Drinks sounds like a nice idea. Some more thoughts: You might tell all the people you know who might want to join but don't know about it yet. Or post on social media about it, ahead of time or afterwards. Or even put a banner to hang below your window, or on your car.
this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2026
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Also bring a pen and paper to get other people's numbers so you can link up with them on Signal.
Absolutely do not make a physical list of identifying information of protest attendees. Do not approach people asking for their personal info at a protest.
How do you network at a protest? We cannot continuously live in fear. There are so many more of us than there are of them.
Also you don't need their name for a signal chat. You can destroy the paper afterwards. If you bring your cell phone to a protest they already know who you are.
You network through your network, connecting through known entities. Adding randoms to your communication chains or group chats (god forbid) is a huge opsec vulnerability, especially if their only credential verifiable to you is their presence at the protest. If you build a group of randoms, you gain nothing except a loose (and weak) association, and you potentially lose everything for everyone.
Your concern is valid, COINTELPRO never went away https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO. However there are a LOT of people who don't have a network and need to build one. The OP that I'm replying to went to a small town protest. It's completely valid to network at a corner in a small town square.
Most importantly, segment all comms. Have a friend group, an organizing group and a public group. If you're able sign up for a burner number. https://www.phreeli.com/ or any of these apps https://beebom.com/best-burner-phone-number-apps/ Obviously practice due diligence and only sign up for what you think is applicable.
Third spaces are disappearing and they were always the place where revolutions were started. A protest is a completely fine place to meet organizers, other people who are aligned and people who have experience in the movement. Resources to organize can be found here https://www.fiftyfifty.one/organizer-resources Similarly you can find people who are aligned here https://www.fiftyfifty.one/groups
Paper is a perfectly fine way to setup one time pads https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-time_pad, or something you can destroy by burning or eating. Currently people mobilized in Minnesota are using it to great effect. They're writing down the addresses of people that need food aid and making sure to not share them over facebook or store them in their phone. If caught, the volunteers delivering much needed food are instructed to eat the paper.
How to organize a rapid response from a very high level with further detailed resources. https://southerncoalition.org/resources/rapid-response-101/
Basically what I'm getting at is with Palintir working so closely with ICE and all of the other electronic surveillance they have, ICE knows if you're at a protest. They already know pretty much who is doing what. The only way we win is if there are too fucking many of us helping to make those databases useless. When every one is on the list nobody is.
If you're going to Costco - everybody loves pizza (unless it's PETA out there protesting, in which case, read the room). They also have great baked goods.
If you live somewhere cold and can find a way to bring hot drinks, that's also a major win.
That's a great idea! But even if you don't do that specifically, any symbol of solidarity will mean a ton. These people are truly putting themselves at risk. Any acknowledgment goes a long way. Thanks for your support! Your marginalized loved ones are so so so grateful!!
Speaking from experience, it's always most appreciated when those who're able take the time to bring water and/or hot coffee. Good on you for chipping in, if you're stuck at work, you could still recruit friends and family to run it down for you.