ACLUVerified account

The right to protest is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the US Constitution and the First Amendment.

The police's main job during a protest is to protect your right to protest and de-escalate any threat of violence.

If you get stopped by police, ask if you're free to go. If they say yes, calmly walk away.

If you get arrested, DON'T say anything. Ask for a lawyer immediately. Don't sign anything. Don't agree to anything without a lawyer present.

Demand your right to a local phone call. If you call a lawyer, the police are not allowed to listen. If you call anyone else, they are likely to listen.

You never have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings. Say that you don't consent to the search. If you do explicitly consent, it can affect you later in court.

When you are lawfully present in any public space, you have the right to photograph anything in plain view, including federal buildings and the police.

Police may not confiscate or demand to view your photographs or video without a warrant, nor may they delete data under any circumstances. Visual records are fully protected, but some states have tried to regulate the audio portion of videos under wiretapping laws.

Individuals must receive clear and detailed notice of a dispersal order, including how much time they have to disperse, the consequences of failing to disperse, and what clear exit route they can follow, BEFORE they may be arrested or charged with any crime.

If you believe your rights have been violated, write down everything you remember, including the officers' badge and patrol car numbers and the agency they work for. Get contact information for witnesses and take photographs of any injuries.