Plan Ahead
Location and Time Planning: Choose times and locations that prioritize visibility and safety, with clear plans for entry and exit. Consider planning in open, public spaces where you can maintain visibility and control over your group’s surroundings.
Transportation: Ensure organizers and attendees have a safe way to and from the event. Notify a trusted contact of your plans, and if you’ll be alone, coordinate with others to travel in groups when possible.
Right to Assemble: Public spaces (streets, sidewalks, parks) are protected for public demonstrations. You can legally photograph or video anything in plain view, including police actions.
Permits: You do not need a permit to protest on sidewalks or streets, provided you do not obstruct traffic. Large events or amplified sound may require permits—check local regulations.
Non-engagement with Hostile Individuals: If approached by someone aggressive, encourage participants to avoid engaging and keep a safe distance. Notify an event organizer if necessary.
Polite Society and the Camera Shy
Ask before you livestream the event attendees on your personal social media pages – this material is more often being used to vilify protestors by policing agencies. Only livestream to document the police present at the event. If you livestream, consider doing so from a group account.
Taking photos of the event? Make sure to blur identifying features of attendees before posting to social media.
Protect and support high-risk protestors – ensure that you are keeping protestors of BIPOC and high-risk groups centered within the main body of the protest to protect them from the police or ICE.
law enforcement and de-escalation
Stay Calm and Composed: Keep your hands visible and avoid arguing or resisting police. Always ask if you are free to leave if you are detained.
Documenting Violations: If you believe your rights were violated, record the details (officer badge numbers, witnesses, any injuries) and report them later to a civilian oversight body.
ORDERS TO DISPERSE
Comply Calmly: Law enforcement must provide a clear dispersal order, time to leave, and a safe exit route before arrests. Always follow dispersal instructions calmly to avoid escalation.
DE-ESCALATION TIPS
Remain Calm and Be Observant: Encourage participants to stay aware of their surroundings and avoid direct engagement with hostile individuals.
Maintain a Supportive Stance: Use calm, open body language. Maintain personal space and use neutral facial expressions and gestures.
Active Listening: Sometimes, letting a person vent can defuse a situation. Keep the focus on shared concerns rather than disagreements.
Hands Off Our Money and Rights!
Americans have the right to the benefits that paying taxes promises. These benefits include Social Security, Medicare, and Veteran health care. Breaking these promises is theft.
Hardworking Americans believed the government was saving their money for later use in times of need. However, now we know this is a lie. Our trust has been shattered.
First, our mistrust comes from Social Security office closures and the firing of healthcare professionals at the VA. Although the Trump Administration argues that offices will not close, they actively end leases on field offices in Lousianna.
Secondly, distrust increases as the government repeatedly takes actions under President Trump’s watch that will put Americans at risk, and later, it tells us it never happened.
Worst of all, the barrage of mixed messaging has Americans worried. It is like paying for a bag of groceries but getting home to realize the bags are empty. The federal government must keep its promise to us and spend the money on Medicare, our Veterans, and Social Security. We have rights to that money, not DOGE.
In response, April 5th is a mass mobilization day to show that we want a return on our investments. We will march, rally, and protest alongside Americans across the country to oppose the looting of our country.
A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is committing nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
Check out handsoff2025.com for more information.