Safety at events

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes. This is not intended as legal advice.

No matter how well-researched a safety plan is, there are always risks to attending a protest or other event. PSAC NCR recommends using the information on this page to maximize your personal safety.

Roles and Responsibilities

Those leading events typically have years of on-the-ground organizing experience. Look to them to start chants, guide marches along specific routes and notify the group of any concerns. Above all, respect organizers’ requests and respect the roles event organizers have assigned to their planning team.

Safety Marshals

These are leaders spread out throughout the group, usually wearing an identifier like an arm band or fluorescent vest.  They take strategic positions along the route for a march or along the periphery of a group during a rally.  Marshals are there to set the pace, stop traffic, lead chants, ensure participant safety, de-escalate interactions with members of the public and communicate with the organizing team. 

First Aid

First-aiders typically wear a vest or have a flag that can be seen from across the group. They are often spread out at the start and the end of a march or at a designated location during an event. Depending on the event, first-aiders will have supplies for emergency first aid along with items like water, sunscreen, face masks and more. If you see someone in need of first aid during an event, have someone stay with the person while another individual goes to find the first-aider.   

Media Relations

Depending on the size of your group, organizers may have a designated person for media relations. If the media approaches you for a statement or to be on video, point reporters to a marshal or the designated media relations person. They will know best how to communicate the group’s message.

Police Liaison

Police are allowed to ask you questions, but you’re not required to answer questions unless you want to. If police are asking you questions about the event, redirect them to someone identified as the police liaison. These folks will have the information, training and support to engage with police at the event.  Do your best to avoid engaging with the police directly – focus on your reason for being there and supporting the event in other ways.  If you do speak to the police, remember to remain polite and calm and ask another attendee for help if you need support.

Before you go to the event

  • Ensure that a friend, family member or other trusted person knows that you are attending the event. If possible, plan to attend with a group of people you know.
  • Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Bring water, snacks and sun protection, if appropriate. Consider wearing a face mask in a group setting in order to prevent viral spread and/or if you don’t want to be identified or included in pictures and videos.
  • If you have a disability, special medical needs or speak limited English or French, wear a bracelet or carry a card explaining your circumstances and include information for an emergency contact.
  • Talk to your group and come up with a safe-exit plan as well as a gathering place in case you are separated. 
  • Set up extra security for your phone. Change your settings on your phone or other electronic device so that you use a password, rather than a fingerprint or face scan, to help protect your data against searches. Ensure that your phone locks automatically.
  • You may also consider not bringing a phone at all. The action may have designated documenters or legal observers to document police behaviour or that of counter protestors.
  • Do not bring anything contraband (such as drugs or other illegal substances), or anything that could be considered a weapon with you to the event.
  • If you are concerned about being arrested at an event for any reason, do the following to prepare before you arrive.
    • Write the phone number of a lawyer on your arm in permanent marker, as you may not be able to look up phone numbers after being detained.
    • If you take medication regularly, bring a three-day supply in its original packaging.
    • If you have children, have a backup plan for childcare.

At the event

  • Remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
  • If you’re marching, you’re probably going to be in close proximity to a few dozen other people. These are the people you’ll be chanting with, walking with, and closest to if the situation escalates. Be friendly with them. Offer them water if you’ve got extra, or hold their stuff while they tie their shoes. Solidarity can start small.
  • Protect the privacy of others. Taking photos and videos at a protest can help spread a movement’s message and capture any violations of your rights. But it’s very important to protect other people’s privacy.  Ask permission for group photos and refrain from posting photos or videos of the march in which others can be identified.
  • If you are injured or need medical attention, immediately seek out the event’s first-aider. They will be clearly identified. If you are unable to locate them, ask a marshal for assistance.
  • If you experience harassment of any kind during the event, ask someone nearby for help, report the incident to one of the safety marshals and get yourself out of harm’s way.  If you experience harassment by another PSAC member attending the event, report the incident to the Regional Executive Vice President’s Office as soon as possible.

Interacting with police

  • The police have a duty to facilitate peaceful protest. There are examples of Canadian police protecting assembly rights, but also some examples of rights violations.
  • Upon first contact with the police, before saying anything, ask “am I free to go?”.
    • If officer answers yes, go. Break contact and move away from the officer.
    • If officer answers no, reply “You have detained me, so I am now invoking my right to remain silent. I will identify myself to you if asked, but I will not answer any other questions”. Remain silent.
  • Police are not allowed to search you without your consent or without a reason. A reason might be that you are being detained or arrested. If police do not have a reason for a search, you have the right to refuse the search and should state this as clearly as possible.
  • If you have been detained and police wish to search you or your belongings, state: “I do not consent to any search of my person or belongings”. Repeat as needed, especially if they proceed to search you, but do not resist.
  • If you are arrested, do not resist arrest. You have the right to be informed promptly of the reason for your arrest. You also have the right to remain silent and the right to speak to a lawyer.
  • When dealing with the police, it is important to stay calm and politely assert your rights. Never physically interfere with the police if they decide to search, detain or arrest you.
  • Be aware that certain people face increased risk of being targeted by the police because they are a member of a marginalized group. These groups include racialized people (particularly Black people), Indigenous people, people with disabilities, people who are queer, transgender or intersex, and people with mental health challenges.
    • If you are not someone who falls within these targeted demographics, such as a white or able-bodied person, consider how you can use your privilege to protect more marginalized folks. This could include standing with people experiencing police targeting (with their permission), recording or documenting police encounters, or physically standing between police and marginalized protestors.

If attending a counter-protest

  • If attending a counter-protest, such as those to protect queer and trans rights, you may encounter aggressive protesters. You will want to take additional precautions to keep yourself safe.
  • Never escalate conflict. If the conflict between yourself and another person seems to be escalating, leave the confrontation immediately and seek out support. Marshals for the event, including those from PSAC, should be clearly identified and can assist in these situations.
  • Do not wear identifying clothing and cover any visible tattoos. You may also wish to wear a face mask. This can help protect you from being doxxed or otherwise identified on far-right websites.
  • Avoid posting your location on social media during the event. Never share photos with strangers’ faces visible in them without their consent. These photos can be used to make yourself and others the target of online harassment.

Resources

For more information, we encourage you to consult the following webpages.