The Best Dressed Protester

What to wear, what to bring, and how to stay safe while showing up this season.

With the weather getting warmer, more of us are heading outside—block parties, park days, and yes, the occasional march or demonstration.

For a lot of folks, protests are part of how we show up for each other. Sometimes they’re big, friendly, and full of neighbors. Sometimes they’re a little more tense. Either way, a little preparation goes a long way.

Think of this less as a rulebook and more as a neighbor’s checklist: what to wear, what to bring, and how to stay comfortable, aware, and connected while you’re out there. We’ve pulled together tips from organizers and advocacy groups and split them into two simple lists—one for everyday community demonstrations, and one for situations where things might be less predictable.

A Nice Day Out with Neighbors

For community demonstrations like No Kings (family-friendly, lower risk): 

• • Know your rights.
    Brush up on the ACLU’s excellent breakdown of legal protections.
  • Dress for the day.
    Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and anything you don’t mind getting a little dirty. No dangly jewelry.
  • Bring only what you need.
    Water, snacks, sunscreen, and a comfortable backpack or tote to carry it.
  • Think about your phone.
    Leave it home or at least turn off face/fingerprint authentication so authorities can’t access your info without a password.
  • Carry ID (or make a plan).
    Having identification can help speed things up if you’re stopped or detained. Some people choose not to carry it—just know there are tradeoffs.
  • Skip valuables.
    Don’t bring anything that’d be irreplaceable if you lost it.
  • Tie back long hair and keep accessories simple.
    Less to snag, lose, or worry about.
  • Write down an emergency contact.
    A phone number on your arm or a card in your pocket can be helpful if your phone is unavailable.
  • Bring a buddy.
    Look out for each other, check in, and stick together.
  • Make some noise (if that’s your style).
    Signs, drums, bubbles, bells, and voices all count.

Same Streets, Different Stakes 

Of course, No Kings 3 is an entirely different situation than facing down crowd control, or meeting activists outside a detention center at 2am. This advice is more for that. There’s a whole list below, but two things are absolutely key: situational awareness and risk assessment.

What can we expect? What do we observe? What worked best? The most effective active resistance is gamed out for success before the protest, at the protest, and then a de-brief afterwards.

In the field, keep in mind the 20 rule: Every 20 minutes, do a 20-second scan of the area 20 feet around you in all directions. Take a long look from left to right, behind and in front — and also above. Check rooftops, balconies, windows.

What’s the lay of the land? Grass, gravel, asphalt, etc. What’s the traffic situation? Identify empty lots, blind spots, dead ends, bottlenecks, problem areas. Find your escape route. Pro Tip: plan out a few on Google maps first.

Effective active resistance is also an organized effort. A partner or, ideally, a team is key. Have a clear goal on your overall objective, and agree on roles based on what each protestor is willing to personally risk. Are you willing to get detained? Arrested? Attacked? Or are you maybe more support and caregiving? Will you carry first aid, snacks or communications? Or are you there to document? To de-escalate? To provide transportation?

Risk assessment changes all the time, and there should be no shame or judgement, ever, for anyone’s individual threshold. Partners trust each other to know where their lines are, and to hold them. Likewise we need to prepare ourselves for likely scenarios and be alert for our signs it’s time to bounce.

Engage Mode 

When there’s a higher risk of confrontation or police presence, a few extra precautions are worth considering: 

• • Cover up.
    Long sleeves, long pants, and a neck gaiter to protect your skin.
  • Wear shoes you can run in.
    Can’t run? Maybe sit this one out.
  • Extra water.
    A squeeze bottle can help rinse your eyes or skin if needed.
  • Eye protection.
    Shatter-resistant, well-fitted safety glasses offer more protection than regular eyewear. Pro Tip: Look for ones rated ANSI/ISEA Z87.1+
  • Head gear.
    An S1 Lifer skateboard helmet is super safe and comfortable.
  • Consider respiratory protection.
    In some situations, people choose to wear masks or respirators—fit and comfort matter.
  • Bring necessary medications.
    Keep inhalers, EpiPens, or prescriptions with you, ideally labeled.
  • Pack a change of clothes.
    A sealed bag will help contain any irritants.
  • First aid.
    Bandages, wipes, and sanitizer go a long way.
  • Bring some cash.
    For transportation, food, or unexpected needs.
  • Contacts.
    Have the number of a good defense lawyer and, if needed, a few bail bondsmen too.
  • Make an after plan.
    Tell someone you trust where you’re going and when you’ll check in. If you don’t make it home or can’t call, they’ll know what to do next.

Whichever way you choose to show up this season—marching, observing, or just staying informed—being prepared means you can focus on what matters: being there, together. Organizing for the better world we know is possible.

Good to Know

The ACLU says….

Know Your Rights as an American Protester. ✊

• • Public spaces are your friend.
    Streets, sidewalks, and parks are generally fair game for protest, as long as you’re not blocking access or creating a safety issue.
  • Private property is different.
    Owners can set their own rules about speech, signs, and filming.
  • You don’t need a permit to show up.
    Peaceful protests can happen without one—but police may ask you to move if you’re blocking traffic or creating a hazard.
  • Everyone has a right to be there.
    That includes counterprotesters. Police are supposed to treat all groups equally, even if they keep people separated.
  • You can take photos and video in public.
    That includes police and federal buildings, as long as you’re in a place you’re allowed to be.
  • Remember: 

⚡If something goes sideways: 

• • • Record things when you can.
      Badge numbers, patrol cars, agency names—anything you notice. Write stuff down or take a pic. 
    • Get witness info.
      Names and contact details can matter later.
    • Document injuries.
      Photos help.
    • File a complaint if needed.
      Most agencies have an internal affairs or civilian review process.

🚨 If police order a crowd to disperse: 

• • • It should be a last resort.
      Dispersal orders are meant for situations with a real safety risk.
    • You should get clear instructions.
      Officers are supposed to tell you what’s happening, how much time you have, and where to go.
    • You should have a way out.
      There should be a clear, open path to leave before anyone is arrested.

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Knowing your rights is one thing—using them is another. A lot of the freedoms we take for granted held up because people chose to show up and be counted, even when it was inconvenient or uncertain. It doesn’t have to be dramatic to matter. Sometimes it’s just being there, adding your voice, and standing alongside others who care about the same things. Small moments really do add up.

Hope to see you at No Kings! 🚫👑🪧

NO KINGS 3 | SAT MARCH 28
This event starts at Philadelphia City Hall at noon, with a march down the Ben Franklin Parkway starting at 12:30. Speeches start at about 1:15 at the Parkway and 22nd Street. (There is also a smaller event at Maplewood Mall in Germantown, 4:30 – 6pm)

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What do you think? Click the links for more info, and please leave your questions and comments below.