01/09/2026
Protests aren’t just political spaces — they’re nervous-system environments.
Agitation and violence are often used to “justify” excessive force and to distract from the cause. Nothing justifies harm or the loss of human life.
Recently, we watched a video of a masked individual burning a U.S. flag who immediately fled the scene and was confronted by protesters. Moments like this matter — because they shift attention, escalate risk, and can be used to discredit entire movements.
From a mental health and safety lens: stay alert, stay grounded, and report suspicious or escalatory behavior to organizers or marshals. Do not engage. Create distance. Protect each other.
Peaceful does not mean passive.
Calm is not compliance.
It’s strategy, harm reduction, and collective care.
