Introduction
Marshals can play an important role in making marches and other actions effective and inclusive. Marshals have been used by many movements for many years and there are different approaches to marshalling depending on philosophy, security culture and movement practices.
The Commons Librarians have collated the following resources from many sources. Do you have guides or training plans for marshals that you would like to share? Get in touch.
Marshals are the conveners eyes and ears. They are responsible for overseeing the route, participant safety, and accessibility. – Right2Protest(R2P) and Action Takers, p. 19
Resources
Guides and Checklists
Guide for Marshals at Rallies & Marches, Women’s March, The Ontario Federation of Labour (6 pgs)
A guide on how to successfully marshal marches. It includes a contact list template, what to bring, roles, tips, police, crowd and bystander relations.
Marshals should never act as police officers under any circumstances. As a marshal, you are not keeping order, you are facilitating it. Marshals have no power or authority over other protestors, despite possible disagreements over tactics.
Marshall Information Sample Pack (2 pgs)
A basic example of an information pack to present to marshals an hour or two before your planned event.
Marshals serve in a position of special responsibility as a demonstration marshal for an event. You are being asked to step away from being a participant and to accept the responsibility for helping the organization conduct the event and ensure the health and safety of participants. You will need to be ready and able to respond to orders given by the organizers and law enforcement, and be able to work within the chain of command. You will also need to lead the people for whom you are responsible. This is a serious and important role. – Source, pg. 1
A Guide for Marshalls, Canadian Federation of Students (5 pgs)
A 5 page PDF from the Canadian Federation of Students includes tips, police liaison, de-escalation techniques.
Marshalling can involve emotionally strenuous situations so be aware that being visible distressful may result in crowdmembers losing confidence and [feeling] unsafe. Source, pg. 1
Marshal Checklist During the Checklist, Right2Protest(R2P) and Action Takers, (1 pg)
A checklist of the responsibilities of marshals during a protest. This checklist is part of Toolkit and Guide for Organising a Protest.
Help monitor and keep photographic and video records of any incidents with police, or otherwise, that can help with later cases. Source, pg 1
Marshall Training Tips, ACT UP
7 quick tips from ACT UP, the Aids Coalition to Unleash Power.
Front Marshals: lead at a slow pace, keep march moving steadily, watch for obstructions, help facilitate civil disobedience, if any occurs;
Side Marshals: block traffic at intersections (facing cars), watch perimeters, help facilitate civil disobedience, if any occurs;
Back Marshals: bring up the rear, set the pace, make sure no one gets left behind. – Source
Non-Violent Direct Action Marshal & Peacekeeper Training Guide, Innovative Organizing (17 pgs)
This guide is a compilation of decades of experience organizing, training, and engaging in non-violent direct action. It is offered as a movement service to those who are playing a role as marshals and peacekeepers in street protests and other forms of NVDA.
The CLARA Method of De-Escalation, Boundless Love Project
Use the CLARA Method to address anyone who is verbally attacking others, or behaving unruly, or when a difficult conversation is needed. (CLARA Center, Listen, Affirm, Love, Add). Here is also a 1 pg handout from Nonviolent Peaceforce.
The CLARA Method helps you model compassionate, kind, empathic listening and communication to help de-escalate a situation and bring harmony. – Source
Principles & Practices for Marshaling A Protest. A Primer, The Twin Cities General Defense Committee, Local 14 of the Industrial Workers of the World
An outline of 7 principles and practices marshals should think about before the protest.
Marshals should hold themselves to a clear understanding of collective responsibility for the action – they should not take actions without reflecting that these will reflect on the marshals themselves and the action as a whole. – Source
![](https://i0.wp.com/commonslibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/vietnam-anti-conscription-protest-with-marshals-Mitchell-Library-State-Library-of-New-South-Wales-and-Courtesy-SEARCH-Foundation-scaled.jpg?resize=745%2C496&ssl=1)
Marshals walking with protestors at Vietnam Conscription Protest. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy SEARCH Foundation
Safe Civic Spaces: Resource Guides, Nonviolent Peaceforce
Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) is a methodology and set of practices for the direct physical protection of civilians by trained, unarmed civilians before, during, and after violent conflict. Lots of guides about how UCP can be applied to protect civic spaces at demonstrations.
DSA Protest Marshal Training Guide, Democratic Socialists of America, (14pgs)
An in-depth guide to marshalling including Roles, Security Culture and Security Plan Basics.
Identify and assign roles before the demonstration. Have all marshals and field leads looped into a signal thread prior to step-off. Marshals should meet well before step-off! – Source, p.8
A Field Guide To Protests: The Protest Marshall, Belli Research Institute, (6 pgs)
A guide to protest marshaling, emphasizing their role in ensuring safety and organization. It covers pre-planning, marshaling techniques, de-escalation, and legal considerations for effective and non-violent protests.
The protest marshal sets themself apart in the protest by wearing a high-visibility vest, making their position look like one of expertise and authority. The intention to be seen is paradoxical: even though they stand out visually, the generic safety vest makes them also look like the invisible worker of any urban environment. – Source, pg 1
![](https://i0.wp.com/commonslibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/Washington-Area-Spark-Marshals-needed-for-Poor-Peoples-Campaign-1968-scaled.jpg?resize=320%2C415&ssl=1)
Marshals needed for Poor People’s Campaign 1968, Credit: Washington Area Spark, CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED
Videos and Podcasts
Protest Marshal Training with Jamie Bauer (10 Videos)
Video of protest marshal training by Jamie Bauer. Useful for protesters as well as volunteer marshals, know what your rights are and what to expect. Jamie draws on their long experience, including ACT UP and Rise and Resist, to bring to life the does and don’t of marshaling, handling counter-protesters, liaising with police, directing crowds on marches, and more.
Marshal Training, Boundless Love Project (Zoom Recording), 2020
Learn several strategies to nonviolently protect people and property and to de-escalate tense encounters from this Marshal Training offered to activists who will serve as marshals at a candlelight vigil.
Explore Further
- Organising Your First Protest
- How to Organise a Protest March
- Legal Guides for Activists about Protests
- Street Medic Pro-Tips: Medical and First Aid Support at Protests and Direct Actions
- Make Change: How-To’s for Effective Peaceful Protest
- Making Protest Accessible: Tips and Checklists for Actions
- Protest Movements: How Effective are They?
- De-escalate, Manage and Transform Conflict
- Get in Formation: A Community Safety Toolkit
- Checklist for Non-violent Direct Action Trainings
- The Use of Covid-19 Marshals at Public Demonstrations
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