Mark your calendars, because Saturday, Oct. 18, is the next series of No Kings protests. The organizers of No Kings describe the nationwide protest on Oct. 18 as “millions of [Americans] are rising again to show the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people.” With a series of locations across the country, as well as the involvement of nationwide movements such as 50501 and local organizations, it is expected that these protests will see a significant turnout.
No Kings is committed to peaceful protesting. According to its website, “a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action.” But even if a protest or demonstration is peaceful, it is no secret that response by law enforcement to protests in the United States has changed in recent years — even since the last No Kings protests on June 14, 2025. Between the National Guard being deployed to cities across the country to quell demonstrations, to the intimidating and sometimes violent presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in communities where protests might occur.
If you’re considering taking to the streets to prove the power of America’s people — whether on your own or with others — safety is of the utmost importance when protesting. So, whether you’re a pro at protesting, or attending your first one, the American Civil Liberties Union and No Kings shared some important safety tips with Her Campus.
- Know your rights
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Knowing your First Amendment rights is vital to attending any protest, as well as keeping yourself and others safe. It grants you the right to protest peacefully, to be in a public space, and record your surroundings — including law enforcement — so long as you are not interfering with traffic, access to buildings, or law enforcement actions.
Individuals also have the right to refuse a search of themselves or their personal belongings. “You never have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings — and if you do explicitly consent, that can affect you later in court,” Maribel Hernández Rivera, Director of Immigrant Community Strategies at the ACLU, tells Her Campus. “The police also don’t have the right to demand to view your photos or videos without a warrant, nor to delete data under any circumstances.”
If you feel your rights have been violated by law enforcement, it is important to take action. “Write down everything you can remember, including officers’ badge and patrol car numbers and the agencies they work for,” says Rivera. “If there were witnesses, including legal observers, get their information. Take photographs of any injuries. Once you have all this information, you can file a written complaint with the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.”
- Prioritize privacy
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Digital safety can be just as important as physical safety when protesting. A best practice is to avoid posting photos of a protest, as they may include identifiable information about yourself and others.
While law enforcement does not have the right to search your devices without consent, Rivera recommends protecting your privacy by “turn[ing] off your Face or Touch ID and switch to a six-digit passcode instead. You can also put your phone on airplane mode when not in use.”
- Make a plan
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Prior to attending a protest or demonstration, having a plan of action in advance is important to remaining safe. “Write any important phone numbers, including your local legal aid hotline, on your body in permanent marker,” Rivera says. “Make sure to bring any medication you need, plus water, sun protection, and comfortable shoes and clothing.”
Rivera also suggests attending a protest with others, for both your safety and the safety of others. “Have a protest buddy with similar risk tolerance, and identify an emergency contact before you go,” she says.
- Remember de-escalation tools
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Knowing de-escalation tools can help you respond safely and decisively to a situation in a protest. In a virtual safety training held on Sept. 26, No Kings organizers gave protesters strategies for de-escalation to ensure protests remain peaceful.
One of these strategies is the Five Ds of de-escalation: direct intervention, delay, distract, delegate, distance, and document. This strategy focuses on deciding how to act when a situation begins to escalate. For example, documenting interactions with law enforcement through methods such as filming from a safe distance — even better if you can delegate the role of filming to a protest buddy if you are going to intervene, safely intervening with potential disruptors through non-threatening body language and active listening, intervening away from the larger group to create distance if you feel safe to do so, or distracting agitators by simply putting yourself between agitator and their target if you feel safe to do so.
- Remain aware of your surroundings
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Perhaps the most important safety tip of them all, remain aware of your surroundings at all times while protesting. Protesters must be able to identify when yourself or someone you are with needs a break, when a situation is escalating, or if the protest is becoming unsafe. “Peaceful protests like this weekend’s No Kings events have many of the same safety concerns as going to large mass events such as a concert or a baseball game,” says Rivera. “People should identify exit and meeting points as well as event organizers and safety leads.”