Tips on Protective Presence

Additional Considerations for Both Protective Presence & Accompaniment

• Communication Equipment
  • Equip all team members with earpieces and radios to ensure that communication remains constant and clear, even in noisy environments.
  • Have a designated person monitoring communications and coordinating movements and responses from a central location.
• Emergency Procedures
  • Establish clear procedures for emergencies, including medical incidents or arrest situations.
  • Have a designated legal observer and medical specialist within your team who can quickly respond to specific needs.
• Post-Action Engagement
  • Gather after the demonstration to evaluate the effectiveness of the protective presence and accompaniment strategies. 
  • Provide feedback and suggestions for improvement, documenting all incidents to refine tactics for future demonstrations.

Safe participation in demonstrations is essential not just for your safety but also for the effectiveness of the action. By being well-prepared, aware, and calm, you can ensure that your voice is heard while minimizing risks. 

• Plan Ahead
  • Know the purpose of the demonstration and the route.
  • Inform someone you trust about your participation and share your expected whereabouts.
• Understand the Legal Context
  • Be aware of local laws regarding public gatherings.
  • Have the contact information of legal assistance organizations or hotlines.
• Prepare a Personal Safety Kit
  • Include N95 masks, water, snacks, a basic first-aid kit, and any necessary medications.
  • Wear protective clothing appropriate for the weather and potential crowd dynamics.
• Communication Plan
  • Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged; consider bringing a portable charger.
  • Have a backup plan for communication in case of mobile network overload.

1. Training and Political Education: 

• • Attend a training on de-escalation, non-violent communication and conflict resolution. Find de-escalation trainers and trainings near you.

  • Knowledge-share with other activists on the typical signs of escalating aggression and the legal rights pertaining to protest and personal safety. 

2. Community Building: 

• • Foster a strong sense of community and solidarity among activists. A cohesive group can dissuade potential aggressors and provide mutual support. 

  • Establish and maintain a visible presence of community support during actions, which can act as a deterrent to aggression.  

• • For example, for non-escalated events, consider dedicating team members for welcoming people to the event and pointing out medical resources, mental health resources, food, activities, etc.  

3. Strategic Planning: 

• • Plan all actions with safety in mind, including choosing safer locations and times, ensuring there are enough experienced leaders present, and pre-determining clear exit strategies.

  • Use risk assessment tools to identify potential sources of aggression and prepare specific strategies to mitigate these risks. 

4. De-escalation Techniques: 

• • Train activists in de-escalation techniques tailored to the scenarios they might face. 

  • Practice these skills regularly through role-playing exercises to build confidence and proficiency.

5. Immediate Response: 

• • Establish a protocol for responding to aggression, which includes methods to quickly de-escalate situations and secure the safety of all participants. 

• • As a part of the protocol, consider: perhaps the event organizers encourage that only the safety team will liase with the police or aggressors. 

  • Additionally, as part of the protocol, it may be helpful to identify and establish the overall purpose. For example, "Our aim is to ask counter-protestors to exit the center area and have a conversation, but if there is hate speech, we will accompany the person to leave.” 

• • Designate team members to take on specific roles during a crisis, such as negotiators, first aid providers, and liaisons to legal support. 

6. Legal Preparedness: 

• • Ensure that all activists are aware of their legal rights if arrested or confronted by law enforcement. Determine your own capacity for facing legal ramifications prior to the event and coordinate an exit strategy. Communicate this exit strategy with your team as well.  

  • Have legal observers at demonstrations and the contact information for legal assistance readily available. 

7. Documentation: 

• • Encourage activists to record all incidents of aggression, if safe to do so, using smartphones or cameras. This documentation can be critical for legal and advocacy efforts. 

  • Determine a central/shared location for where to send the documentation post-event.  

  • Keep detailed records of events and responses to use as learning tools for future actions. 

8. Post-Incident Support: 

• • Provide immediate and ongoing support to those affected by aggression. This can include medical care, psychological support, and legal counseling. 

  • Hold debriefing sessions after events to discuss what happened, what was done well, and what could be improved in future responses.

Remote support plays a crucial role in enhancing the safety, effectiveness, and reach of protest activities, especially when physical presence is limited by geographical, health, or other constraints. This guide provides practical steps for individuals and groups to support demonstrations from afar, ensuring their contributions are impactful and coordinated.

"We keep us safe" means all of us. Remote support is a role and skill developed by disabled organizers like Mia Mingus (@miamingus), Alice Wong (@disability_visibility), and Sandy Ho. Everyone has a place in keeping our communities safe from state and nonstate actor violence.

In essence, remote support involves providing digital assistance and vital information to people at a rally, march, or protest. This support includes real-time communication to inform on-the-ground safety plans.

Examples and Scenarios of Remote Support:

🦺 Scenario 1:
An LRAD is being used to relay dispersal orders by state security forces, causing intense inner ear pain to protesters. As a remote supporter, you would ensure that this information is communicated to the team. You would verify if they are aware of the impending arrests and provide them with exit points. For example, "I’ll text an exit plan to the Signal group right now."

🦺 Scenario 2:
As a remote supporter, you are monitoring chatter about potential agitator violence, identified as a primary threat against protesters. You notice a threatening Twitter post from a hate group but cannot confirm if it is a troll or someone actually on site. You relay only factual information to your communications person on the ground and remind the team to strengthen their situational awareness, watching for insignias or uniforms from this hate group.

🦺 Scenario 3:
Tear gas and pepper balls are about to be used by state security forces. As a remote supporter, you’ve already identified primary and secondary exit routes for your group. When they are in the middle of the march but close to their primary exit route, you call the person tasked with on-the-ground communications and relay directions.

This is a vital and often overlooked role requiring individuals who can maintain calm and focus in stressful situations, are heavily detail-oriented, may be considered the “parent” of their friend group or chosen family, and have the capacity to support. Remote support is an essential component of modern demonstrations, expanding their impact and ensuring sustainability. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, remote supporters can provide valuable assistance that complements on-the-ground efforts, making each demonstration more effective and far-reaching.

Working on safety teams or angaging in activism puts power and agency into the hands of the People, but it also comes with its challenges, including high levels of stress and burnout. Maintaining your wellbeing is crucial not only for your personal health but also for the sustainability of your work.

Stress in this work can arise from various sources, including the emotional toll of the environment, threats to personal safety, and the frustration of dealing with slow or negative progress. Recognizing these sources is the first step in managing them effectively.

Taking care of your mental and physical wellbeing is not a luxury—it's essential. By implementing these strategies, you can protect your health and enhance your effectiveness on a safety team or as an activist. Remember, you're at your most powerful when you are well in body, heart and mind.

• Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: Nutrition plays a crucial role in mental health. Keep hydrated, if possible with electrolytes and eat a balanced diet to boost your energy and mood. 

• Get Enough Sleep: Prioritize getting enough sleep, as it affects your mood, energy levels, and overall health. 

• Take Breaks: This is a marathon, not a sprint. Take the time you need to recover, process and regenerate. Work with your team to create shifts for tasks, safety teams, sleep, etc.  

1. Recognize the Signs of Burnout 

Key Symptoms:  

• Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling drained, irritable, or experiencing emotional numbness.  
• Reduced Performance: Difficulty concentrating, diminished creativity, and a drop in productivity.  
• Detachment: Feeling disconnected from the cause, colleagues, or general disillusionment.  

Regular Self-Assessment: 

• Periodically evaluate your stress levels and mental health. Acknowledge the feelings and signs of burnout. 
• Use tools like journals or mental health apps to track your mood and stress triggers. 

2. Prioritize Self-Care  

Fundamental Practices:  

• Regular Breaks: Take short breaks during activism activities and schedule days off to fully disconnect and recharge. 
• Maintain Your Health: Make sure to keep hydrated and have a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and ensure adequate sleep to keep your body and mind sharp. These sound basic and they always bear repeating. 

3. Set Boundaries  

Effective Boundary-Setting:  

• Work-Life Balance: Clearly separate activism from personal life. Dedicate time to hobbies, friends, and family that are unrelated to activism.   
• Know Your Capacity & Learn to Say No: It’s okay to decline additional responsibilities if you feel overwhelmed. Prioritizing tasks according to their impact and your capacity is crucial.  

4. Seek Support  

Build a Support Network:  

• Community Connection: Maintain a network of friends and family who understand and support your work. Engage with fellow safetty team members or activists who understand the stresses of the work and can provide mutual empathy and advice.   
• Professional Help: Explore workshops or training on stress management and resilience building. Consider therapy or counseling to manage stress and emotional burdens. Many therapists specialize in activist or trauma-related stress. 

5. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation  

Techniques to Cultivate Calm:  

• Five Beautiful Things Exercise: Turn your observational tools and situational awareness into a way to get back into a state of regulation. Whenever you are in a safe location, take a few moments to move around and identify Five Beautiful Things. This supports our nervous system to slow down after being in a state of consistently identifying potential threats on the horizon.  
• Relaxation Techniques: Engage in yoga, deep breathing exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation to reduce stress. Other self-regulation methods include: body scanning, dunking your face in cold water, going on a mindful walk, butterfly taps on your shoulders and gentle self accupressure. 
• Develop a practice of mindfulness or meditation to help manage stress and improve focus. Even a few minutes per day can have a profound impact on your overall mental health. 

6. Celebrate Small Victories  

Maintain Motivation:  

• Acknowledge Progress: Regularly reflect on and celebrate the successes, no matter how small, to maintain a sense of accomplishment and purpose.  
• Positive Affirmations: Remind yourself of the value of your work and its impact on the community and beyond.  

7. Educate and Delegate  

Share the Load:  

• Skill Development: Train peers and newcomers in skills, which can help distribute the workload and sustain the community.  
• Delegate Tasks: Don’t shoulder all responsibilities alone. Sharing tasks not only reduces your load but also fosters a collaborative team environment.

1. Water and electrolytes are your best friends in the heat. In order not to shock your system, remember: SIP, don’t CHUG. 

2. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. You might be able to save someone's life or even your own.  

3. If you feel lightheaded take a break, don’t lock your knees and find somewhere to rest and sit where you can crouch your head below your heart in a cool and shaded area. 

4. Apply and reapply sunscreen. Don’t forget your ears and the back of your neck.  

5. If you feel yourself getting uncomfortably hot, take a moment and run cool water over wherever your veins and arteries are closest to the skin (neck, wrists, crotch, forearms, feet) and if possible, have a handkerchief soaked in cool water and place it on your neck.  

6. Evaporative cooling is your friend. Try to wear clothing that breathes and has a loose weave like linen or cotton.  

7. Light colors reflect sunlight and keep you cooler.  

8. Take constant hydration breaks in the shade or indoors if you are not accustomed to hot weather.  

9. Being hungover doesn't help dealing with the heat. In fact, it could be dangerous. Always hydrate adequately.  

10. It may seem counter-intuitive but long sleeve tops can keep you cooler by covering your skin surface from the sun. Linen and other natural fiber materials are your best friend.