Stay safe, professional around picketers

  • Published
  • By Capt. Arthur "Duke" Gibbons
  • 377th Security Forces Squadron
Striking Union members may man picket lines on Oct. 2 at the Eubank Gate.

Some of the activities may include lining the side of the roads with signs, voicing displeasure and participating in limited civil disobedience, i.e., blocking traffic. Some of these events may impact your ability to access the base or your workday.

While frustrating, we cannot allow our difficult experiences with picketers’ activities to affect how we respond to them. Our values demand that each of us recognize their right to peaceably assemble.

Some DOs and DON’Ts when it comes to picketing:

DO: Understand that it is a constitutional right to peaceably assemble.
DO: Plan to use alternate gates to enter and exit the installation when required.
DO: Expect delays during protest activities.
DO: Be patient and safely continue with the flow of traffic at a low speed.
DO: Pull off the road and call 911 if picketers damage your vehicle or property off the installation.
DO: Be aware of emergency response vehicles.
DO: Notify your supervisor that you may be late due to picketing. 
DO: Be polite and professional. 

DON’T: Speed through the area or steer your vehicle toward picketers.
DON’T: Interfere with local or base law-enforcement duties.
DON’T: Exit your vehicle. 
DON’T: Break local traffic laws to avoid picketers, e.g. making an illegal U-turn.

For safety reasons, it is recommended that you do not engage the picketers. However, if you do choose to engage with them, be professional and act in a manner consistent with our core values. 

Most importantly, if picketers block your route of travel, do not continue to drive. You are responsible for your actions.

If you are unsure of what to do, call 911.