•  Rights of Protesters -from the America Civil Liberties Union; The right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly is critical to a functioning democracy and at the core of the First Amendment, however, sometimes these rights are questioned or violated
• Protests and Public Safety: a guide for cities and citizen from Georgetown Law School
• Voting Advocacy
  • Election Protection -- 866-OurVote 
  • Report Voter Suppression – from the ACLU Legal Defense Fund
  • Democracy for President -- A guide to addressing anxiety around the elections

Sometimes churches become the target of protesters. What should you know if your building becomes the site of protests? When addressing protestors outside your building, it helps to de-escalate the situation by: 

• Giving as little attention to the protestors as possible;
• Avoid staging unplanned counter-protests;
• Take efforts to ensure people’s safety;
• If it feels appropriate, call the police. If you know about protests beforehand, inform the police then;
• Have a statement ready for the media that focuses on your message and ministry goals; and

• Inform your members about what is happening, or expected to happen, at the church. 

Resources:

• 10 De-Escalation Tips – Receive a free resource from the Crisis Prevention Institute
• De-escalation: A User’s Guide - suggestions on how to respond if someone on-site experiences voter intimidation
• Demonstration Response Checklist
• Dealing with Disruptive Individuals

• Respect boundaries and offer spiritual care only with consent.
• Remember your "why," your purpose for being in the space.
• Abide by the Centers for Disease Control Guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Follow your local government guidelines.
• Be familiar with and practice de-escalation strategies.
• Remain prayerful and culturally appropriate. Culturally appropriate includes exercising understanding, appreciation, and interaction with people from cultures or belief systems different from one's own in a culturally appropriate way.
• Be familiar with best practices in pastoral care and the principles and practices in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Trauma-Informed Approach Guidebook.
• Respect human dignity and follow all laws.

IF PASTORS ARE WITNESSING OR PROTESTING IN THE COMMUNITY AND GET INJURED, HOW WILL THE COSTS OF ANY MEDICAL CARE RECEIVED FOR THEIR INJURIES BE COVERED?   

The answer to this question varies, depending on a wide array of circumstances and situations. The costs of any medical care the pastor receives might conceivably be covered by their HealthFlex medical insurance (or whatever other medical insurance the pastor carries), or by the church’s Worker’s Compensation policy, or perhaps even by the church’s general liability and property insurance policies.  Worker’s compensation coverage might apply, for example, when the pastor is injured while performing a function that falls within the scope of their employment as pastor. A good example might be when a pastor and congregation have made the sanctuary available for prayer and safe dialogue during a time of community unrest, and the pastor is injured while participating in that ministry. In contrast, the pastor’s own health insurance may provide coverage if (for example) the pastor is injured while marching in support of some particular cause or principle; in that context, the presumption might be that the pastor is acting as an individual, not as an “employee” of the church they pastor.  Alternatively, if the pastor’s injury is viewed as resulting from some property hazard, or from the misconduct or negligence of a third party, the costs of caring for those injuries might ultimately be ascribed to a property or liability insurance policy.

In light of this variability, churches are encouraged to make sure their insurance is up to date and to research any concerns they might have. The Conference can help with any questions that might arise.