Organising a demonstration on a public road requires careful preparation to ensure the safety of participants and the public space, and to ensure that the demonstration is legal. The advantage of holding an event on the public road is that you can attract a large audience without having to consider venue rental costs.
In this article, we explain the steps needed to organise a demonstration on the public road according to the applicable laws.
Summary
1. The different types of demonstrations
Demonstrations on public roads can take different forms, depending on their purpose and organisation.
- Political demonstrations: These are gatherings organised by groups or political parties to express their views on political or social issues. These demonstrations may include marches, rallies in public squares, sit-ins…
- Associative demonstrations: These are organised by associations with the aim of promoting their ideas or causes. They can be marches, rallies, festivals or cultural events.
- Sports events: Sports clubs or associations organise this type of event to promote sports and encourage sports practice. Sports events can include running races, marathons, tournaments, games or competitions.
- Cultural demonstrations: These highlight culture and the arts. They may include festivals, concerts, exhibitions, performances or literary events.
These demonstrations must comply with applicable laws and regulations, and the organisers must ensure the safety of all participants and spectators.
2. Permits required to organise a demonstration on public roads
Any public demonstration held on a public road or space must be notified to the relevant authorities. In England, particularly in London, you are required to inform the police in advance. This is especially important if the event may cause disruption to traffic or attract large numbers.
In England:
You must notify the local police force at least six days before the demonstration if it includes a public procession. If it’s a static protest (i.e. not a march), there’s no legal obligation to notify, but it is still strongly advised.
Information to provide includes:
- Nature and purpose of the demonstration
- Date, start and end time
- Exact location or proposed route
- Estimated number of participants
- Planned safety measures
- Organiser’s full details
The police can impose conditions (e.g. regarding the route or duration) if they believe the protest may lead to serious disruption, disorder, or danger. In rare cases, a ban may be issued—particularly if serious disorder is expected.
It’s advisable to contact your local police force or the Metropolitan Police (for London) well in advance to discuss the event and agree on logistics and safety arrangements.
In Canada:
In Canada, public demonstrations are legal but regulated. Requirements vary by province and municipality, but generally, you must notify local authorities, often the municipal government or local police.
In general:
You should apply or notify authorities as early as possible, ideally at least two weeks in advance, though requirements can vary between cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal.
Details to provide typically include:
- Nature and purpose of the event
- Date, time, and duration
- Proposed location or route
- Expected number of attendees
- Safety plans and crowd management strategy
- Organiser’s contact information
City by-laws or provincial regulations may impose additional conditions, particularly in areas with high pedestrian or traffic flow. Police may impose restrictions to preserve public order or safety.
It’s essential to check the local by-laws of the specific city where your demonstration will take place.
3. Choosing the location for your demonstration
It is essential to choose a suitable location for your demonstration, taking into account the size of the event, the number of participants, accessibility and safety. As mentioned earlier, you need to apply for permission from the competent authority for the chosen location. That permit may also contain specific conditions about the layout of the venue.
Once the location is approved, it is important to divide the site logically based on the type of demonstration. For example:
- At a sports event, it may be necessary to build specific areas such as competition zones, stands, etc.
- For an association event, you need to consider stands, info points or meeting areas.
Besides the location, you also need to choose a suitable date for the participants that does not interfere with nearby traffic or economic activities. Once the planning is complete and the necessary arrangements have been made, you can start setting up the venue, observing all safety regulations.
4. Safety during the demonstration
Both before and during the demonstration, you must ensure the safety of all participants and spectators. This may include the installation of nadar fences, but also the presence of professional security and surveillance.
To this end, work closely with local authorities such as the police, fire and emergency medical services to ensure safe proceedings.
Also provide:
- Security staff with experience
- A first aid post with qualified medical staff
- A clear emergency evacuation plan that is easy to communicate
Safety measures should of course be tailored to the nature and size of the demonstration.
5. Promotion of your demonstration
Good communication is essential to the success of your demonstration on the public road. Consider, for example:
- Social media: Create an event on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and share all practical info there. Use visuals and regular updates to keep people involved.
- Posters and flyers: Distribute these in high-traffic places such as bus stops, libraries, shops and community centres.
In addition, it may be interesting to attract sponsors. Depending on the type of demonstration, they may be willing to invest in exchange for visibility. Think of local traders, sports brands, cultural partners or civil society organisations.
To reach as many people as possible, it is best to start your communication campaign several weeks in advance. Give clear information about date, time, location, purpose of the demonstration and any special details such as speakers or music acts.
Weezevent helps you organise your demonstration with online tools such as: registration and ticketing systems, access management and CRM solutions.
