I wear a pink hoodie, hat, or green or blue hat that says "Legal Observer" to demonstrate I'm a legal observer. Similarly street medics might wear an armband and the marshals wear vests. I don't see the clerical collars as any different and I feel better knowing that they're playing their role in the protest same as I'm playing mine, as visible solidarity and for purposes of de-escalation. If the collar doesn't feel right to you, maybe you can wear a t-shirt that says CLERGY on it. I get not wanting extra responsibility though, sometimes I just want to march and chant.
I think a T-shirt or a hat feels a little better, actually. I certainly tell people I'm a pastor when I'm there and have told law enforcement that. So I guess I see your point.
I wear a pink hoodie, hat, or green or blue hat that says "Legal Observer" to demonstrate I'm a legal observer. Similarly street medics might wear an armband and the marshals wear vests. I don't see the clerical collars as any different and I feel better knowing that they're playing their role in the protest same as I'm playing mine, as visible solidarity and for purposes of de-escalation. If the collar doesn't feel right to you, maybe you can wear a t-shirt that says CLERGY on it. I get not wanting extra responsibility though, sometimes I just want to march and chant.
I think a T-shirt or a hat feels a little better, actually. I certainly tell people I'm a pastor when I'm there and have told law enforcement that. So I guess I see your point.