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Protest Resources

PLANNING AHEAD

  • Wear a MASK. We're still mid-pandemic, it keeps at least some gas/pepper from your face, and keeps your face off film.

  • Wear a hoodie with drawstrings. Not only does this keep your face more obscure, but it can keep your mask and goggles secure.

  • If you plan on protesting, remove all personal information from your social media accounts. Remove where you work and live and the places you go to often. Remove photos of your vulnerable family members. Untag yourself from pictures.

  • Do not post plans to attend protests 

  • Cover gas canisters with a traffic cone and douse it with water through the hole on top.

  • If you see someone breaking/vandalizing stuff - get away ASAP. The police will be aggressive in trying to diffuse the situation.

  • Be aware of your surroundings at ALL times. People have gotten killed by 'non-lethal' rubber bullets/bean bags they never saw coming.

  • Most importantly remember that at the end of the day we ALL got families to go home to. 

  • Be angry, make them hear you, but don't let your actions be the ones that get people killed.

  • Act smart, watch out for each other, and please remember humanity when you march.

  • Remove Face ID and Touch ID from your phone 

  • Take photos and videos with your phone unlocked

  • Have a strong password 

  • Back up any data that you do not want to lose 

  • Decide on an exit strategy/ meetup with your group 

  • Bring cash and form of identification

  • Have a ride ready at a moment's notice for when you leave the protest.

  • Know that ICE has been sent to some of the protest sites

 
THINGS TO AVOID

  • Don’t wear jewelry or anything that can be grabbed onto

  • Do not wear contact lenses

  • Don't use milk for tear gas. You'll mess up your eyes. Flush with water. Yeah, it burns, keep rinsing

  • Do not stray away from the mass 

  • Do not bring anything you would not want to be arrested with (switchblades, weed, etc)

  • Do not post pictures of others or yourself w/out consent

  • Do not wear eye or lip makeup

  • Do not hang out in constricted areas like alleys or entryways, that’s the worst place to be if a crowd panics

  • Do not bring large amounts of money to the protests

 
WHAT TO BRING

  • Protest signs

  • Water

  • First Aid Kit

  • Cash (enough for cab fare back, plus an extra $50)

  • Snacks

  • Personal Identification (not showing ID could keep you detained for longer as police try to identify you)

  • Menstrual products

  • Any emergency and/or prescribed medication

  • Portable charger

  • Small Backpacks/fanny packs 

  • https://www.pepper-spray-store.com/pages/antitdote 

 
WHAT TO WEAR

  • Nondescript clothing (to keep your identity safe)

  • Mask - anti-surveillance and COVID-19 prevention

  • Goggles

  • Sharpie - write your emergency contacts on your arm so you can access this information even if you don’t have your phone

  • Clothing that covers your skin in case you get sprayed/exposed to chemicals (hats, long sleeves/pants, gloves) 

  • Tennis shoes that you can easily run in

 
DEALING WITH POLICE

  • Tear Gas

    • Absolutely no OIL products (including makeup and sunscreen) - they trap the tear gas’ chemicals on your face

    • Cover your mouth with any water-soaked (if possible) fabric so as to not inhale the gas (irritates your lungs and airways)

    • If you get some in your eyes, the best way to wash it out is with a solution of half antacid and half water sprayed from the inside corner of your eyes toward the opposite side. If you cannot get antacid before the protest, a good alternative is a baking soda and water solution (three teaspoons of powder for every 8.5 ounces of liquid) - make sure that the baking soda is fully dissolved in the water or you run the risk of scratching your eyes. Other alternatives include water mixed with milk or water by itself, sprayed in the same way as the antacid solution.

  • Persecution of protesters

    • Wear a mask and/or a hoodie - try to keep your face as obscured as possible.

    • Try to hide any identifying marks on your body (tattoos, piercings, hair, etc) with baggy clothing that also conceals your body shape.

    • Look into anti-surveillance-recognition makeup

    • Don’t post any pictures on social media that include other people, EVEN if you blur their faces. There is technology that can easily undo this blurring and find people’s identity.

  • Contact “Eric Sundin” @ericwsundin on Twitter if you have been arrested at a protest. He is offering representation pro bono.

 
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

  • When lawfully present in a public space, you can photograph anything in plain view INCLUDING POLICE

  •  No permit needed to march on streets or sidewalks

  • If you’re protesting on private property, the property owner has the right to ask you to leave for any reason. It is not recommended to protest on private property.

  • Your rights are strongest on Streets, Sidewalks, and Parks. You have the right to speak in front of gov buildings 

  • Cannot interfere or block purpose of the property (ie blocking a hospital)

  • Police cannot break it up UNLESS there’s a clear and present danger to public

  • You cannot encourage “imminent” violence or illegal activities that harm people/property

  • Federal crime to hard POTUS or VP

  • Undercover police CAN legally attend without identifying themselves (depends on location)

  • Police can search you and your belongings. don’t carry anything you don’t want to be arrested with

 

IF YOU ARE STOPPED BY POLICE:

  • Please stay calm! 

  • Keep your hands visible

  • ASK IF YOU ARE FREE TO LEAVE

  • YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO ASK WHY YOU ARE UNDER ARREST

  • Right to a local phone call

  • if you’re calling a lawyer, police cannot listen in

  • You DO NOT have to consent to a search

  • Police CANNOT confiscate or demand to view photos/video WITHOUT A WARRANT 

  • Police CAN order you to stop interfering with law enforcement operations

  • Police CAN pat you down if they think you have a weapon

  • Once you’re arrested they CAN search you

  • If recording, be aware some states have audio restrictions 

  • VIDEO IS FULLY PROTECTED (visual photographic record)

  • CHECK YOUR STATE FOR AUDIO RESTRICTIONS

  • Police CANNOT detain you without reasonable suspicion that you already have/are about to commit a crime

    • WHAT TO DO:

    •  MEMORIZE important phone numbers (lawyer, family, emergency contact)

    • COVER YOUR FACE

    • Conceal anything that distinguishes you (piercings, tattoos, logos, flashy colors)

    •  WRITE DOWN OFFICER’S BADGE NUMBER & AGENCY

    •  Take photos of all injuries

 
PROTESTING DURING COVID-19

  • Always wear a mask but if you do not have one, wear other forms of facial protective gear

  • Do not touch your face while protesting

  • Don’t yell; use signs and noise makers instead

  • Stick to a small group

  • Self-quarantine after the protest for 2 weeks if possible

  • Get tested after the protest within 3 days

  • Try to stay at least 6 feet apart from the next protester 

  • Wash your hands/use hand sanitizer frequently

  • Don’t share water with anyone

  • Stay home if you notice any symptoms

  • Keep yourself healthy before going to the event, such as take adequate rest, drink plenty of water, eat healthily and take Vitamins (take chewable Vitamin C before, during, and after the event may be helpful too)

  • Plan ahead of time means of transportation. If you have to take public transportation, try to practice the same hygiene rules

  • Move swiftly during the event if you can, do not spend too much time in talking and interacting with a fixed group of people 

  • When you return to your residence, take off all your outfit before entering the house. Leave them outside or in storage for a few days, such as in a laundry bag or garbage bag. Alternatively, laundry them immediately.

  • When you finish the event, wash your hands, face, and other exposed area of the body. Rinse your mouth, nose, eyes, with saline water if needed.

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HOUSTON DONATIONS AND
RESOURCES FOR PROTESTERS
BAIL FUNDS

  • Donate to bail funds and other efforts:

 
PRO BONO LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR PROTESTERS

  • Eric William Sundin

    • Contact:

      • Phone: (210) 834-5630

      • ​​Twitter: @ericwsundin

      • Location: 4407 New Orleans Street Houston, TX 77020

  • Joy Thomas

    • Contact:

      • Phone: (281) 444-0330

      • Email: joy@dawsonthomaslaw.com

      • Location: 777 Preston Street, Suite 10E, Houston, TX 77002

  • Charles Adams

    • Contact:

      • Phone: (281) 412-4151

      • Website: https://cdadamslaw.com/contact-us/

      • Twitter: @Bigangrylaw

      • Location: 7930 Broadway St, Suite 106, Pearland, TX 77581

  • Damiane Banieh

    • Contact:

      • Phone 1: (281) 788-8480

      • Phone 2: (281) 781-8080

      • Email: baniehlaw@gmail.com

      • Location: 9950 Cypresswood Drive #202 Houston, TX 77070

  • Marcus Esther

OTHER AVAILABLE RESOURCES:​
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REMINDER: LEAVING A PROTEST DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE BACKING DOWN. REMEMBER, YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST!

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