Safety Tips for Bannering

Activists displaying banners from a pedestrian bridge over a freeway. US/Israel Are Starving Gaza
Let Gaza Eat.
  • Recognize that there are risks involved in participating in this activity given the divisive and sometimes violent rhetoric espoused by reactionary political leaders, their followers, and rightwing media.
  • Besides that, there are the risks related to just being near high speed automobile traffic. Be alert, watch both ways when crossing, etc.
  • When possible, take precautions by anchoring banners and signs to whatever stable fixture you can find. Do not rope or bungee yourself to a banner.
  • Go out in groups of at least three people.
  • Determine who in your group is best trained and experienced in deescalation.
  • If you are confronted by one or more people expressing disapproval in a potentially aggressive way, try to do everything in your power to deescalate the situation. Often just ignoring the person(s) is enough. Otherwise, employ whatever deescalaton skills you may have collectively among the group.
  • Consider leaving if threatened with violence. There may be situations in which holding your ground is appropriate and necessary, but this is not one them.
  • Carry pepper spray. Use it only as a last resort.
  • Share these tips with your group.