Note: This is a long post. If you want the summarized version, please scroll to the bottom. This advice is also valid for other large gatherings, such as concerts and public speeches.
Turbulent times often bring strong emotions, public demonstrations, and large gatherings. Peaceful protests are an important part of civic life, but they can also become unpredictable. At Morris Martial Arts, we teach that true strength is not about aggression—it’s about awareness, discipline, and making smart decisions under pressure.
Whether you choose to attend a protest or simply find yourself near one, the same principles we teach in the kwoon can help you stay safe in the real world.
1. Awareness Is Your First Line of Defense
In martial arts, we say “the best block is not being there.” Situational awareness can prevent most dangerous encounters.
Pay attention to your surroundings, notice changes in crowd behavior, and identify exits as soon as you arrive. Awareness gives you time—and time creates options.
2. Go With Intention, Not Emotion
Strong emotions can spread quickly in large groups. Martial arts training emphasizes emotional control because decisions made in anger or fear often lead to harm.
Before attending a protest, know your purpose, your limits, and your exit plan. If emotions begin to rise—yours or the crowd’s—that is your cue to disengage early.
3. Dress and Prepare for Safety
Preparation is an act of self-respect.
Wear comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, and avoid accessories that could restrict movement or be grabbed. Carry only what you need, such as first aid, car keys if you drove, identification and a bottle of water that can be recycled. Personal water bottles can be lost or in extreme cases, used as weapons. Also, keep your phone charged, turn off biometrics (thumbprint or facial recognition) access and stay present rather than distracted.
Preparedness allows you to move freely and respond calmly.
4. Keep Distance From Conflict Zones
Distance is a key principle in self-defense.
Stay clear of confrontations, shouting matches, or aggressive behavior. Avoid areas where pushing, throwing objects, or crowd compression is occurring. A skilled martial artist does not step into unnecessary conflict.
5. Know When to Leave
One of the most important martial arts lessons is recognizing when it is time to walk away.
If you notice crowd surges, rising panic, or sudden changes in law enforcement posture, leave calmly and deliberately. Leaving early is not weakness—it is wisdom.
6. Protect Yourself Without Escalation
Self-defense is about creating an opportunity to escape safely, not proving dominance.
Use calm verbal boundaries when necessary, keep your hands up in a non-threatening protective position, and focus on maintaining space. Physical techniques should only be used as a last resort to disengage and get away from danger.
7. Take Care of Each Other
Martial arts is built on community and responsibility.
Attend with trusted people when possible, watch out for children and vulnerable individuals, and help others find safer routes if tensions rise. Strength is multiplied when it is shared responsibly.
8. If Gunfire Occurs: Prioritize Immediate Safety
While rare, gunfire is one of the most serious threats that can occur in any large public gathering. Being mentally prepared—without panic—can save lives.
If you hear what may be gunshots:
- Move immediately and create distance from the sound
- Get low and seek solid cover such as concrete walls or large structures
- Avoid open areas and do not follow panicked crowd surges if another safe path is available
- Stay alert while moving and continue looking for safe exits
If escape is not immediately possible:
- Stay low behind solid cover
- Keep your phone silent and minimize movement
- Follow instructions from emergency responders when it is safe to do so
Once you reach a secure location, remain there until authorities confirm it is safe.
9. If Tear Gas Is Used: Stay Calm, Breathe, and Move Away
Tear gas is commonly used for crowd control and can cause intense discomfort, panic, and disorientation. Martial arts training helps here by reinforcing calm breathing and deliberate movement under stress.
If tear gas is deployed:
- Move away immediately, preferably upwind or to higher ground if possible
- Do not rub your eyes or face, as this can worsen the irritation
- Breathe slowly and deliberately through your nose if possible
- Cover your mouth and nose with clothing to reduce inhalation
If you are exposed:
- Blink normally to encourage tears to flush the eyes
- Rinse eyes and skin with clean water once you are in a safe area
- Remove contaminated clothing when possible and wash exposed skin
- It has been noted that Milk of Magnesia solution (1 part MoM/1 part water) can help with tear gas or other crowd control irritants.
Avoid enclosed spaces where gas can concentrate, and help others—especially children or elderly individuals—move away from the affected area.
Martial Arts Mindset Reminder:
Pain and discomfort can trigger panic, but panic leads to poor decisions. Control your breathing, focus on movement, and create distance from the source. In self-defense, survival is victory. Your goal is not to understand or confront the threat—it is to get home safely.
Final Thought
At Morris Martial Arts, we believe the highest expression of martial skill is peaceful awareness. Protests may be emotional and unpredictable, but your response can remain calm, disciplined, and intentional.
Train your mind as carefully as your body. Awareness, self-control, and smart decision-making are skills that serve you far beyond the kwoon—and in times like these, they matter more than ever.
TL;DR — Protest Safety, Martial Arts Style
- Stay aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts
- Go with a plan, not emotions; know your exits
- Dress for movement and avoid distractions
- Keep distance from conflict, aggression, and crowd surges
- Leave early if tension rises—walking away is strength
- Use self-defense only to escape, never to escalate
- Look out for others, especially children and vulnerable people
- If gunfire occurs: Move immediately, get low, seek solid cover, and escape when safe
- If tear gas is used: Stay calm, don’t rub your eyes, move away (upwind if possible), and rinse with water once safe
Martial Arts Rule:
Survival is victory. Awareness, discipline, and calm decision-making keep you safe.
Head Instructor Shawn Morris