Use a safety vest and nail pouch when leafleting on the street

[Lisa Qualls]

The safety vest and nail pouch is helpful when leafleting on the street.  It helps you look more official, so cars will pull over to take your leaflet (sometimes they assume you work for the animal exploiter you are protesting).  If they ask me for directions to the parking lot I tell them to please not go into the circus and I tell them I am there to protest the circus.  I never help them park or give them any other assistance to exploit the animals.

The safety vest is typically made of synthetic materials and can be purchased online or at a hardware store.  The safety vest increases your visibility (obviously adding to your safety if you are leafleting on the street), so people will see you and wonder what you are doing.  It helps you look official, so cars are more likely to pull over to take a leaflet when you motion for them to do so.  It is a good idea not to have a sign with you or be too close to the other protesters so the public doesn't clue into the fact that you are with the protesters, but don't be so far away as to be unsafe.  

The nail pouch can be harder to find.  They are sold online and in hardware stores, as well.  Many nail pouches are made of leather, and they can be pretty complicated, so you have to look for one that is animal-free and suits your needs.  I found a simple one that has two pouches, and it is made of nylon.  It is very helpful to hold your leaflets.  It makes it easy to leaflet quickly as cars are entering a venue.  It also adds to your official look.  I sometimes have two types of leaflets, so having two pouches makes it easier to keep organized and access the leaflets quickly.

Wear clothing that is similar to what someone working for the venue would wear.  I typically do this for circus protests, so I can wear any casual clothing and fit in.

As always, this is just advice, please use your own judgement and know your local laws.  Keep safe.