How to Prepare for a Riot (and Survive If You’re Caught in One)

From the recent ICE-related riots in Los Angeles to the nationwide Flag Day "No Kings" protests, it's clear that violent civil unrest can erupt quickly and anywhere. And, on the off chance that it does where you are, you need to know what to do if you’re caught in one. If you live in a city or suburb, don't assume you're safe just because you're not downtown. Today, peaceful protests can flip into full-scale riots in minutes. This guide will walk you through the steps to prepare for a riot and provide guidance on how to survive if you're caught in one.



Why Riot Preparedness Matters

The ICE riots in Los Angeles started with protestors opposing immigration raids and ended with looting, arson, and National Guard deployment. Roads were blocked, stores were looted, vehicles were set on fire—and none of that was part of the original protest plan. Riots are unpredictable. You don't get a warning bell. One minute, you're heading to the store; the next, you're in a crowd dodging projectiles.

If you're asking, "How do I prepare for a riot or protest that turns violent?" you're already ahead of the curve. Let's break it down.







TL;DR: To prepare for a riot, stay home if possible or avoid protest zones entirely. If you must go out, check local alerts, dress to blend in, and plan escape routes. If caught in a riot, stay calm, move with the crowd, avoid confrontations, and exit as soon as possible.











Quick Look at What You’ll Learn

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How to Prepare for a Riot: What to Do NowIf You Have to Leave HomeIf You’re Caught in a RiotSpecial Consideration: Caught in Your VehicleLegal Prep You Can Do TodayThe Bottom Line on How to Prepare for a RiotAdditional Resources

How to Prepare for a Riot: What to Do Now

1. Stay Home or Leave the Area

The best course of action is to avoid going out on days when significant protests are planned. If you don't need to be out, stay put. Even better—if you live in an area where problems are likely to occur, leave ahead of time. Stay with friends and family or at a hotel outside the expected hot zone. The problem isn't a problem if you avoid the problem.



2. Stay Informed

Monitor your local news, emergency alert apps, and community social media feeds. Be aware of when and where protests are planned, especially if they're near places where you live, work, or travel.

Set up news alerts for your city. Join local social media groups—check in with friends and neighbors in different parts of town. Find out what they're experiencing. Sometimes, the fastest intel comes from people on the ground, experiencing it in real-time. Follow local officials and police departments on their social media channels.

While Twitter can be a dumpster fire, you can find people live-streaming events as they happen.



3. Set Up a Communications Plan

Teach your family a basic communication and meetup strategy. Cell towers get overloaded during chaos—send texts if the network is dropping calls. Avoid trying to call or text from the middle of the riot. First get out of the area, then try to connect. Have a rally point—or better yet, a couple of them—in case you get separated. Make sure everyone knows how to reach those points on foot if necessary.



4. Build a Basic Riot Readiness Kit



This is a light kit you can keep in your car or backpack. This kit is designed to get you away from trouble while drawing as little attention as possible. For a deeper breakdown of what to include in a vehicle kit, check out this article: What's In Your Emergency Essentials Car Kit?





Protective eyewear

N95 mask or wet bandana

Water bottle

Compact first aid kit

Power bank for your phone

Small flashlight