remove the battery

Don't forget a portable heat gun, suction cup and prying tools. /j

This is the answer.

There's just no fucking way you should go to a protest with your daily driver, secure or not.

I also wouldn't go without any form of communication. You need to be able to receive information from organisers. Maybe go with a buddy who has a burner and not take anything yourself, but expect to get separated if you're in a larger group.

I personally wouldn't be too spooked beyond that, but of course it depends on the level of "activism" you're going to be involved in. As in I wouldn't dick around taking the battery out, and I'd save relevant contacts in the phone.

They're not going to go all CSI miami on your device and your contacts. If they ask you to unlock your phone they will just be looking for selfies of you doing something incriminating.

There are forms of protest beyond just going on a parade through town

No offense but obeying in advance is fucking pathetic and it is what your last comment is doing.

Any civil disobedience does matter and changes alot more than you think. They also want you to think it doesnt matter, it does.

It is also dangerous to tell others protesting wont do anything, you are spreading fascist fears and you dont even know it.

I disagree about saving numbers, you should add your emergency contacts and anyone you went with in case you get separated or shit goes down