How to Peacefully Protest

The Big List of Protest Signs for "NO KINGS" on 18 OCT

Instead of talking to MAGA or each other, focus on winning the hearts and minds of the unaware and undecided.

 We protest because we strenuously object to the illegal and unconstitutional actions of this administration, but we should try our best to frame our messaging in terms of what we are FOR instead of what we are against. It is more effective persuasion and it is safer for you as a protester. 

EFFECTIVE PROTESTING - the best signs tell people what we STAND FOR and do it SIMPLY.

Our goals are: 

• to show our numbers and our power;

• to generate images that portray us as the "good guys" to those who might not read the news;

• to deny the opposition images that they desperately seek to justify the use of excessive force, or worse, invoking the Insurrection Act.

MANAGING THE OPTICS

...excellent recommendations from actor and activist, Peter Coyote, for how to manage the "theater" of protest [are], "dress like you aree going to church," "only protest in daylight," and "no images of violence or vandalism."

WHAT WE ARE FOR

We want people to see ue at the protests or in images and think, "I believe what THEY believe.  These people are just like me."  The motivating effects of loss aversion works by reminding people of how much the things they might lose matter to them.

If you say, "Protect Freedom of Speech" or "Defnd the First Amendment," people might think to themselves, "I care about freedom of speech too."  ...statements like "Defend the Constitution" are pretty darned hard to attack.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Stick to things that can be understood without prior knowledge.  Avoid political jargon, academic terms, and acronyms.

• use "dictator/dictatorship"

• use "rule by the rich" 

My favorite chant for this protest would be, "No Dictators! No Kings!"

The Big List of Protest Signs

Sign Suggestions Grouped By Topic

Constitution

NO DICTATORS, NO KINGS  

• ACADEMIC FREEDOM  

• AMERICA:  LAND OF THE FREE   

• DEFEND the CONSTITUTION  

• Democrats are for FREEDOM OF SPEECH   

• FREE  SPEECH for EVERYONE   

• FREEDOM OF THE PRESS   

• FREEDOM!   

• I BELIEVE IN THE CONSTITUTION   

• IT’S (SUPPOSED TO BE) A FREE COUNTRY   

• NO THOUGHT POLICE / NO CENSORSHIP   

• PROTESTING IS PROTECTED by the CONSTITUTION  

By Antonia Scatton

The information on the left are key excerpts from the original article, and are intended to help focus democratic efforts for a more effective and safe communications to the country and the world.