Peace Ambassador Role

Owned by Joanna Thurmann
Last updated: Oct 31, 2020

Overview

  • You are the representative of the action that participants see and can identify

  • Your actions create the mood and atmosphere of the event

  • You are often the first person that someone will talk to if there is a question or problem

  • Being calm, open, and welcoming to everyone is fundamental to the role.

Roles and Responsibilities

Do Not

Roles and Responsibilities

Do Not

  • Keep participants safe from traffic (cars, buses, cyclists) & potentially people

  • Move people safely from one location to another.

  • De-escalate potentially tense situations (between marchers, with the public, and onlookers/opponents).

  • Help march participants with any issues they have.

  • Communicate any major issues (medical conditions, problems with police, and situations that you cannot resolve) to the Lead.

  • Follow the chain of command.

  • Act as an information source between planners and demonstrators.

  • Help demonstrators be safe while and feel good about demonstrating.

  • Act as a buffer between police, hecklers, and bystanders.

  • Come prepared

  • Know all assembly points and route of the rallies and march.

  • Be respectful at all times

  • Remember the variety of communities and constituencies

  • Respect diversity of cultures & backgrounds

  • Keep spirits high — encourage chanting and singing

  • Touch anyone at all, ever, especially police! (this is considered assault)

  • Do the police's job, ever.

  • Negotiate with police/invite police to resolve conflicts.

  • Make decisions about march routes.

  • Deal with major emergencies or issues.

  • Speak to the press/media.

  • Provide medical assistance

Know the Location & Route

Know the Chain of Command

  • Major cross streets & intersections

  • Road closures

  • Road hazards

  • Construction

  • Light rail crossings

  • Toilets

  • Public Transportation (to/from)

  • First Aid Stations

  • Lost and Found

  • Disability Access

  • De-escalate potential minor problems

  • ALWAYS follow the chain of command

  • Safety first, question decisions later.

  • If/when the tactical team makes a call, all P.A.s must carry out the decision.

  • Immediately inform your lead/superior of potential bigger issues

    • individuals getting aggressive

    • drunk person

    • police causing disruption

Sample Escalation Matrix

Please note: While the general idea is the same, an esalation matrix will change from event to event depending on the size of the event and the resources available on the safety team.