Leagues’ Value in the Movement
The League of Women Voters has huge potential to make a difference in political and social movements. As a trusted organization with over 700 local Leagues, a nationwide coalition of activist members, and a legacy of fighting for equity and justice, the League can offer clout and perceived legitimacy to the movement for Black lives, immigrant rights, democracy, and more. Given the League’s predominantly white women membership, we have the opportunity to utilize privilege to move towards change. As allies and accomplices, we must meet the moment. If privilege and our longstanding legacy make us seem more palatable, reasonable, and sympathetic to police officers and policymakers, then our job is to amplify and push the demands of impacted people until they are listened to.
Allyship/Leadership
Understanding our place in movements for justice begins with an assessment of our positionality. What identities—across age, race, class, ability, religion, immigration status, gender, and sexuality—do we carry with us, and how do they intersect with each other? Whether within our local Leagues or in broader organizing contexts, it’s critical that we prioritize and uplift the voices and demands of impacted people. Considering your own privileges and vulnerabilities, and those of your local League, determine when to step up and when to support.
What does allyship look like in the context of a protest?
- Listening to and amplifying the voices of event organizers
- Centering the experiences and demands of impacted people, instead of yourself - Determining if your local League can co-sponsor the event and help prepare logistics
- Not calling media attention towards yourself, instead directing media attention to impacted people and event organizers
- Liaising between police officers and event organizers
- Bringing and distributing masks, food, water, hand sanitizer, and first aid
- Placing your body between police officers and impacted people, in order to protect impacted people who may be more likely to be criminalized and harmed than yourself
- Documenting any police brutality and capturing the scene on photo/video, taking care to protect the privacy and identities of other event participants
- Relaying logistical information (presence and location of police officers, route of the march, etc.) so everyone can stay in the loop
- Offering transportation to and from the event
- Educating and holding other allies accountable on the tenets of allyship
Health and Safety
Above all, every protester’s health and safety is critical. Only participate in actions and events that are being led by people, organizations, and coalitions you trust, and—ideally—actions/events led by impacted people. If possible, attend actions with a buddy or in a group. Determine ahead of time if you are willing/plan to get arrested; use the stoplight system to inform those around you.
- Red: planning to get arrested
- Yellow: not planning to get arrested, but will do so if necessary
- Green: cannot get arrested
Consider your immigration status, previous arrests, family needs, health, and other factors when determining if you can get arrested. No matter your plan, write the phone numbers of your emergency contact and your local legal aid organization on your forearm in permanent marker. Consider wearing the following to the action: a mask, tennis shoes, clothing that covers any tattoos, a hat, and glasses/sunglasses (contacts can trap chemical irritants against your eye). Consider bringing bottled water (for hydration and tear gas first aid), snacks, and hand sanitizer. If you are concerned about tear gas, flash bang grenades, and other weapons, bring a helmet, goggles, a gas mask, heat resistant gloves, and a change of clothes.
Not all activists are able to engage safely on the frontlines, such as those at a high risk of contracting COVID-19. There are many ways to support protest efforts, including communications and jail support, staffing safe havens and first aid stations, and raising funds. It’s important to figure out what contributions best fit your needs and abilities.
Questions? Contact Legislative and Policy Specialist Maddie Schumacher at [email protected]