Your right to peaceably assemble is constitutional. Exercising it safely is practical. This is the field manual.
This is not legal advice. This is general information about your constitutional rights. Laws vary by state. For specific legal situations, contact an attorney or the ACLU.
BRING
DO NOT BRING
• You can protest on public sidewalks, parks, plazas, and in front of government buildings without a permit.
• You can photograph and video record anything visible in public, including police operations.
• Police cannot confiscate or demand to view your recordings without a warrant.
• Counter-protesters have the same rights you do. You can ignore them. Do not engage.
• If police order dispersal, they must give you a reasonable opportunity to leave. If you stay, you risk arrest.
• If arrested, say: “I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer.” Then stop talking.
• Move upwind and uphill immediately. Tear gas is heavier than air and sinks.
• Do NOT rub your eyes. Blink rapidly. Flush with saline or clean water.
• Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible. Bag it — do not bring it inside.
• Shower in COLD water first — hot water opens pores and reactivates the chemical.
• If you have asthma or respiratory conditions, leave the area immediately. Tear gas can trigger life-threatening attacks.
• Milk of magnesia mixed with water (1:1) can help neutralize the burning on skin.
1. Do not resist physically. Go limp if necessary. Do not fight.
2. Say clearly: “I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer.”
3. Do NOT answer any questions. Not “where do you live,” not “who organized this,” not “what's your social media.” Nothing.
4. You have the right to make a phone call. Call the legal hotline number on your arm.
5. Do NOT sign anything without a lawyer present.
6. Remember badge numbers, officer names, and the time/location of arrest. Write them down as soon as you can.
National Lawyers Guild: Look up your local chapter at nlg.org — they provide legal observers and jail support at protests.
ACLU: aclu.org — file complaints about police misconduct, know-your-rights resources.
Legal Aid Society: legalaidsociety.org — free legal representation if you can't afford an attorney.
• Keep your hands visible at all times.
• Speak calmly and clearly. Do not shout at police.
• Do not make sudden movements.
• If someone near you is escalating, move away from them. You are not responsible for their choices.
• If an agent provocateur is trying to incite violence, loudly identify what they are doing: “This person is trying to start violence. We are peaceful.”
• Violence at a protest discredits the movement and gives authorities justification for escalation. Discipline is power.
• Go with at least one trusted person. Agree on a meeting point if separated.
• Check in with each other every 30 minutes.
• Have someone NOT at the protest who knows where you are and will check on you.
• Share your live location with your buddy and your at-home contact.
• Agree on a code word that means “I need to leave immediately.”
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The right to assemble is not a privilege. It is the mechanism by which all other rights are defended.
