SAFETY DURING PROTESTS

There are many ways to legally demand change in society.  Protesting is one of them and if you choose to participate in one, there are a few things to keep in mind.  The following is provided by Amnesty International and is also available as a downloadable pdf here. 

Protest Alternatives

If you can’t or choose not to protest, here are 5 ways to support your cause. 
 

1. Money!  Money is always an issue so if you have it to give, don’t be afraid to do so!  Open your wallet and donate to the cause of your choice.
 

2. Share information.  Information is vital and if you have the ability to do so, you can share information about your cause through social media or word of mouth.  Don’t assume everyone knows about your cause.  A simple post to your preferred social media account can inform someone about a cause or issue that they never knew existed. Additionally, word of mouth is still one of the most powerful communication tools.  Not everyone is active on social media (think of the elderly or those who choose not to have social media accounts).  Sharing information with friends, family and members of your community via word of mouth can impact your cause and enlighten an audience not impacted by traditional or non traditional forms of media.  As with everything else, do your research.  Check your sources and verify that the information you are sharing is accurate before you share it.

3. Donate time.  Donating time is essential for any movement.  Find ways to help the various organizations that you support.  This can range in a variety of ways and often don’t take much time out of your schedule.  Contact local organizations that you support directly about ways that you can help.

4. Vote.  I know, everyone has mixed feelings about this one and I don’t judge those who choose not to exercise their right to vote.  If you are considering it, remember to not only vote in “big” elections but also, and in some instances more importantly, in local elections.  Local elections and local elected officials have a direct impact on issues effecting you and your community.

5. Educate yourself and others.  If nothing else, remember that knowledge is power and can never be taken away from you.  One of my favorite institutions of Black culture is The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in NYC.  They’ve published The Schomburg Center Black Liberation Reading List and it’s worth checking out.  Missing from the list are the following books that I believe should have been included: Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur, A Taste of Power: A Black Woman’s Story by Elaine Brown, Angela Davis: An Autobiography by Angela Davis and Revolutionary Suicide by Huey P. Newton.