The First Amendment to the US Constitution protects the right to free speech and the freedom to assemble peaceably. The Supreme Court has recognized that First Amendment protections extend to a wide array of expressive activities beyond literal speech, including symbolic and physical acts like marches and sit-ins. While the First Amendment protects free speech, the government can impose reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure public safety and order. This includes setting guidelines for protests to prevent disruptions.

Law enforcement is charged with preserving those fundamental freedoms, including in challenging circumstances of protest and counter-protest and in situations from facilitating peaceful demonstrations to addressing potential violence and ensuring public safety. It is also essential for civic education to foster an understanding of the First Amendment and its role in maintaining a healthy democracy.

A number of the other core practice areas—community trust and partnerships, mental health and crisis response, stops searches and arrests, and use of force— contribute to how agencies respond to mass demonstrations. For a balanced and comprehensive approach to fully understanding the First Amendment in the context of responses to mass demonstrations, one must acknowledge the challenges and nuances while emphasizing its vital role in protecting democratic values.

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Resources Related to Mass Demonstrations Response

Visit the Knowledge Lab’s full resource index here.

  • Reset

Guidebook/Tool, Report | 2022

21st Century Protest Response: Promoting Democracy and Advancing Community and Officer Safety

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Response to Mass Demonstrations
  • Officer Safety and Wellness
  • Public Transparency

Article | 2021

Protest Preparedness: Analyzing Crowd Dynamics, Threat Actors, and Intelligence

  • Response to Mass Demonstrations
  • Responding to Mass Critical Incidents

After Action Report | 2021

Research Evaluation of the City of Columbus’ Response to the 2020 Summer Protests

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Response to Mass Demonstrations

Article | 2021

President’s Message: The Nuances of Crowd Management & Response

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Response to Mass Demonstrations

Guidebook/Tool | 2021

Staying Healthy in the Fray: The Impact of Crowd Management on Officers in the Context of Civil Unrest

  • Crime and Violence Response
  • Response to Mass Demonstrations
  • Officer Safety and Wellness

Report | 2021

A Crisis of Trust: A National Policing Institute Report to the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners on the Los Angeles Police Department Response to First Amendment Assemblies and Protests Occurring May 27 – June 7, 2020

  • Crime and Violence Response
  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Response to Mass Demonstrations
  • Use of Force

Article | 2021

Preventing Harm and Saving Careers Through Intervention Training: Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE)

  • Response to Mass Demonstrations
  • Use of Force

Article, Guidebook/Tool, Report, Training | 2021

Crowd Management and Civil Demonstrations Resources

  • Community Trust and Partnerships
  • Response to Mass Demonstrations

The information provided within these modules has been gathered from various sources, including consent decrees, research, and practitioner and department-developed resources. These webpage modules are intended to be a guide for departments to use to improve their Constitutional policing practices. Additional information and resources may be needed to implement the recommendations successfully. This resource is intended to be dynamic, and the Knowledge Lab will continue to update and add to these modules to provide additional and current guidance for departments.

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