How to Organize a Protest: A Step-by-Step Guide to Peaceful Assembly

When you’re passionate about an issue and creating action or change seems daunting, a protest could be one way to draw attention to your cause. Don't know where to begin? That's where this guide on how to organize a protest comes in.

From the 1963 March on Washington to one activist holding up a sign outside your local city hall, protest is a time-honored tradition, a powerful tool for spurring action and a First Amendment right.

Discover how to organize a protest in 10 steps

This guide outlines the steps you can take when you’re wondering how to organize a protest and how each step is protected by the First Amendment.

Step 1. Recruit other organizers

The First Amendment freedom of assembly protects the right to organize behind the scenes with like-minded people as well as to gather for your protest.

Assembly is the only freedom you can’t exercise alone, and working with other people who support your cause can amplify your impact. You can learn from and share ideas with other activists who care about your cause.

⚠️ It is possible to hold a protest of one without exercising assembly. ⚠️

Step 2. Determine your message

Freedom of speech protects the right to express any viewpoint you hold in the way that you wish, from civil to inflammatory and everything in between. That freedom is brought to you by the First Amendment.

⚠️ Remember that inciting imminent violence and true threats are not protected speech. ⚠️

What kind of action or change do you want? Why does it matter? What will spur people who see your protest to act toward that change?

You might chant your message at your protest and write it on signs and banners. Often, protests feature catchy, creative messages that stick with people.

Freedom of speech protects many different types of expression beyond written or spoken words, too. You might deliver your message symbolically by actions like kneeling or raising a fist. You could wear or carry a symbol that stands for your message.

Step 3. Plan your petition

Freedom of petition protects the right to speak directly to the government. It is another freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment.

If the change you are seeking through your protest depends on government action or policy, consider including a petition.

Explore what policy change or government action you are seeking. Who can effect that change? The answer will determine whether you’ll want to petition your mayor, state parks department, congressperson, the president or some other government official or agency.

Petitions can take the form of letter writing or calling, a physical petition presented to a government official or agency, speaking at a local meeting or an online petition.

⚠️ Your goal may not be action from the government. In this case, decide what your goal is: Is it raising awareness, generating news coverage, reaching a power or authority figure who is not a government figure? ⚠️

Step 4. Pick your tactics

There are many ways to protest. People throughout U.S. history have exercised freedom of assembly in many creative ways.

Your protest could be a sit-in, a boycott, a walkout or a strike.

Your protest could feature a march, with participants parading from one place to another. It could be a rally or demonstration at a specific location, perhaps featuring speeches.

A march or rally are popular options for protests because they are publicly visible and can generate awareness and attention for a cause.

You can also consider holding your protest on a day or at a time of significance to your cause.

RELATED: 20 of the most famous protests in U.S. history

Step 5. Research protest laws

This step is important for any protest planner because First Amendment freedoms of speech and assembly are not unlimited. Know when protest loses First Amendment protection and what types of restrictions can apply even to protected protests.

Being part of a protest doesn’t mean laws go out the window. Violence is not protected. Trespassing and destruction of property are still illegal, whether these crimes are committed as part of a protest or not.

Blocking cars, public transportation or pedestrians is not protected protest.

If you plan civil disobedience – by intentionally breaking laws against blocking traffic, for example – understand the risks. You could be arrested and charged for any laws you break.

Even protected protests are subject to restrictions or regulations on the time, place and manner of protests.

For example, your city or town may have legal limits on the noise level allowed for protests or on when sound amplification like microphones can be used. There may be limits on when protests are allowed, such as not during rush hour or not in the middle of the night.

Importantly, these laws must be applied to all protests equally, not depending on the cause or viewpoint of protestors.

Check your city and state for the information most specific to your protest.

RELATED: Protesting on college campuses: FAQs answered

Step 6. Select a protest location

When planning the location for a rally or route for a march, consider your cause. You may want to select a location with lots of eyeballs for attention, one that is particularly relevant to your cause or a location near an authority you’re petitioning.

It’s also important for protest organizers to understand where it’s OK to protest, where specific permission may be needed and where protest is not allowed.

The courts have identified several different types of public spaces where the government has greater control over protests, depending on what the space is designed and traditionally used for.

For example, a town square is one place protest is most likely to be allowed because its purpose is public discussion. On the other hand, a police station evidence room is not likely to be a place where protest is permitted because it’s not a publicly accessible space (even though it is publicly owned) and protest would interfere with the work happening there.

Similarly, be aware of limits on protest in residential areas. Know that protests at courthouses that aim to influence the outcomes of cases in progress are often limited. And know that there are limits on activity at or near polling places on election day based on laws against voter intimidation.

On private property, it is up to the owner whether to allow protests. In privately owned places that are accessible to the public (like a shopping center), it can be more complex. Protests in these spaces are not automatically permitted, according to the U.S. Supreme Court. It depends on your state’s laws, on the purpose of the space and how disruptive the protest is, so be aware. Coordinating with the property manager in advance can help ensure a protest is OK. 

If your protest will be large, will block sidewalk traffic, or will block streets, you may need a permit. 

Step 7. Get a permit if required

Check with your local authorities to confirm whether your protest will require a permit – such as if it will include a lot of people or require reserving a space – and if so, apply for your permit.

Often, permits are filed with the city manager or other local departments such as the parks department (if you want to protest at a public park) or the transportation department (if you want to use streets).

If you’re not sure, check with your local mayor’s office or city council member.

Often, protest permit requirements are like the requirements and permits needed for other events like run/walks, festivals, markets and holiday parades.

There may be a fee to file a protest application, but there should also be a way for any fee to be waived in case of need.

⚠️ Protest applications cannot be denied because government authorities dislike or disagree with the mission of your protest. They can be denied for reasons unrelated to the topic or viewpoint of your protest, such as the location of your protest is already booked or is too small for the expected size of your group. ⚠️

Step 8. Set up logistics and safety plans

There is more to ensuring your protest happens smoothly than making sure you’re following the law. If you're planning a protest in which a group of people will participate, you’ll also want to take care of the needs and safety of your fellow protestors.

Logistics considerations for planning your protest include transportation, participants’ personal needs and weather.

Protest planners can think ahead about how to keep protesters aware and safe. Being informed about protest rights and the limits on protest rights helps you and other participants know what to expect in the event of different scenarios.

• Recording: Know that in general, it is permissible to record and to be recorded while in public. There may be exceptions in some states for recording audio without permission, but news media, participants or observers can, in general, take and share video of protests in public places.
• Privacy: Generally, there is no expectation of privacy in public, but at the same time the First Amendment does protect the right to speak anonymously. This can create a tough balance when it comes to hiding one’s identity while protesting. Know that some jurisdictions have limits on mask-wearing and that these rules sometimes face free speech challenges.
• Counter-protestors: Counter-speech is protected by the First Amendment. But counter-protestors shouting down or even threatening the safety of your event are not reasons that the government can shut down your event. At the same time, the government can’t shut down the speech of people with a different view. Police will keep opposing protest groups physically separated for safety but cannot treat groups differently based on their viewpoint or message.
• Police: Protest organizers may wish to make plans for what to do if protestors are stopped by police. Civil rights groups recommend that protestors comply with lawful orders. Protestors do not have to answer any questions or consent to searches by law enforcement, though you may be searched anyway.

Step 9. Publicize your protest

One common goal of protests is to generate awareness and attention. Another goal can be to have a certain number of participants.

To inform people about your protest, you’ll need to publicize the event.

The First Amendment freedoms of speech and press protect the ability to share a message through gathering and distributing information – not just for journalists, but for anyone.

Options for spreading the word about your protest include connecting with local journalists and direct outreach to your communities.

The news media can reach a wide audience. Newspapers, broadcast news and other traditional media also have their own First Amendment rights to publish what they wish. Similarly, social media platforms have their own policies and terms of use.

Step 10. Put your plan into action

On the day of your event, it’s time to put what you’ve planned into action.

Put on your comfortable shoes. Pack your ID, permit paperwork and first-aid kit. Grab your sign or banner. Meet up with your protest group, if you have one, or start your solo protest.

And remember, when you are speaking out, assembling peacefully and telling the government what you want from it, you are exercising your First Amendment freedoms.

Now you know how to organize a protest!

Protests and petitions are activities protected by the First Amendment. But they are not a guarantee of immediate action or change. It can take time for a cause to build momentum.

While planning your protest, you can consider how you will follow up to keep your cause top of mind after the event itself. For example, many protests on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., conclude with participants meeting with their congressional representatives to discuss the cause in more depth.

This guide on how to organize a protest is compiled based on previously published Freedom Forum content and the input of Freedom Forum First Amendment Specialist Kevin Goldberg. He can be reached at [email protected].