Protesting Safely 

Plan Your Day around Large Protests in Your City 

If you know there’s going to be a large protest in your city, you should plan your day around it, even if you’re not going to the protest. Many protests, specifically ones that are large and nationwide, will have a lot of people and can cause disruptions in normal traffic patterns. You should be aware of this and plan your day around it if you’re going to be driving through that part of the city. A lot of these protests can pour into the streets and cause major streets to be temporarily closed. If you’re protesting, or if you’re a pedestrian in one of these areas, be on the lookout for motorists who are driving through the area. Many people get lost when they have to follow a detour. Motorists can be distracted by the protests and not paying enough attention to the road. For this reason, it’s important for pedestrians and protesters to be aware that some motorists may not be able to see the pedestrians/protestors in the street, or the motorists may not be paying enough attention. 

Do Not Add Unnecessary Aggression 

In 2025, there’s a lot of political division and a lot of conflict as well. In fact, there’s so much division and conflict that it’s not uncommon for counter protesters to arrive at protests. It is important that neither the protesters nor counter-protesters engage in aggressive or violent behaviors. Peaceful protests can easily turn violent in a shockingly small amount of time. Do not contribute to an increase in violence and aggression during a protest. Remember, you can face criminal consequences and civil consequences for your behavior at a protest, especially if you break the law in a significant way. Many people believe that they won’t be caught or held responsible for their behavior at a protest. This is not necessarily true; many people who break the law at protests are found and are held accountable—especially if a serious crime is committed and extensive investigation is warranted.   

Watch for Signs of Unrest 

Most people don’t show up to protests actively looking to put themselves in dangerous situations, and many people do show up to protest peacefully, only to find that the protest has become a dangerous situation. If you’re going to a protest, make sure that you’re on the lookout for signs that the protest is becoming dangerous. Increases in aggression, increase in police presence, and more extreme tactics—such as vandalism—can all indicate that a protest is becoming violent. If you notice a protest becoming violent, it’s likely a good idea to remove yourself from the situation before you are critically injured. Many people are injured at protests simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Watch for signs of unrest and leave before a situation becomes unsafe. 

Slow Down 

If you’re driving through an area where protesters are actively protesting, slow down. Amidst all the chaos, pedestrians may be walking out in front of your car. They may not see you, or they may not be paying attention. Therefore, it is extremely important that you drive slowly so as not to hit a pedestrian. A lot of people see reduced speed limits as an opportune time to use their phone while driving. The reason that, when the speed limits are lower they’ll have more time to come to a complete stop if necessary. While it is true that you’ll have more time to come to a complete stop if you’re travelling at a lower speed, it is not true that places with lower speeds or slower traffic patterns are good places to text and drive. You should never use your phone while you’re driving. 

Follow the Laws 

While you may have the right to protest, you will still have to follow the laws and local ordinances while you’re at a protest. For example, this could mean that you do have to leave if you’re on private property, and you’re asked to leave. As previously mentioned, some protests do become out-of-control and violent. In some situations, people feel as though they can do anything they want, especially if they see others breaking the law. It’s important to understand that those who are breaking the law aren’t infrequently held accountable for the crimes they’ve committed or the injuries they’ve caused others to sustain.  

Dedicated to Serving our Communities

At Moxie Law Group, we’re passionate about helping our communities stay safe. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. If you’ve been injured due to the reckless and/or negligent behavior of another person, Moxie Law Group is here to help you get the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Contact us today to get started on your free consultation.