Editing Attendee Protest FAQ In Person (section)

== What safety measure should I take and what should I do if I'm arrested? ==
Before you go make sure at least one person not attending the protest knows that you're going so they can check up on you. Write the number for your local ACLU and numbers of a emergency contact who's not attending on your body with sharpie before hand in a place that won't smear.

Exercise your right to remain silent, beyond any requirement to identify yourself that your state may have. No one talks themselves out of getting arrested even if they didn't do anything. The cop that arrested you may be a bastard, but calling him that won't make you any less arrested and may escalate your arrest.

Request specifically to speak to a lawyer and have that be the only person you discuss your arrest with. Not even with other protesters that may be in jail arrested alongside you. As anything you say to them can be used in court as testimony.

As of February 2025 arrests are generally rare, occurring at only a small number of protests. And in a group of 1,000 if 50 people are arrested that's still only a small 5% chance. Avoiding any areas of the protest where people may be destroying property and protesting peacefully yourself will help lower your odds. 

There is safety in numbers and protesting now makes sure you have numbers rather than waiting until rights have been completely stripped and they can pick everyone off 1 by 1 at home. Protesting now is safer waiting to object in a full authoritarian future.