Unintentionally Caught on Foot in a Protest? Here’s an Escape Strategy

Some people have gone to protests and decided that they needed to leave sooner rather that later. Others have been ignorant of the local situation and blundered into a protest they wanted no part of.

Either way, leaving before the natural winding down of the event can be tricky…and dangerous depending on the mood of the crowd.

Walk, don’t run.

Running draws attention from both protestors and law enforcement. One side will assume you’re running to escape the protest, which will send a message that you’re against their cause. The other side is likely to assume you’re running because you’re up to no good.

Casually work your way out to the edge of the crowd and veer away at an angle. Don’t be obvious about your intent to leave. Showing intent to leave will be seen as desertion by the extremists within the protest.

Don’t assume that going directly toward a group of police is going to get you to safety. Police are being forced to use extreme patience and not break formation except to intervene in immediate life threatening incidents. They are likely to ignore you or order you to move away. Remember, they have hundreds or thousands of people to deal with and you are one individual. They would readily help you if they could read your mind, but they can’t, and instigators are constantly approaching them to bait them into a mistaken reaction or instigate violence.

Only run if you have to in order to escape immediate physical attack or if you know you can make it to safety without a pursuer catching up to you.

Once you get to the outskirts of the active area start looking for a safe place and if you see law enforcement officers who are not in a formation ask them for guidance and assistance. Avoid businesses that are prime targets for looters trailing the protests.