[This is a fairly generic guide on how to attend anti-lockdown protests, but could theoretically be expanded to others. Any thoughts on how to improve this guide are appreciated.]

First off, two ground rules:

• Do not get baited into any kind of violence or illegal shit. There are agent provocateurs (including antifa, infiltrators, and others) who will try to get people amped up and hostile. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS. Their goal is to record you striking out, go to the media and frame the rally as violent, and then go to the police and get you arrested. Remember that when you attend an event, you aren't just representing yourself, but every other attendee. Don't do any violent or illegal shit, and discourage others from doing it as well.

• Keep optics in mind. You are not attending an event to look like a lunatic, a bigot, a moron, or a violent threat. You are attending an event to look like an upstanding normal person who is deeply concerned about a given issue. Don't use signs, slogans, or symbols that the press can use to attack you. Unite around issues and phrases that everyone can agree on, like freedom. Be resolute if necessary, but don't freak out or insult anyone. Be friendly to strangers.

How to find out about events

Facebook groups are (sadly) still very popular. Try searching for upcoming events or groups in your area. Check social media, especially the social media accounts of people who held past events (you might find these through the news). Some large upcoming events have dedicated websites.

Get involved with local groups that may host or know about pro-freedom events. Try searching for "[Your Location] Young Libertarians", "Libertarian Club", "Republican Club", "Conservative Club", "Tea Party Club", or variations of these. For your location, try putting your city, your country, and/or your state. Consider attending public rallies put on by political parties or candidates you agree with, as you may meet more knowledgeable people there, or they may have information about upcoming future events or groups you can get involved with.

Search for these, with many variations as to the name and location of what you're looking for. DuckDuckGo is your friend.

What to think about once you've found an upcoming event

• The main goals of any event are to win over the average person to your cause, to connect with others who agree with you, and to peacefully show up in numbers to persuade local institutions that your cause is the will of the people. Always keep these goals in mind. You are not there to look like a whackjob or turn people off.

• Consider what your personal goals are in attending. Do you want to carry a sign or share a message? Connect with others and make friends? Record footage to share later? Or just silently show support or observe?

Consider your goals in attending

• If you want to carry a sign or share a message: Your message should be something you truly believe in, but also something the vast majority of people agree with. "Support Freedom!" "No Surveillance State!" "My Body, My Choice!" "Stand up for your rights!" are all great ideas - these can go on a sign, a shirt, or be part of a chant. For a sign, make sure that your handwriting is legible. Appeal to high values (freedom, liberty, bodily autonomy) or to humor; just make sure the joke is universally funny. Don't use slogans that evoke religious messaging, stuff about Bill Gates or microchips, or other things that are stereotypical and the average person has been programmed to reject. Patriotic flags that represent your country or state, and that everyone would recognize and support, are great. Avoid flags and other symbols that are not well-known, or ones tht are controversial. Always be friendly, even if bystanders jeer at you, just laugh and move on.

• If you want to connect with others and make friends: The best way to do this is to be proactive. When you're there, talk to everyone you see, introduce yourself (don't have to use full name), make small talk, exchange your views. If you hit it off with someone, consider reconnecting later in the day for a meal at a nearby restaurant, and/or offer them your contact info (social media usernames, e-mail, or phone number, or whatever you feel comfortable with). Additionally, there may be organizers at the event handing out flyers or information about other groups and events - check those out. If you want to be really proactive, you could print off flyers or business cards yourself with your contact info (e.g. an anonymous email), or ones directing people to websites for local organizations, or other websites you think are relevant. Hand those out to interested individuals.

• If you want to record footage to share later: Take a camera, which may or may not be your phone. Consider why you want to record: are your recording your own experience? Do you want to get broad views of the rally itself? Do you want to document possible instances of antifa violence or police brutality? In general, it's best to avoid recording people's faces, as most people don't want to get doxxed. Record people from a distance, from the back, and/or in less-than-perfect quality. When uploading a picture or video later, make sure that no one's face is prominently visible, unless they're obviously okay with it or you asked them before. (The only exception to this is bad actors)

How to prepare before an event

• This goes for everyone: look clean and presentable. You want to look like a normal person. Don't bring symbols, signs, flags, or clothing that are controversial or will get you slandered in the media. In most cases, your attire should help you blend in rather than stand out. Your goal is NOT to look "intimidating" - avoid skull masks, military-esque attire, aggressive slogans on t-shirts, black bloc, and the like. Don't wear dirty, stained, poor-fitting, or odd clothing; groom, bathe, and take care of your appearance too (this should go without saying). You want people to see you and think "hey, that person looks just like me" or "that looks like someone I could be friends with."

• Know the area before the event, as well as the schedule. Any online page should have this information. If you're going to be walking, know the route.

• Consider how you will get there and what the parking situation is. What's the route from the parking area to the event? Can you get back to it in a pinch? Be sure to arrive early so you can be ready in case there's parking troubles or something doesn't go according to plan.

• Do you want to take your phone? Some protest guides recommend leaving your phone at home. However, you may need it for communication, especially if you're in a group. If you choose to bring it, make sure it's in airplane mode with no data, a strong password, and no face or fingerprint protection.

• Privacy concerns? You might consider wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. Masks can be okay too, just check with your local jurisdiction. If you wear a mask, opt for a plain black one, a standard medical mask, a basic bandana, or a patriotic flag. Don't wear an edgy skull mask. Again, your goal is to look normal and appealing.

• Stuff you might want to take: hats, sunscreen, water, a bag to hold this stuff in. Do NOT bring weapons or other sketchy stuff. Consider AOC's guide here.

• Depending on the situation, consider going with a friend or group if you can. There's safety in numbers.

• Consider posting about the event online beforehand to let other people know; however, this is up to you, and always keep your privacy in mind, as well as the needs and security of others.

• Plan to be there early. It's up to you if you want to be one of the first to arrive, or if you want to show up just a bit before the starting time. If you've shown up with a buddy, go in a group from the parking spot to the rally location.

What to do at the event

• Connect with others attending! This is really important and a huge missed opportunity if you don't do it. Talk with other people, make small-talk about what you believe in, exchange contact information if you feel comfortable. Ask about local groups that may meet up again or hold other protests. Pass out flyers or business cards if you have them, or collect them from others. The ideal situation would be to find other people you live nearby that you can meet up with again on a regular basis. This is a crucial step towards building power collectively.

• If you are there to spread a message, carry your sign, and call out slogans (see above for suggestions, or use whatever the crowd is using, as long as it's sane).

• If you are okay with sharing photos of yourself to social media, you may take selfies along with any signs or flags.

• If something happens that needs to be documented, record it.

• If a stranger or bystander asks about what you're doing, be friendly, and explain it in a calm and clear manner. Remember, you are a concerned citizen.

• If someone is participating in bad behavior, loudly call them out on it.

• Don't get confrontational, especially if someone is filming you. Just walk away. Never get angry or use vulgar or insulting language.

• If you end up in a scuffle, de-escalate.

After the event

• Clean up trash.

• Consider an afterparty or going to a local restaurant with people you've met. Exchange contact information (whatever you feel safe with) and stay in touch.

• Discuss how the event was with those you attended with. Try to focus on the positive aspects, but also on things that could be improved for next time.

• Consider posting about the event online. Be careful not to reveal sensitive details - for example, if you took photos or video, don't share close-ups of people's faces. In neutral spaces: praise the event as an expression of freedom, post videos or photos, emphasize that the attendees are concerned citizens and the cause is important. In friendly spaces: Share your experience of what it was like (you don't have to reveal anything too personal). Again, emphasize the positives, but also mention if there's anything that could be improved for next time.

• Stay in touch with people you've met. Find out if there are any groups you can join that advocate for causes you care about, such as local charities, church groups, or political associations. Maybe go to future events with them. Try to make friends, and consider meeting again on a regular basis, even if it's just to hang out. Exchange information and advice about things going on in your community and the world. Help each other out materially, socially, and spiritually. Once you've established a robust social circle of people on your same wavelength, the sky's the limit - maybe participate in peaceful local activism, or exchange career opportunities and business ideas, or have cookouts with locally-grown vegetables. Whatever it is, building solidarity is vital.