The right to protest is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. In recent years, more and more people seem to be rising up both in this country and abroad, where protesting can be more perilous.

A recent study examining demonstrations between 2006 and 2020 reported that the number of protest movements worldwide had more than tripled in that time. A leaked Supreme Court draft opinion striking down Roe v. Wade , taking away the right to abortion established a half-century ago, suggests a coming court ruling likely to further stir Americans into the streets.

But with the rise in protests has also come an increase in incidents of police brutality , use of chemical weapons , mass arrests , violent clashes with counterprotesters , and other dangerous situations.

That doesnt mean the act of protesting is inherently unsafe, however. There are precautions people should take when they go out and demonstrate. Below, we share some expert-backed advice.

Know your rights

The First Amendment protects our right to make our voices heard, including by gathering together in public and protesting, said Vera Eidelman, staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project. The restrictions that government actors can place on public protest are limited, but the fact is that they dont always stick to the rules. Its a good idea to make sure youre prepared by brushing up on your rights before heading out into the streets.

Eidelman highlighted some key rights that are important to know before you participate in a demonstration. (The ACLU websites Know Your Protest Rights page offers more details.)

You dont need a permit to protest in response to breaking news, Eidelman said. You also dont need a permit to march in the streets or along sidewalks, as long as youre not obstructing car or pedestrian traffic, or access to buildings. If you dont have a permit, police officers can order you to move to the side of the street or sidewalk to let others pass or for safety reasons.

If you are lawfully present in a public space, you have the right to photograph anything in plain view, which includes federal buildings and any police present. If you believe your rights were violated during a protest, take a moment to get contact information from witnesses, photograph any injuries and write down all the details you can remember.