# On the Day

How to ensure your action runs smoothly, achieves the planned outcomes and you cope with the unexpected.

# On-the-ground Coordination

#### On-the-ground Coordinators
Ideally you will have assigned someone to this role during the planning stage. They coordinate activities and make decisions during the action in liaison with other roles. They make sure things go to plan or decide when the plan needs to change and what contingencies (plan B, C, D) you are switching to. They should be prepared for logistical issues on the day and be ready to adapt plans as needed. 

- To help with coordinating resources, it's a good idea to make sure relevant people are connected by chats specifically to be used on the day. This ensures everyone who needs to be in communication is connected and no one misses any key information. For spicy actions, these should always be on Signal.

- It's a good idea for this person and other key roles to have a power pack to make sure they don't struggle with a dying phone.

- You may want to establish signals or communication methods for decision-making in noisy or chaotic environments.

- Ensure key parts of the plan have someone responsible for making them happen.
Have a few people in support who are available to do tasks as they are needed.


#### Exit Strategy
Plan an exit strategy before the action starts to ensure a decisive and controlled conclusion. This may need to be decided by those taking the most risk or who are putting themselves in difficult or uncomfortable circumstances.

You may also do this with advice from your Protest Liaison if there is any negotiation with the Police, security or authorities.

Avoid a gradual decline in momentum by leaving on your own terms.

# Dealing with Police and Security

The [Protest Liaison](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/action-support/chapter/protest-liaison) and [De-escalation](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/action-support/chapter/embedding-nonviolence-deescalation) roles helps keep police and other authority or security figures calm, remind them of our nonviolence, and helps keep them occupied rather than information gathering on all the activists or organisers present. <p>
Civil-disobedience does not include: 
- Being aggressive to police – verbally  or physically.
- Physically trying to prevent arrest by locking arms with another person etc.
- Running away from arrest – or running to get to a wall to paint etc.
- Getting into physical contact with police either by trying to jump over barriers or pushing past them.
- Shouting at the public or police: singing is better!
<p>All these behaviours encourage police aggression and can create a tense atmosphere.

# Sharing News as it Happens

Hopefully much of your planning will kick in. Those with roles to coordinate the media, photographers, livestreamers & spokespeople will know what they're doing and your action will be perfectly captured and the news of it spread everywhere.

Below are some more pointers for the day of the action.

#### Photography

If the media attend your actions they won't rely on you to get images. In case they don't, make sure to provide them with a few great shots. You'll also want to capture images for use on social media. [More guidance here](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1682#bkmrk-page-title).

<!--Photographers are free to shoot in whatever style they work in. All content is welcome. A few things to consider:

- If the media attend your actions they won't rely on you to get images. In case they don't, make sure to provide them with a few great shots.
- Consider also what content we can produce that the media would not have access to. The behind the scenes of the action is as interesting at the action itself.
- Think about how the content will be useful on your platforms and on the XRUK social media channels. Again, how can we think beyond just showing what happened? Is there a deeper, richer story to be told through our images?
- We are trying to put storytelling front and centre. To platform diverse voices. Photographers might be interested in capturing both images and words, such as a quote from a subject as to why they are there.

Check out our photographers briefing [here](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/press-and-spokesperson/page/photos-for-the-press) -->

#### Liaise with media on the ground during actions
If you see journalists and camera crews walking around, go over and say hello!
 
Introduce yourself, tell them who you are, ask if they need help with anything.
Take their card and ask for their contact details to add to a journalist WhatsApp chat (if you have one). Or save them to your phone.
It’s really important that we help media get to our trained spokespeople at every opportunity. Obviously, this isn’t always possible, but we should aim to have well prepared people in front of camera as much as we can. Keep an eye out!

For more guidance see [Press and Spokesperson Guidance](rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/press-and-spokesperson).

#### Livestreaming
See guidance here on [Livestreaming](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/photography-videography-and-livestream/chapter/livestreaming).

#### Share photos and videos

Encourage rebels to share live photos and videos to the [XRUK Live Action Content](https://t.me/+_zghQm8dsqFlNTQ0) Telegram channel. This is especially important if XRUK are promoting your action on UK-wide channels, because this is where they will look for content. But even if not, it's a great way to share your action with the movement. 

For professional photograhers and 'competent amateurs', you can upload your photos directly to the [XR Media Library](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1032#bkmrk-page-title).