Expectations:
Indivisible Rapid City is a Non-partisan and peaceful grassroots movement. We are not out there to intimidate or be intimidated. We protest to make our voices heard and to hopefully allow someone to go home, research, and possibly change their view on a particular issue. We do not condone violence of any kind and urge all of our protests/protesters attending one of our events, be it ours or a sponsored by Indivisible Rapid City event, to not engage with counter protests/protesters. If something is or has occurred, we expect our attending protesters/members to alert leadership at the event as soon as possible. Keep an eye on all people attending one of our events so that if you notice someone whom may not be familiar with how we do things, possibly causing what could be considered an incident, so that you may alert leadership so that they may defuse the situation or take the appropriate actions to try and safely handle it.
Why do we say this?
Indivisible Rapid City has had protests in the past where we have had counter protests/protesters show up armed and very confrontational. We are not saying this will always happen as counter protests/protesters have also showed up just as we have and stood across the street making their views/voices heard.
However; The fact of the matter is that making your voice heard and protesting can be dangerous. This risk is placed upon you, the protester, whenever you join a movement. (Please read our tips below to make your experience as safe as possible)
Know your Rights:(These will be taken from the main Indivisible page)
Activists should be familiar with their legal rights to ensure safe participation in protests. This section outlines essential information about protester rights, when and where permits are required, and tips for engaging with law enforcement while maintaining safety. Activists should know their rights to assemble, document the events, and avoid self-incrimination. Preparing for encounters with police and understanding how to document any rights violations will support your group’s safety.
Right to Assemble:
Public spaces (streets, sidewalks, parks) are protected for public demonstrations. You can legally photograph or video anything in plain view, including police actions.
Permits:
You do not need a permit to protest on sidewalks or streets, provided you do not obstruct traffic. Large events or amplified sound may require permits—check local regulations.
Non-engagement with Hostile Individuals:
If approached by someone aggressive, encourage participants to avoid engaging and keep a safe distance. Notify an event organizer if necessary.
While attending events, it is important that you consider your impact on the safety of others around you. Here is additional guidance from Black Lives Matter:(Recommendations)
Ask before you livestream the event attendees on your personal social media pages:
This material is more often being used to vilify protestors by policing agencies. Only livestream to document the police present at the event. If you livestream, consider doing so from a group account.
Taking photos of the event?
Make sure to blur identifying features of attendees before posting to social media.
Protect and support high-risk protestors
Ensure that you are keeping protestors of BIPOC and high-risk groups centered within the main body of the protest to protect them from the police or ICE.
If Approached by Law Enforcement:
Staying calm and knowing your rights can make a difference if approached by law enforcement. This section highlights strategies for managing these encounters, including how to document them if you believe your rights were violated. Keeping track of details, gathering witness contacts, and knowing what to say can help you address issues later.
Stay Calm and Composed:
Keep your hands visible and avoid arguing or resisting police. Ask if you are free to leave; if so, walk away calmly.
Documenting Violations:
If you believe your rights were violated, record the details (officer badge numbers, witnesses, any injuries), and report them later to a civilian oversight body.
Dealing with Orders to Disperse:
Law enforcement should only issue dispersal orders when absolutely necessary. When this happens, it’s critical to remain calm, comply with instructions, and avoid escalating the situation.
Comply Calmly:
Law enforcement must provide a clear dispersal order, time to leave, and a safe exit route before arrests. Always follow dispersal instructions calmly to avoid escalation.
De-escalation Tips for the Day of the Event
Remain Calm and Be Observant:
Encourage participants to stay aware of their surroundings and avoid direct engagement with hostile individuals.
Maintain a Supportive Stance:
Use calm, open body language. Maintain personal space and use neutral facial expressions and gestures.
Active Listening:
Sometimes, letting a person vent can defuse a situation. Keep the focus on shared concerns rather than disagreements.
Digital Security and Online Privacy:
Digital security is crucial as activists increasingly rely on online platforms to communicate, organize, and advocate. This section offers essential tips for protecting your accounts, securing sensitive information, and practicing safe browsing habits. By being mindful of what you share and taking proactive measures like enabling two-factor authentication. You can help prevent unauthorized access to your personal and group accounts. Implementing these practices reduces the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks targeting your group’s activities.
Digital Security Basics:
Passwords and Authentication:
Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on all accounts, especially for email, social media, and banking.
Avoid reusing passwords, and use a password manager to help manage and protect your credentials.
Backup Your Data:
Keep an encrypted backup of essential files on an external hard drive. Cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox) do not count as backups since they are vulnerable to deletion.
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF):
Offers comprehensive guides on digital self-defense, secure communications, and privacy practices. (CLICK HERE!)
SAFETY TIPS!
These are tips that we have come up with to help you when joining one of our events. We will divide these into DO’s and DON’T’s below. We ask that you always keep these in mind when participating.
DON’T:
- Engage with count protests/protesters
- Block area’s of traffic. (Entrances and Exits to parking lots for example)
- Argue with Police
- Leave your phones facial or fingerprint recognition on
- Insert yourself in an argument/discussion that may have been triggered by counter protests/protesters
DO:
- Always have situational awareness!
- Have a protest buddy!
- Plan safe escape/travel routes!
- Comply with Police orders to disperse but REMAIN SILENT (Know your 5th amendment right!)
- Stay clam in a stressful situation
- Keep an eye on people attending out events that may not know our expectations
- Report anything you feel needs to be to leadership at the event
- ONLY use pins, pass codes, or patterns on your phone during an event. (You do NOT have to unlock your phone for police if one of these are used)
- If you have any questions or concerns, always address them with the event organizer!
- Bring items you will need:
- Water
- Extra clothing
- Signs
- Sunscreen