How to Guide to Organize a Protest
By Ben Cable (Citizen Ben)
Originally Published on Substack Feb. 26, 2025
“I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore!” was an awesome line shouted by Howard Beale in the 1976 movie Network. You fired up and ready to make some noise? You have a cause, a slogan, and an unstoppable urge to rally people together for change? Awesome! Now, let’s make sure your protest is effective, safe, and—let’s be honest—doesn’t turn into a chaotic mess.
Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash
Step 1: Define Your Purpose (“Just Because” Won’t Cut It)
Before you grab a megaphone and start yelling in the streets, make sure you have a clear message. Are you protesting an unfair law? Demanding action on climate change? Rallying against bad coffee at your local café? (Hey, we all have our battles.)
Write down your goal in one sentence. If you can’t sum it up quickly, people won’t remember it. And if they can’t remember it, they won’t show up.
Step 2: Gather Your Allies (Strength in Numbers, Folks)
A one-person protest is just you looking mad in public. Talk to friends, community groups, or organizations that share your cause. Social media is your friend—use it to spread the word and recruit supporters. If your only attendees are you and your pet cat, Mr. Whiskers, you might need to rethink your approach.
Step 3: Plan the Logistics (Because “Wing It” is a Bad Strategy)
- Location, Location, Location: Choose a spot that’s visible and relevant. Protesting outside city hall? Great. Outside your mom’s house? Less effective.
- Date & Time: Make sure it’s a time when people can actually show up.
- Permits: Check with your police department if you need one. Most places require them for large gatherings. Getting arrested before the protest even starts is a rookie mistake.
- Speakers & Signs: Prepare chants, signs, whistles, and speakers (megaphone or actual humans). No one wants to stare at a group of people awkwardly standing around. Avoid using sticks and poles as they can be seen by law enforcement weapons. Do not bring weapons.
Step 4: Spread the Word (Otherwise, It’s Just You and a Sad Banner)
- Social Media: Create an event page, use hashtags, and post frequently.
- Flyers & Posters: Old school, but effective. Put them in places your supporters frequent.
- Press & Influencers: Get local journalists, bloggers, or social media influencers to help amplify your message. The more coverage, the better.
Step 5: Safety and Keep It Peaceful (Breaking Stuff Doesn’t Help the Cause)
The goal is to get attention for the right reasons. Stay calm, stay organized, and don’t engage with provocateurs. If counter-protesters show up, don’t take the bait. Remember: nothing ruins a movement faster than an unnecessary scuffle caught on cameras.
Have a whistle, it helps bring attention to issues on top of noise for your protest. Watch out for each other, know your surrounding and watch for counter protesters. Do not leave a protest or rally alone, have a buddy.
Step 6: Have a Backup Plan (Murphy’s Law is Real)
Things go wrong. It rains. The sound system fails. The police show up with questions. Be flexible, adapt, and keep your sense of humor.
Step 7: Follow Up (Because One Protest Isn’t the Finish Line)
A protest is just the beginning. Keep people engaged by sharing next steps. Should they call their representatives? Sign a petition? Boycott a company? Keep the momentum going so all your effort doesn’t fizzle out.
Also, share what happened during your protest on social media, through blogs, or with local news outlets. Post photos, videos, and personal testimonies to keep the message alive and inspire others to take action.
A protest is just the beginning. Keep people engaged by sharing next steps. Should they call their representatives? Sign a petition? Boycott a company? Keep the momentum going so all your effort doesn’t fizzle out.
Learn from History: Great Protests in the United States
Looking for inspiration? Here are some of the most impactful protests in U.S. history:
- The Boston Tea Party (1773): Going back in history a bit but one of the earliest acts of protest in American history, where colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to oppose taxation without representation, sparking the Revolutionary War.
- Black Lives Matter Protests (2013-2024): A nationwide movement against police brutality and systemic racism, gaining global attention after the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, leading to widespread demonstrations, and policy discussions and changes.
- The March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation (1993): An estimated 800,000 to 1 million people gathered in Washington, D.C., advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, military inclusion, and legal protections. I was there and advocating for Gay and Lesbian Marriage at the National Press Club with Rev. Jesse Jackson.
- The March on Washington (1963): Over 250,000 people gathered to demand civil rights and heard Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
- The Women’s March (2017): Millions across the country marched in support of women’s rights, making it one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history.
- The Stonewall Riots (1969): A pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ rights, sparking the modern gay rights movement.
- The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956): A 381-day protest against segregation in public transportation, led by Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.
- The Vietnam War Protests (1960s-70s): Mass protests, including the Kent State demonstrations, helped shift public opinion against the war.
What Not to Do (Avoid These Rookie Mistakes)
- Don’t Forget Water & Snacks: Bring water and eat before the protest. Hangry protesters are not happy protesters.
- Don’t Show Up Without a Plan: Wandering aimlessly with a sign is a parade, not a protest.
- Don’t Argue With Police: Know your rights, stay respectful, and don’t escalate.
- Don’t Make It All About You: It’s about the cause, not your moment to go viral.
Final Thoughts: Protesting is an Art and a Responsibility
A little background and disclosure. I protested in the 1990’s Los Angeles for LGBTQ rights and documented many of these on YouTube. I was again in the streets for Black Lives Matter and for the second term of President Donald Trump.
Done right, protests change history. Done wrong, they become a footnote in the “That Was Weird” section of local news.
So plan well, stay safe, and go make some noise!
