Front cover of guide titled 'Streetwise & Steady Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals'. Text under image reads 'By Daniel Hunter and Eileen Flanagan Illustrated by Paul Garner'. Abstract Illustration of loudhailer on the ground next to an orange traffic safety cone.

Streetwise & Steady: A Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals

By , ,

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.

Excerpts

Screenshot of a page from 'Streetwise & Steady Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals'. There is text and illustrations that demonstrate how event marshals can project confidence. The text reads 'PracticePage:PROJECTINGCONFIDENCE Part of a peacekeeper’s role is projecting confidence. One way is to remember you have skills already in your life experience. Circle things you’ve done and think about how they help you be a peacekeeper. Calmed an angry kid Stepped between arguing friends Told someone where a bathroom is Walked someone home who felt unsafe Put a bandaid on someone Stayed calm while someone yelled Flagged a problematic behavior Gave directions Reminded a group of a shared goal Spotted tension and helped shift the mood Talked someone out of a rash decision Calmed yourself down Peacekeepers tend to people, care when people are angry, scan crowds, give instructions, and — yes — give bandaids. You already have skills for being a peacekeeper! You can do this!'.
Screenshot of a page from 'Streetwise & Steady Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals'. Text reads 'PracticePage:EMPATHIZE WITH OTHERS When things get tense, your first step can set the tone for everything that follows. Draw a line from each situation (on the left) to one or more first moves (on the right). Some interventions work for multiple situations — and add your own interventions, too!'. There are two columns with 10 illustrations and text. The text reads 'A protester yelling at another protester Ask in a friendly way: “What’s up?” A by-stander pacing nervously Link arms with other peacekeepers and surround Two friends arguing loudly, distracting others Calmly approach, “I’m here to listen” A single heckler shouts loudly Give space but keep watching Counter- protesters push and shove into your crowd Shift mood with a song or chant'.
Screenshot of a page from 'Streetwise & Steady Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals'. Text reads 'Handout: What does a Peacekeeper Do? An action peacekeeper (sometimes called an “event marshal”) helps keep people safe and keep the group to its agreements and purpose. You support the action to reach its goals as powerfully as possible — undistracted by disruptors. EssentialSUPPLIES Cell phone, fully charged Contacts for Police Liaison, Legal Observers, and other key action roles Schedule of events Map with route and key locations Identifiable vest or armband Water, snacks, sunscreen First aid (if there aren’t medics) Your id, in case of police issue DE-ESCALATION OPTIONS ● Listen attentively. ● Ask what the person needs. ● Create alternative energy: sing, hand out water, start a chant. ● Isolate: Tell the crowd to keep moving. ● Walk disruptive people to the perimeter. ● Link arms and surround disruptors. ● Keep trying things & be creative! THE“HELPER”SKILLS NEEDED ● Handle fear: Notice fear in yourself or others. Take a breath. ● Enlist allies: Don’t ask a crowd for help, ask an individual, “Can you help?”. ● Listen and observe: Scan the crowd, notice body language. ● Project confidence: Stand steady and keep your body relaxed. ● Empathize with others: Show care, even if you don’t agree. Empathy helps. ● Recall options: There are many different ways to handle any situation. Remember that chaos and fear help the opposition and detract from your goals. WHATYOU NEED TO DO Before the Action ● Prepare Supplies. ● Get Oriented: Learn the action plan, route, roles, and communication channels. ● Meet Your Team. ● Ground Yourself: Show up rested, hydrated, and emotionally ready. During the Action ● Be Present and Observant. ● Look for trouble, especially at common trouble spots: The front and back of events, stages, bottlenecks, intersections, and counter-protesters. ● Use Your Body Language: Open posture, eye contact, and calm gestures. Unless it’s an absolute emergency, walk, don't run. ● Know Your Limits: Ask for help when things get beyond your capacity. ● Stay Flexible: Plans change. Be ready to adapt and respond to new challenges. ● Look out for Vulnerable Participants. ● Take Care of Yourself. ● Be available the whole time. After the Action ● Release tension, rest, recover, and debrief with the team.'
Screenshot of a page from 'Streetwise & Steady Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals'. Text reads 'Chapter 5: De-escalating with SecurityForces Protests can be more tense when there are police, military, ICE, or hired security. Peacekeepers often act as a physical buffer between security forces and demonstrators, helping to reduce conflict and keep everyone safe. Here’s who might arrive: ● Police/sheriff: Most common. Local or state agents tasked with enforcing laws and maintaining order, but frequently used to suppress dissent. Often identifiable. ● Hired Security (e.g., Securitas): Private personnel contracted to protect properties. They lack public accountability and are typically identifiable, poorly trained, and unfamiliar with details of First Amendment Rights. ● ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): Federal agency focused on deportations. Extremely rare at protests. Increasingly without uniforms. ● Military: Enforces state power. Rarely in protests. Their presence is a high escalation, rather than routine crowd management. Typically identifiable. They are supposed to follow strict guidelines in dealing with civilians. Each may be different in different parts of the country. For example, after decades of flagrantly violating protester rights, many city police have created specialized forces for protests (“civil affairs”). For them, protests and assertions of First Amendment Rights are routine. Other police with less experience of protests, facing the same situation, may grow rapidly hostile and even violently so. If you don’t know, ask other local activists. All these institutions are hierarchical. They want a representative of the group with equal rank. In protests, it’s recommended to designate a police liaison who is assigned to establish a channel of communication with law enforcement. Peacekeepers can buy time by deflecting issues: “I need your commander to explain this to our police liaison.” Or repeating commonly known information: “We’ve told everyone this rally ends at 4pm.” When in any doubt, let the police liaison and action lead discuss details with security. There are potential consequences for lying to these forces — but not for them to lie to you. In extreme cases, police have been known to “ping-pong” (giving conflicting orders to herd protesters into areas) or “netting” (dividing a protest in half to isolate and potentially arrest some) or “kettling” (containing a protest so it can no longer move forward or back, often before arrests or to halt further advancement). With all this, it’s important to recall your goal. You are there to support the peaceful action and protect participants. You are not there to confront or challenge security forces on their role. You may be friendly or neutral, kind or distant — but do not over share or be overly forthcoming. Don’t identify group leaders (or others) without permission. Generally, inform security forces of your intentions, rather than asking permission. Be open to their legitimate concerns, such as traffic flow or an approaching ambulance. Tipsfor De-escalating with Police ● Keep your voice calm and respectful, even if you disagree. ● Know your rights and the rights of protesters. Calmly remind police if necessary. ● Position yourself visibly between police and protesters to prevent confrontations.'.

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Streetwise & Steady: A Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals (PDF – 32 pgs)

Additional Learning

Peacekeeper & De-escalation Trainings

Materials on Safety

Security

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