Introduction
This practical guide equips action peacekeepers or event marshals with essential skills such as de-escalation techniques, crowd coordination, and safety strategies.
Peacekeepers, or marshalls, are the quiet stewards of safety and coordination in the streets. They help keep our movements organized, our people protected, and our message clear. They are not bosses, not enforcers, but facilitators — trying to ensure that our protests remain spaces of courage, care, and collective power.
This guidebook offers practical tools and principles for peacekeepers, rooted in the belief that nonviolent discipline is not just a tactic — it’s a strategy for resilience. By projecting calm, modeling solidarity, and preparing for the unexpected, peacekeepers help movements withstand pressure without fracturing. If fear is the goal, then solidarity is the antidote.
When dictators want to crack down on people speaking out, they hope for chaos. They want to make us look dangerous. They win when the story is about broken windows instead of broken systems.
Peacekeeping is a serious skill — and best when coupled with training, a larger safety team with knowledge about the local conditions, and a well-designed action. This workbook isn’t a substitute for in-person training, but a tool to deepen our skills. So whether you’re new to peacekeeping or a seasoned marshal, this handbook offers bite-sized lessons, field-tested stories, and interactive pages to help you reflect and grow.
When we stay grounded in purpose and connected, we can hold the line with calm and courage. May this guide serve not just as a tool, but as a companion in the long, steady work of keeping our movements safer and stronger.
Here is a glimpse into the guide, to access the full guide see below.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: What Is a Peacekeeper?
Chapter 2: Being in the Right Location
Chapter 3: De-escalating Basics
Chapter 4: Dealing with Large Crowds
Chapter 5: De-escalating with Security Forces
Chapter 6: Being Safe Around Cars
Chapter 7: De-escalating with Guns
Chapter 8: Post-Action Steps
Appendix: Additional Learning
Handout: What does a Peacekeeper Do?
2-hour Sample Peacekeeper Training Agenda
What is a Peacekeeper?
A peacekeeper (sometimes called a “marshal” or “action ambassador”) helps keep people safe and makes sure the action goes smoothly. You don’t need any special superpowers — chances are, you already have many skills you need from everyday life.
Think about times you’ve helped calm down a friend who was upset or stopped a fight between classmates. Or when you noticed that someone on the bus wasn’t feeling well and helped them get the help they needed. These are the same skills peacekeepers use.
Peacekeepers help move the crowd, answer questions, cool down heated moments, and connect people with first aid or other resources (rides? restrooms?). Your calm and confidence help create a safe, organized space for everyone involved. Peacekeepers are often part of a larger safety team, which may include a Police Liaison, Media spokespeople, MC, and an Action Coordinator.
The Peacekeeper role isn’t about enforcing rules. It’s about creating the right conditions so the action can achieve its goals.
What You Need to Do
Before the Action
- Get Trained
Use this guide and attend peacekeeper trainings (see list at end). - Meet Your Team
Align on responsibilities and plans. If numbers allow, plan to go in pairs. Assess yourself and your team (can we control our tempers? can we follow directions? do we know the action plan? can we stay the whole time?). - Prepare Supplies
Pack the above list. Ask if you’ll be given a vest or armband. - Get Oriented
Learn the action plan, route, roles, and communication channels. - Ground Yourself
Show up hydrated, rested, and emotionally ready. Take a moment to calm your mind and body before you begin.
During the Action
- Be a team player
Take direction from the organizers or team leads. - Partner up, whenever possible
Best to move through the crowd in pairs. - Be Present and Observant
Stay alert to what’s happening around you. Scan for signs of confusion, frustration, or conflict before they escalate. - Communicate Clearly and Calmly
Use a steady voice and simple words. Repeat important information so everyone understands. - Move with Purpose
Whether you’re directing crowd flow or stepping into a tense moment, move with confidence and intention. - Use Your Body Language
Open posture, eye contact, and calm gestures can reduce tension and build trust. - De-escalate Conflicts
Encourage dialogue, separate conflicting parties, or use humor or distraction to ease pressure. - Know Your Limits
Ask for backup or help when things get beyond your capacity or when you’re not the best person to solve a particular problem. - Stay Flexible
Plans change. Be ready to adapt and respond to new challenges. - Look out for Vulnerable Participants
Whether due to age, disability, health, or emotional stress, some people may need extra support. - Take Care of Yourself
Drink water, breathe deeply, and check in with your team. - Be available the whole time
This is a full-time role. Prepare to stay to the bitter end of the event. Don’t take other tasks like handing out leaflets.
After the Action
- Debrief with team
Share what went well or was hard, and lessons for next time. - Support each other
Hold space to talk through stress, fear, or adrenaline crashes. - Report key info
Let organizers know about incidents or follow-up concerns. - Rest and recover
Hydrate, stretch, eat, and take care of your nervous system. - Reflect and learn
Journal or think through what you learned and how you want to grow in this role.
Access Full Resource
Streetwise & Steady: A Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals (PDF – 32 pgs)
Additional Learning
Peacekeeper & De-escalation Trainings
- DC Peace Team offers training in nonviolent skills, including peacekeepers, de-escalation, and active bystander intervention
- Hands Off: De-escalation and Safety Training
- Calming & De-escalation Strategies (not protests)
- Beautiful Trouble’s Tools for Organizing
- Hands Off: De-escalation and Saftey Training (Video)
Materials on Safety
- The Get In Formation toolkit is a deep dive into tools and tactics for action safety
- Indivisible: Safety, Security, and Digital Preparedness for a Second Trump Administration — guide for planning safe and effective events, including choosing secure locations, coordinating transportation, and responsibly publicizing details.
- Greenpeace: Protest Safety Tips provides practical advice for protesters especially in escalated protests that could include tear gas, such as avoiding contact lenses, refraining from rubbing eyes, and steering clear of oil-based lotions.
- Vision Change Win is an excellent offering about broader community safety beyond just peacekeeping rooted in the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.
Security
- 50501 Handbook for Operational Security for Activists: a comprehensive digital resource on security for activist groups.
- Meshtastic — an ideal peacekeeper tool for off-grid communication for limited internet or high security.
- How to Lock your Phone at Protests
- Digital Security for Activist Checklists
Explore Further
- Timely lessons for keeping people safe in the streets
- Resources for Marshals at Protests and Rallies
- 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
- What is Activist Legal Support?
- Jail Solidarity and Supporting Prisoners
- Get in Formation: A Community Safety Toolkit
- Checklist for Non-violent Direct Action Trainings
- Protests: Start Here