The past decade has brought record numbers of Americans to the streets over critical issues — gun violence, racial injustice, police brutality and reproductive rights. More recently, the killing of two American citizens in Minneapolis and countless reports of harassment and unconstitutional raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have prompted protests from coast to coast, including many planned for this weekend.

While demonstrations are an important way to enact change, protesters face real risks from violent counterprotesters, law enforcement responses and health concerns when large groups gather.

Read more: What Can You Legally Share About ICE Raids on Social Media? I Found Out

CNET doesn’t encourage violating curfews or legal restrictions. However, if you attend a demonstration, here’s how to protect yourself based on guidance from Amnesty International, the American Civil Liberties Union and other sources.

Getting ready

Preparation is crucial. Here’s what to consider bringing and leaving behind:

What to bring:

• A body camera or GoPro
• Water and snacks
• Face mask (outdoor transmission risk is lower, but masks still help prevent the spread of illness)
• Hand sanitizer
• Charged phone with a power bank
• ID and cash
• Protective goggles for tear gas
• Essential medications like inhalers
• Small backpack
• Emergency contacts written on your arm in marker
• A companion or tell someone your location if going alone

What not to bring:

• Anything problematic if detained — weapons, items that could be considered weapons or illegal substances
• Contact lenses (wear glasses — contacts can trap tear gas)
• Valuables
• Makeup (can help tear gas adhere to skin)

What to wear:

• Warm clothes, comfortable and without logos or patterns
• Long sleeves and pants to protect from tear gas and cover identifying features like tattoos
• Sturdy shoes for quick movement (hiking boots recommended)
• A hat for sun protection or blending into crowds

What to do with your phone

As reported by our sister site PCMag, your phone can be a safety asset, but also a liability at protests. «Many smart devices track your location through multiple means. This is useful for getting directions and finding things nearby, but it can also allow law enforcement to extract your movements after the fact. For example, pictures you take with a smartphone frequently include their physical locations, and Google Maps maintains records of your movements in its Your Timeline section.»

With that in mind, here are four simple steps you can take to mitigate mobile tracking:

• Shut off Wi-Fi.
• Disable location services and Bluetooth until you absolutely need them.
• If you don’t need to use your data connection, switch it off (note this may hamper your ability to use encrypted communications).
• Again, if you can, leave your phone at home — if not, at least turn it off.

During a protest

Establish a plan before arriving, including how and when you plan to leave. Decide your arrival and departure times, what situations would trigger you to leave and how you’ll exit if things escalate. Share this plan with someone staying home who can help if needed.

Stay alert to your surroundings and crowd movements. If something feels wrong, leave immediately.

Law enforcement may use tear gas, rubber bullets or other crowd control measures that can cause injury. Your best protection is creating distance from these situations quickly. If that’s impossible, research how to respond to these specific threats beforehand.

Health precautions

Outdoor gatherings carry a lower COVID, flu and common cold risk than indoor ones, but risk remains, especially for immunocompromised individuals. Complete protection means not attending, but you can reduce risk by:

• Wearing a mask
• Using hand sanitizer frequently
• Staying home if you feel sick
• Skipping protests if you live with high-risk individuals

Know your rights

The First Amendment protects peaceful assembly, but you could still face detention. Before attending:

• Search for «[your city] protest legal support» to find local hotlines
• Save these numbers to your phone and write them on your arm
• Review your rights during protests using the ACLU’s guide

Amazon has knocked the already budget-friendly Soundcore Q20i headphones by $30, letting you pick up a pair for just $40 today. It isn’t an all-time low but it’s the best price the Q20i has dropped to in the past 30 days, proving you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy your favorite beats to the fullest.

This deal applies to the black and white options, while the blue and pink versions are going for $45. The offer is only around for a short time, though, so it’s worth placing your orders sooner rather than later.

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Battery-wise, you’ll enjoy about 40 hours of continuous listening with the ANC mode and up to 60 hours with it disabled. Even better, a quick 5-minute top-up can give an additional 4 hours of playback, which comes in handy when you’re in a pinch.

Why this deal matters

Good headphones that deliver solid sound, excellent noise-cancelling capabilities and a strong battery life can cost a pretty penny. This deal lets you get a top-rated option for just $40, making the upgrade quite affordable. Just note that the offer is likely to expire soon, so it’s best to act fast to grab it.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? The clues feature words like top, left, right, middle and bottom, and I thought they were pretty challenging. Read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: «Top Gear» channel
Answer: BBC

4A clue: Announcement that causes groans among travelers
Answer: DELAY

6A clue: Middle of a drum kit, typically
Answer: SNARE

7A clue: Political staffers
Answer: AIDES

8A clue: Bottom line figure
Answer: NET

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: French-speaking nation in West Africa
Answer: BENIN

2D clue: Sharp part of a sword
Answer: BLADE

3D clue: This text mark: ^
Answer: CARET

4D clue: Left-leaning political org.
Answer: DSA

5D clue: «Right you are!»
Answer: YES

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