How to organise a peace march

Start by fixing the date, route and start and finish locations before inviting anyone. The permit, traffic plan and emergency-service coordination determine what you can safely promise participants. Once those are underway, open registrations, recruit volunteers and publish clear route information. In the final week, check the route, prepare signs and first-aid bags, confirm weather conditions and make sure the people managing registration, communication and crowd movement know their roles.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Record date and route
2 people
2
Reserve the start and finish locations
3
Apply for a permit
4
Develop the traffic plan
2 people
5
Inform emergency services
6
Recruit volunteers
2 people
7
Send invitations
2 people
8
Open registrations
9
Publish route online
10
Approach sponsors
2 people
11
Plan music and speeches
2 people
12
Process registrations
2 people
13
Collect dietary requirements
14
Assign volunteers
2 people
15
Check route in advance
3 people
16
Determine rest stops
2 people
17
Create a communication plan
2 people
18
Order wristbands
19
Have printed materials made
20
Check the weather forecast
21
Send participant information
22
Do the shopping
3 people
23
Check materials
3 people
24
Prepare route signs
2 people
25
Fill first aid bags
2 people
26
Chill drinks
2 people
27
Prepare snacks
4 people
28
Mark off the start area
3 people
29
Mark out the route
5 people
30
Set up rest areas
4 people
31
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
32
Set up party tents
6 people
33
Connect sound equipment
2 people
34
Hang up peace flags
3 people
35
Set up the registration table
2 people
36
Set up the first aid station
2 people
37
Brief volunteers
3 people

Event

38
Receive participants
6 people
39
Register attendance
3 people
40
Hand out wristbands
3 people
41
Give the opening speech
42
Guide the march
8 people
43
Monitor traffic intersections
6 people
44
Check route arrows
2 people
45
Hand out water
4 people
46
Hand out fruit
3 people
47
Provide first aid
2 people
48
Guide those staying behind
2 people
49
Refill drinks
3 people
50
Guide arrivals
5 people
51
Clear the rest area
3 people
52
Guide speeches
2 people
53
Serve snacks
4 people
54
Serve coffee and tea
3 people
55
Provide music
2 people
56
Staff the information booth
2 people
57
Empty trash bins
2 people
58
Handle farewell and thank-you speech
59
See participants off
4 people

Aftercare

60
Remove route arrows
4 people
61
Remove traffic materials
3 people
62
Tear down audio equipment
2 people
63
Take down party tents
6 people
64
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
65
Wash dishes
3 people
66
Collect waste
4 people
67
Clean the venue
4 people
68
Sort materials
3 people
69
Return borrowed items
2 people
70
Process lost and found items
71
Check route for damage
2 people
72
Keep leftovers refrigerated
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Registration tablesqty 2
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Battery-powered speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Flashlightsqty 8

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 20
Flashlightsqty 10
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Reflective armbandsqty 30

Communication

Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Megaphoneqty 2
Phone chargersqty 6

Signage

Route arrowsqty 40
Route signsqty 20
Information boardsqty 8
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Traffic conesqty 20
Cable tiesqty 200
Markersqty 12

Decorations

Peace flagsqty 30
Buntingqty 12
Bannersqty 6
Bannersqty 4
Tableclothsqty 10

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
String lightsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 300
Reusable platesqty 250
Reusable cutleryqty 300
Coffee cupsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 20
Pitchersqty 8

Kitchen

Water jugsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving utensilsqty 12
Ice packsqty 30

Cleaning

Trash grabbersqty 6
Bucketsqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 6
Cleaning cart

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Allow several weeks for the permit and traffic plan, and do not publish the final route until the start and finish locations and required approvals are confirmed. Send the application before opening registrations.
Walk or cycle the full route in advance, including every planned rest stop. Note narrow sections, crossings, uneven ground and places where traffic cones, barriers or route arrows will be needed.
Plan volunteer coverage by position rather than only by headcount: registration, route marshals, first aid, rest stops, speakers and the finish area all need named people. Give each team a safety vest and a way to communicate.
Test the sound setup at the actual start or finish area before event day. Battery-powered speakers, wireless microphones, power banks and extension leads solve different problems, so check them together rather than discovering a missing connection during speeches.
Send participant information at least 48 hours before the march with the meeting point, start time, route link, rest stops, weather advice and contact number. Prepare printed information boards and route signs as a backup if phones or mobile coverage fail.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to organise a peace march?: Allow at least 6 to 8 weeks for a small march, and longer if the route affects traffic or requires several authorities to coordinate. Set the date and route first, then submit the permit and traffic information before promoting the event widely.
How many volunteers do you need for a peace march?: A useful starting point is one route marshal for every major crossing or decision point, plus separate people for registration, first aid, rest stops and the finish area. For a march of 100 participants, plan a named core team of roughly 10 to 15 volunteers and add more after checking the route.
What should participants receive before a peace march?: Send the route, meeting point, start time, expected duration, rest-stop locations, weather guidance and an emergency contact at least 48 hours beforehand. Include any registration or dietary-information instructions that affect the event-day check-in.
When should you check the route for a peace march?: Check it once during planning and again 3 to 7 days before the march. The final check should confirm roadworks, access, signage locations, rest stops, emergency access and whether the traffic plan still matches the route.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.