Essential DC items, wear, How to thread....

[PuraVidaDreamin]

This is my first big peace rally. For those
of you more experienced, I respectfully
request your best and brightest advice.

I get the sunscreen, water, bandanna stuff-
comfy clothing shoes, etc...

How do you transport signage?

Civil disobedience- is this a possibility?
Contact #'s, should a lawyers name & phone # be
written on your arm? Sit down, ball-up into fetal
position your best recommendation?

I thank all of you who have bravely paved the
way for the rest of us who have some catching
up to do.

[geomon666]

1. Also, make sure you're in good health.

Don't want people dying from being tasered for 'resisting arrest'.

[acmejack]

7. Well that makes it problematical for me.

I may have a ride there, but tasering won't work out well for me at all.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

15. tasering sorta isn't in my plans either.

[geomon666]

16. It's amazing how quickly plans can change.

Especially with militarized police on scene.

[SteppingRazor]

2. Also, bring cash for bail money. Very important.

On edit: Also, if you're going to the civil disobedience part of the rally on Monday, in addition to bail money, you may want to review your rights while in police custody. Make sure you know your Miranda. You don't have to tell them anything.
As for whether to sit down, ball up, or what have you, I like to just go limp. Make the pigfuckers drag you.
Good luck!

[Ready4Change]

3. If the weather goes sour, visit a museum.

I don't know much about protest techniques/survival etc... But I do know that the Mall in DC is lined with excellent, and free, museums. Odds are it won't the all that hot or cold in late September, but you never know.

Before coming here, find and examine a map of the Mall area. Identify where Metro stations are located. The Smithsonian and Metro Center stops can be a mob scenes on even regular weekends. So you might take the chance to stroll over to a different, less crowded stop.

[demnan]

4. Mine:

Make sure you take a light weight pouch or purse. People will be handing out stuff, some of it you won't be interested in, but it's a good way to get in touch with people later. Also a couple of cheap writing pens for signing petitions and giving to others. People will love you having having that. I don't think you'll need the lawyers, as long as you behave yourself, the police will have other things to do besides arrest you. A small digital camera for posting pictures on the internet is a good thing to have.

A map of the metro would be helpful. You can find one here:

http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

The more popular stops might be overrun with people and you might need to improvise (also it is better to find a restaurant with a bathroom near a less crowded spot, in case you have to "bush"). Scope out bathrooms in unpretentious restaurants if you aren't familiar with the area the day before.

[marbuc]

5. The mall is equipped with portapotties, so that shouldn't be a problem

but definitely do take in the museums while in town. Also visit the restaurants and bars in Adams Morgan, better than Georgetown and not to be missed!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

8. ah yes, tissues and antibacterial gel

I hope the tp in the porta potties
is the tp w/ bushy's face on it.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

9. excellent suggestions thanks.

[lilymidnite]

6. Vaseline for your lips, face. eyes

in case of tear gas.

*Now* I'm showing my age.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

10. tear gas? Isn't some sort of sound wave weapon now?

Age Schmage!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

11. How to waterproof signs?

Indelible markers and paint I suppose.

on light-weight plastic board.

[Lars39]

21. I came across this technique by accident...

I had printed out signs to tape to poster board. I used clear box tape
all the way around the sign and down the middle going both directions.
It didn't quite cover all the print, but my signs stayed in very good
shape after 2 hours of being rained on. If you've got the money,
I've heard Kinko's laminates things pretty cheaply.

[livetohike]

24. Clear contact paper

You should be able to get this anywhere. Just make sure the edges go over the edge of the poster board and seal tightly.

[marbuc]

12. Don't forget your freeper-to-english dictionary

[cally]

13. Whoa...why are you expecting all the

problems. Maybe I'm naive, but I'm not expecting any problems. I've been to many protests and I've avoided all the police hassles. I've avoided the civil disobedience since college, though.

I tend to not carry signs since I find them annoying after a bit. I put lots of pins on my hat instead. :shrug:

[geomon666]

14. Well there will be civil disobedience going on.

At least that's what I heard.

[cally]

17. OK, but I don't want folks to avoid the protest

because of this. It's a permitted march and rally. Most of us plan to participate without any police confrontation. The civil disobedience usually happens as a breakaway march or on a different day. It's important to distinguish between the two.

[geomon666]

19. It will be on a different day. n/t

[shadowknows69]

22. civil disobedience in mass numbers is the only thing that wil get noticed

this is the eleventh hour kids. if you're not ready to risk all. why bother.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

23. You're Right!

So how does one participate in civil disobedience
without crossing the line. It's just curl up
do not respond correct?

[shadowknows69]

25. and get ready for the pepper spray and taser i guess

I plan on making it up as I go along and try like hell to protect my video camera

[PuraVidaDreamin]

26. So sunglasses/ protective eye wear- water soaked bandana?

Camera's to document.

[shadowknows69]

28. You're asking a virgin protester Pura

I'm sure there's a vet of the Nam protests around that can help us both.

[Synnical]

18. Print this out and take with you

Know Your Rights from the National Lawyers Guild

http://www.nlg.org/resources/kyr/kyr_English2004.pdf

[HEAVYHEART]

20. Digital camera

Make sure you to take lots of pictures and post them on DU later. Be safe!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

27. So even with permits, do you think cops/freepers will instigate?

What type of counter demonstrations have been organized
has anyone heard?