Civil unrest has been a recurring challenge across the United States, from the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 to recent demonstrations tied to immigration policy enforcement in 2025. While the causes vary—ranging from social justice movements to responses to government actions—the impact remains the same: disrupted communities, strained resources, and potential threats to personal safety. At IntelPrepper, we focus on equipping preppers with practical strategies to navigate these unpredictable events, whether they stem from past examples like the 2020 protests or current tensions observed in places like Los Angeles. This guide covers planning, shelter, communication, self-defense, and resource management, drawing on lessons from real-world incidents to keep you prepared.
1. Assess and Plan: Understand the Risks
Civil unrest often escalates quickly, making preemptive planning essential. Historical events like the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, which saw over 7,750 demonstrations across 2,240 locations, and recent 2025 immigration-related protests in California highlight how urban and rural areas alike can be affected. The nature of the unrest—peaceful marches turning into clashes or spontaneous gatherings—depends on local dynamics.
• Map Safe Zones: Identify low-risk areas away from protest hotspots. Use local news or social media (e.g., X) to track real-time developments, as seen during the 2020 unrest when cities like Minneapolis saw rapid escalation.
• Develop an Exit Strategy: Have multiple escape routes and a destination (e.g., a friend’s house or rural retreat) if unrest reaches your area. The 1992 Los Angeles riots showed how traffic gridlock can trap residents for hours.
• Stay Informed: Monitor official alerts (e.g., FEMA updates) and community channels to anticipate curfews or road closures, a tactic used effectively during the 2020 protests.
Prepper Tip: Create a quick-reference card with evacuation routes and emergency contacts—laminate it for durability.
2. Fortify Your Shelter: Protect Your Space
During civil unrest, your home or shelter can become a target for looting or vandalism, as seen in the 2020 Portland protests, which persisted for months. A secure shelter is your first line of defense.
• Reinforce Entry Points: Install deadbolts or reinforce doors with metal bars. During the 1992 LA riots, homes with boarded windows fared better against break-ins.
• Stock Essentials: Keep a 72-hour supply of water (1 gallon per person per day) and non-perishable food. The 2020 unrest disrupted supply chains in affected cities, leaving shelves empty.
• Blend In: Avoid drawing attention—cover valuables and avoid displaying political signs, a lesson from the 2020 clashes where marked homes were targeted.
Prepper Tip: Set up a “safe room” with a lockable door and basic supplies, inspired by urban prep strategies during the 2020 protests.
Secure your shelter against the chaos of civil unrest.
3. Maintain Communication: Stay Connected
Communication can break down during unrest, as cell networks were overwhelmed during the 2020 BLM protests in New York City. Reliable channels are vital.
• Backup Radios: A two-way radio like the BaoFeng UV-5R (~$14 on Amazon) offers short-range communication when phones fail, used by organizers during the 2020 unrest.
• Alternative Sources: Use battery-powered AM/FM radios (e.g., Midland WR120, ~$30 on Amazon) for news updates, a tactic employed during the 1992 LA riots.
• Signal Plan: Agree on a family code (e.g., three knocks) or use whistles for non-verbal alerts, effective in noisy protest zones like Portland 2020.
Prepper Tip: Test your comms gear weekly—unrest can strike without warning, as seen in the spontaneous 2025 LA protests.
Stay connected amidst the storm of civil unrest.
4. Prepare Self-Defense: Protect Yourself
While non-violence is ideal, self-defense may be necessary if unrest turns violent, as in the 2020 Kenosha riots where armed clashes occurred.
• Non-Lethal Options: Consider the SABRE Pepper Spray & 2-in-1 Stun Gun with Flashlight (available on Amazon) to deter threats—legal in most states with proper permits. The 2020 unrest saw civilians using these to protect property.
• Training: Take a basic self-defense course (e.g., local community centers often offer free sessions) to handle close encounters, a skill honed during the 2020 protests.
• Avoid Confrontation: Stay indoors if possible—data from the 2020 unrest shows 95% of injuries occurred outside safe zones.
Prepper Tip: Keep a go-bag with self-defense tools near your exit, ready for a quick departure as seen in the 2025 LA incidents.
5. Manage Resources: Sustain During Chaos
Resource scarcity can hit hard during prolonged unrest, as grocery stores closed for days during the 2020 Minneapolis protests.
• Water and Food: Store at least a week’s supply (e.g., 7 gallons per person, canned goods) to outlast disruptions, a strategy from the 1992 LA riots.
• Power Backup: A portable power bank (e.g., Anker PowerCore 20,000mAh, ~$40 on Amazon) keeps devices charged, used widely in 2020.
• Barter Items: Stock small bills, batteries, or first aid supplies (e.g., Surviveware Small First Aid Kit, available on Amazon) for trade, a tactic from the 2020 unrest.
Prepper Tip: Rotate supplies every 6 months—unrest can extend beyond expected timelines, as seen in Portland 2020.
Stay Ready with IntelPrepper
Civil unrest, whether tied to past BLM protests or current immigration policy reactions, reminds us that preparedness is ongoing. With 2025 already showing signs of tension, now is the time to act. Share your prep tips below or on X (@IntelPrepper). Subscribe for more Intel Briefs, and stay vigilant!
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