Show Up, Stand Firm, Get Home Safe: The No-B.S. Field Guide for Everyone Going to the “No Kings” Protests This Weekend
Practical, ruthless-clear instructions on how to maximize your impact, protect yourself from troublemakers, and come home whole...written like I’d say it to a friend across the table.
Show Up, Stand Firm, Get Home Safe: The No-B.S. Field Guide for Everyone Going to the “No Kings” Protests This Weekend
Practical, ruthless-clear instructions on how to maximize your impact, protect yourself from troublemakers, and come home whole...written like I’d say it to a friend across the table.
The Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter #602: Thursday, October 16th, 2025
You’re going to a rally this weekend. You want to do real work…raise a voice…change a narrative…protect your neighborhood…hold officials accountable.
You also don’t want to be a headline: arrested…injured…or baited into a viral clip that rewrites the story the wrong way.
Good. This is the guide I wish everyone had before they walked into a crowd. No hype. No moralizing.
Just the things that matter: preparation…presence…prevention..and the follow-through that actually changes things.
Read it. Bookmark it.
Share it with the five people you’ll be standing with. Then show up with discipline.
The Mindset: Why Discipline Beats Rage
Let me tell you something straight…rallies are a force multiplier for people who are disciplined.
Disorder amplifies the loudest two things: the dumbest act and the camera that catches it. Discipline turns a noisy event into leverage. Discipline makes your message stay on message.
If you’re mad…good. Be strategic with that anger. Channel it. Don’t let it channel you.
The single biggest mistake I see at rallies: people treat them like fights. They’re not.
They’re public performance…political theater…and a series of tactical windows.
Showmanship matters. Legitimacy matters. Safety matters. You want to change minds and policy? Be the person who looks like they know what they’re doing.
Before You Go: Prep Like the Pros
Decide your objective now
Are you there to amplify a message? Hold a banner? Protect a vote-drop zone? Document and report abuse? Stick to one or two objectives and tell your group. Simplicity beats multitasking.
Form a team and a chain of command
Small groups of 4–6 with a named leader work best. Assign roles: lead marcher, medic, documentarian (video), legal point person…communications runner. Exchange names and phone numbers now…before the noise.
Know the law where you’ll be
Protest laws vary. Some cities restrict masks…others limit where you can gather. If you plan to be anywhere near restricted zones (government buildings, transit hubs), assume policing will be stricter.
If you want legal advice…contact local civil-liberties groups or legal observers and print out the local rules…don’t rely on hearsay.
Legal observers & rapid-response lawyers
Find out if organizations (ACLU, local civil-liberties groups, National Lawyers Guild chapters) are deploying legal observers.
Save their hotline on your phone. If you can, bring a card with the number written on it in marker…phone batteries die.
Emergency contacts & “If I go missing” plan
Tell someone at home where you’ll be and who you’re with. Designate a single emergency contact. Set a check-in time. If you don’t check in…they call a specified number (legal hotline, organizer, etc.).
Plan your route and exits
Know three ways in and three ways out. Pick rendezvous points away from the stage in case the crowd scatters. Identify safe houses: cafés…churches… friendly businesses where you can regroup.
Physical & tech prep
Charge your phone. Bring a battery pack. Hard-copy IDs and $20 cash in case cards don’t work. Light snacks and water. Minimal first-aid supplies (bandages, gauze, pain reliever), and any prescription meds in original containers.
Dress for purpose
Comfortable shoes. Layered clothes. Weather appropriate. Clear eye protection (goggles) can be useful if things get chaotic.
Avoid overly political gear if your goal is de-escalation or building broad trust…you may want to blend in to protect the message.
Gloves and a hat are fine; anything that looks tactical (body armor, military fatigues, riot gear) can escalate perceptions and policing.
What not to bring
No weapons. No explosives. No illegal drugs. NO items that can be construed as weapons (crowbars, masks in locales where they’re illegal, blunt objects). Don’t risk being branded a provocateur. This is non-negotiable.
Gear List…Minimal & Practical
Essentials:
Charged phone + battery pack
Hard copy ID and emergency contact card
$20 cash
Water bottle (reusable)
Light first-aid kit
Clear goggles and a bandana (for dust/smoke)
Small notepad + pen
Fully loaded power bank and charging cable
Optional but smart:
Portable whistle (very loud)
Disposable surgical mask or bandana (air quality or chemical irritant protection; check local law on masks)
Small flashlight or headlamp
Solid shoes (no sandals)
A cloth or small towel…multiple uses
Media & documentation:
Extra phone for video (don’t drain your main battery)
If you’re an organizer…pre-load an encrypted messaging app or a closed group chat for your team (Signal, Telegram with groups). Make sure everyone knows which app you’ll use.
How to Arrive…First 30 Minutes
Get there early. Early presence lets you set the narrative for your area of the crowd. Late arrivals get swept to the edges…where troublemakers like to hide.
Find your team…check gear, and put someone on document duty. One person’s job: film the crowd and any interactions with police from a safe angle.
Confirm your exit routes. Make physical contact points…give each other a tap on the shoulder…a nod. Use small gestures to confirm attention…in a crowd…shouting doesn’t work.
Scout for medical tents…legal observer tables…and press staging areas. These are safe anchor points.
How to Behave in the Crowd…Stay Visible…Not Vulnerable
Keep your energy level controlled
Loud voices…marching rhythm…and confident posture matter. But avoid angry… aggressive behaviors that could escalate into violence or bait opponents.
Hands visible
Keep your hands where others can see them. It’s a simple…human trust builder and it reduces the likelihood of misinterpretation.
No provocations
Do not engage one-on-one with agitators who shout insults or try to bait you. Your role is to hold presence…not to win an argument. Use non-escalatory language and move on.
If confronted physically
Avoid matching force. Your priority is to de-escalate and retreat to safety. Use your whistle…call for medics or legal observers…document…then withdraw.
If someone else gets violent
Get distance. Record if you can safely. Assist injured once you’re safe. The instinct to “help” is human…but don’t trade your safety for a viral clip.
Protecting the message
If you’re there for a cause…remember: images last longer than intentions. Don’t let a hotheaded few define your movement.
De-Escalation Tactics That Work (Nonviolent, Effective)
Use the name technique:
Say the person’s name if you know it (or give them a neutral name). Humanizing disarms aggression.
Mirror and slow down:
Keep your voice low. Match their tempo and reduce it. High voices ratchet tension.
Offer an exit:
“Let’s step over there and talk it out” gives face-saving space to back down.
Intervene as a group:
If a single person is being targeted…surround calmly…human shield style…and usher them away.
Call in neutral third parties:
Medics…marshals…religious leaders…or press can neutralize a heated moment.
These are not Jedi tricks; they’re simple social engineering tools that work because humans crave social signals of safety.
If Police Show Up: Rights, Realities, and What to Do
First, know this: police behavior varies by city. Don’t assume the worst, but be prepared.
Know your rights (basic)
You have the right to film police in public spaces…in most jurisdictions. Record from a safe distance and keep your hands visible.
If arrested, remain calm. Ask for a lawyer and don’t answer questions beyond name and ID (consult local legal guidance).
If asked to disperse…comply if you can do so safely…then document and challenge the action later through legal channels.
If police order dispersal
Ask where and how you should leave (it’s lawful to ask). Back away slowly. Do not run unless you must. Running can be seen as aggressive and can escalate things.
If tear gas or chemical agents are used
Move upwind and out of the area. Flush eyes with water (don’t rub). Remove contact lenses if worn. Rinse face and breathe shallowly through a mask or cloth until you’re clear.
If detained or arrested
Don’t resist. Note badge numbers if possible. Give your legal hotline the arrest time and location. Once released…document everything and contact legal observers.
Important:
This is not legal counsel. Local variances apply. If you’re concerned about arrests…carry local lawyer hotlines and practice a short “if arrested” script with your team.
Document Everything: But Do It Smart
Documentation is power. It protects you, exposes wrongdoing, and sets the narrative straight.
Film wide then close.
Start with wide shots to show context…then closeups to capture actions. Keep a timestamped log.
Use two phones if you can:
One for streaming or uploading immediately to cloud storage…another to keep recording if one dies or is confiscated.
Back up to the cloud:
Immediately, if possible. Upload to multiple services and share links with trusted contacts.
Tag your uploads:
With time…place…and brief notes. Raw video without context is less useful.
Chain of custody matters:
If footage may be used in court…note who had the file and when.
Record peacefully and confidently. If you’re told to stop filming…politely state your rights and keep recording from a respectful distance.
First Aid & Minor Trauma Response (Simple, Clear)
Stop the bleed.
If heavy bleeding…apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage and call medics immediately.
For eye exposure (pepper spray/tear gas):
Flush with water. Blink. Don’t use creams or oils. Seek medics if pain persists.
For concussion/head injury:
Keep the person still…check for consciousness…call emergency services.
For shock:
Keep the person warm and calm; lay them down and elevate legs if no spinal injury is suspected.
Document injuries:
Photos…witness contacts…and medical records are critical evidence.
If you can, have at least one person in your group trained in basic first aid. That training pays for itself in an hour.
Media & Message: Make the Narrative Yours
You win or lose on narrative. Plan three short messages before you walk in…repeat them often, calmly, and loudly:
One-line goal: “We’re here to [primary purpose].”
Two-line explanation: “Because [reason], and we won’t back down until [outcome].”
Call to action: “If you agree, do this after you leave: [phone your rep / donate / volunteer].”
Assign a confident…calm communicator to say these lines to press when needed. Don’t let the movement speak through a random hothead.
Use visual…clear…readable signage that encapsulates your call. Images get shared; slogans get memed.
If someone tries to hijack your message…don’t engage theatrically. Record…document…and redirect with your scripted message.
Social Media Strategy: Be Smart, Not Reckless
Pre-post: Share where you’ll be and how people can support.
Live: Use short clips, captions, and livestreams sparingly and with context. Keep uploads backed up.
After: Create a polished montage of the day with timestamps and calls to action. Offer clear next steps for readers and viewers.
Don’t feed the outrage machine by amplifying violence. Amplify the reason you were there.
After the Rally: The Real Work Begins
Rallies are sparks. Your job…if you care about outcomes…is to fanning that spark into fire with discipline.
Debrief with your team within 24 hours. What worked? What didn’t? Document lessons.
Upload and secure all footage. Give copies to trusted legal observers and journalists.
Report abuses — file complaints with oversight bodies, local DA…and civil-liberties organizations.
Follow up with lawmakers. Don’t let this be a momentary outrage cycle. Call.. email…show up at local meetings.
Refund your energy into structure…volunteer…donate…train others. Movements that last have systems…not just moments.
Mental Health: You’re Not a Cog…You’re a Human
Crowds are exhausting. Seeing violence is traumatic. Do not minimize it.
Take care of sleep…hydration, and food in the 48 hours after.
Talk about what you saw with a trusted friend or counselor.
If your sleep or mood changes dramatically…seek professional help. These are real symptoms of stress and trauma…treat them seriously.
Final Word…Be Useful…Not Viral
If there’s one brutal truth to carry away:
Heroism is not viral. Heroism is repeatable…sustainable…and boring. The loudest clip may get attention…but it won’t win votes…change policies…or protect people in the long run.
Be useful. Be disciplined. Protect the people next to you. Make the story you want to be told.
Show up. Do the work. Get home safe. Then do it again, better.
Back soon,
-Jack
Extremely useful advice for people anywhere in the world, thank you
Thank you 🙏💙🕊