Bystander General Training

For non-profit groups and not-for-personal-profit use only
March 2017 -- protected under a Creative Commons license
Bystander Intervention Training
Welcome
Hello everybody! Id like to welcome you today to this Bystander Intervention

Training. My name is ___________ and Im with [name of your group]
Im pleased that our co-sponsor for this event today is [name any other groups,
elected officials or other well-known people who signed on -- give one sentence
history of their local contributions to the community, if appropriate]
Id also like to introduce the other trainers with us today: ____________
The reason we are doing this Bystander Intervention training today is because we
believe that in troubled times, we need to create a connected community. This
means that we believe that the struggles of any part of our community are the
struggles of all of us, and that we need to demonstrate this with our actions.
We need to stand up for each other. But we also need to be responsible for doing
the work on ourselves to reduce our own negative biases towards each other.
We also need to understand that politically, we should all be working towards

outcomes that improve the lives of everyone. All of us should commit to working
with some part of the Movement, whether its by volunteering in the community,
by lobbying our elected officials, by going to activist meetings, or even by
engaging in nonviolent direct action (such as a sit-in).
You may not have previously thought of yourself as an activist. But we hope that
by taking action today as an active bystander who steps in when the civil liberties
of a fellow community member are being threatened, you will start to understand
that their well-being is also a political issue. In response to the rhetoric and
policies coming out of Washington, DC, our ability to work together politically as
the Resistance will be critical in the survival of our communities.
Now we want to tell you a little bit about the work of [name of your group].....
[Tell people about any other meetings or events that you or allies have coming up.]
Tell people where the bathrooms and water fountain are -- and that they can step
out at any time if they need to.
Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition (Maryland) 1

https://mococivilrights.wordpress.com and www.facebook.com/mococivilrights
The Training
In todays training, well first spend half an hour doing an orientation to the history
and philosophy of nonviolence and bystander intervention. Then well spend the
remaining time actively working through the mock scenarios in small groups.
After we do each one, well ask for the small groups to provide feedback to the
entire group, so we can learn from each others experience about what works well.
That way, by the end of this training, you will understand the background and
principles of de-escalation, you will have actively improved your skills, and you
will have the courage to step into a variety of difficult situations as a bystander.
To begin, I want to ask a question:
How many people are familiar with the concept of bearing witness?
Would one of you like to share with us what that is?
Bearing witness means that if we are aware of an injustice, there is a responsibility

on us to do what we can to reduce that injustice.
What brought all of us together here tonight is the belief that we have an obligation
to stick up for each other -- that we are our sisters keeper, our brothers keeper.
In the past few years, and especially during and after the election, we have seen a
terrible increase in the amount of hate crime and harassment in our country.
These include incidents of hateful vandalism and graffiti at places of worship,

schools and private homes, as well as community members being targeted in
person while out in public.
As we know, these incidents are often motivated by negative bias on the basis of
religion, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender.
Of course, many of these incidents may go unreported in the media.

How many people have heard about or witnessed other incidents? <hands>
Who has an example theyd like to share -- briefly?
(Ask each person if anyone intervened in the incident -- if they did, lead applause)
(Manage any emotional crisis from a personal example, ask the persons name, empathize
with how difficult it must have been, suggest those nearby offer support as a teachable
moment of reaching out to others by breaking through the barriers that keep us from
helping those in need (introduce yourself, offer your hand, say soothing things))
What we want to do with this training is to give you the confidence to be that
person who steps up to stop a bad situation from getting worse.
Were going to do that by reminding you that you *already* have many of the
principles and many of the skills that you need to do this!
What you might not have yet is the practice in putting it all together so that youll
be able to respond quickly when needed. This is important because when just a
single person acts, it can break the dynamic of a bad situation!
Bystander Intervention is based in the principles of nonviolence, like those used by

Martin Luther King and Gandhi. Dr. King laid out six principles:
(Ask someone to read the first one, then pass sheet to another person and repeat.)
1. Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.
2. Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.
3. Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not people.
4. Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform.

(Note this one is more applicable to Dr. Kings nonviolent direct actions)
5. Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.
6. Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.

When you engage in nonviolent activism, you are part of a long line of activists
who have done the same thing across history.

What are some examples of this? (Take hands, but here are examples:)
-- suffragettes in the UK and US
-- the Gandhian actions in India
-- the Civil Rights Movement
-- sit-in strikes by unionists
-- anti-nuclear demonstrations
-- anti-apartheid civil disobedience
-- ACT-UP direct actions
Nonviolence is the most courageous way to respond -- its easy to lash out, but it is
very difficult to hold your emotions and act from a principled place. You may not
yet be in a place where you feel you can do this, but this training will help.
Bystander Intervention Training assumes that:

(If you handed out the sheet with this in it, have volunteers read them)
1. We have an ethical, social and political obligation to help each other, when
we are in a position (situationally and psychologically) to do so
2. Stepping up to act in solidarity with others can help to reduce the impact of a
problematic situation
3. The best way of responding as a bystander is through de-escalation
4. As a bystander, you are there to support what the targeted person wants
5. Practicing how to respond helps us to get past our hesitations so we can step
up when necessary
The principles of nonviolence and de-escalation are the fundamentals of Bystander

Intervention. All of us have been in difficult circumstances that could have take a
very bad turn for the worse if it werent for someone stepping in and de-escalating.
What are some examples of successful de-escalation that youve seen at

home, work or in the community? (Take a few hands)
In general, our training tonight will emphasize ways of responding in public where
you do NOT engage with the attacker. This may be difficult, because for many of
us, our natural inclination is to try to go to the source of the trouble and make it
stop.
In fact, it is likely that you will find that even among people in your own group or
social circle, there will be some who are not committed to de-escalation. Instead,

they may feel its important to get in the face of the attacker, and to not let an insult
or action pass without calling the attacker out.
Many of us have these instincts, because it can feel like the right thing to do. But
this is not what we will be teaching today. We are not passing judgment on those
who want to stand their ground when they have been targeted.
But as a strategy, we believe that bystander intervention should be based on

seeking rapid solutions that bring an incident to a close peacefully and quickly,
rather than risking escalating a situation when dealing with people you dont know.
One thing this training will NOT do is teach you how to deal with situations of
immediate danger. If you encounter a person who is threatening harm to you or
another person, it is important that you do what you can to leave the situation as
fast as possible and to encourage others to do so as well.
Being a bystander who intervenes means you are weighing the risks of stepping up
in a particular situation. We want you to be brave enough to stand up for a fellow
community member, but we also dont want anyone to get hurt by doing so.
Should You Call the Police?
In general, we advise people not to immediately call the police unless a situation
has become physically violent. This is because there are many people who see the
presence of police as a risk of escalation in and of itself.
This can be because they are undocumented and fear arrest, or because their
community experience with the police has been disrespectful or dangerous.
We recognize that there is often a strong element of white privilege and/or class
privilege involved in feeling free to call the police into a situation.
But as a bystander, remember: we are there to support the targeted person.
That means that the targeted person gets to have the say about whether the police
are called. ASK that person if you are thinking that police intervention could be
useful -- and then follow that persons lead.
Practicing How to Get Video Really Quickly

Before we get to the scenarios, I want us to first practice using the video function
on our cellphones. So, if you have one, please pull it out now and take it out of
sleep mode. For iPhones, you can get to the photo function just by swiping left.
For other phones, you can just swipe upwards.
Now locate your video function and practice scrolling over to that quickly, so you
know how many spaces over to go. Then press the button and record something.
REMEMBER TO RECORD WITH THE PHONE SIDEWAYS. You will capture
more of the scene that way -- and it is the same size and orientation as a television,
in case your video is ever broadcast.
When you are recording, keep your phone as stable as possible. If you need to
scan the scene, do it as slowly as is appropriate, even if you are tracking action.
Sometimes recording the scene can bring a bad situation to a rapid end. But you
can also risk escalating the situation if the attacker doesnt want evidence of their
behavior. Be prepared to monitor the situation continually and put your phone
away if it begins to feel dangerous. You can also lower the phone so you are not
obviously filming, or at least leave the audio function rolling.
While it is legal in all states to capture images of people in public, in many states it
is ILLEGAL to record someone speaking in public without their express
permission. So you should be aware of what the laws are in your state.
(Note: you may wish to check on the laws in your state before the training.)
What If the Bad Situation Involves Police Misconduct?

(Note: ACLU made the app to report police, not community, misconduct)
It is always legal to record the actions of the police as long as you are not
interfering with those actions. This is not a know-your-rights training, so we
wont be getting into details, but the police cannot legally ask you to stop
recording, to delete your recording, or to hand over your phone.
We want you encourage you to download the ACLUs Mobile Justice app. (Note:
this is currently only available in 18 states, so check your area) (Open the app on
your phone and show what it looks like). This app allows you to take a video and
immediately send it to the ACLU, especially if it looks like someone is going to try
to take your phone. (Show the big red button.) The information for how to get the
ACLU app is on the sheet we gave you.
How to Be Ready to Be a Bystander Who Intervenes
(Bring this information on a sheet and have people read them)
We want you to develop a new identity in public -- as someone who will step in
when there is something bad developing or happening. To do this:
-- Be aware of whats happening around you when youre in public
-- If you see something happening, really pay attention: take off your headphones,
pause your conversation, position yourself to get a better view.
-- Dont assume someone else will do something (thats called the bystander
effect, or more scientifically, responsibility diffusion).
-- Point out the situation to people around you. Tell them youre going to support
the targeted person and ask if theyd like to help.
-- When you first approach the targeted person, introduce yourself and quietly
explain you saw what was happening and wanted to offer support. If the person
says they are fine and dont want support, move back, but monitor the situation.
How to Think About the Targeted Person
Note that in this training, we are not calling the targeted person the victim -- we
do this so the person retains the ability to be the one who decides how they will
respond and how you should respond. Our goal is to empower the targeted person.
Empowering means that a person feels they can alter the course of the situation and
take some back some control.
Orientation to Approaching a Bystander Scenario (hold up cartoon)
Many of you have probably seen this cartoon in purple ink that went viral on FB
awhile back that showed how you might help a woman with a hijab who was being
targeted on public transportation. Maeril, the French cartoonist, cautioned those
who want to help to do two things:
1) Do not, in any way, interact with the attacker. You must absolutely ignore
them and focus entirely on the person being attacked!
2) Make sure to always respect the wishes of the person youre helping: find
out whether they want you to leave quickly afterwards, or not!
Principles of Bystander Intervention -- have people read these aloud

We recognize that we are dealing with an unfamiliar situation with people we dont
know. This means that direct confrontation of an attacker by us as
bystanders is not the best way to respond.
We want to show moral courage:

-- by acting from a centered place despite our fears
-- by choosing principles over emotion (anxiety, anger, self-righteousness)
We want to engage in de-escalation:

-- by limiting the ability of a situation to become more intense
-- by reducing the drama in the situation
We want to shift the attention in the situation:

-- by interacting as much as we can only with the targeted person
-- by ignoring the attacker (freeze them out, even if they escalate verbally)
-- by creating a safer space for the targeted person
-- by bringing in other people for additional support and varied responses
We want to reach out to the targeted person:

-- by being present as an ally and an equal
-- by not taking away the ability of the targeted person to respond
-- by asking if they want our help
-- by asking before we touch them
-- by asking how we can best help them
-- by offering possible solutions (that the targeted person may reject)
-- by offering emotional support and empathy (befriending/connect)
Each of these principles will be used in our training in response to a variety of

scenarios. REMEMBER: you are there in solidarity, not as a savior!
Dont worry that you wont remember exactly the right thing to do -- think of this
as improv around the principles we laid out. That way you will be adaptable to a
situation no matter how it changes.
But you should think about whether you are actually ready to step into a dynamic
situation that involves strong emotions where things can change quickly. We hope
this training will prepare you for some scenarios, but it cant prepare you for
everything you might encounter.
Now were going to do our first scenario. Ill have my trainers come up to show us
two ways it can go -- badly, and then much better!
Man harassing a woman with a hijab on public transportation
Trainers first show how things can escalate if the bystander starts to interact with
the attacker, which will end badly for the targeted person. Debrief with each
person about how they feel when it went out of control (attacker feels deflated,
targeted person feels supported, bystander feels more secure responding).
Then the trainers will model the first example below of how to respond
appropriately -- by focusing only on the woman, offering her support, breaking
the line of sight with the attacker and ignoring the attacker -- then debrief with
them.
Point out especially that attention is a valuable thing and when an attacker doesnt
get it, that person can often feel the wind go out of their sails -- or they may try to
escalate. In either case, we will continue to ignore the attacker unless s/he
becomes physical.
Our role is to not get sucked into ever giving attention to the attacker on behalf of
the person being targeted. Its like having to go full Zen in the situation and
always be thinking how to de-escalate even if youre wanting to do just the
opposite in the name of justice.
Ignoring someone who is angry can be a very difficult thing to do, especially in a
political context when you might want to defend your principles.
People often ask, What if the attacker sees my intervention as provocation?

Well, the concept of provocation can be a cover in some ways, because an
attacker is often going to use ANY response by anybody as an excuse to escalate.
And its often better to be supportive of the targeted person, and to not let the
attacker get to you psychologically, than to let another person go through that
terrible situation all alone.
To practice this, were now going to do a classic nonviolence training scenario

(often called a hassle line). This is exactly what civil rights activists were
trained to do before they went to do an action. By doing this, you learn to not
respond to someone, no matter how nasty their comments.
Hassle Line

So now I want you to form two parallel lines, where you are paired off opposite
another person. Everyone on this side of the line is going to be the attacker and
everyone on the other side is going to be the targeted person (then well switch).
It can be really hard to be an attacker, so well give you a specific role. If youre in
the attacker role, we want you to imagine that you are someone who supports the
outcome of the election -- and is yelling at someone who did not support the
outcome. Something along the lines of, Get over it! You lost!, You want to
ruin our country! or Your ideas are ridiculous!
If you are the person being attacked, I want you to imagine these words are just
wind blowing past you. You are not going to engage with what that person is
saying or with the angry energy coming your way.
This is difficult to do because its HARD to maintain composure and non-

engagement! But I want you to give me your best centered Yoda, where no matter
what happens, youre not going to let it get to you. Youre going to let those nasty
comments roll right off of you, no matter how the words escalate.
The attacker is trying to get you to respond, but you have decided that you are
centered and are not going to give them an opening. Youre not in a discussion or
a debate or a negotiation with them -- they have no impact on you.
That being said, the most important aspect of a scenario like this is personal safety,
not some political principle. If you dont feel safe, do not stay and definitely do
not try to stand your ground politically -- just get out of there, and ask if the
targeted person wants to come with you.
Here are some ways of acting when the attacker is getting into it:
Dont make eye contact. Look beyond the attacker as if you were
supporting the targeted person. (You can even turn your back.)
Dont engage with their words. You want to monitor what theyre saying,
but imagine you are busy saying supportive things to the targeted person.
Resist the urge to engage with the drama. Keep reminding yourself you are
there to de-escalate on behalf of the targeted person, not to get drawn into
the attackers scenario.
-- Set up the hassle line -- choose one side to be the attacker side and then start
the hassle line exercise -- let it go on for only just a minute.
Now were going to switch roles, so the other person gets to be the yeller. If you
are the person being attacked, its your turn to just let it all roll off of you.
-- Repeat, and only let this go on for a minute.
When you were the person being attacked, what worked well for you in
terms of not letting it bother you? (take a few short suggestions)
When you were the attacker, what did you learn that might be useful about
the way an attackers mind might be working during the attack -- especially
when you were being ignored and not getting a rise out of the other person?
(take a few hands)
SCENARIOS
Lets break into small groups now -- and introduce yourselves! (Direct where
groups should assemble in the room.)
In each of these scenarios, were going to give you a situation and then suggest
some ways you can respond to support the targeted person. These are just starting
points based on the principles -- so see what your group comes up with and well
share after each one.
In the scenario, were going to use the numbers on your name tags to identify roles
-- 1 will be the attacker, 2 will be the target and 3 will be the bystander. Then you
will act out the scenario, adding your own flare on the roles to make it authentic.
For the next scenario, numbers 4-6 will take on those roles. Then even numbers
(2, 4, 6), then odd numbers (1, 3, 5) or whatever works for you. Just make sure
that each person gets to be the bystander at least once.
You can also try only choosing the person who will be the attacker -- and that
person will then choose their target without anyones prior knowledge! Then the
rest of you can respond as bystanders to that scenario runs more naturally.
One thing weve noticed is that it is often difficult for people to want to play the
attacker role because its not who you are. But Id like you to imagine that you are
taking on a role in a play -- everyone will understand its not really you, but that
you are conveying that character really well.
Note however: THIS IS A SAFE SPACE. Do NOT use offensive terms in

roleplaying. Do NOT touch anyone -- whether as an attacker, targeted person or
bystander. Ask if anyone in the group may be especially sensitive to the scenario
before proceeding. We want everyone to leave uplifted, not deflated or hurt.
As you do the scenarios well stop by and check in on the groups to see how its
going. Afterwards, well take a few suggestions about what worked well in each
group for that scenario.
Community-Based Scenarios (describe scene and possible interventions)
Man harassing a woman with a hijab on public transportation
* Approach the target (ask if you can join them) and ignore the attacker.
* Recruit other people -- ask if the target would like to move somewhere else with
you (and make sure you sit on an aisle if possible to make space between the
attacker and target), saying something like (loudly), My friend and I are going to
move down here, is there anyone else who would like to join us in polite
conversation? This may create a physical barrier of many other people between
the attacker and the target.
Attacks on the street (from a moving car or from a pedestrian)
-- Yelling at an African-American person, slowing down to stalk them, throwing

objects at them
* Youre walking on the street and see this -- Practice approaching the target and
offering to walk with them -- if youre in a group, ask if you can create a human
barrier between the attacker and the targeted person.
* Turn around and walk in the other direction from the car. Take a photo of the
license plate and make/model of the car to help if there is a report made.
Person harassing a Latino man speaking Spanish with a store clerk
* Approach the target (especially if you speak Spanish) and ignore the attacker
(and anyone else who piles on). Dont worry about losing your place in line!
* Find the manager and ask that the attacker be made to leave.
Trans woman stopped while heading into a bathroom at a restaurant
* Approach the target, offer to go with her into the bathroom, ignore attacker.
* Approach target, offer to stand outside bathroom while shes in there,

continue to ignore attacker.
Woman at a bar (or social situation) being pressured or maneuvered for sex
* Ask woman if you can join her, ignore attacker
* Round up a number of women and have them all go over to ask the woman to
come join them for awhile.
Lesbian couple with kids yelled at for being unfit parents
* Approach the family and complement them for something, or empathize

about difficulties in raising kids -- introduce your kids to their kids
* Smile at other bystanders to encourage further active support -- ignore attacker
Local place of worship is defaced (this isnt acted out, but do mention it and ask
how people would respond -- here are some suggestions)
* Bring homemade banners of support, chalk loving messages on sidewalk, show

up for services (even if its not your religion) to make community connections
* Contact local politicians to show support and to insist that the attackers be found
and brought to justice
Activist Demonstration Scenarios -- remember to buddy up for safety!
Activist Being Harassed for Sign at a Demonstration

* Stand next to the person in solidarity, ignore the attacker.
Women activists cat-called by opposition
* Surround the women, facing inward towards them.
* Approach them if they are isolated, start talking and ignore attacker
Activist in wheelchair or with neurological disorder who is mocked
* Surround them, facing towards the activists
* Approach them if they are isolated, start talking and ignore attacker
Man blocks exit for person carrying political sign public transportation
* Politely but firmly ask the man to move. If he refuses, then ask the target if she
would like to come with you to the next exit down the car. Remember that this is
not about confrontation -- its about de-escalation while you get what you need.
Man Pulls a Gun and Threatens the Crowd = EMERGENCY

(Make sure you read this example during the training)
We cannot train you for this. We only can strongly encourage you NOT to
engage with the gunman (either to attempt to de-escalate or to confront him).
Leave the area as quickly as possible, with as many people as possible.
Witnessing civil disobedience
-- While standing on the side of a political action, you witness activists sit down
together in an act of civil disobedience. The police arrive and as they start to
arrest the protesters, they start to use excessive force. You do not want to interfere
with an official police action, but you can:
* Video the harsh treatment and document the identities of the police behaving
inappropriately. Send video to the ACLU. Since this was a public action, you can
post the video without asking permission of the activists first. Call for medical
help if appropriate.
Media Starts Filming an Incident of Harassment
* Do not interfere with media -- they are doing their job and are documenting that
these sorts of incidents occur
* Follow through on how youve practiced responding with the target and recruit
others to do so as well. Ask the person if they would like their identity hidden
(which can be done with signs or scarves)
Political Oppression
The Trump Administration follows through with their promise to register Muslims
-- or insists that electronic tracking of all Internet communication should be set up
-- or cracks down on our First Amendment rights. What do you do?!
Remember: You are the bystander until you become the activist!
[You can explain how your group will be responding locally to political oppression
at the local, state or national level.
[Make sure everyone who came has their name and email address on a sign-up
sheet -- and send them a follow-up email after the training is over to encourage
them to stay involved. Also ask in this email if they are in groups who would want
a training, or a training for trainers.]
CLOSING

If theres still time left, ask for people to give one word to summarize how they
feel about the training. You can ask for hands, or go around, depending on how
much time you have.
Encourage people to continue thinking about the reasons why they might hesitate
to intervene, and to think about the reasons they want to anyway.
Encourage people to become activists! Remind people before closing about other
trainings or meetings that are coming up.
Ask people to sign up on your mailing list, if they havent already.
Tell people that if they are interested in doing a Training of Trainers, you will take
their contact information in case you arrange one in the future.
Ask for a small donation, if people can do it, to support paying for training space
or for the work of your organization.
CLOSE and thank people for coming, ask for feedback, if they want to stay behind.


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Bystander Intervention Training

Hello everybody! Id like to welcome you today to this Bystander Intervention

Id also like to introduce the other trainers with us today: ____________

We also need to understand that politically, we should all be working towards

Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition (Maryland) 1

To begin, I want to ask a question:

Would one of you like to share with us what that is?

Bearing witness means that if we are aware of an injustice, there is a responsibility

These include incidents of hateful vandalism and graffiti at places of worship,

Of course, many of these incidents may go unreported in the media.

Who has an example theyd like to share -- briefly?

Bystander Intervention is based in the principles of nonviolence, like those used by

1. Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.

2. Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.

3. Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not people.

4. Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform.

5. Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.

6. Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.

Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition (Maryland) 3

Bystander Intervention Training assumes that:

The principles of nonviolence and de-escalation are the fundamentals of Bystander

What are some examples of successful de-escalation that youve seen at

Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition (Maryland) 4

But as a strategy, we believe that bystander intervention should be based on

Should You Call the Police?

But as a bystander, remember: we are there to support the targeted person.

Practicing How to Get Video Really Quickly

Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition (Maryland) 5

What If the Bad Situation Involves Police Misconduct?

-- Be aware of whats happening around you when youre in public

How to Think About the Targeted Person

Orientation to Approaching a Bystander Scenario (hold up cartoon)

Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition (Maryland) 7

We want to show moral courage:

We want to engage in de-escalation:

We want to shift the attention in the situation:

We want to reach out to the targeted person:

Each of these principles will be used in our training in response to a variety of

Man harassing a woman with a hijab on public transportation

People often ask, What if the attacker sees my intervention as provocation?

To practice this, were now going to do a classic nonviolence training scenario

Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition (Maryland) 9

This is difficult to do because its HARD to maintain composure and non-

-- Repeat, and only let this go on for a minute.

Note however: THIS IS A SAFE SPACE. Do NOT use offensive terms in

Community-Based Scenarios (describe scene and possible interventions)

Man harassing a woman with a hijab on public transportation

Attacks on the street (from a moving car or from a pedestrian)

-- Yelling at an African-American person, slowing down to stalk them, throwing

Person harassing a Latino man speaking Spanish with a store clerk

Trans woman stopped while heading into a bathroom at a restaurant

* Approach target, offer to stand outside bathroom while shes in there,

* Ask woman if you can join her, ignore attacker

Lesbian couple with kids yelled at for being unfit parents

* Approach the family and complement them for something, or empathize

* Smile at other bystanders to encourage further active support -- ignore attacker

* Bring homemade banners of support, chalk loving messages on sidewalk, show

Activist Being Harassed for Sign at a Demonstration

Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition (Maryland) 13

* Stand next to the person in solidarity, ignore the attacker.

Women activists cat-called by opposition

* Surround the women, facing inward towards them.