Protesting in New Hampshire

How to Protest in New Hampshire

Protesting in New Hampshire is a constitutionally protected right. Protests can range from a single-person protest to large rallies and protests that contain tens of thousands of people.

Practical Preperation

  • Stay hydrated and dress for the expected weather. 

  • Bring any needed supplies including water, meds, and cash. 

  • Fully charge your cell phone and bring a battery extender if possible. 

  • Protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants). 

  • Take supplies to protect from and safely remove chemical irritants (face covering, milk of magnesia, towelettes). 

  • Know emergency contact numbers written on your body or paper (don’t rely on your phone). 

  • Have an offline map of the venue and surrounding areas available as cell service may be limited in some cases.

  • Plan multiple routes into and out of the protest area.

  • Set a rally point with others for where you will meet in the event of an emergency.

Let at least one emergency contact know your plan and make arrangements to keep them posted on your status during and after the event:

  • Where will you be?

  • How will you get there?

  • Where do you intend to go in an emergency?

  • What time do you intend to get back?

Do not bring:

  • Anything illegal or that can be construed as a weapon 

  • Contact lenses (can trap tear gas) 

  • Valuable items 

The Human Rights Campaign has more helpful tips for LGBTQIA+ Protestors

Know Your Rights

The following is guidance from the ACLU:

  • Your rights are strongest in what are known as “traditional public forums,” such as streets, sidewalks, and parks. You also likely have the right to speak out on other public property, like plazas in front of government buildings, as long as you are not blocking access to the government building or interfering with other purposes the property was designed for.

  • Private property owners can set rules for speech on their property. The government may not restrict your speech if it is taking place on your own property or with the consent of the property owner.

  • Counter-protesters also have free speech rights. Police must treat protesters and counter-protesters equally. Police are permitted to keep antagonistic groups separated but should allow them to be within sight and sound of one another.

  • When you are lawfully present in any public space, you have the right to photograph anything in plain view, including federal buildings and the police. On private property, the owner may set rules related to photography or video.

  • You don’t need a permit to march in the streets or on sidewalks, as long as marchers don’t obstruct car or pedestrian traffic. If you don't have a permit, police officers can ask you to move to the side of a street or sidewalk to let others pass or for saf

  • ety reasons.

If you believe your rights have been violated at a protest:

  • When you can, write down everything you remember, including the officers' badge and patrol car numbers and the agency they work for.

  • Get contact information for witnesses.

  • Take photographs of any injuries.

  • Once you have all of this information, you can file a written complaint with the agency's internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.

What happens if the Police ask folks to disperse:

  • Shutting down a protest through a dispersal order must be law enforcement’s last resort. Police may not break up a gathering unless there is a clear and present danger of riot, disorder, interference with traffic, or other immediate threat to public safety.

  • If officers issue a dispersal order, they must provide a reasonable opportunity to comply, including sufficient time and a clear, unobstructed exit path.

  • Individuals must receive clear and detailed notice of a dispersal order, including how much time they have to disperse, the consequences of failing to disperse, and what clear exit route they can follow, before they may be arrested or charged with any crime.

For more about your rights at protests, please refer to the ACLU’s Know Your Rights page

Staying Safe in a Protest

Protesting carries with it inherit risk, despite the right to protest being a constitutionally-protected one. We’ve developed best practices to ensure the safety of all. If you’re attending a protest in coalition with 603 Equality, please follow this non-engagement guidance:

Non­-Engagement Guidance for Protest and Demonstration Activity

603 Equality asks that supporters do not engage with people protesting or demonstrating against 603 Equality or against the LGBTQ+  rights events on XYZ. Non-engagement will limit opportunities for media coverage of protests and demonstrations, and help to protect staff and volunteers from possible charges of harassment by protestors. In general, 603 Equality strongly discourages counter-protest activity, as a situation can quickly escalate in unanticipated ways. 

603 Equality’s mission is too important to allow opposition activity to distract us from our work.

Core non-engagement practices:

  • Do not respond to comments or signs.

  • Do not make eye contact with protestors.

  • Do not accept literature or other hand outs from protestors.

  • Avoid physical contact.

  • If being directly harassed, walk away to a safer space, and report to law enforcement and/or peacekeepers as needed.

Things to remember:

  • Do not use names within earshot of a protestor

  • Assume you may be filmed or photographed at all times (this is legal in public places)

  • Do not have any form of identification, including name tags, visible

  • Avoid using your phone when walking to or from, or when attending an event where protestors may be present. Stay alert and aware of your surroundings.