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White House is 'close' on Japan, India tariff agreements but expect them to be light on specifics; Families in limbo following federal energy assistance program cuts- we have reports from NH and MD; NV adopted CA's 'clean car' standard, rule now under GOP examination.

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Educators worry about President Trump's education plan, as federal judges block several of his executive orders. Battles over voting rules are moving in numerous courts. And FSU students protest a state bill lowering the age to buy a gun.

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Migration to rural America increased for the fourth year, technological gaps handicap rural hospitals and erode patient care, and doctors are needed to keep the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians healthy and align with spiritual principles.

NYers urged to take precautions when attending protests

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Thursday, February 27, 2025   

As New Yorkers protest the Trump administration, some groups are advising best practices for protesting. State and national protests are occurring against GOP budget cuts and mass firings of federal employees. These have mostly been peaceful actions, but with emotions running high, there can be some incidents of violence.

Kalaya'an Mendoza, head of U.S. programs with Nonviolent Peaceforce, says having a safety plan is the best way to stay safe at a protest.

"What that looks like could be everything from making sure you have a buddy to doing some research about where the protest is happening to find your primary and secondary exit points, to also knowing who the organizers are and even doing a capacity check for yourself," she said.

Mendoza noted that risks vary based on where a person is, but they should first determine if it's safe for them to even be at a protest. Beyond outside factors, another challenge to staying safe is seeing how state security forces act at the protest. He added to remain alert since they could use tear gas or pepper spray as things change. Sometimes, people might attend protests simply to agitate the crowd or incite violence.

If a protest gets violent or someone gets aggressive, knowing your survival response can help keep things calm. Mendoza noted as much as people can try, they can't de-escalate an aggressor, law enforcement officers, or someone intent on harming you. But, he says people don't consider certain things when preparing to attend a protest, although they always should.

"Having a buddy, that's a very important thing; just like having someone watch your back or even having a remote buddy, someone that can check on you before, during, and after the protest. That you would let them know, like, 'I'm going to be here. I plan to be here,' especially for folks that may be more vulnerable or at risk for arrest or deportation," Mendoza said.

Protests regarding the Trump administration have been nonviolent, but Mendoza says this is also due to them being organized by communities which could be targeted. In his 30 years of activism, the violence Mendoza's seen at protests came from state security forces or agitators.

Disclosure: Nonviolent Peaceforce contributes to our fund for reporting on Criminal Justice, Human Rights/Racial Justice, Peace, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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