from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Instagram page for what to wear and bring to a protest.
7. DO NOT ARGUE WITH THE POLICE
If the police approaches you or your friends, co-operate. This will not guarantee a positive ending, but I can assure that your co-operation could help prevent a negative ending. Do not give in to the tension, even if they are instigating it. Do not get distracted from why you are here. More importantly, do not let anyone make you so upset that you begin to make irrational decisions that put you and your friends in danger. Be aware by your surroundings and everything that’s going on around you. Your priority is to remain safe.
In the event that you are arrested by the police/military, do not resist. Go along peacefully and have one of your friends contact a family member ASAP.
8. DO NOT STAY AFTER THE PROTEST ENDS
When the protest is over, GO HOME! There is no reason to stay out past the protest when studies have shown that protests are most likely turn violent when it gets late. My recommendation is to try to stay on the edges of the protest so when it is time to leave, it’s easier to get out of the crowd.
9. IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, LEAVE
Trust your gut no matter what. If you feel for any reason you do not belong in the protest, tell your friends, and make sure you guys have a quick evacuation planned. If you made plans before to leave at a certain time, but your friends want to stay a little longer, leave them and go home.
10. TEAR GAS
I did not experience being sprayed with tear gas during the protest, but, as someone who made plans to attend a one, I had to acknowledge the fact that there was a chance I could be confronted with tear gas.
I pursued independent research on what I should do to lessen the pain, should I get sprayed. I encourage you to do the same on tear gas and any other weapons the police are using during the protests.
Here are two useful links I found online on how to react when confronted with Tear Gas:
What To Do If You’re Exposed To Tear Gas by Popular Science
How to Stay Safe During a Tear Gas Attack - From a US Marine by Danielle Guldin
11. DO NOT PANIC
Lastly, If you find yourself caught in a protest that turned into a riot, keep to the edge of the crowd, and try not to be identified as one of the demonstrators by keeping well away from the leaders/agitators. Stay clear of glass shop fronts, stay on your feet and move with the flow. If you are pushed to the ground, try to get against a wall and roll yourself into a tight ball and cover your head with your hands until the crowd passes. If shooting breaks out, drop to the ground and cover your head and neck, and lie as flat as you can. If you are swept along in the crush, create a space for yourself by grasping your wrists and bracing your elbows away from your sides; bend over slightly – this should give you breathing room.
I hope my tips were helpful to you, be safe and thank you for your support!
Be Safe.
With Love,
Alexia Sielo
Co-Founder of Women of Color on Broadway Inc.
DISCLAIMER: None of the photos posted in the blog post “A Black Girl’s Guide To Protesting” by Women of Color on Broadway Inc. were taken at the site of any protest. WOCoB understands with the sensitivity surrounding the #blacklivesmatter movement, and deems any professional photos taken at the site of a protest in attempt to promote one’s attendance of a protest or attract media traffic as inappropriate, insensitive, and disrespectful to the victims’ family and the black community unless it is used for news outlets.
