Homelessness & An Invitation to Come Closer Wednesday,  April 16 7–8pm 

University Unitarian Church — 6556 35th Avenue NE 

Reception to follow

Rex Hohlbein, the founder of Facing Homelessness, will speak about being in relationship with and giving a voice to those experiencing homelessness. Rex encourages us to find ways to come a bit closer, and consider how each of us can take our own small and meaningful steps to end homelessness in our city.

UUC welcomes the return of Tent City 3 for 4 months, until July 26, 2025. TC3 offers safe, supportive, and substance-free shelter to families, individuals and couples who find themselves temporarily without permanent housing.

Learn more about SHARE/WHEEL and Tent City 3 at www.sharewheel.org/tent-city-3 and consider ways you might get involved.

University Unitarian Church — 6556 35th Avenue NE. Questions, contact us at uuchomelessness@gmail.com
 

NOTES TO PREPARE YOU FOR PROTESTING

Friends, if you’re going to protest, you need to do it with your eyes open. You should not walk into this—or any future—protest thinking it’s just another march. It’s not. The reality is: peaceful protest is no longer risk-free. Not in a country where democratic rights are being actively dismantled. Not under a regime that punishes defiance and rewards cruelty.That’s why I’ve written this guide—to help you prepare, protect yourself, and take part in something that may shift under your feet, without being caught off guard.You’re standing up for rights that are slipping away in real time. And while that takes courage, courage alone won’t protect you. Planning ahead will.Here’s how to stay as safe as possible while making your voice heard.

# Before You Go— Prepare

These decisions—the ones you make before you leave home— are what will keep you safe, mobile, and harder to target.

# LEAVE THE KIDS 

Even if you want to raise them to stand up for what’s right, this isn’t the moment to teach your children that lesson. If things escalate, you’ll need your full attention, both hands, and no distractions. Only attend with other responsible adults.

# TAKE YOUR EMOTIONAL TEMPERATURE

You might be feeling furious right now, and with good reason. You just want to go out there and make your voice heard! Anger, fear, frustration, grief—all of these are valid emotions, and all of them will be in the air around you. But if you act from pure emotion, you’ll be easier to provoke, less able to think clearly, and more likely to make a misstep—one that could even put you or others at risk, so check yourself before you head out. Are you grounded enough to stay calm if provoked? Are you clear-headed enough to walk away if needed? If not, that’s not failure—it just means your role in the movement might be elsewhere on protest day. There's no shame in stepping back to keep yourself safe; it’s not about how loud you are, but about how long you can endure.

# DRESS FOR COMFORT AND COVER

You may need to move quickly, so wear comfortable clothes and running shoes. Dress in neutral, darker tones—navy, charcoal, faded olive, greys. (Darker tones hide stains—especially if you're exposed to tear gas, pepper spray, or dye-based crowd control agents. These can cling to your clothes and mark you for later attention.) You’re aiming for quiet and forgettable, not militant. Avoid logos, slogans, or standout patterns. Keep words of protest for your sign today, not your t-shirt. Long sleeves and high necklines help cover tattoos and limit skin exposure to anything that might be used for crowd control and later  should be sturdy, closed-toe, and made for movement. Nothing that’ll slow you down or trip you up.Wear a plain buff or neck gaiter, which can be pulled up over your mouth and nose to help shield you from surveillance—if need be—without drawing attention. Functional, flexible, and legally safer than a full mask in many areas. 

Phyllis Bishop, who was tear-gassed ‘more than once’ in the 60’s and 70’s, advocates strapping a bicycle helmet to your bag or a belt— hopefully, you won’t need it, but if you encounter violence, you’ll be glad you brought it. Before you dress, write your legal aid contact, emergency contact, any meds or allergies and your name on your arm with permanent marker. This can be a helpful safety net if you’re unconscious, separated from your group, or in medical distress. It’s for medics, legal observers, or allies—not the state.

# YOUR SMARTPHONE IS A TRACKING DEVICE 

If possible, leave your smartphone behind and take a burner phone—one with prepaid minutes that can call or text, maybe with a map, but nothing more. Don't save any names or numbers to it—if it gets lost, it needs to reveal nothing about your habits, location, or contacts.Assume your smartphone is already compromised—it can be used to see who you were near, where you went, what you said. If you have no alternative but to bring it, back it up, then strip it down: delete personal photos, documents, saved passwords, anything sensitive. Log out of Google, Apple, and Meta services completely—these companies have handed over user data before, and in this climate, they’re likely to do it again. Use encrypted messaging (Signal). Treat your digital footprint like it's radioactive.Turn off location tracking. Disable biometric unlock (face and fingerprint) as it can be more readily forced. Use a strong passcode. Switch off Bluetooth, cloud sync, and automatic backups. Anything connected can be accessed—by companies or the state.Your phone is a map of your life. You want it to say as little as possible.

# KEEP WHAT YOU CARRY SIMPLE

Only bring what you can afford to lose— the essentials, and nothing more. Take a paper map in case digital services go down or are blocked. Emotions will be high, and that uses a lot of energy, so pack water in a soft bottle or pouch, and healthy, high-energy snacks like trail mix, that won’t melt or spoil. A compact first aid kit with any necessary medication, plasters, bandages, painkillers, and a saline solution (not baking soda rinse— some people react badly to it) in case of tear gas. Cash, not cards.Carry it in a small backpack or cross-body bag— you want to keep your hands free at all times.

# PLAN ROUTES IN AND OUT BEFORE YOU ARRIVE 

Study the route carefully in case you need to leave fast. Know the path of the march , but also what’s nearby: alleys, train stations, cafés, hospitals. Identify landmarks you can navigate to quickly, and make sure you have two or three exit points before you arrive. Be aware of how streets might narrow or become traps if people start to panic. Avoid accessing public transport close to the route, or if it requires a tap-in or tracks your movement.

# GO WITH PEOPLE YOU TRUST 

Set a check-in schedule, and pick a place to meet—away from the march — if you get separated.If you're part of a group, break into pairs (or a three) and each take responsibility for one other person. Be sure to know exactly what that person is wearing; take a snapshot (leave it at home) so you can describe them if need be. Decide together: if things turn, how do we leave? Who leads? Who follows? Where do we meet? Don't try to reconvene the whole group until later; just your immediate pairing. Agree that if one of you is arrested, the other will leave them. I know, I understand — it completely goes against the grain, but trying to pull someone away from an arrest puts both of you in danger and may lead to escalated violence. Also let someone outside the protest know where you’re going, when you plan to be home, and when to raise the alarm if they haven’t heard from you. Give them a full-length selfie before you leave, so they know exactly what you’re wearing. 

# UNDERSTAND THE LAW AND YOUR RIGHTS

Know your rights around assembly, police powers, and detention in your state, because they’re not the same everywhere. In some places, you don’t have to give your name unless you’re arrested, but in others, refusing can get you held for longer, so you need to research this before you go. Keep legal aid contact details with you, and arrange check-ins with someone outside the protest zone. If you’re arrested, exercise your right to remain silent. Don’t offer information (other than your name if it's a legal requirement) and don’t explain. Ask for a lawyer—that’s it.

# WOMEN: KNOW YOUR RISKS, PLAN FOR YOUR SAFETY

In authoritarian environments, women in particular may face specific risks—harassment, gendered violence, or being singled out while in custody. I was personally targeted because of my gender (and colour) in Zimbabwe, and even as a strong, independent woman, it left me feeling deeply vulnerable and exposed. I want to save you from that experience, if I can. It’s vital that you know your legal rights, and that you protest only with trusted allies—people who will look out for you if something happens. Don't go alone, no matter how strong and capable you think you are. Move in pairs or small groups, stay aware of exits, and have a plan for what to do if you’re followed or separated. You’re allowed to protect your space, but you need to do it within the law, or you risk giving authorities an excuse to detain you. Depending on where you live, some items that may be legal to carry include:

* A personal safety alarm or whistle—small, legal, and loud. It can disorient an attacker and draw attention fast.

* A small torch, especially one with a strobe setting. Good for low light, but also effective in someone’s eyes.

* A keychain-style kubotan. This is legal in some states, but illegal in others, so you need to check your local law *carefully*.

* A sturdy umbrella is not just for rain. It creates a barrier, protects from spray, and doesn’t raise suspicion.

* Strong deodorant spray (*not* pepper spray). While it’s not ideal, it’s better than nothing if you need to make someone back off fast.

# IF YOU HAVE LIMITED MOBILITY: PLAN FOR SAFETY, ACCESS, AND SUPPORT

Protests are physically and emotionally demanding—but even with limited mobility, that shouldn't mean you’re excluded. It just means that if you've decided to attend, you need to plan with precision, choose your role carefully, and secure solid [support.Be](http://support.Be) honest with yourself about how long you can stand, move, or remain in one place. Consider participating at the starting point or rally zone, where movement is minimal, then exiting early before crowds shift. If you use mobility aids, make sure they’re in good condition, and easy to carry or use under pressure.Do not attend alone. Bring someone who knows your mobility needs, can assist in navigating crowds, and won’t leave you behind if things escalate. Designate them as your safety anchor—and agree on escape routes and support signals.It's especially important for you to stay at the edge of crowds, and near exit routes; this gives you room to manoeuvre if needed. And avoid any bottlenecks like narrow streets or fenced-off areas where exit is harder.Be sure to bring any critical medications, water, and a small energy snack (especially if blood sugar or energy levels can crash). Wear a medical alert bracelet or carry essential medical info clearly accessible.Having a pre-planned exit route is essential. Don’t rely on official assistance if things turn. Know where you’re going and how you’ll get there.Lastly, consider whether it may be safer for you to protest from a distance (e.g. outside the main zone) or contribute from a support hub. Visibility doesn’t equal value. Many of the most effective protestors work behind the scenes—coordinating, organising, documenting, spreading information, preparing resources. 

# IF YOU’RE FROM A MINORITY COMMUNITY, YOUR SAFETY NEEDS SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

In any protest, marginalized communities often face increased scrutiny, aggression, or risk. It's especially likely here. You may be more heavily policed, more harshly treated, and more easily criminalised—because of your skin, your body, your gender, your history. Not because you’ve done anything wrong, but because you fit the profile of who this system targets first.That’s why showing up has to be a very carefully considered choice for you. Not because your desire to protest is wrong, but because the risk to you is especially real.First, take your emotional temperature before you go. Rage and pain are fuel, but they can also cloud judgment. You need to be clear-headed, because the system will hold you to a different standard than it holds everyone else. But strategic awareness is one of the best protections you’ve got. Second, everything that applies to others applies to you more. That means:

* Don’t go alone. Ever.

* Don’t dress to express or to be remembered. Dress to move quietly and leave quickly.

* Stay near exits. Stay in control of your movements.

* Choose your group carefully—and if you’re the only person of colour in your crew, make sure the others are ready to advocate for you, not freeze or flee if things get tense.

* You already know you can’t rely on police for protection. Build your safety net in advance: allies, support people, legal numbers, check-ins.

* Document what you need to, but protect yourself in the process. Don’t film faces. Don’t post from the scene. Your story matters, but you can choose when and how you tell it—after you're safe.

And finally, know that your presence matters. You don’t have to be on the front lines to make an impact. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You have the right to safety, to dignity, to resistance—and to live safely in America long enough to see the change you’re fighting for.This guide covers everything you need to think about *before* you arrive at the protest. Tomorrow, Part Two will walk you through how to stay safe and aware once you’re on the ground—what to watch for, how to move, and how to respond if things shift. It will be published here at *Your Time Starts Now*, and won’t be sent by email, so please check back directly for the update.If you know of anyone who’ll be attending the march but perhaps has not considered all these points, please feel free to share this post with them—either here on Substack, on social media, by email, or online. It’s free to read and free to share.   

LORI CORBET MANN