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How Do You Organize a Peaceful Demonstration?

 There are different ways in which individuals and groups can demonstrate for or against a cause. Such demonstrations are protected by the First Amendment, which protects the right to assemble and express views through protest. Demonstrations are usually intended to be peaceful, and are often used as a tactic of strategic nonviolence to draw attention to a cause.

Common types of political demonstrations include –

  • Marches – a group of people move along a predetermined route, usually holding signs and yelling chants to share their message

  • Rallies – people gather to listen to speakers or other performance related to a cause; many marches end at a rally where marchers can hear from an organization’s leadership or influencers

  • Sit-ins – demonstrators occupy a designated area to bring attention to their cause, either for a set period of time, until the issue is addressed, or until they are forcibly removed

  • Picketing – a group assembles outside a set location (such as a government building), usually to deter others from entering or to spread negative publicity of the location


Looking to organize a peaceful demonstration in Delaware? Here are some tips to help make your event successful.

Make the event easy for your audience to attend. Schedule a day and time when many people are available (e.g. not midday during the week). Evaluate areas for wheelchair accessibility and other considerations to allow those not able-bodied to attend. Pick a location easy to get to by public transportation, and/or coordinate group transportation to include demonstrators without a car; Rodney Square is a commonly-used rally spot for this reason.

Find out if you need a permit. If you are planning an event that blocks traffic, requires sound amplification, or is held in certain parks or in non-public areas, you may need to apply for a demonstration permit if time permits. See the ACLU guide to demonstrations and protests for more information.

Make an event plan. If you are including speakers, confirm their attendance, what order they will speak, and how long each person will speak. If you are marching, plan the route in advance and set up people within the group to direct marchers. Create event talking points to keep the demonstration on-message and avoid distractions. Designate a media spokesperson for your group who will speak to media outlets.

Consider coordinating with municipal authority, if it makes sense to do so. They may be able to assist with coordinating permit requests, obtaining P.A. systems or other needed equipment, or providing a level of safety from counter-demonstrators. Notifying the municipality of an upcoming demonstration can also help ensure the demonstration proceeds more smoothly, without police interruption. See the list below for Delaware contact information.

Publicize your event as much as possible. For media coverage, write a press release and contact media 3-5 days ahead of time (if time permits) or as soon as possible; see media contacts below. Connect with other local organizations for support and additional visibility; see the list below of active groups. Post event details on social media, ask other organizations to post on their social channels, and ask readers to share it.

Design banners, signs, and chants. These will help make it clear to observers what issue you are protesting for or against. You can also encourage participants to bring their own signs or provide sign-making materials at the meeting point.

Document the event. Take photos and video throughout the event, and ask demonstrators to take and share photos and videos. Not only can this footage further publicize your cause and actions, but it can also serve as evidence should any issues arise during or after the event.

Know your rights. Review the ACLU’s Know Your Rights Guide to better understand what rights you have while organizing a protest, attending an event, or if you’re stopped by police during a demonstration.

 

Delaware Municipal Contacts

  • Delaware governor’s office - Governor John Carney – Wilmington office: 302-577-3210 – Dover office: 302-744-4101

  • Wilmington mayor’s office – Mary G. Jopson, Digital and Social Media Manager – 302- 576-2565 - mgjopson@wilmingtonde.gov

  •  Delaware State Police - Capt. Glenn Dixon, community outreach - 302-672-5429 -  glenn.dixon@state.de.us

  • New Castle County Police Department, Community Services Unit - 302-395-8050 audrey.eubanks@newcastlede.gov 

Permit information

Social Justice Organizations for Support

Media Contacts

  •  Delaware News Journal – Newsroom: 302-324-2500 ext. 5,  newsdesk@delawareonline.com; Main switchboard: 1-800-235-9100 or 302-324-2679

    • Esteban Parra, breaking news reporter: 302-324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com

    • Natalia Alamdari, education reporter:  nalamdari@gannett.com

    • Jeff Neiburg, breaking news reporter:  jneiburg@delawareonline.com

    • Isabel Hughes, breaking news reporter: ihughes@delawareonline.com

    • Jeanne Kuang, Wilmington reporter:  jkuang@delawareonline.com

    • Marina Affo, culture reporter:  maffo@delawareonline.com

  • WDEL Delaware Newsradio – News Tips: 302-478-8898 – Amy Cherry, Assistant News Director: acherry@wdel.com

  • WVUD University of Delaware radio - https://www.wvud.org/about-wvud/submit-a-psa/

  • Newark Post - 302-737-0724 - news@newarkpostonline.com - https://www.newarkpostonline.com/local-events

  • WHYY Delaware - 302-888-1200 - delawarenews@whyy.org https://whyy.org/articles/newsworks-delaware-team

  • NBC News 10 – wcaudesk@nbcuni.com

  • ABC News 6 – 215-878-9700 - www.6abc.com (go to: contact, then link to either breaking news or press release)

  • CBS KYW-TV - http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/about-us/contact-us
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