Help please..Standing on Mall for Inauguration...Backpacks allowed there?

[elizm]

Anyone know? We are coming up on Amtrak overnight and will have our backpacks with us. We do not plan to get tickets for the swearing in but just to watch on the giant TVs with the millions of others. Does the backpack rule apply only to the ticket areas? Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

[liberal N proud]

1. If they do, they will search them like never before

I have seen security on the mall for other events and they search all bags like at most events. But I suspect they will search bags extensively for this event.

[elizm]

5. Don't mind the search. But are they prohibited?

[WoodrowFan]

2. banned on Capitol Grounds

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120201414.html

If you're planning a trip to the Jan. 20 inaugural ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama, be warned: Backpacks, signs, umbrellas and thermoses are forbidden.

The list of prohibited items on the Capitol grounds includes the obvious _ firearms, explosives and knives _ along with some head-scratchers, like coolers, strollers and laser pointers.

Strollers take up a lot of space, and "they're made up of hard metal or plastic, just like umbrellas. Anything like that is not permitted," said Carole Florman, communications director for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. That includes chairs.

[Neurotica]

3. I'm wondering if this just refers to the ticketed area

They are opening up the whole mall area for the inauguration. I don't think they will have these regulations in effect for the entire mall, but I'm not sure. I need to find out since we are planning on going and with kids, it's always good to have extra food/supplies/etc. (meaning that a backpack comes in very handy).

Anyone have more precise info?

[elizm]

6. Just found this online...

Officials are banning all strollers and backpacks from the steps of the Capitol to Fourth Street NW on the Mall.
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/35574379.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhUMEaPc:E7_ec7PaP3iUiacyKUnciaec8O7EyU

[elizm]

4. That is for Capitol grounds. Is the National Mall considered part of that?

[sandnsea]

9. I believe so

I haven't seen anything to indicate otherwise. I'll update when I find out for sure.
Did you know you could go to the Newseum and watch?

http://www.newseum.org/plan_visit/about.aspx?item=pv_INAU081120&style=a

http://www.obama-mamas.com/inauguration.html

[elizm]

11. What about this...

Officials are banning all strollers and backpacks from the steps of the Capitol to Fourth Street NW on the Mall.
3aDhUMEaPc:E7_ec7PaP3iUiacyKUnciaec8O7EyU" target="_blank">http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/35574379.h...

[elleng]

15. No.

That is, the Mall extends all the way to 23rd Street; I wouldn't think the entire stretch is included. Its NOT all part of the Capitol grounds.

[AngryOldDem]

7. I went to an inauguration years ago, and trust me...

...you will be squeezed in like a sardine in a can. The less you bring with you, the better. As bad as it was that day, I imagine Obama's will be MUCH more packed. In addition, it was a January thaw that day, so we were all up to our knees in mud.

[hlthe2b]

8. You may need to plan on checking your backpack...somewhere

lockers at a train, bus atation or airport? Pay a hotel to check it with the valet?

I just saw a post upstream that says the restriction extends to 4th Street NW. That's fairly extensive and even if you could be outside the perimeter, the crowds may make it impossible... :shrug: Come back and let us know if you find information elsewhere. I can't go, sadly, but have friends that are--but they live in the Metro area.

[ClarkUSA]

10. They've never been allowed at any Obama events from the latter primary season onwards.

I doubt they will be now. Check it in somewhere or with someone and bring a purse-type bag. They allow those,
as long as they aren't big. Bottled water and other stuff will be sold aplenty around the Mall, so you won't have to
bring any.

[DrPresident]

12. NO BACKPACKS...also no baby strollers

for complete information about the INauguration, go here:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/inauguration-watch/

[SoCalDem]

13. no back packs, no strollers, no camera bags

hang your camera from your neck..carry nothing & you'll be fine:)

[Undercurrent]

14. Cargo pants are your only option.

Carry a zip lock bag for your camera in case it rains.

[elleng]

16. Note this:

Following the Newseum's announcement that it would welcome visitors during the Inaugation Day parade, the Going Out Gurus checked in with other sites on the route:

As of now, many other museums plan to be open that day including all of the other Smithsonian museums, including the Museum of the American Indian, American History and the Museum of Natural History. (Check out our map of the Mall to see where each museum is.) The conveniently located National Gallery of Art is also planning to open that day. While these museums (and their heat and bathrooms) can all be accessed free of charge, the Newseum will charge its typical entrance fee.

Map of the Downtown DC, including Mall; look for it!:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/cityguide/features/2007/museums-monuments/index.html

Thats a LOUSY map; here's a better diagram:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/lmholmes/gGxZGn

[MaineDem]

17. Just my opinion but...

I think you'll be able to carry a backpack on the Mall. I can't imagine the entire Mall will be restricted access with only certain entrances with scanning like the ticketed area around the Capitol. It's public space and people will be coming and going all day.

I hope if someone has specific information it'll get posted here but, so far, all the info about no backpacks and no strollers, etc. only refers to the Capitol area from what I can find.

[LynneSin]

21. At the parade 4 years ago they had the entire region blocked off

you couldn't get into any part of the parade route unless you went thru a check point somewhere.

And in 2004 there were only about 100k-200k people at that inauguration. In 2008 they are expect 10 times that number.

I would not bring a backpack in and if I did I would not put anything into it that would be of value if I lost it.

[mucifer]

18. I know it's not the same. But, I was at the Nov 4th event in Chicago with tickets.

There were hundreds of thousands there. There was long lines, no backpacks (I don't remember about strollers I didn't see any). We had to go thru several checkpoints. In the last one was like an airport screening done by the secret service. Even the cops and secret service were excited to be there. People without any booze were happy and calm. Just go with a good attitude knowing there will be long lines with lots of people who love Obama.

Of course, one major difference, it was about 60 degrees in Chicago.

[MaineDem]

19. YES

People without tickets to the inaugural who intend to watch from the Mall can bring chairs, coolers, strollers, backpacks and food, the officials said. That is a more lenient rule than the rule for ticket-holders, who will get to watch from a reserved area near the Capitol, but who are not allowed to bring those items past security.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/inauguration-watch/2008/12/the_national_mall_will_be.html

[countingbluecars]

20. Thanks. That makes much more sense. n/t

[elizm]

22. Thanks so much for this update...

Kicking for others who may be interested.