Protesting Safely and Legally: A Practical Guide to Knowing Your Rights

In light of recent ICE protests and the “No Kings” demonstrations, I wanted to offer something both practical and empowering for anyone choosing to show up, speak out, and stand together. Protest is not just a right—it’s a protected act under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. But knowing your rights, and how to safely assert them, is just as important as exercising them.

This downloadable guide covers the essentials: your legal protections, how to prepare, and how to protect yourself and others while participating. Whether this is your first protest or your fiftieth, I hope it helps you feel informed, grounded, and ready.

Your voice has power—but it’s your preparation that keeps it protected. Know your rights. Show up with purpose. Speak out with courage.

This guide was inspired by resources developed by organizations like Lambda Legal, which have long been committed to protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized communities. This version was created by Zachary W. Anderson Law to offer a clear, accessible, and locally relevant resource for protest safety and legal awareness.