Protest Preparedness and Free-Speech Zones at Festivals

Ensuring Safety, Inclusivity, and the Right to Free Expression at Your Event

Large public festivals – even country music festivals known for good times and unity – can sometimes become venues for public protest. In an era of passionate activism (www.ets-riskmanagement.com), festival producers must be ready to balance celebration with civic expression. Seasoned festival organizers around the world have learned that democracy can share the dance floor when you plan ahead. This guide offers practical, experience-driven advice on preparing for protests and managing free-speech areas at festivals of all sizes. It covers everything from designating protest zones and briefing security on protesters’ rights, to scripting MC announcements and training staff in de-escalation. With the right strategies, you can uphold free speech and keep your event safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Anticipating Protests: Why Preparation Matters

Imagine pouring months of effort into a festival, only to have a protest unexpectedly steal the spotlight. If not managed properly, a protest can upstage your event and become the only thing people remember (www.ets-riskmanagement.com). Preparation is the key to preventing that outcome. Veteran festival producers emphasize risk assessment as a first step – know what you’re up against. This means researching and anticipating issues that could spark protests:

• Local community concerns: Nearby residents might be upset about noise, traffic, or environmental impact. During licensing, authorities often gauge local sentiments, but grievances can still surface on event day (www.festivalpro.com).
• Cause-based activism: Festivals can attract activists aiming to highlight broader issues. Environmental groups, for example, may target events over carbon footprints or sponsorship ties to fossil fuels (www.festivalpro.com). Animal welfare activists might picket outside a country rodeo or fair. Cultural and political controversies can also prompt demonstrations.
• Controversial symbols or policies: Certain flags or imagery, if allowed on festival grounds, might provoke counter-protests or discomfort. (Notably, Stagecoach Festival in California banned Confederate flag displays and other divisive symbols in 2022 (apnews.com) to foster a more inclusive atmosphere.)
• Artist or lineup issues: In some cases, an artist’s presence or views can incite protests. Booking a controversial headliner or a band known for political stances might draw protesters – or the artists themselves might speak out on stage.

By doing a thorough threat assessment well in advance, you can identify which protest scenarios are most likely (www.ets-riskmanagement.com) (www.ets-riskmanagement.com). Reach out to local authorities and tap into community intelligence: local police, city officials, and even social media can offer clues if a group is planning to protest at your festival. Frank Supovitz, a renowned event expert, advises organizers to “imagine the worst possible scenario” in order to prepare effectively (www.scotsman.com). While you can’t foresee everything, knowing potential flashpoints enables you to craft a solid plan rather than being caught off guard.

Designating Free-Speech Zones

One of the most effective tools for protest preparedness is the designated free-speech zone. By setting aside a specific area for demonstrations, festivals can balance the rights of protesters with the safety and enjoyment of attendees (www.datefest.org). Here’s how and why to establish these zones:

• Choose the Right Location: Pick a spot at your venue that is visible enough for protesters to feel heard by the public, but not so central that it disrupts the festival program. Common choices are areas near the entrance or outside the main gates, or a corner of the event grounds that has foot traffic but won’t block exits or emergency routes. For instance, the Riverside County Fair in California maintains an official “Free Expression Zone” on its fairgrounds – a place where members of the public can exercise First Amendment rights without impeding fair activities (www.datefest.org).
• Set Clear Ground Rules: Work with legal advisors and local officials to define what is and isn’t allowed in the free-speech area. Typically, peaceful assembly with signs, literature distribution, and speaking is permitted, while weapons or amplification might be restricted for safety. Publish these guidelines in advance (for example, on your festival website or signage at the site) so protest groups know the expectations. The aim is not to stifle speech, but to ensure it happens in a managed, safe way.
• Communicate the Existence of the Zone: Make sure your staff, security team, and vendors know about the free-speech zone. If a roaming protester starts engaging attendees elsewhere, staff should be trained to politely direct them to the designated area. Likewise, inform attendees via the MC or an announcement that a free-speech area exists. This transparency shows that your festival respects free expression – just not in a way that could jeopardize others’ experience or safety.
• Coordinate With Authorities: Let local police or on-site law enforcement know about your designated protest zone. They might help monitor it from a distance to deter any physical altercations between protesters and festival-goers. In many cities, police are accustomed to managing “protest pens” near large events (edition.cnn.com) and can offer guidance on the best setup. Ensure that emergency access is maintained around the zone and that it doesn’t violate any permit conditions.
• Review and Adapt: After each festival, review how well the free-speech zone approach worked. Did protesters use the area? Were there instances of them moving elsewhere? Gather feedback from security and even from protester representatives (if possible) to improve the setup for next time.

Real-world example: At the Calgary Stampede (a major Canadian festival and rodeo), animal rights activists regularly gather just outside the entrance to protest rodeo events. The Stampede organizers, working with city officials, have effectively treated that public sidewalk area as a protest zone. Dozens of protesters assemble at a fixed spot across from a train station near the grounds (calgary.ctvnews.ca), where they can hold signs and chant without entering the festival itself. This arrangement allows their message to be heard by attendees arriving, while the event inside continues uninterrupted. The clear delineation – outside the gate versus inside – helps prevent direct confrontations. Attendees who aren’t interested can easily avoid that corner, and police keep watch to ensure the protest remains peaceful. This kind of spatial management exemplifies how designated zones let expression happen in parallel with, not in the middle of, the festivities.

Briefing Security on Rights and Responses

Your security personnel are on the front lines of protest management. It’s crucial that they understand protesters have rights and know how to respond appropriately. In many democratic countries, people have a legal right to protest peacefully – for example, in the UK, everyone has the right to peaceful assembly under Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights (securityjournaluk.com). Even on private festival property, overly aggressive handling of protesters can lead to legal issues and bad publicity. Therefore, brief your security team thoroughly on the following:

• Respect for Peaceful Protest: Emphasize that if individuals or groups are protesting lawfully (e.g. holding signs in the free-speech zone, or voicing opinions without violence), security’s job is not to silence them at all costs. The priority is to prevent disruption or danger, not to quash free speech. Security staff should approach protesters calmly and respectfully to inform them of designated areas or any limits, rather than issuing threats or manhandling them. A brief conversation can go a long way: “You’re welcome to express your message, we just need you to do it over here so it’s safe for everyone. Thank you.” Recognize that protestors often feel passionately about their cause; a respectful tone can prevent the situation from becoming adversarial.
• Legal Do’s and Don’ts: Go over what security can and cannot do when handling protests. This may include: the threshold for ejecting someone from private property (at what point does a protester become a trespasser or a safety hazard?), the appropriate use of force continuum (minimal force only if necessary to address immediate safety threats), and awareness of any local ordinances about demonstrations. Security teams should know, for instance, that simply holding a sign or chanting is typically not grounds for removal if it’s not impeding others. On the other hand, blocking emergency exits, throwing objects, or physically harassing attendees crosses the line. Provide examples of scenarios and clarify the correct response in each case.
• Unified Protocol: All security and volunteer staff need to be on the same page. Develop a clear protocol or decision tree – essentially, “if they do X, we do Y” guidelines (www.ets-riskmanagement.com) – and rehearse it. For example: If a protester enters the main stage crowd and starts shouting during a performance, first approach and guide them to the free-speech area voluntarily. If they refuse and become aggressive, have backup security gently escort them out of the crowd, etc. Consistency is key; you don’t want one guard allowing something that another guard immediately tries to stop with force. A consistent, measured approach prevents confusion and overreactions.
• Choose the Right People: Not every security guard is suited to dealing with protests. Assign your most patient, level-headed personnel to watch over the protest zone or to engage with demonstrators. Staff who “grasp the importance of calm and measured response” (www.ets-riskmanagement.com) are invaluable in these situations. If you have many volunteers or temps, consider giving specific training to a smaller dedicated “protest response team” among them.

Training in De-escalation: Perhaps the most critical part of the security briefing is de-escalation training. Festivals should invest in teaching security (and key staff like entrance supervisors or stage managers) how to defuse tense situations. Professional de-escalation training covers techniques like active listening, maintaining a non-threatening posture, and using calm, neutral language to respond to anger. The goal is to prevent a minor protest from snowballing into a major incident. Remind your team that aggression breeds aggression (www.ets-riskmanagement.com) – if security comes in swinging or shouting, it can inflame the crowd and draw sympathies toward the protesters. Instead, train them to:

• Approach slowly and without sudden movements.
• Keep hands visible and don’t invade personal space.
• Speak in a calm voice, with phrases that acknowledge the protester’s perspective (“I understand you want your message heard, and I want to help you do that safely.”).
• Ask open-ended questions (“Can you tell me what you need right now?”) to get the person talking, which sometimes diffuses anger.
• Avoid accusatory or dismissive language, and never make it personal.
• Know when to step back and call in a manager or law enforcement if the situation is beyond their control.

Many large festival operations now include de-escalation scenarios in their pre-event drills. For example, festival security teams might practice how to manage a situation where a group of fans confronts a small cluster of protesters in the parking lot. By role-playing such scenarios, staff become more comfortable handling them in real life. Rehearsals also reinforce the chain of command – everyone knows who will communicate with protesters and who will manage the watching crowd, avoiding chaos.

Keeping Communication Open with Protest Organizers

One hallmark of enlightened festival management is engaging with protest organizers before things reach a boiling point. If you learn of a planned protest in advance (through permit notices, social media, or word of mouth), open a channel of communication with the organizers of that protest. As counterintuitive as it may seem, reaching out doesn’t concede any weakness – it often leads to solutions that work for both sides (www.ets-riskmanagement.com) (www.ets-riskmanagement.com):

• Early Dialogue: Contact the protest group’s leadership in a respectful, non-confrontational way. This could be an email, phone call, or an invitation to meet for coffee. Identify yourself as the festival’s security or operations representative (and not law enforcement, if police involvement might intimidate them initially). The message is simple: “We respect your right to express your cause, and we want to ensure everyone stays safe. Let’s talk about how we can accommodate your group.” Often, protest leaders are surprised and appreciative that you’re willing to talk – it sets a tone of mutual respect.
• Find Common Ground: In the conversation, listen to what the protesters want to achieve. Maybe they want to hand out flyers about environmental issues, or have a moment of silence for a cause, or simply be seen and heard by attendees. See if there are creative ways to support their freedom of expression without derailing the event. You might offer them a booth or time on a community stage (if your festival has one), or agree to an on-site demonstration at a specific time and place. Showing that you take their concerns seriously can turn a potential adversary into a cooperative participant.
• Offer Support within Limits: Sometimes, engaging with protesters leads to positive collaboration. For instance, at Glastonbury Festival in the UK, rather than face disruptive climate protests, the organizers collaborated with Extinction Rebellion activists to host an official climate march inside the festival (www.bbc.com) (www.bbc.com). Thousands of festival-goers joined this sanctioned march, which was organized in partnership with Greenpeace as well. The result? The cause got a huge platform and it happened in a controlled way that did not stop the music on other stages. By integrating the protest into the event program, Glastonbury’s producers (like Emily Eavis, known for championing social causes) demonstrated that activism and entertainment can coexist. This kind of win-win outcome starts with willing communication.
• Community Liaisons: In cases of large or potentially contentious protests, consider bringing a community activist liaison onto your team (www.ets-riskmanagement.com). Some festivals have hired or designated respected individuals who have one foot in the activist community and one foot in the event world. These liaisons can interpret the protesters’ needs and communicate the festival’s needs in terms both sides understand. They build trust and can diffuse misunderstandings. A liaison might, for example, help negotiate that a protest group will stay in a particular zone and not use air horns, in exchange for being allowed to carry their banners where attendees can see. This approach was used successfully at a series of client events identified as prone to protest, where community activist liaisons helped enforce agreed protest areas and keep dialogue flowing (www.ets-riskmanagement.com).
• Behind-the-Scenes Coordination: Keep local police or security agencies in the loop about your talks with protest organizers (unless the protesters object to police involvement, which you should handle delicately). Police intelligence might already know the group and can advise on their track record. By coordinating, you ensure that police don’t unknowingly take heavy-handed action that undermines your gentle agreement. Openness with all stakeholders – your staff, the protesters, law enforcement, and even nearby residents – creates a safer environment for all. Everyone knows the plan.

Ultimately, treating protest leaders with respect can yield a mutually acceptable plan where they get to voice their message and you get to run a successful festival. As one security expert notes, when protest leaders see that you respect their freedom of speech and take them seriously, they are more likely to reciprocate and cooperate with instructions (www.ets-riskmanagement.com). It’s a powerful thing to transform a potential confrontation into a collaboration. Even if full agreement isn’t possible, maintaining polite communication can prevent misunderstandings that lead to chaos.

Guided Messages from the Stage

Your festival’s Master of Ceremonies (MC) or stage hosts aren’t just there to announce bands – they can also be allies in managing the mood of the crowd during sensitive moments. It’s wise to script some MC guidance for how to address protests or unexpected crowd reactions, so that if something happens, the MC knows what to do and say (and what not to say). Consider these tips:

• Acknowledge, Don’t Ignore: If a noticeable protest or disruption is occurring within view of a large portion of the audience, have the MC briefly acknowledge it in a neutral tone. For example: “Folks, we have a small group here today with a message they want to share. We respect everyone’s right to express themselves. They’ll be over at [Location] if you’re interested in hearing more.” This kind of announcement serves two purposes: it directs interested attendees to the free-speech zone or protest area, and it signals to others that the situation is under control and not a threat. It defuses confusion and rumors – otherwise, attendees may spread wild stories on social media about what’s happening.
• Stick to the Script: Work with your communications team to prepare a few pre-written lines the MC can use in various scenarios. Draft them in that calm, inclusive tone. Avoid any language that disparages the protesters or takes a stance on the issue – the MC is not there to debate. Phrases to include might be: “We’re all here for the music, so let’s show each other respect,” or “Security is handling the situation, and the show will continue shortly.” By scripting these messages, you reduce the chance that an MC will ad-lib in a panic and potentially say something inflammatory or incorrect.
• Inform Performers (Carefully): Depending on the nature of your festival and the artists involved, it may be worthwhile to brief performers or their tour managers on what to do if a protest interrupts their set. Some artists may want to address it themselves – which can either help or pour fuel on the fire. You might advise them that if a protest occurs, the festival will make an announcement and they should pause performing until it’s resolved. However, be tactful: artists have their own views and autonomy on stage. If you know a particular artist is very likely to react (perhaps they are politically outspoken), have a direct conversation about sticking to an agreed plan should an incident happen. The key is avoiding a scenario where, say, a singer starts arguing with protesters from the stage or encouraging the crowd to react aggressively. That unpredictability can escalate tension fast.
• Use the Stage for Unity: In some cases, a well-timed comment from the stage about unity and respect can preempt escalation. An MC might say at the festival’s opening, “We’re so happy to have everyone here from all walks of life – remember, this festival is about coming together. We may have differences, but today let’s enjoy the music as one community.” This sets a positive tone and subtly reminds people to be tolerant, possibly reducing hostile reactions if they encounter viewpoints they don’t like at the event. It’s a way of preparing the crowd’s mindset in advance.

One insightful example involved a European arts festival where protesters had infiltrated the audience of a theatre performance, aiming to disrupt it. The festival director, in coordination with police, planned a response where the stage lights were briefly lowered and the MC/host calmly addressed the audience (www.scotsman.com) (www.scotsman.com). They essentially hit pause, reassured the audience, and allowed security (with house lights on) to escort the protesting individuals out one by one. The show then continued without further incident (www.scotsman.com) (www.scotsman.com). This illustrates how measured communication from the stage can keep an incident from derailing an entire show. By scripting and rehearsing such responses, your festival can handle surprises with poise.

Preventing Escalation and Ensuring Safety

Even with zones, training, and communication in place, protest situations can be unpredictable. A core principle for festival organizers is: Don’t let the protest become larger than the event itself. Here are additional strategies to prevent escalation and maintain control:

• Proportional Response: Always respond to protest actions in a proportionate manner (www.ets-riskmanagement.com). If protesters are peaceful and simply vocal, heavy-handed tactics (like deploying riot police in full gear) will likely do more harm than good. Such overreaction not only can inflame the protesters, but it might also turn your festival attendees against the security effort. On the flip side, if a protest is truly blocking entrances or endangering people, you do need a plan (with police backup) to clear safe pathways. Plan a response continuum along the lines of “If they do X, we will do Y,” escalating only as necessary (www.ets-riskmanagement.com). And rehearse this plan with your security team so it becomes second nature rather than a panic decision made in the heat of the moment.
• Monitor Crowd Mood: Train staff and volunteers to be your eyes and ears in the crowd (www.ets-riskmanagement.com). If a group of attendees is confronting protesters verbally, or if misinformation is spreading (“I heard there’s a riot at Stage 2!”), you need to know immediately. Equip your team with communication tools (like a secure radio channel or messaging app) to report developing tensions. By catching small disagreements early – for instance, a couple of spirited fans arguing with an activist at the info booth – you can dispatch a supervisor to gently intervene or separate them before it turns into a shouting match. A festival is like a living organism; pay attention to its vital signs.
• Steer the Narrative: In today’s world, images or clips of any confrontation can go viral in minutes (www.ets-riskmanagement.com). You can’t fully control social media buzz, but you can provide accurate information to prevent rumors. If a significant protest-related incident occurs (say an interruption on the main stage or a temporary entry blockade), consider having your PR team or MC quickly clarify the situation: e.g. a tweet or post from the official festival account saying, “We experienced a brief interruption by a protest group; the situation is under control and the festival is continuing as planned.” This helps frame the story before speculation runs wild. It also shows your commitment to transparency and attendee safety.
• Involve Law Enforcement When Needed: While festivals often prefer to handle things internally, do not hesitate to involve police or hire professional negotiators for high-risk scenarios. Public safety officials are trained for protest management and may have specialized units for de-escalation. For example, some cities have “dialogue police” – officers whose job is to communicate with protestors and defuse tensions. If an activist group refuses to communicate with your festival staff, these professionals might succeed. Be sure, however, to brief any law enforcement on your approach and values (e.g. “We want to respect their rights while keeping gates open”), so that everyone operates with a similar philosophy of minimal necessary force.
• Physical Barriers and Routes: Use the event’s layout to your advantage. If you expect protesters, set up barriers or buffer zones to keep protest areas distinct from crowd queues. Simple bike-rack barricades or fence lines can mark protest zone boundaries clearly. Also, ensure there are alternate entry routes for patrons if one gate is being picketed. For instance, open an extra entrance on the opposite side if needed to prevent long delays. You might route foot traffic slightly around a protest area to create distance, while still letting protesters be seen from afar. The idea is to prevent choke points where protesters and attendees are forced into direct contact.
• Stay Flexible and Alert: During the festival, circumstances can change fast. Keep a core response team on standby that can adapt plans on the fly. If a protest that was expected to be small suddenly draws hundreds of people, be ready to expand the protest zone or temporarily pause ingress at one gate. Conversely, if planned protests don’t materialize or are smaller than anticipated, avoid any temptations to “teach them a lesson” or mock them – remain professional and focus on running the event. Continuously assess the situation and be willing to adjust. As event guru Joe Goldblatt suggests, constantly seek new information and update your plans in real time (www.scotsman.com) (www.scotsman.com).

Throughout all this, maintain the mindset that safety – both physical and emotional – is the top priority. That means safety for your attendees, performers, staff, and yes, even the protesters. If everyone goes home unharmed and your festival isn’t derailed, you’ve successfully navigated the challenge.

Documenting Incidents and Transparency

After dealing with a protest or any security incident, it’s tempting to just breathe a sigh of relief and move on. But the job isn’t quite done when the music stops. A critical step in responsible festival management is to document what happened and be transparent about it as appropriate. Here’s how to approach that:

• Incident Reports: Instruct security leads and any staff involved to write detailed incident reports as soon as possible after a protest interaction. These reports should record the timeline of events, decisions made, actions taken, and names of personnel involved. Include factual details (who, what, when, where) and avoid personal opinions. If a protester was escorted out, note the reason (e.g. “attempted to access a restricted area backstage at 3:00 PM after repeated warnings to remain in free-speech zone”). These reports become invaluable if later there are complaints, legal questions, or media inquiries. They show that you handled things professionally and had justification for any actions.
• Video and Photo Documentation: If feasible, have a camera on any significant intervention. Many festivals now equip some security team members with body cameras or have CCTV covering key areas. If you needed to physically remove individuals or if a scuffle broke out, video evidence will help untangle the truth later. It also protects your staff from false allegations and equally holds them accountable if something was done improperly. Make sure your team knows not to delete or tamper with any footage. Preserve it according to your legal guidance.
• Public Communication: Decide how much to share publicly about the incident. In many cases, a brief official statement works well. For example: “During today’s festival, a small protest took place regarding [Issue]. Festival organizers worked with the group to ensure they could express their views in a safe, designated area. One individual was removed after attempting to breach a secure zone, but no injuries were reported and the festival program continued with minimal interruption.” A statement like this, issued to media or posted on your site, accomplishes two things. First, it acknowledges the protesters’ presence (which shows respect and transparency), and second, it underscores that you had control of the situation and maintained safety. If there’s any controversy later, you’ve already set the narrative with a factual account.
• Post-Event Debrief: After the festival, hold an internal debrief with your team and include this incident in the discussion. What went well? What could have been handled better? Maybe your free-speech zone was too close to a bottleneck and will be moved next time. Or perhaps security realized they needed more bullhorns or signage. Learning from each experience is how protocols improve year over year. If the protest organizers are open to it, you could even debrief with them – thanking them for cooperating (if they did), or listening to any grievances they had about how it was handled. This can build goodwill for the future.
• Celebrate the Positives: Don’t forget to highlight the success in your transparency as well. It’s perfectly okay to point out, for instance, that thousands of fans enjoyed the festival undisturbed while a small protest was peacefully accommodated on-site. This narrative reinforces the idea that your team can handle challenges and that a festival can uphold democratic values without sacrificing fun.

By documenting interventions and being open about how situations were managed, you reinforce trust with your audience, the local community, and the protesters themselves. It shows maturity and accountability as an event organizer. In some cases, media or bloggers might even praise your festival for handling a protest deftly – turning what could be a negative headline into a positive example of conflict resolution.

Conclusion: Balancing Celebration and Expression

At their core, festivals are about bringing people together – and that can include people with differing opinions and causes. By planning for protests and free-speech expression, you’re not inviting chaos; you’re acknowledging reality and guiding it constructively. The most successful festival organizers in the world don’t see activism as a threat, but as something that can coexist alongside the music, food, and fun. When handled with care, a protest at your event doesn’t have to be a disaster; in fact, it can become a testament to your festival’s values of inclusivity and respect.

From small-town country music festivals to massive international concerts, the principles remain the same: designate zones for expression, train your team to respond calmly, communicate with all parties, and keep safety front and center. We’ve seen festivals where early community engagement turned would-be protesters into partners, and events that incorporated activists’ messages in positive ways. We’ve also seen the hard lessons when organizers ignored warning signs or responded with aggression – those incidents underscore why the guidance in this article is so important. With preparation, empathy, and clear communication, even challenging moments can be managed without derailing your event.

In the end, maintaining order and honoring free speech is a balancing act – but it’s one worth striving for. A festival can be a controlled bubble of joy and a microcosm of open society at the same time. By using the strategies outlined above, you prove that your event is resilient and well-run, capable of handling surprises. More importantly, you send a message that everyone is welcome to peacefully share in the experience. As a wise festival producer might say, music and democracy aren’t enemies. With the right approach, democracy can share the dance floor.

Key Takeaways

• Plan Ahead for Protests: Do your homework on issues that might spark demonstrations at your festival. Anticipate local resident complaints, activist causes, or controversial artists, and have a plan ready. Early risk assessment and scenario planning will prevent you from being caught off guard (www.ets-riskmanagement.com) (www.ets-riskmanagement.com).
• Designate Free-Speech Areas: Establish a clear, designated zone for protesters. This allows free expression without disrupting the event. Communicate its location and rules to both protesters and staff, so everyone knows that protest is allowed, but only in a safe, managed way (www.datefest.org) (www.datefest.org).
• Train Security in Rights & De-escalation: Ensure your security team understands protesters’ legal rights and knows how to respond calmly. Teach de-escalation techniques – a measured, respectful response will defuse tensions far better than force. Avoid heavy-handed reactions, since aggression only breeds more aggression (www.ets-riskmanagement.com).
• Keep Communication Open: If you know of a planned protest, talk to the organizers. Cooperation and dialogue can lead to solutions like scheduled demonstration times or agreed boundaries. Show protest leaders that you respect their cause, and they’ll be more likely to work with your team, not against it (www.ets-riskmanagement.com).
• Utilize MCs and Messaging: Prepare your MCs or stage hosts to address any disturbances briefly and calmly. Acknowledge protesters’ presence in neutral terms and reinforce respect and safety to the crowd. Having scripted guidelines for public announcements will help maintain order and prevent misinformation.
• Avoid Escalation: Continuously monitor the mood on the ground and respond proportionately (www.ets-riskmanagement.com). Use physical barriers, reroute attendee traffic if needed, and involve law enforcement or specialized negotiators for serious threats. Always prioritize guest safety and the continuation of the event.
• Document and Be Transparent: Keep detailed records of any protest-related incidents and how they were handled. If appropriate, share a public statement outlining the situation and your response. Transparency builds trust and shows that your festival can handle challenges responsibly.
• Foster Inclusivity: Embrace the idea that your festival can be a place for fun as well as free expression. By accommodating peaceful protest in a controlled way, you uphold democratic values and show that your event is confident and inclusive. In doing so, you protect your festival’s reputation and ensure the show goes on – with everyone’s rights intact.