In this day and age, it’s ever more important to be well informed and clear about what you can do to bring about change in your country as a citizen.
With the increasingly violent and illegal methods this presidential administration is using on its citizens, it can be difficult to know where to direct resentment. Protests have erupted all over the country to oppose ICE’s illegal actions and the administration that’s encouraging them.
According to Reuters, a British news agency, ICE has detained more than 4,400 legal citizens during the second President Donald J. Trump administration. These are people who have all their immigration and citizenship papers in order, and who ICE has no jurisdiction to detain. TRACreports, a nonpartisan organization that analyzes U.S. federal government enforcement data, found that more than 50,000 out of the 68,000 people who are currently in ICE detention facilities have little to no criminal record.
Even without frequently checking the news, you likely know about the murder of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, two citizens who were exercising their rights in a perfectly legal matter. Good was killed by Immigrations and Customs agents and Pretti was killed by federal immigration agents, both without a trial or due process.
Participating in protests now is even more dangerous than it ever was and thus, it’s even more important to know how to stay safe when doing so. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) said “no matter the political climate, it’s important to amplify your message peacefully and safely.”
Before protesting it’s important to have a plan.
Always go with a group of friends or people you trust.
NAACP recommends planning routes in and out of the protest area before even preparing to go. Remember to carry identification and tell close friends how to unlock your phone if you are detained. You should also make sure your loved ones know exactly where you’re supposed to be during the protest.
The main concern is that things can go wrong in the blink of an eye. Stay vigilant at all times and keep a bag with the essentials on you. This should include extra protection, first aid supplies, high calorie food (like protein bars) and lots of water.
PHR, or Physicians for Human Rights, recommends dressing for the worst-case scenario. Don’t wear any kinds of casual clothes like flip-flops. Instead bring thick clothing and proper face protection. If you wear contact lenses, you should instead bring a pair of glasses, as contacts can trap teargas against your eye.
In cases like the Los Angeles “No Kings” protests in June 2025, police used teargas and non-lethal firearms on crowds of people.
“Police began shooting stun grenades and rubber bullets, then turned to tear gas, after ordering a crowd to disperse following a demonstration outside the downtown Federal Building late Saturday afternoon,” wrote Maria Luisa Paul of the Washington Post.
Most importantly, in all situations, remember your rights.
Activist organizations like the American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU) and NAACP tell you to stay calm and collected if law enforcement approaches you during a protest. You are required to show identification, but you do have a right to remain silent and refrain from answering any more questions.
The ACLU says to “get contact information for witnesses” and “take photographs of any injuries” if you believe your rights are being violated, or wrongfully detained.
