The Lantern’s Protest Protocol
Columbus Police peper spray protesters

Last Revised Sept. 6, 2020

After reading the protocol, also read an open letter here for further suggestions and policy clarifications.


Go in a group of three, that way if two people are split up, one person can keep their eyes on both of them:

  • Try to have one camera person and one reporter.
  • Set up a “Communication Channel” group chat and a “Media Channel” group chat for the day. Send all media in the Media Channel and all communications and messages in the Communication Channel.
  • One or two editors are at a “home base” organizing the information, photos and videos being sent back and running social media.
  • Do not separate from the group, if you do, your first priority is getting back together. Identify a location that is visible whenever the group moves to a new area.
  • Check in with the editors at “home base” every 15 minutes, if not more frequently. 
  • If you or any member of your team is feeling unsafe at any time, leave the area. Your safety is a top priority. If the two people back at “home base” say to leave, you leave, no questions asked.

Other rules and guidelines: 

  • No live-streaming,
  • Make sure every person brings:
    • Water containers
    • Glasses or safety glasses
    • Hand sanitizer
    • First Aid Kit
    • Phone charger and battery pack
    • Salty snack (make sure sodium levels don’t deplete)
    • Inhaler, epipen, or other relevant meds
  • Wear a visible, current press pass when covering protests.
  • Have someone bring baking soda and water to wash pepper spray off the skin
  • “Home base” has the Emergency Contacts for each reporter on the scene, i.e. parents/guardians/roommates etc.  as well as phone numbers for the faculty advisers at The Lantern
  • Reporters on the ground has an easily accessible list of phone numbers and names of faculty advisers and editors back at “home base.”