{"id":13644,"date":"2021-05-18T15:14:13","date_gmt":"2021-05-18T15:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/?page_id=13644"},"modified":"2025-01-14T10:44:21","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T10:44:21","slug":"planning-a-protest-is-as-easy-as-following-these-3-steps","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/planning-a-protest-is-as-easy-as-following-these-3-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning a protest is as easy as following these 3 steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Throughout this year, the South African Police Services (SAPS) has used violence against peaceful protestors practising their constitutional right to challenge a broken system. This hasn\u2019t only resulted in many people sustaining life-threatening injuries, but in some instances, innocent bystanders losing their lives. <\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s becoming clear that public and private actors are threatening the space for activism in South Africa. The SAPS\u2019s use of force against peaceful protestors and state-sanctioned surveillance against civil society organisations clearly demonstrate this. <\/p>\n\n

As non-violent direct action is part of our DNA, Greenpeace Africa and our partners want to share some resources with you, to ensure that these activities do not discourage or deter you from exercising your right to protest. <\/p>\n\n

“Everyone has the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions.”
– Section 17 Of the Constitution<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

HERE ARE THE STEPS<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
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You can either visit the R2P protest guide website<\/a> or download the toolkit here<\/a>.<\/h3>\n\n
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If you\u2019ve gone through the toolkit and you\u2019re finding it difficult to complete all the necessary forms to attain a permit, please contact Lindokuhle Mhlanga, our Ships, Actions and Investigations Coordinator. His email address is lmhlanga@greenpeace.org<\/a>. He\u2019ll help you to complete and submit them.<\/p>\n\n

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If you\u2019d like to broaden your protest skill set, you might be interested in receiving non-violent direct action training. If you are, please fill in the form below.<\/p>\n\n

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Join the conversation on our WhatsApp group<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO GET ARRESTED?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

If you do get arrested during a protest, please call Busisiwe at Right 2 Protest on 080 0212 111 (hotline active between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or you can leave a message for a call back) or at<\/strong> Busisiwe.zasekhaya1@wits.ac.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Here are some other legal resources you may find useful.<\/p>\n\n

ORGANISATION <\/strong><\/th>CONTACT DETAILS <\/strong><\/th>COMMENTS: WHAT CAN THEY OFFER?<\/strong><\/th>ADDITIONAL NOTES<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Legal Aid South Africa <\/td>Head Office: 011 877 2000
(All calls go through this office, don\u2019t call the regional offices directly.)


<\/td>		General legal advice for anyone. A Means Test<\/em> is needed to determine whether they can offer legal representation, most likely students would qualify.
<\/td>		A Means Test <\/em>can only be conducted, once an initial enquiry has been made. \u201cIf you ask us for legal assistance we will ask you to complete a form, so we can understand how much money you earn each month and what things you own, like a car or house. This is called the Means Test<\/em>. A Legal Aid South Africa official is always available to help you fill in this form.\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR)<\/td>Johannesburg Office:
011 339 1960

<\/td>		As part of the Right 2 Protest network, they would generally direct people there. There\u2019s a network of attorneys that are accessed by LHR and R2P. 
Alternatively, you could contact their local office. 
They provide help to people who can\u2019t afford it, so they\u2019ll also do a Means Test<\/em>. They have assisted protesters from social movements (#FMF, recent education protests, etc.). <\/td>		A Means Test <\/em>can only be conducted, once an initial enquiry has been made. <\/td><\/tr>
LIPCO Law for All(PAID SERVICE)<\/td>Telephone number: 021 180 0000
(24-hour emergency line)<\/td>		They give legal advice, but only to policyholders (i.e. this is a paid service).You will have to sign up before the protest to protect yourself, and check if you\u2019d be covered for the type of activity you wish to engage in. <\/td>Find out how to become a policyholder here: https:\/\/www.lawforall.co.za\/#plans<\/a>  <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n
Below are other legal organisations that can\u2019t help with representation, but can help you to understand your rights<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Southern African Human Rights Defenders Network
Work to protect those defending our human rights <\/strong>
Simphiwe Sidu  
Mobile number: 076 675 8168 
Email: ssidu@southernafricadefenders.africa<\/td><\/tr>
Pro Bono South Africa
Don\u2019t deal with protests, but connect people with lawyers for other purposes<\/strong>
Nomaswazi Malinga <\/strong>
Telephone number: 011 339 6080
Email: info@probono.org.za<\/td><\/tr>
The Equal Education Law Centre
Mainly provide legal assistance to minors\/primary and high school students, and sometimes students (evaluated on a case-by-case basis)<\/strong>
Ted Khosa 
Mobile number: 081 346 0180 
Office number: 021 461 1421 
Tollfree number: 0800 110 752 
Email: info@eelawcentre.org.za<\/td><\/tr>
South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)
Human rights organisation but does not deal with criminal law<\/strong>
Zamathuli Luthuli 
Mobile number: 082 645 8573 
Email: gbrooks@sahrc.org.za
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WHERE CAN I GET TRAUMA SUPPORT?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Being confronted with police violence, when taking part in a peaceful protest can be a traumatic experience. Here are some organisations that may be able to assist you with trauma counselling. <\/p>\n\n

ORGANISATION <\/strong><\/th>CONTACT DETAILS <\/strong><\/th>COMMENTS<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
JOHANNESBURG<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
LifeLine Johannesburg <\/td>011 728 1331<\/td>Provides free 24-hour counselling for all ages and any issues.<\/td><\/tr>
CAPE TOWN<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
LifeLine Western Cape <\/td>Khayelitsha: 021 361 9197Cape Town: 021 461 1113<\/td>Provides free (09:00 to 22:00) counselling for all ages and any issues.<\/td><\/tr>
Hope House Counselling Centre<\/td>084 557 7525<\/td>Based in Cape Town, this Christian organisation offers therapy sessions for individuals dealing with trauma, mental illness etc.<\/td><\/tr>
The Triangle Project (LGBTQI specific)<\/td>021 712 6699
https:\/\/triangle.org.za\/<\/td>		Offers low-cost or free counseling, as well as transport assistance in low-income scenarios. Operating hours are from 13:00 to 21:00.<\/td><\/tr>
DURBAN<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Grace Counselling<\/td>031 003 1830<\/a><\/td>This Christian centre is based in Durban, and offers mental health counseling. <\/td><\/tr>
NELSON MANDELA BAY<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Revive Counselling<\/td>041 372 8882\/3<\/td>This NPO is based in Nelson Mandela Bay, and offers counselling on depression, anxiety, and dealing with traumatic experiences.<\/td><\/tr>
TSHWANE<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
Ithemba Counselling Centre <\/td>012 660 3532<\/a><\/td>Based in Gauteng, this organisation is designed to support disadvantaged communities and offers support to those struggling with substance abuse.<\/td><\/tr>
NATIONAL<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
South African Depression & Anxiety Group (SADAG)<\/td>0800 21 22 230800 21 22 23<\/td>Provides telephonic services Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 20:00. There is an option to start a support group or join an existing one.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Throughout this year, the South African Police Services (SAPS) has used violence against peaceful protestors practising their constitutional right to challenge a broken system. This hasn\u2019t only resulted in many people sustaining life-threatening injuries, but in some instances, innocent bystanders losing their lives.  It\u2019s becoming clear that public and private actors are threatening the space […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_hide_page_title_checkbox":"","p4_title":"","p4_subtitle":"","p4_description":"","background_image_id":"","background_image":"","p4_button_title":"","p4_button_link":"","p4_button_link_checkbox":"","p4_og_title":"","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"","p4_og_image_id":"","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"not set","p4_local_project":"not set","p4_basket_name":"not set","p4_department":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13644","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13644","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13644"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13644\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56851,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13644\/revisions\/56851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13644"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13644"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/africa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13644"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}