Learn what to do if you're arrested at a protest. This guide covers your legal rights, what to say (and not say) to police, and how to prepare ahead of time to stay safe and protected.
That’s a really important question, and the short answer is: it depends on how risky the protest feels to you personally.
Most security experts recommend not bringing your personal phone to a protest — especially if you're concerned about surveillance or police access to your data. Instead, some folks use a secondary phone (sometimes called a "burner phone") with minimal personal info and no connected accounts. But that’s not financially or logistically possible for everyone.
If you do bring a phone, here are a few tips to reduce your risk:
* Turn off face/fingerprint unlock and use a strong passcode instead.
* Enable airplane mode unless you need to use the phone.
* Limit apps — especially those tied to your identity (like banking or social media).
* Back up your data before you leave home, just in case.
If you decide not to bring your phone, it’s still crucial to stay connected:
* Tell someone you trust where you're going and when you expect to be back.
* Arrange a check-in time after the protest so they know you’re safe.
* Write down emergency contact info and any important numbers on paper and keep it with you.
And if safety is a big concern, you might also consider using tools like encrypted messaging (Signal) before the protest to coordinate.
Ultimately, it’s about finding that balance between being informed, staying safe, and making the best decision for your specific situation.
Should phones be brought to a protest (maybe with location finding turned on and shared with someone you trust) or should they be left at home?
That’s a really important question, and the short answer is: it depends on how risky the protest feels to you personally.
Most security experts recommend not bringing your personal phone to a protest — especially if you're concerned about surveillance or police access to your data. Instead, some folks use a secondary phone (sometimes called a "burner phone") with minimal personal info and no connected accounts. But that’s not financially or logistically possible for everyone.
If you do bring a phone, here are a few tips to reduce your risk:
* Turn off face/fingerprint unlock and use a strong passcode instead.
* Enable airplane mode unless you need to use the phone.
* Limit apps — especially those tied to your identity (like banking or social media).
* Back up your data before you leave home, just in case.
If you decide not to bring your phone, it’s still crucial to stay connected:
* Tell someone you trust where you're going and when you expect to be back.
* Arrange a check-in time after the protest so they know you’re safe.
* Write down emergency contact info and any important numbers on paper and keep it with you.
And if safety is a big concern, you might also consider using tools like encrypted messaging (Signal) before the protest to coordinate.
Ultimately, it’s about finding that balance between being informed, staying safe, and making the best decision for your specific situation.
Use a prepaid phone. Do not take your own personal phone. They’re going through texts and emails to see if you’re against trump.
Not sure. Maybe just turning them off?
Thank you for doing this. You're doing it right and it's what they need. Thank you. Keep sending. I'll keep sharing.
I appreciate your feedback, comment, and share.
Thank you for the info.
You’re welcome! Thank you for reading and for your comment.
https://open.substack.com/pub/publicenlightenment/p/be-the-media-4-websites-to-find-peaceful?r=2xd80&utm_medium=ios
Are police allowed to take phones away from people? I wouldn't think that is legal