So get this. We got bumped for a wedding, of all things.

The weird thing about protests is that you can spend the whole time almost alone in a crowd. You don’t have to talk to anyone and aren’t frequently asked to talk to anyone; they’re kinda loud. If there’s a 50501 peacekeeper they might ask you to move somewhere or avoid talking to a provocateur, but aside from confrontations with the law, that should be it. And you already know not to talk to cops beyond “Hello” and “I’m sorry but I can’t talk right now.” You don’t even have to do chants or songs if you don’t want to.

But yeah, they can be triggering experiences for those of us with social anxiety, but remember: you’re there playing a very specific role. Your job is to get home safe and express your message, in that order. You can’t help if you’re in jail.

So anyway, tips.

1. Bring water and snacks you can eat.
2. Sunblock is essential.
3. A change of clothes may be important.
4. If your phone is on, assume cops are tracking it. If you need to bring it, turn off fingerprint and voice unlock and set a strong password. They can compel you to unlock via biometrics, but passwords are harder to get. If you’re somewhat worried about that, turn it off for the protest. If you’re really worried, leave it at home.
5. There is not a thing wrong with wearing a mask and the guy associating mask wearers with agitators is flat out wrong. By all means bring one. Neck gaiters can be quite comfy and help keep the sun off your neck. Most law enforcement are using face recognition tech; make them work for it.
6. Wear comfy shoes.
7. Don’t engage with fascist operatives. They usually have media training and they’re farming protests for content. Don’t give it to them.
8. Don’t bring weapons and keep an eye on the specific requirements of your venue. Some don’t allow sign poles of certain dimensions or materials.
9. This is not a direct action, it’s a peaceful protest. Let’s keep it that way.
10. Don’t talk to the cops. Polite greetings are fine, nothing else. No conversations.
11. Plan to take breaks. Protest movements are like a choir. You don’t have to sing for the whole time; just do your part and rest when needed.
12. Look for moments of joy when you’re there. Be inspired that so many people are with you. Allow yourself to feel your feelings and let them pass through you. This is a big thing you’re doing. It’s brave as fuck. Be proud and stand tall that when the time comes to say what you were doing in 2025, you’ll have a good answer. You showed up.