RESOURCES FOR ORGANIZERS
For those wishing to host and organize protests in the ILM, there are a few standard procedures and protocols that must take place. From the acquisition of permits, locations, set marching routes, there are several components that make for a more uniform, organized process.
Below, we have included a few helpful resources to help get you started, as well as some things to consider before you begin.
I. Examine Your Goals
Why do you feel compelled to hold this event?
Are you demonstrating as a show of solidarity? Are you doing so with a specific piece of legislation or policy you’d like to have enacted in mind? Is it meant a show of force against an authoritative body, institution, or private individual you’re protesting? Who are those parties? Who is your intended audience?
Self-examination and understanding of these goals beforehand are vital in outlining the rest of your plans.
II. Choosing a Time and Location
It goes without saying that a planned event needs a set location and start time. This should be tailored for your specific goals or desired outcomes. Some considerations for this are:
When and where do you think your intended audience will be paying the most attention?
When and where do you think you’ll be able to gather the largest attendance?
Are you choosing a public location or a private location? If private, can you secure all necessary permission to hold your event there in time to hold the event?
Other factors come into play here, too. For example — private property owners can set rules for speech on their property. This is not the case for public property, which leads many people to choose what are considered “traditional public forums” for their events. This includes streets, sidewalks, and parks. You also have the right to speak out on other public property, like plazas in front of government buildings, as long as you are not blocking access to the government building or interfering with other purposes the property was designed for. For this reason, many recent events have been being held as sidewalk marches downtown, or on the steps of City Hall.
We also strongly recommend setting an end time for your event. This helps with an orderly dispersal, and further reduces the chance of conflict with local authorities.