This content is intended to serve as general information; it is not legal advice nor intended as legal advice.

THE RIGHT TO PROTEST

The right to protest is a long-standing protection afforded by the U.S. and Texas constitutions. This right is contained both in the freedom of speech and in the freedom to assemble, which protect not only the ability to verbalize protests and engage in symbolic speech such as wearing an armband, but to arrange peaceful marches and protests on certain public lands.

These rights are not unconditional. Because the government has an interest in maintaining peace and public order, it may restrict some protest activities in certain ways.

This Know Your Rights fact sheet is intended for people who want to exercise their right to protest in order to help understand the status of the current law on this topic. However, this sheet does not cover every nuance of the law surrounding protest rights and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have specific legal questions, consult an attorney or the ACLU of Texas. If you are looking for information about protest rights on college and university campuses, you can access that here.

Click on one of the scenarios below to jump to the information you need:

LAWS

  • The right to protest is protected by both the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution.
  • The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.
  • The Texas Constitution, in Article I, sections 8 and 27 protects the “liberty to speak, write or publish … opinions on any subject,” and “the right … to assemble.

YOUR RIGHTS IN GENERAL

  • These provisions protect your right to march, leaflet, parade, picket, circulate petitions and ask for signatures, and other forms of peaceful protest. You have the right to express your views in these ways regardless of how unpopular or controversial they may be.
  • Although these rights are afforded strong protection, how the rights are exercised may be regulated.

RESTRICTIONS

What the government can’t regulate: The government generally can’t regulate or restrict speech based on its content. Regulation of speech must be unrelated to both the ideas and the views expressed.

Restrictions based on the ideas or subject matter involve regulating an entire topic of speech. For example, a local ordinance prohibiting all picketing except for labor picketing connected to a place of employment is unconstitutional because it regulates speech based on whether it is about labor.

Restrictions based on viewpoint affect only one perspective within a larger subject. For example, a public university may not deny funds to a student publication specifically because it holds a Christian viewpoint, while exempting other religious publications from these same restrictions.

Some content-based restrictions may be allowed if they are narrowly tailored to serve a compelling government interest and are the least restrictive way of achieving that interest.

What the government can regulate: Some categories of speech are considered outside of First Amendment protection — obscenity; defamatory language that is false and is intended to harm the reputation of another person; and “fighting words,” or speech that incites imminent lawless action.

Even for speech outside of these categories, generally the government can place “time, place, and manner” restrictions on speech. This kind of restriction does not depend on the subject of the speech, but on the way it is expressed, and is often created to preserve public order, such as preventing parades from clashing with rush-hour traffic.

These regulations must be narrowly tailored to serve a significant government interest, must be content-neutral, and must leave open ample alternative channels of communication.

Q&A

Where can I protest?

The constitutional protection offered to protest varies on the location, or forum, of the protest. Courts have broken public spaces down into different categories:

  • Public streets, sidewalks, parks, and the internet:
    • These are traditional public forums that are historically and functionally places of assembly and debate.
    • Here, governmental regulation of speech is very limited.
    • You also likely have the right to speak out on other public property, like plazas in front of government buildings, as long as you are not blocking access to the government building or interfering with other purposes the property was designed for.
  • Areas specifically opened for speech: These locations are not traditionally open for speech, but the government has specifically designated them for some public discourse. Examples include public meetings and certain areas of public universities and schools. These areas generally have an intermediate level of protection from regulation, although sometimes they receive the highest protection, like the first category.
  • Non-public government property: This includes all other government property that has not historically been a place of public expression and has not specifically been designated one, such as a military base or government office. Although technically public property, it does not qualify as a public forum. Governments may restrict speech there so long as the restrictions are reasonable and not viewpoint-based.

Can I protest on private property?

No. With limited exceptions, First Amendment rights apply only to the government and government property. Private property owners can control what happens on their property and may prevent people from protesting on their land. However, adjoining public property, such as streets and sidewalks, may provide an appropriate alternate venue.

Can I be prevented from protesting if my views are controversial?

No. Restrictions on speech must generally be unrelated to the content of the speech and may not be viewpoint based. Even if your views are unpopular, controversial, or critical of the government, you still have the right to express them through speech and assembly.

Counterprotesters also have free speech rights. Police must treat protesters and counterprotesters equally. Police are permitted to keep antagonistic groups separated but should allow them to be within sight and sound of one another.

Can I take pictures or videos at a protest?

  • When you are lawfully present in any public space, you have the right to photograph anything in plain view, including federal buildings and the police. 

  • Police officers may not confiscate or demand to view your photographs or video without a warrant, nor may they delete data under any circumstances. However, they may order citizens to cease activities that are truly interfering with legitimate law enforcement operations. 
  • If you are videotaping, be aware that there is an important legal distinction between a visual photographic record (fully protected) and the audio portion of a videotape, which some states have tried to regulate under state wiretapping laws.
  • On private property, the owner may set rules related to photography or video. 
     

What happens if the police issue an order to disperse the protest?

  • Shutting down a protest through a dispersal order must be law enforcement’s last resort. Police may not break up a gathering unless there is a clear and present danger of riot, disorder, interference with traffic, or other immediate threat to public safety.
  • If officers issue a dispersal order, they must provide a reasonable opportunity to comply, including sufficient time and a clear, unobstructed exit path.
  • Individuals must receive clear and detailed notice of a dispersal order, including how much time they have to disperse, the consequences of failing to disperse, and what clear exit route they can follow, before they may be arrested or charged with any crime.

Do I need to get a permit?

You might. You don’t need a permit to march in the streets or on sidewalks, as long as marchers don’t obstruct cars or pedestrian traffic. If you don’t have a permit, police officers can ask you to move to the side of a street or sidewalk to let others pass or for safety reasons.

Because of concerns like obstruction of traffic and maintenance of public order, some localities may require a permit to hold a parade or a march. Check with your local government.

  • How far in advance should I apply for a permit? Courts have approved requirements that a permit be requested a certain number of days before the event. However, the requirement is limited to a few days, and the deadlines must not be so unreasonable as to burden your rights. In one case, a court held that a 10-day requirement placed an unconstitutional burden on expression. Further, while certain permit procedures require submitting an application well in advance of the planned event, police can’t use those procedures to prevent a protest in response to breaking news events.
  • Can I be charged for the permit? Yes. It is permissible to charge fees for the permit application, but the fees may not be arbitrary and may not be imposed in order to discourage applications. The fees must only cover the administrative expenses associated with the application and permit, and regulations should allow a waiver for those who cannot afford the charge.
  • For what reasons can my permit be denied? The deciding body must not have complete discretion to deny a permit. There must be concrete standards regulating the review of an application. The standards must be narrow, objective, and definite. A permit cannot be denied because the event is controversial or will express unpopular views.

Are there different regulations for non-citizens?

The Patriot Act significantly altered First Amendment rights for non-citizens. Section 215 allows surveillance and investigation of people based on their First Amendment activities. Non-citizens who are not permanent residents are subject to harsher penalties if their actions are labeled “domestic terrorism.” Immigrants who engage in protest should be aware of law enforcement’s increased authority and prepare accordingly.

IF YOU ARE APPROACHED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT

Be conscientious about your actions. Don’t argue, resist, or obstruct the police, even if you believe they are violating your rights: Anything you say or do can be used against you. Arguing or fighting may give police an excuse to arrest you.

  • On foot: If you are stopped while you are on foot and have not been detained, you are not required to answer officers’ questions.
  • Searches: The police may pat down your clothing if they suspect that you are concealing a weapon. Don’t resist or touch the officer, but make it clear that you don’t consent to any further searches. You never have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings. If you do explicitly consent, it can affect you later in court.
  • Being detained: If the police detain you, you may be required to identify yourself. Ask if you are under arrest. If so, ask to see a lawyer and otherwise remain silent and do not say or sign anything without a lawyer. If not, ask if you are free to leave. If you are stopped while driving and do not provide a driver’s license when a police officer asks for it, you will need to provide, if asked by the officer, your: name, driver’s license number, residence address, or date of birth.
  • Police complaints: If you think the police have acted outside their authority, don’t protest or resist on the scene. Write down officers’ names, badge numbers, and patrol car numbers.
  • IF YOUR RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED: If you believe that you are being denied your right to protest:
    • When you can, write down everything you remember, including the officers’ badge and patrol car numbers and the agency they work for.
    • Get contact information for witnesses.
    • Take photographs of any injuries.
    • Visit our legal program page to submit a complaint.
    • You can file a written complaint with the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.
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