• Plan as much as possible in your own organisation first. Decide on details such as the start and end time, the route, and how many people will come to support
  • Notify the authorities that you will be having a protest as soon as possible rather than the last minute.
  • Keep a copy of the notice form, as well as other documents passed between you and the authorities
  • If you will be handing a petition or memorandum to someone at the protest, make sure you tell them before the protest
  • It’s advisable not to protest on Fridays in case you get arrested – unless you want to spend the weekend in jail!

    • At the Section 4 meeting

  • Some organisations invite other experienced comrades to attend the meeting with them, to avoid being outnumbered or intimidated.
  • At the start of the meeting, write down the name of each official.
  • It’s a good idea to record the meeting on your phone, in case any of the officials make a threat or say something that you can use in court. Let them know!
  • If you think that the authorities may try to stop the protest from going ahead, alert a lawyer or a trusted comrade so you can call them during the meeting to get advice. If your march gets prohibited and you need a lawyer to challenge it in court, they also need as much warning as possible.
  • If the authorities try to ban the protest, you must get the reasons in writing.
    At the protest
  • Make sure you have a copy of the notice form you submitted, and any other documents
  • Keep a copy of R2K’s Right to Protest handbook ¾Make sure your marshals are well-organised and know the plan
  • Make sure nobody at your protest is doing anything to disrupt or cause violence
  • Be ready to take photos or video of any police brutality or other abuses
  • No matter what the law says about your rights, if police demand that you do something and are threatening to arrest you or beat you up, do what they say. Keeping yourself and your comrades safe should be your first priority.
  • Make sure you have lawyers, journalists or other comrades who you can call or SMS if you need help.