The right to free speech and assembly is protected under the constitution, but it is important to plan ahead and prepare for any potential issues. Here are three things to know if you plan on engaging in protests.

Transcript:

0:06: Welcome to Three to Know with the Columbia Chronicle, your go to source for the top three things every Columbia College student, faculty and staff member needs to know.  

0:14: I’m your host, Levi Libson. 

0:16: Peaceful protest can be an important aspect of free speech and advocation. 

0:21: In the right context and environment, it can push voices extremely far. 

0:25: That being said, understanding the dos and don’ts of protest is extremely important. 

0:29: Today I will be going over three tips for peaceful protest for anyone wanting to engage. 

0:35: Our first tip: dressing for the weather. 

0:37: Protests can be long lasting, so dressing comfortably makes a huge difference.  

0:41: For example, sturdy shoes, layered clothing and a backpack for essentials is necessary, especially in the Windy City. 

0:48: Wearing anything quote unquote fancy will not be beneficial to you. 

0:52: Oh, and another thing, try and avoid wearing anything that can get caught or pulled like long necklaces or scarves. 

0:58: Additionally, it’s not entirely a bad idea to bring a small first aid kit or even write any emergency contact information down. 

1:05: Another common safety piece of attire are masks. 

1:08: These can be important not just for health, but also anonymity. 

1:11: While peaceful protest is ideal and always the best form of protest, large congregations of people can quickly become chaotic. 

1:18: Just one more reason of importance for topic number two: knowing your rights. 

1:23: While peaceful protest falls under our protection of free speech, understanding the regulations you can easily break means understanding the potentiality for demonstration to go south. 

1:32: What I mean by this is that you can easily involuntarily break rules which can quickly cause negative enforcement. 

1:37: For instance, within Chicago, it’s legal to peacefully protest without a permit just as long as you aren’t obstructing traffic and are sticking mostly to sidewalks and streets. 

1:46: However, the second any real sound amplification or a larger group of people are introduced, suddenly you might just need a permit. 

1:53: While a lot of these regulations are somewhat left to interpretation by enforcement, reading the fine lines on these rules for what you can and can’t do makes a huge difference. 

2:01: So, here are some important notes. 

2:04: One: you must obey lawful orders from officers. 

2:07: Two: you have the right to assemble peacefully, although be aware that you may not trespass, obstruct the public or engage in mob action. 

2:15: Three: you do not need to answer questions, however, if an officer suspects you of a crime or is in the act of detaining you, you should answer with your name and date of birth. 

2:23: Oftentimes, officers will deem it necessary to arrest you for the sake of investigation if you do not supply your name. 

2:29: And lastly, to repeat on a previously touched upon note, your First Amendment rights do not apply to private property, so make sure you are in a public space. 

2:38: My final tip: stick to the old familiar buddy system. 

2:42: Protesting is a lot safer and more manageable when you go with a friend or two. 

2:46: Make sure to have an initial place of meeting in case you get separated and keep checking in with each other during the event. 

2:51: Texting can be great, however, in large groups of people, it’s important to remember that signals can get spotty. As such, keep your eyes open and aware of your surroundings. 

2:59: If the energy starts to shift and feel more intense, leaving might be the safer option. 

3:04: Trust your gut and remember it’s all about being smart. 

3:07: Once a protest is over, take time to decompress, talk with friends and build that battery back up again. 

3:12: Protesting is a powerful, yet draining act. 

3:15: There’s no shame in needing downtime afterward. 

3:18: Subscribe to our newsletters on our website, columbiachronicle.com. 

3:22: Be sure to also check out chronversations for weekly campus highlights. 

3:26: I’m Levi Libson. 

3:28: Thanks for listening. 

Copy edited by Matt Brady