“I Was Pepper-Sprayed”: Rep. Adelita Grijalva on ICE Raid, Epstein Files, Rising Health Costs & More

Democracy Now! speaks with Democratic Congressmember Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, who says she was attacked by masked ICE agents Friday as she tried to find out more information about a raid taking place at a restaurant in her district in Tucson. Grijalva says she was pepper-sprayed and tear-gassed as she was attempting to “deescalate the situation” and conduct oversight. Grijalva also responds to divisions in the Republican Party, including over the Epstein files, calls to replace House Speaker Mike Johnson, and how massive premium increases could soon kick in for millions of Americans as Johnson races to finalize a Republican healthcare plan.

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Transcript

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report. I’m Amy Goodman.

We turn now to Arizona, where Democratic Congressmember Adelita Grijalva of Arizona says she was pepper-sprayed by masked ICE agents as she tried to find out more information about a raid on a popular restaurant in her district in Tucson. Grijalva is the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress. She posted this video of herself as she identified herself to the agents before they pepper-sprayed her.

AIDE: We have a sitting member of Congress.

REP. ADELITA GRIJALVA: You need to calm down. You guys need to calm down and get out. You need to get out.

UNIDENTIFIED: [bleep]

REP. ADELITA GRIJALVA: You need to — you need to get out. You need to get out. Hey! Hey! Hey! Sir? Sir? You need to get out of here.

ICE AGENT: Get out of the way! You guys need to clear now.

PROTESTER: Let her go!

AMY GOODMAN: The video posted by Congressmember Grijalva slows down the final scene and repeats the part where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer pepper-sprays her.

Grijalva joins us now for more. She last joined us right after she was sworn in last month to succeed her father, former Congressmember Raúl Grijalva, after a 50-day delay, as she then became the 218th signatory on the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, which compels the Justice Department, FBI and federal prosecutors to disclose the documents by December 19th. We’ll talk about that in a minute.

But, Congressmember Grijalva, thanks so much for being with us. Let’s start with what happened on Friday. Tell us exactly where you are, what was the establishment that was being raided, and what happened to you.

REP. ADELITA GRIJALVA: Yeah, so, that’s a restaurant I go to all the time. It’s Taco Giro. I was literally on my way there for lunch with three of my members of my team, and we got a call, turning down that corner, saying, “Hey, something’s going on at Taco Giro. There’s like an ICE raid.” So, you could see it. I mean, the road was blocked. I pulled off into another establishment and walked over to try to find out what was going on. I asked questions. I introduced myself as a member of Congress. I believe that it is my job. Oversight is my job. It’s not optional. And I was trying to ensure people’s rights were protected.

And except for one individual, everybody else — it didn’t matter if I was a member of Congress or not. They were trying to incite some sort of riot, because there was no reason at that point for them to still be there. So, at the part of the video where I said, “You all need to go,” right before that, there was an agent that said, “You all need to move, and we’ll get out of here.” So, once I asked everyone to move, but I was trying to deescalate the situation, so the road was clear. That’s why I kept saying, “OK, y’all need to go now. Y’all need to go now.”

You know, our community deserves safety, clarity, due process. And I’m going to continue to demand answers about who was targeted and why this location was chosen and whether protocols were followed, because southern Arizona elected me to stand up for them.

AMY GOODMAN: So, what has ICE responded or the federal government responded to the — your pepper-spraying?

REP. ADELITA GRIJALVA: Oh, they said I wasn’t pepper-sprayed. So, that was the response, that I wasn’t pepper-sprayed, that this was a long investigation. And literally, what we were asking and I was asking is, “What is going on here?” So, the video speaks for itself. I was pepper-sprayed, and then there was gas. And it was — I mean, you can see officers. Telemundo was there. Univision was there. There were other stations there. You can see officers in other videos clearly shooting a spray right at people’s eyeline, unnecessarily. I mean, sort of where I was, the person that was hit the worst, literally in front of me, was a member of the press. And DHS did, you know, admit to that. Like, there was a member of the press. And I said they weren’t being aggressive. They had press credentials and a lot of cameras. So, it was — it was pretty — it’s very, very jarring.

AMY GOODMAN: So, what happened to the restaurant? Who got arrested?

REP. ADELITA GRIJALVA: I don’t know. I believe it’s — I believe it’s still closed. I haven’t gone back. It’s a — so, they’re locally owned, but it’s a chain around other places in southern Arizona. What the claim was is that it was a raid having to do with taxes. But again, the show of force in front, like, in the middle of the community, was very, very concerning, very aggressive to everybody.

AMY GOODMAN: Adelita Grijalva, I want to ask you a question on another issue. You were the final vote needed on the discharge petition that calls for the release of the Epstein files. Other Republicans joined you, and among them was Marjorie Taylor Greene. I wanted to turn now to a clip of Marjorie Taylor Greene. She was interviewed on 60 Minutes, and she’s talking about the threats she received for bucking the president and how serious, in fact, that they are. Let’s go to Marjorie Taylor Greene speaking on 60 Minutes.

REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE: After President Trump called me a traitor, I got a pipe bomb threat on my house, and then I got several direct death threats on my son.

LESLEY STAHL: On your son?

REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE: On my son.

LESLEY STAHL: You say the president put your life in danger. You blame him. You say he fueled a “hotbed of threats against me” and that you blame him for the threats against your son.

REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE: The subject line for the direct death threats on my son was his words: “Marjorie Traitor Greene.” Those are death threats — 

LESLEY STAHL: So, you do — you blame —

REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE: — directly fueled by President Trump.

AMY GOODMAN: So, that’s Marjorie Taylor Greene saying that she’s receiving death — her son has received death threats because of what President Trump said about her, calling her “Marjorie Traitor Greene.” If you can talk about what he is so angry about, even though he campaigned on the release of these documents, where these documents stand right now?

REP. ADELITA GRIJALVA: Yeah, so, as my — as I understand it, they are — every little piece of the puzzle, insofar as the files, have to be approved by a federal judge in order for the — for that investigation to be released. And so, it is a longer process than I think any of us want to see.

And it’s also — you know, what very much concerns me in what Marjorie Taylor Greene is saying, that as an elected person in any position, you shouldn’t have to worry about that kind of fear. And she’s getting a glimpse of what many of my colleagues have been living with since Trump’s been in office and before that. These targeted attacks are incredibly scary.

And Trump had done up — until the point that he gave permission to both representatives and senators to vote for the release of the Epstein files, had literally done everything in his power to obstruct their release. And so, I don’t know what he’s afraid of that the community, that our nation are going to find out, but I do think that there are implications very high up. I was listening to your show earlier on how often, you know, this family, the Trump family, how they’re enriching themselves off the presidency. It’s a very scary time for all of us and for democracy right now.

AMY GOODMAN: Right, Donald Trump Jr.’s company getting a $600 million-plus contract with the Pentagon, among other things. Let me end by asking you about the massive health premium increases that could soon kick in for millions of Americans, as Republican Speaker Mike Johnson races to finalize a Republican healthcare plan supposedly this week. Republicans want to have an alternative to vote on as Democrats attack them for allowing Obamacare subsidies to expire. House Republicans are reportedly angry at Johnson over his failure to lead on this issue, as well as the affordability crisis, which likely impacted recent election victories for Democrats. He also helped the Trump administration to block the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. And I want to ask you about this Republican uprising, if there is one, particularly led by Republican women like Marjorie Taylor Greene, like Nancy Mace and others. If you can talk about this?

REP. ADELITA GRIJALVA: Well, they’re hearing from their communities about the incredible cost of maintaining insurance for your families. So, you know, that’s why Democrats were holding so strong on healthcare, because it is going to impact millions of people. The Republicans have had 15 years to come up with a better alternative. Since ACA started, all they have done is criticize it. And here we are, December 8th, and they’re talking about rolling out a plan?

People are already looking at those premiums right now. So, as an individual person on the ACA, to cover me, it’s $760 a month. To cover me and my children, it’s going to be $1,400 a month. My husband works at a local community college here, and it costs $700 a month for him to cover me, himself and our three children. Like, this is becoming — it’s a situation that’s untenable.

And what people are going to do, because they can’t afford it, is they’re going to forego health insurance, and the impact to our system in general is going to be devastating. There are five rural hospitals in southern Arizona that are already talking about closing their doors, because the wave of people coming in without the resource and reimbursement is going to be devastating.

So, we have a really big problem to fix here in our healthcare system, and to talk about these Band-Aid solutions right now, you know, in December, when premiums are going up right around the corner, it’s just — it’s past time. And I think that the criticism to Speaker Johnson is justified.

AMY GOODMAN: Well, we’ll certainly continue to follow this this week, Adelita Grijalva, U.S. representative for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, representing Tucson and beyond, the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress, the daughter of the former and late Congressmember Raúl Grijalva.

High School Football Team Travels 500 Miles, Loses, Gets Pepper-Sprayed By Cops

Parents aren’t thrilled here

Zach Dean

PublishedOctober 10, 2025 8:34 AM EDT•UpdatedOctober 10, 2025 8:34 AM EDT

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Happy Football Friday! Scratch that …

Happy High School Football Friday! That’s better. Ah. Nothing like it, right? Back in a previous life, I was a high school football reporter for insufferable Gannett for about eight years. True Story. Love high school football. Hate Gannett. But LOVE high school football. 

Especially down here in Florida. It’s the best. In fact, we’re going to my school’s homecoming game tonight. Can’t wait. I’m sure I’ll be welcomed back with open arms. 

Anyway, you know who wasn’t welcomed with open arms? The Cardinal Ritter College Prep Lions – a high school football team out of St. Louis, who traveled 500 miles to Ohio last week, lost by 14, and then got pepper sprayed after the game by a bunch of cops. 

Again, I covered high school football for a decade … never saw anything like this:

Parents aren’t thrilled here 

Whoaaaaaaaaaaa Nellie! See? The first video doesn’t really do it justice. But then you get that field-level view, and it’s … something. 

So, where do we stand here? I hate to go against the cops, but it’s not a great look. Pepper spray? Really? Seems a bit overzealous if you ask me. Nine times out of 10, these situations tend to take care of themselves. 

Boys will be boys, and football players will be football players. And usually, when football players lose, they get pissed. And they get a little mouthy after the game. And sometimes things spiral a bit. 

But there are a ton of adults there, on both sides. The situation probably didn’t call for pepper spray. 

“I couldn’t see … I could hardly breathe,” linebacker DJ Boone told Fox 2 News. 

I’d imagine so. I’ve never been maced before, but that checks out. Can’t argue with that. Parents, shockingly, weren’t thrilled, either. They’ve already filed several formal complaints with the Ohio police department, who I imagine isn’t having a great week. 

All in all, not a great start to our Football Friday, but it can only go up from here, right? Lord, I hope so. 

Regardless, head on a swivel for those of you, like me, who are going to support the boys tonight. You never know when you’re gonna get maced in the face. 

How to Protest Safely: What to Bring, What to Do, and What to Avoid

If you’re planning to hit the streets, here’s what you need to know.

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Americans are taking to the streets by the tens of thousands to protest a plethora of President Donald Trump’s second-term policies, including his administration’s crackdown on immigration, its travel and visa restrictions for foreign nationals, its rollback of rights for LGBTQ+ citizens, and its budget cuts—pushed through by Elon Musk—affecting essential services.

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Acts of civil disobedience have become more commonplace over the past several years, as citizens have challenged Trump, police brutality against Black Americans, the US Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the brutal Israel-Hamas war. Now the protests are targeting abuses of government power and broader threats to freedom.

This WIRED guide to safe protesting was originally written in 2020 during the nationwide outcry over police brutality, which overwhelmingly targets Black people like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade. We’ve now updated this guide to include advice specific to mass action, your rights and protections as a US citizen, protesting in or around government property, and laws around defacing property.

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New Era

The WIRED Guide to Protecting Yourself From Government Surveillance

Andy Greenberg and Lily Hay Newman

If you’re thinking about joining a protest near you, there are some crucial factors to consider: The US government is now allowing federal immigration agents to conduct sweeping raids, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement is reportedly detaining and deporting people who are in the US on legal visas, including many students. And, while police brutality is an abstract concept for some, it’s a stark reality for others.

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There are other ways you can make your voice heard if you don’t feel safe protesting or are otherwise unable to physically do so. You can donate time to community groups, drop off supplies for protests, or contact local legislators. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to put pressure on our legislators.

That being said, protesting is a right of all Americans under the First Amendment (more on that below). Before you head out, you should know that police across the country have acted with unnecessary force, including driving vehicles through crowds, attacking journalists, and macing children. The federal government has also dispatched soldiers from the US military to quell disorder.

If you still want to join in, we’ve gathered some advice, as well as a list of items you may want to bring with you. Be careful, and stay safe.

Table of ContentsAccordionItemContainerButton

• What to Bring (and Not Bring) to a Protest
• Before You Leave
• While You’re at the Protest
• What to Avoid
• What to Do If …
• After the Protest

What to Bring (and Not Bring) to a Protest

It’s smart to have supplies on hand for a day of protesting. We recommend the following. You probably have everything you need around the house, and if not, these items will likely be accessible at your local stores. We’ve included some links to online retailers for your reference.

• A bag and/or backpack: You’ll need something small and durable. I, Louryn, use a cheap daypack for most supplies, and I also strap on a belt bag, which I use to hold the essential items I’d need if I were to lose my backpack. Use whatever you own that lets you keep your hands free. If you don’t have anything, we have a list of our favorite fanny packs. And while your bag should be big enough to hold all the supplies you need, be sure to avoid anything too bulky.
• Water: There’s a good chance that your protest will include a march, so you need to pay attention to proper hydration. Carry drinking water. Bring the biggest bottle that you can fit in your bag. Water can also be used to clean wounds and flush the eyes of anyone who’s been hit with chemical gas or pepper spray.
• A face mask or bandana: When we first wrote this guide in 2020, we advised wearing masks because of the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s less of a concern for many people now, but you still may want to take precautions and cover your face with a mask or bandana. Face coverings also have the benefit of shielding your identity from cameras and police surveillance. (We have a separate guide about digital privacy during protests.). Bring an extra mask if you have one.
• A hat and/or sunglasses: Aside from shielding you from the sun during a long day of marching, hats and sunglasses can obscure your face from surveillance and protect your privacy. If you wear a hat, and you’re interested in further protecting your identity, keep the brim low.
• Snacks: You are likely in for a long day. Pack lightweight, nutritious, protein-rich snacks. Jerky, energy bars, and nuts are all good picks.
• Protest signs: If you want to carry a sign, there are some things to consider. Ensure that your slogan is in big, bold letters that can be easily read from far away. Short and punchy sayings are arguably better than a block of script. Poster board is flexible, but stiffer foam-core board is more durable. You can affix paint-stir sticks or other flat, wooden sticks to the sign using strong tape to create a handle. You might want to make extras to hand out to fellow protesters. Don’t litter—when you’re done with your sign, dispose of it properly, or donate it to another protester.
• Suitable clothing: It’s a good idea to wear all black, both because that’s what the organizers of most solidarity protests suggest and because it helps you blend in with a crowd. Privacy experts also recommend that you cover any tattoos, if you can, and that you hide your hair if it’s dyed a distinctive color.
• A change of clothes: If you’re protesting on a particularly hot day, you may want to have extra clothes. These can also come in handy if you’re exposed to substances that can hurt your skin or if you’re splashed with paint, gross road water, or other people’s sweat. I usually carry a pair of shorts, a tank top, and an extra pair of socks in my backpack.
• Hand sanitizer: You might find yourself holding hands with a stranger, grabbing onto gunky street signs, or tripping and falling into a puddle. All these scenarios coupled with Covid-19 make hand sanitizer an essential thing to carry.
• Good walking shoes: This is nonnegotiable. Wear closed-toe shoes that are broken in and good for walking long distances.
• Your ID (maybe): If you’re detained, not having your ID on you might keep you stuck for longer. However, in some states, you might not have to show the police your ID if they ask for one. Use your best judgment, and consider looking up the laws for your state for more specific guidance.
• Your phone (maybe): To protect your privacy and prevent surveillance, the best thing you can do is leave your phone at home. Consider using a secondary or burner phone instead. If you want to bring your phone, avoid using traditional phone calls and texts if at all possible. Signal is a secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging app that offers the option to delete messages after they’re sent. You should also disable biometric unlocking, like FaceID or fingerprint features, and use a six-digit passcode instead. If you do need to carry your primary phone, keep it turned off until you absolutely need to use it. This will make it harder for law enforcement to track your movements, since law enforcement officials can collect or purchase data that can tell them which devices were at a protest they’re monitoring and who those devices belong to.
• Cash: Just like your phone can leave digital breadcrumbs indicating your whereabouts, using your debit or credit card will make it easier for the authorities to track your movements. Instead, bring cash. Separate your bills; stash some in your bag, and keep some on your person, either in your shoe, your bra, your pants pockets, or somewhere else secure.
• A power bank: If you or members of your group will have a phone, you need to make sure that you have a way to charge devices. Other protesters may need to charge their gear as well. If you don’t have one already, we have several good recommendations in our buying guide.
• Other things you may want: A cooling towel. Duct tape or gaffer’s tape. A flashlight or a headlamp. Ibuprofen. Goggles. Blister-prevention patches. Extra hair ties. A pen and paper. A Sharpie. A laser pointer. Bandages or other first aid supplies. Ear plugs. Saline solution. Extra face masks. A copy of emergency phone numbers and a card declaring necessary medical information that someone may need to know if you’re unable to tell them yourself (for example, if you have asthma or if you’re hard of hearing). Medications that need to be taken on a schedule (in a labeled prescription bottle if possible) with the understanding that you may be away from home much longer than anticipated.

Before You Leave

We asked some organizers and civil action experts about key things to understand about protesting. Here’s their advice.

Educate Yourself

Do not go to a protest without knowing what it is you’re fighting for. Don’t show up and ask someone there to educate you. If you’re an ally, do the work yourself and study as much as possible—not only about the actions you’re protesting but the context around them. You might know that reproductive rights are threatened, but do you know about the historical fight for access to abortion in America? There are several books you can read right now to gain more knowledge about this topic. If you’re pissed at Elon Musk, it helps to have a good grasp of all the ways the administration is dismantling federal agencies in the US.

Get in the Right Mindset

Mental preparation is important. Protesting can be physically grueling and emotionally taxing. You may experience sheer joy. You might cry. You might get angry. You might get scared. Most likely, you’ll experience all of the above. Take the time to prepare yourself before heading out. Make sure to drink some water, apply sunscreen, and eat a meal.

Realize It’s Not About You

One of the primary reasons to attend a protest is not just to stick it to the man and to take a selfie while doing it, but to be present for others. Show up ready to listen. Be prepared to amplify what people are saying. If you aren’t comfortable with potentially physically intervening, shielding vulnerable protesters from police violence, and listening more than you speak, your efforts to be an ally are likely better spent elsewhere.

Tony Williams, a member of MPD150, a Minneapolis-based coalition that has studied the history of police activity and seeks police-free alternatives to community safety, shared crucial advice for anyone who is not personally impacted by current events but who wants to attend a protest. (Of course, the dismantling of democracy in the US is something that affects all of us.)

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“The most important thing to realize,” Williams says, “is that you’re showing up in solidarity with other people. It’s not your job to decide how things should go. It’s your job to show up and listen and be in support. Deprioritizing yourself is an incredibly important part of the experience.”

Know Your Rights

In the US, it’s entirely within your rights to peacefully demonstrate in public. The basic act of assembling and protesting the government’s actions is unquestionably protected, according to the First Amendment Coalition, a California nonprofit that’s committed to protecting freedom of speech. Also, as a general matter, “people have the right to film or otherwise document things that are happening in the public space,” says David Snyder, director of the FAC.

That said, if it comes down to a matter of force and you are physically outmatched, you may have to weigh the risks to your immediate personal safety, potentially have your notes or phone stripped from you, and pursue legal action later on. Also, Snyder notes, the First Amendment to the Constitution does not protect protesters who engage in unlawful activity, which includes destroying property or assaulting other people.

According to the ACLU, you are able to protest at government buildings with a few caveats. Your free-speech rights are the strongest when you protest in “traditional public forums” like public streets and parks or on sidewalks outside government buildings. Also, you cannot block access to government buildings or otherwise get in the way of activities being performed at the building. (Other than being very noisy, of course.)

Form a Group

If you can avoid it, don’t protest alone. It’s important that you go with at least one other person so you can have each other’s backs. There is strength in numbers. Know your “roles” within the group before you go so you can be prepared for anything. For example, maybe one of you is prepared to drive the group home if the situation gets dicey, maybe one of you has first-aid training, or maybe one of you is hyper-observant and prepared to monitor your surroundings to keep tabs on the vibe. Stay close to your group. Meet up beforehand, stick together the entire time, and leave the protest together. If you don’t have a group, check social media sites—there are probably discussions where you can find people to meet up with locally.

Make a Plan

There will be a lot of people and a lot of emotions. You need to have a plan for what to do if the situation escalates. Pick a spot to meet if your group gets separated for a certain amount of time. (For example, if you get separated for more than 30 minutes, you meet back at a designated street corner.) It might be smart to have a few spots to meet at in case one is inaccessible. You should also have multiple routes planned for if you need to leave and streets are blocked off. Is there a curfew where you live? Have previous protests in your city escalated to violence? Will there be portable bathrooms stationed along the route, or should you map out places to relieve yourself after chugging water all day? Prep a plan.

Take Out Your Contact Lenses

If you’re exposed to tear gas or pepper spray, contacts will make the experience much worse. Wear glasses if you have them. If you wear contacts, protect your eyes with sunglasses at the minimum, though ideally you’ll be wearing goggles or keeping them handy. For the same reason, avoid wearing makeup or oil-based products like lotions, as the irritants in dispersion measures deployed by police can stick to them.

Write Down Emergency Numbers

Write down your emergency contacts’ information. Write down the number of emergency legal counsel—several law firms offer pro bono representation for arrested protesters. Research the firms in your area. You may also want to write down the number of a local bond fund. You should have two copies of these phone numbers on your person—write them in the notepad stashed in your bag, on the hem of your shirt, or on a notecard that you keep in your pocket. As a redundancy, you can also write them somewhere on your body (like your forearms), preferably in permanent marker.

While You’re at the Protest

Once you arrive and join in with your fellow protesters, follow this advice on how to behave and how to stay safe.

Study Your Surroundings

You can designate a certain person in your group to make this a top priority, but regardless of who you’re with, you should maintain awareness of what’s going on around you. This is important for numerous reasons. Is someone wearing steel-toed boots, a colored armband, and a hearing device, and also showing the outline of handcuffs in their pocket? That person might be an undercover cop. Is someone carrying a bag of supplies emblazoned with a big red cross? They might be a street medic. Did a protester fall down and get hurt while marching? Open eyes and ears will help you react more quickly when needed.

Help Those Around You

If you’re marching, you’re probably going to be in close proximity to a few dozen other protesters. 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. Remember that you’re in a massive crowd; assume your actions are being watched and that your words are being listened to.

Don’t Vandalize

So you want to vandalize a Waymo or a Tesla. Well, let’s start with the warning that WIRED officially encourages you not to do that. Even if you feel Teslas are extremely punchable these days because of their association with Elon Musk, or that Waymos are a symbol of Big Tech’s encroachment into our society, vandalizing or breaking somebody else’s property is, yes, against the law, and you may face fines or legal action for doing so.

It’s also important to keep in mind what happens in the aftermath of a windshield smash or sprayed-painted F-you. First off, you might get spotted by a vehicle’s built-in cameras; Waymo’s driverless cars have 29 external cameras, and Teslas have as many as nine. Getting caught beating up one of these cars carries more risk than normal. For example, the FBI has investigated attacks on Teslas as “domestic terrorism.” You could also draw the ire of extremists out there simping for Elon.

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That said, stigmatizing Teslas seems to be working as a form of protest against the richest man in the world. Tesla sales have slumped since Musk started DOGE’s raids of federal agencies. It also helps that lots of Teslas have been recalled for multiple very dumb reasons. If you want to actively protest Tesla dealerships, Action Network has been organizing peaceful protests of dealerships around the world.

Consider the Ethics of Taking Photos

It is your right to take photos at any protest in the streets or on public property. However, a protest is not a social media photo op. You should avoid taking photos of protesters that clearly show identifying information like their faces or their tattoos, since those photos could make them vulnerable to abuse or retaliation. Law enforcement may also respond with force if you point your camera at them, even though it is well within your rights to film their actions.

A Note on Engaging With the Police

If you’re white, you can use your privilege to your advantage. Your presence in the crowd can prevent more police brutality against people of color and Black people in particular. You can shield people of color with your body if necessary and if you’re comfortable doing it. You can also film arrests and police activity in general—it’s your right to do so. But we can’t prepare you for every situation you’ll encounter. Study up on the effects of the nonlethal weapons that could be used against you. Do what makes you comfortable and what makes sense at the time.

What to Avoid

When you’re protesting, the actions you don’t take can be just as important as the actions you do. Here’s some advice about what not to do while demonstrating.

Don’t Run

Humans, just like other animals, can be profoundly influenced by this tricky thing called collective behavior. When you’re in a group, your brain takes cues from said group, and you’ll react to things based on how the group reacts. This is why, if someone starts running while you’re in a crowd, you automatically get the urge to run as well. You might not even know why they’re running, but a message in your brain says, “OK, it’s time to go.” Running also draws attention to yourself and those around you, which isn’t ideal at a demonstration where protesters are being targeted for violence.

For these reasons, it’s important that you refrain from running while protesting—you might incite a panic, hurt someone, or hurt yourself. If you need to move quickly, that’s OK, but try to avoid running if you can help it. If you need to leave the larger group, move quickly and calmly to the edge of the crowd, out of the throng of people. When returning home, try to find a side street or a route that’s out of the way, and stay with your smaller group.

Don’t Police Other People’s Behavior

You are going to see a lot of folks behaving in a lot of different ways. If somebody’s behavior makes you uncomfortable to the point that you’re considering asking a fellow protester to stop doing something, it’s time to leave. This includes emotional public speaking, tagging, looting, vandalism, or provoking the police. If you aren’t comfortable with what’s happening, take that as your cue to head home.

What to Do If …

We can’t prepare you for every possible scenario. In unknown situations, your common sense and your best judgment should guide you. But for the circumstances listed below, these tips may help you form a plan.

… You’re Exposed to Tear Gas

Tear gas is a thick, powdery fog that sticks to moisture like saliva, sweat, tears, and mucous membranes and causes an intense burning sensation. If gas is used, it’s important to stay calm, because panicking will worsen the effects. Follow airplane rules: Help yourself before helping others. If a tear gas canister is deployed, move away from the cloud, quickly and calmly. Try to keep your breathing slow and even. If you’re able, try to help those around you move away from the cloud. Tear gas is heavier than air and eventually falls, so move to higher ground if you’re able.

You’ll need to flush out your eyes. The best thing to use for this is water. Protesters and street medics have used what’s called a LAW solution, which is a mixture of 50 percent unflavored liquid antacid and 50 percent water.

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Protesters and street medics have also used a baking soda solution consisting of a teaspoon of baking soda for every 8.5 ounces of water. These solutions are fully effective only if they are thoroughly mixed. Blinking rapidly encourages natural tear production and can help flush the eyes. Do not use milk; it’s less effective, can spoil quickly, and can cause infections, especially in eyes. You should also blow your nose and spit—and avoid sniffing or swallowing, as this may worsen symptoms. Change your clothing as soon as possible. Take a shower as soon as possible too, but use cold water, as hot water can make the burning sensation worse.

… You’re Exposed to Pepper Spray

Some of the same advice applies here. Move away quickly and try to remain as calm as you can. Change your clothes as soon as you can. Avoid touching your face or any other area that was exposed. Pepper spray is oil-based, so it can be trickier to remove, and it spreads over the skin easily. Water will help with symptoms, but it won’t remove the irritating oils. LAW solution, baking soda solution, or diluted “no tears” shampoo are more effective.

… You Encounter a Violent Police Officer

Say as little as possible. You are not obligated to have a conversation with the police. In most states, you need to give an officer your name and address if they ask for it. This is why it’s important to look up the specific laws for your location before the protest. Stay calm, keep your hands where officers can see them, and consider filming the interaction as unobtrusively as possible as a safeguard. You may be able to make a plan with the members of your group where those not involved in a police encounter can film it as a bystander. Try to write down or remember the officer’s badge number and any defining characteristics (like height, eye color, or tattoos) if the badge number isn’t visible.

… You Encounter the Military

Listen to and follow the orders being dictated by the US Military or National Guard if they are present. If you are planning to engage in civil disobedience, be prepared for the very realistic scenario of encountering crowd-dispersal measures like tear gas or less-lethal rifle rounds, and getting detained or arrested. Understand the consequences that may pertain to you specifically; if you’re undocumented, a person of color, or belong to any marginalized group, your course of action here may be different from that of a white protester. Use common sense, take cues from the protest organizers, and keep your safety and the safety of others around you in mind.

… You’re Arrested or Detained

Since you did your research before you left, and you know your rights, you’re prepared for this. According to the ACLU, you should say you wish to remain silent, and immediately ask for a lawyer. Do not resist arrest, even if you think what’s happening is unfair. Write down the badge number of your arresting officer, if possible. Ask for a phone call. Note that arrests during protests don’t always follow the typical pattern of arrests that might ensue from something like a traffic stop. You might be left waiting for hours without access to a phone. You might not have any information about what’s going to happen next, or when. Try to stay as calm as possible, and follow instructions given to you. If needed, you can pursue legal action once you’re home and safe.

… You’re an Immigrant to the US

If you are an immigrant to the US with a valid visa, First Amendment rights to free speech and protest apply to you too. While those rights may apply, they only really matter if they are not violated, which feels more and more uncertain in an administration that has demonstrated increasing eagerness to sweep up and deport people who were not born in this country.

The ACLU has a helpful list of what your rights are as an immigrant in the US. If law enforcement stops you or detains you, you can remain silent and ask to talk to an attorney. If an officer wants to search you or your belongings, you have the right to say no. If an immigration agent asks for your papers, you have to present them, but you don’t have to say much else. Some states require you to tell an officer your name when being detained, but other than that you don’t have to provide any more information until you meet with an attorney.

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Still, Ayda Akalin, a managing attorney at LandUS Law who specializes in immigration law, says that if you’re on a student visa or any kind of nonimmigrant visa like an H-1B visa or an O-1 visa, they should “think twice before going to a protest.” Her advice extends to social media activity, Akalin says, or posting images of yourself and others in your network. “You want to avoid sharing anything that could be perceived—even remotely—as incitement, advocating for the overthrow of the government, or associating with groups designated as unlawful or terrorist under US law.”

This is especially important since the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has said the DHS would be monitoring the social media of immigrants for anything perceived to be antisemitic activity. (This includes “aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity,” the announcement reads.)

“It’s very hard for me as an attorney to say, ‘Do not exercise your First Amendment rights,’ especially given that students protesting has a historic significance in this country,” Akalin says. “But I do think people just need to be aware of the risks.”

She suggested one way that citizens can show support for those who may be especially vulnerable at protests: Carry a red card. These free, printable cards are available at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, and display a brief explanation of citizen and non-citizen rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. One side of the card is in English; the other, your native language. They’re meant to be presented when someone in a vulnerable position is confronted by law enforcement, but if every single person at a protest carries one, then it creates a kind of solidarity amongst the crowd and creates consistency in the response to law enforcement.

In general, be mindful of what’s happening around you. If the cops demand people to disperse and you hold a visa, you’re probably better off leaving. If you’re arrested for ignoring instructions or inciting violence, your immigration status could be revoked.

… You See Someone Getting Arrested

If you witness an arrest or police brutality happening in public, you have a right to film it. Do not intervene physically, and do not try to hide the fact that you are recording. If you’re white, your presence alone may deter additional police brutality, and filming interactions may further bolster that deterrence.

After the Protest

If you were motivated by a specific cause or call to action, don’t just go home after you’ve marched and consider it done. Follow up with the organizers and ask if there’s more action to take or how you might continue to push local leaders toward policies you consider more just.

Even if you weren’t able to show up in person, there’s still a lot you can do from home, says Lila Eltawely, who sits on the board of the Minneapolis-based advocacy group Reviving Sisterhood.

“Buying supplies and food for people who are on the ground works too. It’s all a chain,” she says. “Protesting is on a spectrum. Some of us have the ability to go outside and hold up a sign, and some of us are not able to. So whatever helps the overall goal of the current situation helps.”

Additional reporting by Reece Rogers and Michael Calore.