In the U.S., there have always been protests about women’s rights, racial justice issues, and immigration rights. It is our first amendment right to be able to protest peacefully. As the BLM movement has progressed, there has been an uprise in protests all around the country. As a protestor, you have rights that you are entitled to.
My Own Experience As A Protestor:
Protesting is in my blood. My mom and grandma fought for the rights of women to be pro-choice in the 1970s. Her nickname was even “Pro-Choice Lynn.” I have marched at the various BLM protests, the March For Our Lives protest, and the Women’s March in New York City.
I believe that standing up for people means showing up for them. We have to make the world more intersectional and a safe place for everyone to live. I believe in peaceful activism and that as long as you are fighting for your rights and not hurting anybody, you should be able to protest as you please.
My mom from a very young age has instilled in me that just because an adult is an adult doesn’t mean that they are always right and to challenge authority respectfully. I’ve always been passionate about Social Justice causes. Growing up, I was Secretary of my high school and college’s Gay-Straight Alliance. I continually show up to fight for the rights of others.
The Right To Protest In Public Places During a BLM Protest:
Everyone should have the right to go out and protest peacefully, no matter what your race is, sexuality, or your ability is. Most protests take place in a public place, like a park, sidewalk, or on the street. If you are protesting outside a building, you are not allowed to block entrances to public property when you are protesting. According to an article from CNN, Timothy Zick states: “On private policy, you don’t have the right to assemble. Zick called it the “No Man’s Land” in terms of the First Amendment, and police can move you off the property and keep you from demonstrating there.”
Media Coverage At A BLM Protest:
When you are at a BLM protest or any protest, you have the right to photograph whatever you would like. According to the ACLU website, it states: “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”. This is so important to know that you can take pictures of anything within plain sight. Filming is another story. According to a video on NowThisNews, Lawyer Emerson Sykes, states:
“First Amendment rights protect the rights to record in public. We’ve seen the importance of having this video for George Floyd’s death, for so many other Black Americans who have been killed by the police, who have been killed by private individuals. Videotapes, recording on cell phones, on other types of devices, personal devices, has been hugely important to this whole conversation. If you are inferring with legitimate police operations, they can ask you to move away, but videotaping from a distance is not inferring in general”.
What To Wear During A Protest:
Don’t go into a protest in a fancy outfit! You’re going to be marching and you won’t have anywhere to leave your stuff. You should wear not flashy comfortable clothing and if you have long hair, you should bring a hair tie to tie it up with.
What To Bring With You To A Protest:
While the pandemic is still happening, you should always wear a mask and social distance. Identification is extremely important to have, in case, a police officer questions you. It’s a good idea to bring snacks because protesting can make you hungry.
Having water on you is crucial, so you stay hydrated, and in case, Make sure you have your emergency contact on you. If you can find someone to go with, have a designated meeting spot in case you get lost. Keep on fighting the good fight! BLM, today and every day.
