FAQ

The MC Marshals have an approximately one and a half hour training session that all marshals take before their first marshaling assignment. Go to the Training page to find out when the next class is and to sign up.

Have you ever:

• Calmed an angry child?
• Stepped between arguing friends?
• Stayed calm when someone yelled?
• Given directions to someone who was lost?
• Spotted tension and helped shift the mood?

Then you have what it takes to be a marshal.

Marshals typically have yellow high visibility vests, a radio, a whistle, and possibly a fanny pack with rudimentary first aid items in it. Oh, and a pool noodle if you have one! We try to keep the costs very minimal and we do have some loaners if you need them for an event. More details will be covered during the training.

There are typically four kind of events:

• Honk and Wave/Boxing the Intersection – protesters stand on the side of the road or at intersections
• Rally – typically a gathering of people where there are speakers
• March – this is a moving protest where people go from one place to another
• Overpass Bannering – this type of event has banners displayed on highway overpasses and incorporates activities similar to Honk and Waves.

Sometimes an event can include multiple types. Each type of event has their own unique needs of the marshals with more details below in the “What to Expect Eor Each Protest Type” section.

After you are trained, you will be given information on where to find out about events that need marshals. Typically we use the signal application and specific chat groups to get the word out when there is an event that needs marshals. If you don’t currently use signal, you should look into getting the app. Here is where you can find more information about signal: https://signal.org/

Here are the typical roles for events:

• Event Coordinator – Member of the organizing group that serves as the go to person for overall event information
• Marshal Coordinator – Person that interfaces between the Event Coordinator and the Marshals or Lead Marshal
• Lead Marshal – One or more people that serve as the on the ground leader during the event
• Marshals – the people that help keep people safe during the event and ensure that the event goes smoothly

It depends on the event. Smaller events may not need one, but if the event is a march or rally, there most likely will be a walkthrough at the site a few days before the actual event.

Make sure you eat a good meal and are hydrated prior to going to the event. Bring water and dress appropriately for the environment you’ll be in…you don’t want to be too hot or too cold during the event.

Typically the marshals show up a little before the event starts and meet up in a preplanned location. Look to the Marshal Coordinator or the Lead Marshal ahead of time to let you know when and where to meet. They will let you know. If you are unsure or haven’t heard, reach out to the person that requested the marshals.

By all means, bring your phone. It will come in handy if an emergency occurs. Turn off biometric unlocking however (fingerprints, facial recognition, etc.) and also turn off notifications to any messaging and texting apps that would show on your lock screen. You may even want to put your phone in airplane mode if you’re worried about being tracked via your phone.

Here are some duties you’ll have and things you’ll see during this type of event:

• You’ll be getting people safely across intersections by using traffic lights.
• Put yourself in between traffic that may enter the crosswalk and the people crossing
• Make eye contact with drivers if you need to direct them
• Be prepared for people in their cars counter protesting. Their time is fleeting while driving by. Sometimes while they are stopped at a light, they’ll try to engage our protesters. Give guidance to our folks not to engage
• Coal Rolling (blowing black smelly smoke) vehicles will try to disrupt the event. This is typically illegal. Try to record license plates, take photos or videos and if the same vehicle does it more than once, possibly call 311 (the non-emergency 911) to alert them.
• If a driver returns multiple times to the intersection and tries to engage with the protesters, make note of the car and try to warn the protesters not to engage if you see the vehicle approach. Throw a peace sign back instead of the middle finger.
• If there are any actions by counter protesters that are unsafe or threaten the protesters, get photos or videos and have someone call 911. This goes for any protest type!
• It will be noisy! Emphasis on the Honk part of Honk and Wave. If your Marshal crew is using radios, try using the earpiece.

Here are some duties you’ll have and things you’ll see during this type of event:

• The main job of the marshal is crowd control.
• Try to walk the route ahead of time so you can get a lay of the land. Keep an eye out for potential trouble spots (busy intersections, driveway entrances/exits, walkway obstacles, etc.)
• Be vigilant while scanning the crowd. Look for people that look out of place or are very nervous. Some people are uncomfortable in crowds but are there for the same reasons we are, some however may be there for more nefarious purposes. Keep an eye out, but don’t approach unless something is worrisome. Alert the lead marshals if your internal alarm bells go off.
• Marshals will be at the stage facing the crowd, on the edges of the crowd, and some positioned within the crowd.
• It will be noisy, so if radios are in use, use an ear piece.
• People will ask you questions about the speakers and other details. Get a schedule and other details from the Lead Marshal or Organizer so you can let people know.

Here are some duties you’ll have and things you’ll see during this type of event:

• The main job is to keep the march at a good pace–not too slow and not too quick and to keep the marchers on route and safe.
• As intersections are crossed, ensure that traffic signals are followed and crossings happen when they’re supposed to.
• If there are vehicles at a cross street or trying to pull out of a driveway that are blocked by the marchers, try not to prolong their waits (we don’t want angry drivers trying to unsafely get through the crowd). Allow gaps in the march by getting the marchers to stop to allow for safe movement of the vehicle.
• If counter protesters are in the path of the march, position a marshal in front of the counter protester and instruct our marchers to go around and let them know not to engage with the counter protesters.
• Typically a marshal will be positioned at the front of the march to set the pace. If gaps start to form in the march, radio the front marshal to ask them to slow the pace.
• There will always be stragglers at the end and the whole march cannot be slowed enough for them. A marshal should be kept close by to keep them on route and safe.
• Other marshals will be positioned through out the march and typically go with the flow.
• Some marshals may be posted in busy intersections or troublesome areas to give consistency to the directions.
• Look to your Lead Marshal to let you know where you will be assigned or if you have preference.

Here are some duties you’ll have and things you’ll see during this type of event:

• Marshals may help set up the banners if needed.
• Some counter protesters take it upon themselves to attempt to remove banners or signs. Move our people away from them and take photos and videos of them removing the signs and banners. Call 911 since this action could be indicative of them being dangerous.
• Depending on the type of overpass (street overpass or pedestrian bridge) you may be tasked with different duties.
• Street Overpass: see the “What do I expect at a Honk and Wave or Boxing the Intersection?” entry
• Pedestrian Bridge: monitor foot traffic to ensure safety of protesters. If someone approaches that looks suspicious or causes your internal alarms to go off, be ready to act.
• Pedestrian Bridge: Be especially conscious of having one or both sides of the bridge blocked.
• Pedestrian Bridge: Have a code word or phrase set up with your bannering group that means to drop what they are doing and exit the bridge. Something like “Drop and Go!”