Public Events: 10 Tips for Good Protest Etiquette
FROM AFP University: TEN TIPS FOR GOOD PROTEST ETIQUETTE
1) Safety First! Stay off the roadway, do not block pedestrians and keep out of driver's vision of traffic on corners. We don't wantanyone getting hurt at any protest. Keep people clear of cars, trucks, bicycles and other hazards.
2) Do not block or inhibit patrons from using the post office or any other business. It is illegal for protesters to block, prevent, or otherwise impede people from doing their normal business at public institutions.
3) Avoid attacking any person or group physically or verbally. Attack ideas or actions like excessive spending, debt or the bailouts. Do not let this get personal - people come and go. We are in a war of ideas.
4) Smile! We are out here to support our cause and we are happy about it! Most successful movements win because they exude optimism and hope. Protesters are sometimes angry, but the future is worth fighting for - THAT is a cause for optimism!
5) Do no respond to negative provocations. If opponents goad you into losing your cool, they will win the day. If you maintain your composure, dignity, and focus, your opposition will look petty and you will have more credibility.
6) Do not respond to (or confront) opponents who may be out exercising their first amendment rights also. Opponents don't have the right to interfere with our protest, but they have the right to protest, just like us. As long as they are not interfering with our protest, it is best to ignore them. Remember, stay focused on our points, not theirs.
7) Avoid physical contact and direct confrontation with infiltrators. If an infiltrator begins a counterdemonstration inyour midst, it is perfectly acceptable to peacefully surround this person with people holding our signs. Be careful not to touch them, invade their personal space, or confront them personally.
8) Look out for each other. Help out your fellow protesters - the elderly, the young, the disables, and those who may need help with children. We're all in this together!
9) Work with the Authorities in Advance. Make sure you have any required permits before holdingyour protest. Let the police know about your plans and work with them to avoid problems.
10) For serious problems, call the police. If you are assaulted, intimidated, or see any serious problems, don't try to handle the problem yourself - call the police. Don't respond to harrassment: Report it by finding a police officer or dialing 911.
When protesting, we need to be like Dr. King or Gandhi: peaceful, tolerant but TOTALLY resolute.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS (from page 2 of AFP University 10 Tips for Good Protest Etiquette)
You have the right to protection from the following offenses against persons and public order. If you witness any of these crimes, call 911 and report it immediately.
ASSAULT - ORS 163.160, 163.165, 163.175, 163.185
"...the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes physical injury to another"
MENACING - ORS 163.190
"... by word or conduct the person intentionally attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury."
RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT - ORS 163.195
"...the person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person."
COERCION - ORS 163.275
"...the person compels or induces another person to engage in conduct from which the other person has a legal right to abstain, or to abstain from engaging in conduct in which the other person has a legal right to engage, by means of instilling in the other person a fear that, ... the actor or another will: ... Unlawfully cause physical injury ... damage to property... [commit] a crime; or ... Falsely accuse some person of a crime or cause criminal charges to be instituted against the person..."
RIOT - ORS 166.015
"...if while participating with five or more other persons the person engages in tumultuous and violent conduct and thereby intentionally or recklessly creates a grave risk of causing public alarm."
DISORDERLY CONDUCT - ORS 166.025
"...if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, the person:
(a) Engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior;
(b) Makes unreasonable noise;
(c) Disturbs any lawful assembly of persons without lawful authority;
(d) Obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a public way; . . .
(g) Creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which the person is not licensed or privileged to do."
HARASSMENT - ORS 166.065
"...the person intentionally: ...Harasses or annoys another person by: (A) Subjecting such other person to offensive physical contact* ; or (B) Publicly insulting such other person by abusive words or gestures in a manner intended and likely to provoke a violent response" †
INTIMIDATION IN THE SECOND DEGREE - ORS 166.155
"...the person, [because of the person’s perception of the other’s race, color, religion, national origin or sexual orientation, intentionally]:
(a) Tampers or interferes with property,... with the intent to cause substantial inconvenience to another...;
(b)...subjects another to offensive physical contact* ...; or
(c)...subjects such other person to alarm by threatening:
(A) To inflict serious physical injury upon or to commit a felony affecting such other person, or a member of the person’s family; or
(B) To cause substantial damage to the property of the other person or of a member of the other person’s family."
INTIMIDATION IN THE FIRST DEGREE - ORS 166.165
"...Two or more persons acting together commit the crime of intimidation in the first degree, if the persons [, because of their perception of the other person’s race, color, religion, national origin or sexual orientation]:
(a)(A) Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cause physical injury to another person... ; or
(B) With criminal negligence cause physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon ...;
(b) Intentionally... place another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury; or
(c) Commit such acts as would constitute the crime of intimidation in the second degree, if undertaken by one person acting alone."
NOTES
* “Offensive physical contact” includes striking, slapping, shoving, kicking, grabbing and similar acts that are an interference with the contactee, regardless of whether they produce any pain or discomfort. . . . Spitting on another can be offensive physical contact within meaning of this section.
† May be unconstitutional...:violates section 8, Article I, Oregon Constitution, because it is directed to speech. State v. Harrington Note: Some of these crimes are terrorist acts under the Patriot act, if they are committed for the purpose of influencing the political process.
Source: Excerpts from Oregon Revised Statutes, http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/
Disclaimer: This information is offered only for the purpose of increasing awareness of possible legal considerations and to encourage you to seek law enforcement assistance and qualified legal counsel if you feel your rights have been violated.
IMPORTANT: THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVISE IN WHOLE OR IN PART.