Attending a rally or protest is a powerful way to make your voice heard and advocate for change, but it’s crucial to be prepared and informed. The Minnesota State Capital is one of a dozen ‘No Kings’ rallies in Minnesota this weekend, June 14: indivisibletwincities.org/no-kings-rally-1
Whether you’re a seasoned activist or a first-time protester, understanding these guidelines will help you navigate the event with confidence and peace of mind.
Be safe! Know your rights.
Tips For Minnesota ‘No Kings’ Rallygoers
- Have a plan. And have a plan for when your plan fails.
- Plan for longer than the scheduled protest. Things happen.
- It is Minnesota. We have weather. Be prepared.
- Bring water, energy-giving snacks, medicines, and cash.
- Tell people where you are going and when to expect you back.
- Go with a group. Invoke the buddy system. Share your emergency contact information with the group. Someone needs to call Mom and Dad.
- Stay to the periphery of the crowd in the event of a stampede. Be prepared to get out of the way.
- March forward for change, but have a plan of retreat. Study a map of the area. Know your exits.
- Designate a safe rally point for your group and buddy. Go there.
First Aid, Health And Safety Considerations
Expect the worst, hope for the best:
Carry a first-aid kit for your group including supplies to mitigate against chemical irritants, such as milk of magnesia, moist towelettes, or ample water to flush your eyes.
Police tactics progress on a continuum from brute force, chemical irritants, non-lethal or less-lethal tactics such as batons, electric incapacitation devices, and rubber bullets. Things escalate quickly, skipping several progressions. If you have a medical condition that makes such trauma life-threatening, avoid those situations.
Your Phone Is a Benefit And a Liability
Your cellphone is both a benefit and a liability. Fully charge your phone. Set your phone security to a PIN or passcode pattern. Police can use your fingerprint and/or facial recognition to access your phone without a warrant. They cannot compel you to give them your passcode, PIN, or swipe pattern.
You will not have access to your phone and contacts if you are arrested. Police will seize your phone and place it in evidence. They do not allow you to use it to call people. Memorize or write important numbers on your forearms. A support person on the left arm, your lawyer on the right. Gerlach Law at 952-210-5538.
If you see police misconduct, you may record it from a discreet distance. Police will arrest you if they believe you are interfering with their duties. Whether they are right or wrong, you will be arrested and likely lose your phone, along with the evidence it contains.
Understand Your Free Speech Protections
The line between free speech and criminal activity is blurry. Police only need probable cause to arrest a person believed to have committed, or is committing, a crime. Sometimes, probable cause is nothing more than the length of an officer’s arm. If they can grab you, they arrest you.
Do not litigate your constitutional rights on the street. Gerlach Law will fight for your rights in court. Police use a force continuum that favors them. If you push, they grab. Open hand slap begets closed fist. A punch is returned with a baton. Any weapon results in deadly force.
The police are trained to ensure you lose every fight. Pushing a police officer off your friend while they are being arrested will get you both charged. It will not help your friend.
What Is Considered A Crime While Demonstrating?
Help your lawyer by not committing a crime. Fleeing police on foot is a crime. Disorderly conduct is a crime. Obstruction of police is a crime. Obstruction with force is a more serious crime. Spitting on a police officer is a crime. Assaulting a police officer is a crime. Threatening a police officer is a crime.
You cannot resist arrest, but you do not have to cooperate. Lying down and going limp is fine. Make them carry or drag you to the wagon if you want. Kicking, thrashing, spitting, and hitting: they will hurt you.
Be aware of the people around you. Some infiltrate protests to agitate and provoke a police response. They want a narrative of a leftist, lawless mob. Some sympathizers believe violent confrontation is justifiable and destruction of property warranted. If it doesn’t feel right, it is not right. Remove yourself from situations spiraling toward violence or vandalism. Police are unlikely to discern who is and who is not throwing rocks. Guilt by association is good enough.
God forbid, but there are people out there like Kyle Rittenhouse and James Fields, Jr. Keep your head on a swivel.
If You’re Arrested, Remember These Things:
If arrested, shut up. Carry your state-issued identification. That is all law enforcement needs. You have a right to remain silent. Use it.
The following phrases are court-approved: Yes, sir. No, sir. I want my attorney. I chose to stay silent.
Call Charles Gerlach at 952-210-5538. I will fight for your constitutional rights as long as there is a Constitution to fight for. And be safe.