Taking to the streets is an act of courage. Whether you are fighting for justice, speaking out against corruption, or standing in solidarity with your people, protesting is an expression of a deep conviction. It is bold and powerful.
However, your safety matters just as much as your voice. For women especially, marching the streets comes with unique risks that no one prepares you for. And you only realise when you are right in the middle of it.
I have been there. I have felt the excitement, thrill, tension, chaos, and unexpected danger that can unfold in a moment. They say experience is the best teacher, but when it comes to safety, don’t wait to experience it to believe it.
Here are several tips that will keep you safe during a protest.
1. Prepare Like a Warrior.
I don’t intend to scare you, but going to a protest is like going to war. Only that you have your constitutional rights, knowledge and voice in place of a gun or sword. Ironically, you are also up against people with real guns and other equipment that can potentially harm you. So, prepare like it.
Know The Terrain.
Before you head for the streets, research the protest route. Don’t just follow people mindlessly and dash when they dash; know where you are going. Find out where it starts, where it ends and all the safe exits.
Check to see areas that may be potentially barricaded and find alternative routes. Also, you need a plan A, B, and C on how you will get back home safely. If the transport system is down, how will you get home? An Uber, maybe, or your regular boda-boda rider. It is wise to have all these figured out before leaving your home.
History has shown that no matter how peaceful a protest is intended or how it starts, eventually, it transitions into a chaotic affair. You can get caught up in the chase between protestors and the police. In the event of this, avoid narrow and isolated alleys. Going into an alley traps you and limits your movements—not forgetting the unimaginable dangers lurking in alleys! Stay where the roads are wide, and the crowd is visible and public.
Tell Someone.
You are going off to war, so tell somebody about it. Share your protest plans with a friend or a family member. Go a mile further and agree on a check-in time and a signal word in case you are in danger and can’t talk.
There is a thrill in playing cat and mouse with the police. Maybe because it is not an everyday occurrence. Or the action movies have hyped the chase so much. Either way, it is easy to get carried away in the excitement. If left unchecked, it becomes reckless, and that’s what gets you arrested or, worse, killed.
Therefore, when it gets thick, as it usually does, get out early enough. Execute your plan A to C until you get home safely. Please don’t wait until it is too late.
Pack A Safety Kit.
A good warrior polishes their armour and cleans it for battle. They sharpen their swords and polish their guns, ready to conquer the enemy. When you are going for a protest, your safety kit is your armour.
The safety kit can be a small fanny pack that fits a reusable water bottle, snacks to fuel your energy, a power bank to charge your phone and essential documents such as your ID. You also need a place to safely keep your phone when you are not filming or running for dear life.
You need cash, not just in Mpesa, but notes and coins for quick purchases and easier movement. Remember to pack several face masks, sanitary towels, and a written list of emergency contacts. Things turn ugly pretty quickly, so an emergency contact list can come in handy. Also, bring a whistle; it can save you from a dire situation.
2. Dress Tactically.
Yeah, a protest is not a fashion show. Therefore, dress strategically. Wear comfortable shoes, such as sneakers or boots. Also, wear neutral clothing; avoid bright colours. This is not the place to stand out. You don’t want to be a moving target.
Wear a mask, a baseball cap, or a bandana to protect your face from tear gas, smoke, or surveillance. Similarly, wear trousers, sweatpants, and tights for easier movement, such as walking or running.
If you need vision support, wear glasses instead of contacts. Tear gas can irritate your eyes, and when you lose your contacts, you become visually impaired in a war zone. Also, wear your hair in a bun style to avoid pulls and grabs when the chaos erupts.
3. Stay In Groups-Sisterhood Is Safety.
Friends who protest together stay together. If you can help it, never protest alone. Regardless of your reasons for marching and participating in a demonstration, always bring a friend. Go with a sibling, colleague, or a group of girlfriends.
Identify your protest buddy and agree on a signal if you get separated. Also, decide on a rendezvous point and action plans for when you get separated. If you get separated or lose your group, move towards large crowds or known exit points. It goes without saying that the police are not your ally at this point—don’t go towards them!
4. Read The Room. (Situation)
The surest way to ensure your safety in a protest is to read the room—in this case, the surroundings. Stay aware. Please don’t get too lost in the chanting or filming to notice shifts in mood or movement.
Also, avoid the frontline. You are not a Wonder Woman who can block bullets with her bracelets! Neither are you, Maggie Q, who can kickbox and summersault her way out of a sticky situation. Please stay mid-back or at the back, near exits and escape routes.
When it is peaceful, remain calm and enjoy the moment. Chant, sing, scream and blow the whistle as much as possible. However, when the tides change, the tension rises, the gunshots begin, and the tear gas smoke fills the air with burning tyres in the streets: run. Preferably, to home where it is safe!
Don’t wait to get caught in the chaos.
5. Water Is Your Friend.
If you have never been in a protest before, the first time a tear gas canister explodes near you, it feels like death. You choke on the fumes. It becomes hard to breathe. Your tears fill up and drip relentlessly, blocking your vision. The whole experience can paralyse you. Leaving you open to attacks from both police and fellow protestors.
You will have an irresistible urge to rub your eyes: don’t. Instead, wash your face with water and blink rapidly to flush it out. Drink some water to hydrate yourself. Staying calm is a continuous inner struggle while you are out protesting. So, when it is too much, please go home! Just by coming out, you have already done your part.
6. Know the Law.
Knowledge is power. Many people perish for lack of knowledge. It is your right to a peaceful picket. However, when picketing becomes looting and destruction of property, you put yourself in danger.
Mob psychology can incite you to commit an act you would have otherwise not done. Remember, people also have a right to protect themselves and their property. Therefore, be aware of your limitations and know when not to cross any lines.
7. Be Kind.
Plant a good seed everywhere you go. Yes, including a protest. Even when you are running for your life, it is heroic and patriotic to help those around you. Men and women in arms next and beside you. Offer water to a stranger. Help a wounded comrade and get them to safety. Hold someone’s hand and help them breathe through the chaos. Protests are not just battlegrounds- they are community grounds. Today, it could be me; tomorrow, it could be you!
Final Thoughts.
Trust your gut. A woman’s intuition is never wrong. If it feels unsafe, it probably is. Your safety is not a weakness. It is a strategy. Going home during an ongoing protest is not an act of cowardice; it is wisdom to live to fight another day.
Also, you are not just a protester. You are someone’s mother, daughter, sister and friend. You are someone’s hope. Be fierce, be seen, and be safe! ♥
Mourine Warui is a media and communication expert and seasoned writer. Her goal is to empower and offer solutions to everyday girl’s problems while provoking candid and authentic conversations. Other goals are to provide inspiration and entertainment to readers through creative, thought-provoking and edgy stories.
