What to know before walking out, marching, or protesting “Don’t Say Gay”
The latest wave of “Don’t Say Gay” bills marks an unprecedented attack on LGBTQ+ rights and will require the dissension of everybody who is available to stand up and speak out. In addition to speaking out on social media and contacting your political representatives, students are walking out and protesting in the streets. While it is important to make your voice heard about these critical issues, it is also important that everyone involved protests safely. In order to do this, there are a few preparatory actions to consider.
Pack a Bag
Get a backpack, drawstring bag, or something else with two straps (in case you have to run). Use the bag to carry water bottles, a portable phone charger, energy-rich snacks, essential medications, and cash. If you can, bring enough water and food for other protestors who might be in need.
Bring Your Phone
It is also important to bring your phone with you to a protest. In the case of an emergency, your phone is the easiest way to call for help. However, while protesting, it is best to turn your phone on airplane mode, disable location tracking services, and turn off biometric passwords (face ID and fingerprint). Doing these three things will ensure your private information and data is kept safe during and after your protest. In the same vein, you should never take photos of or record others without their permission. Taking unsolicited photos of others not only violates their privacy, it puts them in very real danger of being outed or otherwise exposed to their community. Alternatively, take photos from the back of crowds where nobody’s face is visible, or blur out people’s faces before posting on social media.
Go With Friends
Another key element of protesting safely and effectively is not doing it alone. Bringing a few friends with you will be beneficial for a number of reasons. First, the larger the group of protestors, the more likely legislators are to change their minds. Enormous crowds of angry constituents don’t scream “Re-election.” Second, if you are arrested or otherwise put in danger, your friends can be there to bail you out- literary or figuratively.
Preparing for and Steering Clear of Arrest
When protesting, always bring cash and essential medication with you. If you or one of your friends are arrested, having cash bail and medicine on hand will save you mountains of trouble. That isn’t to say, however, that you should go to a protest expecting to be arrested. On the contrary, you should do everything you can to keep yourself and others safe from the possibility of clashing with the police. During your protest, avoid direct contact with the police, counter protestors, and the military as much as possible. If a curfew is imposed, the safest thing to do is to respect it. And always follow the directions of your event organizers.
Know Your Rights
If you are arrested, it is important to know your rights. After the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Vega v. Tekoh, the laws requiring police officers to read you your ‘Miranda Rights’ have been blurred. This makes it even more necessary that you understand your rights. Four fundamental rights that you will probably recall from crime shows are: the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, the right for that attorney to be present during interrogation, and the right to a public defender if you cannot afford an attorney. There are, of course, many more rights you have during an arrest that you can read extensively about on the ACLU’s Know Your Rights resource page.
The Work Doesn’t End After One Protest
New anti-trans legislation is still being proposed, and those bills can still be shot down. After your march, walk out, or protest, it is still important that you continue to attend rallies, continue to testify, continue to contact your legislators, and compel them to defend trans Americans. Use these protests as a stepping stone of your activism and not its end goal.
About the Author:
After being subjected to homophobic harassment in the classroom, Isabella decided to try and use her writing to encourage others to stand up for each other and themselves. Isabella is a high school student in Lafayette, IN.
