Freedom of speach is one of the first things to go in a dicotarship. But they cant sliaces us all. Protests and marthces are very commen inserten ares of the world looking for change.

Here are some tips on how to stay safe if you go to any protests in 2025.

Identification:

Keep your ID on you at all times, preferably in a closed pocket or money belt. If you have a regular doctor and/or any health conditions, write any pertinent information, such as contact numbers, list of allergies, and medication dosage or instructions on a small card to keep with your ID.

Slip a little cash and a telephone calling card in there as well, just in case you lose your cell. Don't forget to write a contact number on you arm with a sharpie — if you get arrested and can make a call your belongings will have been confiscated.

Personal items:

Take a small tube of sunscreen, even if it's the wrong time of year. Pepper spray sucks; pepper spray on sunburned skin megasucks.

Ladies, be prepared with both pads and tampons. Smaller tampons are also good for nosebleeds (no shame, gents.) However, when it comes to their traditional use, you might want to stick to pads if there's a chance of being arrested. Leave a tampon in for an extended period of time and you run the risk of toxic shock syndrome.

Bring along enough medication for however long you're planning on protesting, and then a little extra, just to play it safe. A small bottle of aspirin will likely make you a hero among your fellow demonstrators.

If you wear contacts, take along an extra pair, a case, solution, eye drops, and your glasses. Tissues and/or toilet paper can also come in handy, for a number of reasons.

Snakes:

If you don't know how long you will be there bring snakes in case you or someone else gets hungry is a good idea.

Calorie-dense snacks are best, like granola or protein bars. Toss in a few packets of honey or hard candy to pop if your blood sugar level drops.

Signage:

Maybe you're that person on stilts wearing a giant sandwich board sign that says TAX THE RICH, or maybe you're more the quiet type. Even so, being surrounded by angry, like-minded people might bring out the poet in you. Pack a marker or two, as well as a roll of duct tape, even if you don't plan on carrying a sign. If you change your mind, it won't be hard to find a scrap of cardboard or paper.

Preventive items:

Sadly, every good cop that has ever joined the force has either gotten shot dead or has been fired for doing their job and stopping bad cops. Cops are likely to use pepper spray and tear gas to stop protesters and even rubber bullets.

It's heavy, but worth it — pack as much water as you can stand to carry. Not only does chanting make you hoarse and thirsty, but you might need it for flushing out eyes or cleaning wounds.

Pack vinyl gloves and keep them at the ready. At the first hint of pepper spray, slip them on — you'll keep your hands safe and avoid worsening the effects of the spray by spreading it when you touch your face and other people.

Bring a gas mask if you're hardcore, swim goggles if you aren't. Add a cap or beanie and a bandanna to tie around your face, and you'll stay fairly shielded so you can help the less prepared around you if the police pull out the canisters.

And a ballistic helmet that covers the full face or at the very least a fullface motorcycle helmet. Despite all their training, cops are idiots and do not know how to fire a rubber bullet gun. Rubber bullet guns are supposed to be aimed at the ground from 36 to 72 yards and not fired directly at a person. Sadly, many people are killed each year by getting shot in the head with rubber bullets. Buying a good full-face ballistic helmet if you can is the best thing to stop rubber bullets and can also hide your face from the cops and security cameras. If you can not afford a ballistic helmet, try a very-duty motorcycle helmet. Motorcycle helmets can deflect rubber bullets, but they are NOT bulletproof, and even with a motorcycle helmet, you should still wear ballistic goggles underneath. A ballistic helmet is the way to go.

First Aid:

First aid items are small — no reason not to pack them. Band-aids in a variety of sizes, first aid tape and antiseptic will take up little room in your bag. Consider bringing along an ace bandage in case of more serious wounds.

If you have time, look into purchasing a pepper spray antidote, such as the BioShield Decontamination Spray.

Another option is to make your own:

1. Milk, honey, a mild detergent and a pinch of baking soda.

2. Cornmeal, milk and honey

3. Half water, half liquid antacid

4. Canola oil (for the skin, not the eyes)

5. Alcohol (for rinsing). You could drink to ease the pain, but that won't help the injury, and if you are administered a drug test, you are screwed.

Pepper spray isn't water-soluble, so while rinsing with any of these solutions might bring temporary relief, the pain will still likely last about half an hour. If you rinse with water, make it as cold as possible — warm water will open your pores and let more burn in.

Pack a spray bottle, a few rags and gauze sponges for application, as well as a handful of tongue depressors that can be used as splints for small sprains.

Clothes:

Wear shoes you feel comfortable running in, and think layers when you dress. The bottom layer should be light enough for the warmest part of the day. Pack sweatpants and a waterproof jacket with a hood for nighttime.

Avoid wearing excessive jewelry, particularly things attached to your skin that can rip if grabbed.

Cash:

Bring enough money in small bills to purchase food, cab fare or other incidentals.

Sleeping gear:

If you are doing sit-in protests and staying over, then I salute you because you are one tough bastard.

For long-term sit-ins, you may want to bring a tent or tarp. Do your research first; some cities have ordinances prohibiting such structures in public places, and you may find yourself in a situation where you must either discard your property or face arrest. If that's the case, a waterproof sleeping bag, blanket, and/or pillow would be your best option.

A good general rule of thumb: don't bring anything to a protest you don't want trampled, broken, or lost.

A backpack or fanny pack:

These can store things like small water bottles, bags of snakes, sunscreen, makers, meds, bandannas, gloves, your phone, a mask, hand sanitizer, etc.

Emergency contact information:

Memorize it and write it down on a notecard or on your arm—both a personal contact and the number for local legal help. If you have a medical ID, wear it. If you get arrested, hurt, or can't find a way back home, having someone you can call and trust is important.

Leaf blowers and paints:

Remember, keep a protest peaceful. You are there to have your voice be heard and stand up for what you believe in, not hurt others and cause chaos. If a protester seems like it is turning into a riot or cops are showing up, get out of there as fast as you can to avoid trouble. Now, on the to-often cases of cops using extreme measures against protesters who weren't breaking any laws then, self-defeating is a necessary action that you need to take.

If you are under attack from tear gas/pepper spray, using a leaf blower is a good trick and very useful. When cops start using teargas/pepper spray firing up that leafblower and using it to blow the teargas and spray away from you and others.

Paint is a colorful way of staying safe. If you are under attack from rubber bullets or teargas/pepper spray using oil-based paints is a good idea.

Take some paint(dark colors like red blue green purple and black work best) and mix with water until it is thin enough to pour easily but still think enough to be paint and stick to things. Water balloons are good if you can throw far and aim well but if you can't pump action sprayers, battery-operated paint sprayers, and backpack water blasters. Using paint to cover police headgear and block their bastions will stop them from shooting and give you time to run away.

Remember only use these as a last-ditch effort if you are in danger of police brutality.

What not to bring:

This is probably obvious, but I'll say it anyway: don't carry weapons, drugs, valuables or anything you wouldn't want to lose or be arrested with. Don't bring more than you need, as it's best to be able to move freely.

Finally, always, always check with protest organizers about how to prepare, and listen to their instructions while you're on the streets.

Stay safe my peeps love you!🐥💙

You are loved.

You are amazeing.

You are enogh.