No Kings 3 Tips & Tools: Safety Planning
Last week, we shared tips for publicizing your event. This week, we're talking about safety. No Kings National takes safety seriously. Every event is required to designate a Safety Lead and complete a written Safety Plan.
Creating a Safety Plan
The Safety Plan template is available in the No Kings Host Toolkit and must be completed for every event. Plans will look different depending on your format and location, but at a high level, they include:
- Event overview (including primary safety concerns)
- Safety team (peacekeepers and safety lead roles and contact information)
- Support needs (medical, jail support if needed, press coordination)
- Communication (team communication plan and how you’ll communicate with attendees)
- Exit, dispersal, and emergency meeting point
All No Kings events are committed to lawful, nonviolent action, no civil disobedience, and no weapons of any kind.
Finding Safety Marshals & Volunteers
It can be challenging to find enough safety marshals, especially if you're not sure how many folks will attend. Some organizers estimate the need for 1 marshal per 50 attendees (for larger, more complicated events), or per 100 attendees (for brief, less complicated events). It can also help to plan for safety by zones. Think about where your event will take place. Think about potential safety choke-points, such as streets, crosswalks, public buildings, etc.
Before seeking safety support, come up with a brief statement of what a peacekeeper or safety marshal will need to do. For example, they must attend safety training prior to the event, provide their cell phone number and agree to be on Signal for the duration of the event, and focus on observing rather than holding signs or participating actively in the demonstration.
To find volunteers, start by emailing your Mobilize list and asking directly. Then reach out to aligned local groups, such as Democratic Town Committees, Indivisible groups, diversity organizations, faith communities, and others. Ask each to provide 1–2 volunteers.
Training Opportunities
There are many virtual and in-person safety trainings. Recommend that your volunteers visit the No Kings training hub to view one or more past trainings and to find upcoming virtual sessions.
An in-person Safety Marshal Training is also being offered in Millis on March 11 from 6-9pm. This training will focus on site safety preparedness and practical de-escalation strategies for community demonstrations. Learn more and register here.
Strong organizing is safe organizing. When we prepare well, our message stays front and center, and our communities feel confident showing up. For more safety and de-escalation resources, check out our public Google folder, No Kings National Days of Action. It includes direct access to the No Kings Host Toolkit, a sample safety plan, and other tips and tools.