Protest Prep
Being prepared is key to ensuring that every Indivisible St. Johnsbury event is safe, organized, and effective.
Be Safe. Be Prepared.
This section offers practical guidance on how to get ready before you arrive—what to bring, how to dress for conditions, and how to plan for your personal safety and well-being. It also covers situational awareness, knowing your role within the event, and understanding how to respond if conditions change. By taking a few simple steps ahead of time, you help create a safer environment not just for yourself, but for everyone participating.
Prepare Ahead of Time
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Dress for the weather, including rain, heat, or cold.
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Wear comfortable walking shoes.
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Bring a water bottle and snacks.
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Bring any medications you might need in the next 24-48 hours.
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Fully charge your phone and bring a battery charger.
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Ensure you have one emergency contact who knows your location and status!
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Know your emergency contact numbers by heart - do not rely on your phone!
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Buddy System: Never go alone; arrange a meeting spot if separated.
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Inform Someone: Tell a trusted person not attending where you are going.
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Know Your Rights: Understand that you have the right to protest, but police can impose restrictions
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Research: Know the route, the organizers, and potential risks.
Protect Yourself Digitally Before, During & After a Protest
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Encrypt your mobile device.
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Remove biometric locking features from your devices and replace them with a strong pin or passcode.
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Sign out of any accounts on your device such as email and social media.
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Use a secure communication app such as Signal.
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Back up your data in case your phone is lost or stolen.
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Take videos or photos with your phone locked.
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Scrub metadata before you post anything online.
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Avoid taking or posting images of protestors’ faces.
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Avoid confrontation - Step away or help drown them out with chants/songs. Alert event organizer or safety lead.
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Remain calm - low tone, non-threatening body language, keep a safe distance
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Observe - keep eyes out at all times. Are tensions escalating? Are they becoming increasingly irate? Constantly evaluate the situation and adapt to your evolving risk assessment.
Protestors’ rights
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The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest.
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You have the right to protest on certain public property subject to certain localized restrictions.
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You have the right to protest on private property if you have the consent of the property owner.
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When you are lawfully present in a public space, you have the right to photograph anything in plain view.
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Law enforcement may not confiscate or demand to view your photographs or video without a warrant, nor may they delete data under any circumstances.
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If you are videotaping, be aware that the audio may be treated differently than the visual due to state wiretapping laws. Be aware of audio recording restrictions in your state.
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The First Amendment does not protect acts of protest that become violent or the destruction of property.
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Be aware of any curfew restrictions that are in effect.
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Depending on your state, you may be subject to laws that prohibit wearing a mask.
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These rights apply regardless of citizenship or immigration status, but be aware that the consequences of unjustified arrests may be greater for noncitizens.
Be seen.
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