Black Lives Matter: tips and advice for protesting safely
- Text by Huck
- Illustrations by Emma Balebela
If there’s one lesson to take from 2020 it’s that solidarity is a powerful force. It was there when the world went into lockdown and instead of retreating into our insular lives, communities rallied together to provide mutual aid. It’s there right now, spreading like wildfire through cities the world over, demanding justice under the banner Black Lives Matter.
Here at Huck, we believe that everyone has the power to create change – after all, we’re all activists now. Whether these are your first protests or you’re a seasoned veteran, it’s never been more important to know your rights and how to make protests as impactful as possible. To help you on your journey, we’ve pulled some resources from our book, Resist! How To Be an Activist in the Age of Defiance. How you choose to use them is entirely up to you. We’re here to back you every step of the way.
Chapter five: Take to the streets
While it’s true that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to pushing forward with a cause, marches are the lifeblood of activist movements. There’s something empowering – almost magical – about taking to the streets in a democracy and reclaiming the public paths that for so long have been ours to march down.
International movements and NGOs sometimes organise massive marches that you can participate in, but the most powerful and spontaneous in recent history have emerged from grassroots campaigns.
From rallies with a handful of people that end in a parade down a quiet side street to protests that see thousands marching on Westminster, there’s strength to be found in numbers.
Download the full UK chapter here.
Down the full US chapter here.
Chapter six: Know your rights
Organising collectively and taking action as a movement can be a life-changing experience. It will give you a sense of empowerment and hope that enters your bloodstream and will run through your veins for a long time to come. Change, however, isn’t always welcomed by those in charge. If you encounter repression and violence, you won’t just be left with physical scars; make a wrong move and your newfound strength will be ripped from your hands. That’s why it’s crucial to be prepared and know your legal rights.
Download the full UK chapter here.
Download the full US chapter here.
Resist! How To Be an Activist in the Age of Defiance is published by Huck and Laurence King.
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