Organize a Protest
Why protest?
Protesting is a key part of American democracy. Protests provide a way to communicate the public will when institutional methods, like voting or contacting a representative, aren’t available or aren’t working. The media usually covers political topics based on information from political elites such as elected officials and representatives. However, the media will often cover protests, which allows citizens to draw attention to issues that are important to them.
Protests are also an opportunity for like-minded citizens to feel a sense of belonging and unity. Voting, for example, is a highly individual act, and vote tallies do not create strong feelings of community bonds. On the other hand, protests show attendees that they are not alone in their conviction. Studies show that protesting motivates people to engage with democracy more often and in a variety of ways.
Get started
If you’ve decided to organize a protest, you probably already know what and why you’re protesting. Next on your list should be who, when, and where. Find organizations in the area that support your cause and ask if they would like to join your protest. If so, ask how many members they have and how many they think might attend. Ask if they have any events around the time you want to have your protest, so you don’t conflict with their schedules.
Once you have a reasonable estimate of how many people will be coming, you can pick a location. If you’re planning a small protest with just a few people, you can protest from the sidewalk without a permit, as long as you leave space for people walking by. If you’re expecting lots of attendees, you’ll need to find a location and apply for a permit. Parks are often better for speeches and donation drives, or you can host a march through the streets. Once you have a few location options in mind, go visit them to make sure they will work. When you’ve picked a location, check to see when other events will be happening there. Come up with a first choice and a backup date for your protest.
When you have all the details figured out, you’re ready to apply for a permit. Protests that block roads will need a permit from the department of transportation, and protests in parks may require a different type of permit. When you apply, you’ll be asked details about your event like how many people you expect to show up and what security precautions you will be taking. You’ll be asked to provide your contact information and pay an application fee. Plan to coordinate with other local entities, such as public transportation, the health office, the fire bureau, or the office of noise control. Take note of any rules you may need to tell participants about, like whether you’ll allow backpacks or leashed pets.
Did you know? Your protest may need insurance before your permit application can be approved. Read insurance policies carefully to make sure it protects you and the city.
Advertise
When you have a date and time (and an approved permit!), it’s time to get the word out. You can place an ad in the classified section of a local paper, design a flyer to post on community billboards, or send out an email with your flyer attached. Contact the local organizations you spoke to when you started planning and give them the flyer and information to distribute to their members. Ask people to RSVP so you can send reminders and additional information to attendees. Recruit a few volunteers to help you set up and take down any equipment and to help clean up after the event is over.
While you’re promoting your protest, keep an eye out for advertisements of counter-demonstrations. If you see one planned, you may want to tell your attendees and provide tips for how to remain civil. As the day approaches, send out reminders about the protest route, parking and transportation, public restrooms, and code of conduct. Contact local media so they can cover the event.
Show up
When the big day arrives, get to your venue early to make sure everything is in order. Greet your fellow protesters as they arrive. Make sure everyone knows the agenda or the route if you have one. Then you can get to protesting--lead the march, start some chants, or hand out pamphlets, and enjoy the fact that you’ve helped all your attendees express their right to free speech.
Protesting is a key part of American democracy. Protests provide a way to communicate the public will when institutional methods, like voting or contacting a representative, aren’t available or aren’t working. The media usually covers political topics based on information from political elites such as elected officials and representatives. However, the media will often cover protests, which allows citizens to draw attention to issues that are important to them.
- Political elite: A person who belongs to a small group of people who have disproportionate political power.
Protests are also an opportunity for like-minded citizens to feel a sense of belonging and unity. Voting, for example, is a highly individual act, and vote tallies do not create strong feelings of community bonds. On the other hand, protests show attendees that they are not alone in their conviction. Studies show that protesting motivates people to engage with democracy more often and in a variety of ways.
Get started
If you’ve decided to organize a protest, you probably already know what and why you’re protesting. Next on your list should be who, when, and where. Find organizations in the area that support your cause and ask if they would like to join your protest. If so, ask how many members they have and how many they think might attend. Ask if they have any events around the time you want to have your protest, so you don’t conflict with their schedules.
- Know your rights! The ACLU has many resources on how to protest legally and successfully, like this helpful guide on your right to protest.
Once you have a reasonable estimate of how many people will be coming, you can pick a location. If you’re planning a small protest with just a few people, you can protest from the sidewalk without a permit, as long as you leave space for people walking by. If you’re expecting lots of attendees, you’ll need to find a location and apply for a permit. Parks are often better for speeches and donation drives, or you can host a march through the streets. Once you have a few location options in mind, go visit them to make sure they will work. When you’ve picked a location, check to see when other events will be happening there. Come up with a first choice and a backup date for your protest.
- Protesting in Portland? You’ll need to fill out a special event permit if your protest won’t be taking place on sidewalks.
When you have all the details figured out, you’re ready to apply for a permit. Protests that block roads will need a permit from the department of transportation, and protests in parks may require a different type of permit. When you apply, you’ll be asked details about your event like how many people you expect to show up and what security precautions you will be taking. You’ll be asked to provide your contact information and pay an application fee. Plan to coordinate with other local entities, such as public transportation, the health office, the fire bureau, or the office of noise control. Take note of any rules you may need to tell participants about, like whether you’ll allow backpacks or leashed pets.
Did you know? Your protest may need insurance before your permit application can be approved. Read insurance policies carefully to make sure it protects you and the city.
Advertise
When you have a date and time (and an approved permit!), it’s time to get the word out. You can place an ad in the classified section of a local paper, design a flyer to post on community billboards, or send out an email with your flyer attached. Contact the local organizations you spoke to when you started planning and give them the flyer and information to distribute to their members. Ask people to RSVP so you can send reminders and additional information to attendees. Recruit a few volunteers to help you set up and take down any equipment and to help clean up after the event is over.
While you’re promoting your protest, keep an eye out for advertisements of counter-demonstrations. If you see one planned, you may want to tell your attendees and provide tips for how to remain civil. As the day approaches, send out reminders about the protest route, parking and transportation, public restrooms, and code of conduct. Contact local media so they can cover the event.
- Counter-demonstration: a protest held in opposition to another protest, generally at the same time and place.
Show up
When the big day arrives, get to your venue early to make sure everything is in order. Greet your fellow protesters as they arrive. Make sure everyone knows the agenda or the route if you have one. Then you can get to protesting--lead the march, start some chants, or hand out pamphlets, and enjoy the fact that you’ve helped all your attendees express their right to free speech.