What to bring to the DC peace march. (The protest kit)

[brainshrub]

I wrote this essay right after the counter-inaugural protest in January, 2005. I hope you find this useful. -Brainshrub-

So you're going to your first protest march. Good for you! Democracy, like Yahweh, is a verb. Meeting your civic responsibilities head-on by making your voice heard is the sacred duty of all patriotic Americans. Congratulations.

Many folks going to a protest for the first time are unsure as to what to carry with them for the demonstration. It's hard enough to maintain a peaceful state of mind in a large crowd under the watchful gaze of a sniper-rifle, without also kicking yourself mentally because of some forgotten item that would have made the afternoon much easier. This essay will help you decide what to take, and what to leave at home.

Having participated in many demonstrations myself over the years, I have developed a “protest kit” that I do not leave home without when joining a march. As an avid rock-climber, I'm rather anal about only taking along what is absolutely necessary. Extra weight is the enemy of a good climb just as much as it is to a good march. Therefore, each item I suggest packing is something I once smacked myself on the forehead and said "Doh! I should have brought one of those!"

So without further ado, I give you: Brainshrub's Protest Kit.

1) A small satchel.
Large bags make the police nervous and tend to get confiscated at the first excuse. Backpacks are nearly impossible to get past security checkpoints. A small satchel or fanny-pack, however, works perfectly.
Another benefit of a small bag is that it forces you to travel light. Other than your cell phone, car keys and wallet, everything must fit into this bag, no exceptions. You lose fewer items when everything is in one place instead of spread across five different pockets.



2) A camera.
If you do own a digital camera, be sure to bring along the cord that interfaces to the computer, since you might capture something that has to be uploaded to the media ASAP.

3) A small CB radio.
Cell phones are wonderful, but sometimes there are so many people in a crowd that the local tower is unable to handle all the traffic. It's also relatively simple for the authorities to block all cell phone communications in a pinch. Therefore, a CB is a critical tool for you to communicate with friends, listen in on what the other activists are doing or help unite lost children with their parents. A tiny, cheap CB will work just fine.



3) Batteries, batteries, batteries!
Digital cameras are energy hogs so don’t forget the extra batteries. Bring a back-up cell phone battery as well, since you will probably be making and receiving more calls to friends and family than usual.

4) Pens, a small notepad and a permanent magic-marker.
Write down the emails of folks you connect with throughout the day in the notepad, and do what you can to keep in touch with these people after the protest is over. Here's a little secret: The real power of a protest march is in the networking opportunities, not in the network coverage. The main-stream media will ignore you, trust me on this. However, you are going to make lots of valuable friendships, learn leadership skills and begin conversations that will help the movement gain a foothold in the American psyche. When it comes to social policy the plutocrats have golf courses, and the people have the streets.
Use the permanent magic-marker to write an emergency phone number on your wrist of someone who will be by the phone, such as a lawyer or a family member. If you get detained, your cell phone and address book may not be available to you.



5) Lip balm.
If you forget everything else, don’t forget the lip balm. You’ll thank me later.

6) Small bottle of water.
Purchase a small 12-ounce bottle of water, not soda. (You'll see why in the next paragraph.) Remember, everything must be able to fit into the satchel.

8) Handkerchief.
You don't need to be near pepper-spray for it to affect you. If you start to feel the effects of a chemical attack by the police, wet the handkerchief and place it over your nose and mouth to create a makeshift protective mask.

9) Earplugs.
The authorities enjoy confusing crowds of citizens with sirens, low-flying helicopters and amplifiers. Fear and intimidation is the primary weapon the police will use to control the crowd. Earplugs will make you much more comfortable, and thus, better able to think clearly in tense situations.

10) A sandwich.
You will get hungry. Democracy tends to work up quite an appetite. Don’t count on the local restaurants to be open.

11) A local street map.
If you don't know why a map is important, please rethink going to the march.

The above list is what I consider a complete protest-kit. There are other items you might consider taking, but are not critical. For example, I like to carry an extra memory-stick around my neck to back up pictures. I also usually take along a simple magic trick to entertain nervous children or deal with agitated people.

The two most important things to take to a march do not fit into a bag: A loving attitude toward your country and patience. Look at it this way: Your parents did not raise you overnight; it took years of hard work, sacrifice and love. The same goes for democracies, they need direct citizen involvement over decades in order for the highest ideals of a nation to come into fruition.

Don’t go crazy trying to anticipate every contingency. Be peaceful, prepare a protest kit and have a safe demonstration. You are more powerful than you know.

I’ll be seeing you in the streets.

www.brainshrub.com/protestkit

[shoelace414]

1. (takes notes)

nominiated.

[MADem]

2. Great advice

Slather on the sunscreen before you go, and wear a hat. Also, a light sweater or zip up warm up sweatshirt (tied around the waist if the day is warm) can come in handy after the sun goes down if you plan on being out and about for a long time. Comfortable shoes are also a must...

[alkaline9]

3. from a first time protester...

...thanks! :-) I have been weary about going, but I feel it is my duty! This information will help me feel better prepared.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Thank you very much.

[il_lilac]

5. thanks- I'm packing now

Kept picking up the bandannas and now I know why. I am going with children. Anyone have special advice for me? We've been going over emergency plans, but my first priority has to be their safety. Thanks! ps I'm soooo excited- been to plenty of protests but never in DC!

[brainshrub]

6. So far, most peace marches have been family friendly.

Although I have seen police pepper-spray kids, that kind of behavior usually happens at anti-globalization protests.

While I don't want to exaggerate the danger, take the normal precautions. I suggest the following for kids under 10:

1. Write a phone-number & your name inside the childs shirt.
   
2. Attach a rope to from your arm to theirs.
   
3. Make a back-up plan, such as visiting a movie at a local theater, in case you decide that the situation is getting to tense.
   

As a rule-of-thumb, stay away from teenagers with goggles. These are the kids who are trying to pick a fight with the police. I've never been arrested at a protest because if I see a teen-with-goggles, I head in the opposite direction.

[electropop]

7. Thanks for all the great advice!

I can hardly wait for Saturday. I have attended just a couple of protests this year, and they were peaceful and energizing - very family friendly. I'm hoping this one will be too.

[USA_1]

53. re "goggles"

More often than not, fights are started by Federally employed agent provocateurs just as in Hoover's days when he used COINTELPRO employees to start fights.

Therefore, use your cameras ro record any flag burning or riotous behavior as those incidents will be conducted by those provocateurs in order to try to discredit the peaceful protestors.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. "[Take a] small CB radio."

I was going to suggest that instead of a CB radio, you should take an FRS radio instead. As it develops, the radio in the photo is an FRS radio. CB and FRS are two different kinds of radios, operating at different frequencies. FRS radios have a shorter range, but their range is not only sufficient, but more appropriate as well for your purposes. They cost less than CBs and are more widely available.

I know some listers own police scanners. Take one if you have one. Frequencies for DC can be found at Capitol Hill Monitors.

I think the MPD (DC police force) uses digital transmission now, but the Park Police are still using analog.

It is against the law to use a scanner in the commission of a crime (e.g., anarchists coordinating vandalism, looting, and theft), but it is not against the law to listen to transmissions generally. It is your obligation as a citizen to be well-informed.

Mobile Scanner & RADAR Detector Laws In The US

[shoelace414]

9. question about the backpack

how important is it to NOT take a backpack.. I was planning on having one on me all day.

[brainshrub]

11. I wouldn't take one.

You are going to be in downtown DC for one afternoon, not exploring the Himalayas.

One of the most important lessons of hiking is: "The bigger the bag, the heavier the load." If things get hectic, you'll be happy that you traveled light and that your hands are free.

If you're a videographer or are bringing small children, you might need to bring the backpack. Otherwise most items that you would put in a backpack will bring you trouble, weigh you down or beg to get stolen. Stuff like laptops, ipods, full-course lunches, 5-gallon jugs of water, a megaphone, changes of clothes, a make-up kit, and parkas are a waste of space.

Backpacks make COPS nervous. At the counter-inaugural protest, many people waited hours to get into the parade route, only to be told that they wouldn't be allowed in unless they left the backpack behind. This rule was arbitrarily enforced by the police, so why tempt fate?

[mongo]

20. Well, if I'm not at the march, you know why

because I'm not traveling for 18 hours and 18 hours in DC without a change of clothes, some water, some food, my meds, a pillow, etc.

I will take the internal frame out of my pack.

I have nowhere to leave my stuff in DC, and can't afford to eat out all day/night.

[Lisa]

51. how about a storage locker? bus stations, etc.

... you could park your stuff there for a few hours?

[norml]

49. Carrying a gallon jug of water in your hand might not be such a bad idea.

Others forget or run out of their water and will ask you for a drink.

[roseBudd]

10. Bring flyers to pass out to bystanders, here is one to download & print

IRAQ WAR: What is it good for?
Download:
http://bushcheated04.com/war2.pdf

Flyer car windshields, hand them out and chat with folks, "leave" them places like libraries, book stores, staple them to bulletin boards, etc. Treat it like a chain letter, recipients have to distribute 12 or they will be plaqued with anal warts...

[brainshrub]

12. I respectfully disagree.

While I understand the sentiment, and a good protest sign is always fun to have, it's not like there will be a shortage of fliers getting handed out. Most people never read 90% of the stuff handed out at a march.

At these kind of events, all the people you are likely to meet already agree with you on the major issues. Why kill trees and lug around paper when everyone around you is already pretty educated?

Still, if you want to bring fliers: Go for it. :thumbsup: It's a free country. (Kinda.)

[roseBudd]

17. These are to hand out to people who are not at the rally n/t

[Hissyspit]

13. Thanks for your posts, brainshrub. See you there!

Forgot about the map!

[LynneSin]

14. You forgot 1 VERY VERY Important thing, well actually 2

First - Sunscreen. We'll be out in the hot sun all day and there won't be any shade so it's best to pack a bottle of sunscreen to avoid skin cancer

and of course the other important protest item:




MORE COWBELL!!

[brainshrub]

15. Why I didn't include sunscreen:

While I agree that's it's good to have, it's not an absolute necessity. (What if it's cloudy?) Plus, if the pack is a tight fit, the sunscreen might leak and make a mess.

Now the cowbell, on the other hand, is an absolute necessity. To bad the one-hour editing period has passed.

[LynneSin]

16. Oddly enough even when it's cloudy - some of us get burned badly

:hi:

Welcome to my world of being the really really pale white girl

Hazy is the worst because you don't really see the sun but the sun is being amplified by the haze. And snow - ACK, I've had it really bad because of the reflection (which also can happen with water or sand)

[momster]

28. Weather for Saturday

They're predicting mid-to-upper Seventies but I'm planning for something more in the mid-Eighties. Several weekends in a row, now, the weather has been five to ten degrees warmer than predicted here in the Greater D.C. area. Layers, people.

[Pretty_in_CodePink]

37. I'll take my sunscreen too......

I wear it every single day. Remember to reapply!

[stlsaxman]

29. Who is that band??? Just often wondered, Lynne...

oh and I'll bring sunscreen but put it on before I leave my backpack in the trunk! B-)

[Virginian]

39. It is from a Saturday Night Live skit. n/t

[northzax]

18. two more things

strangely enough, people can forget:

Cash: bring enough cash to get you and the people you are with back to your hotel in a cab. put it in your sock or something, but don't get stranded.

a credit card. easily replacable, and gives you some extra protection if the whackos make the balloon go up.

[LynneSin]

19. I would recommend bring a map of downtown DC

Here's one to print out

And here's the Metro Map - handy stuff

[weberblue]

21. Metro map translation for those parking outside the beltway

[Virginian]

38. The metro takes credit cards.

Consider how much you will be depending on Metro, a day pass might be the most economical way to purchase your farecard.
They are not available at all vending machines, you will have to look for it.

[northzax]

40. any of the machines that take credit cards

sell day passes. They're $6.50 (you know this, obviously, but others may not) good for all day travel on saturdays and sundays (or after 9:30 on weekdays)


unless you're driving in from the exurbs, you'll need to take four rides to pay for it, though.

[beltanefauve]

43. Pocket change, not just cash

and a calling card too. If you should get arrested,there's a good chance that you'll eventually end up in a holding cell with a pay phone. And to reiterate on whats already been said, write your important phone numbers on your body in ball point pen or marker. A confiscated cell phone would be of no help.

[NMMNG]

22. Thanks for the advice brainshrub

This is my first protest so it will come in handy!

[fed-up]

23. I suggest 1 qt water, snack food-nuts, dried fruit etc & maybe some chalk

I have a fanny pack that holds a water bottle on either side, I also have a water bottle holder that hangs around my neck. Keeping hydrated is essential.

I bring snack foods like nuts, dried fruits and tortillas which beats having to pay an exhorbinant price for food. Also snack foods don't get crunched like a sandwich after it's been buried at the bottom of whatever you pack it in.

The chalk is to keep adults and kids occupied once you have reached your destination. I don't know about D.C. but when I passed out chalk at the "Reclaim the Commons" biotech protest in SF it led to some very creative artwork on the streets. I hadn't packed it that time, but took a quick trip to the nearby Walgreen's and bought one of those jumbo boxes of colored chalk which I passed out to fellow protestors.

Also comfortable shoes are a MUST, depending on how far you will be walking. This is NOT the time to be breaking in a new pair of shoes!

Most of all have fun and be prepared to meet a ton a like-minded folk from the entire country and yes, from around the world!

Wish I could get to D.C., I will have to make do with our local protest due to time/gas price constraints.

Also friends need to set up a meeting time/place for later in the day in case they get separated. Specific landmark or street corner.

[AnnieBW]

26. Good Socks, Too!

I'd recommend good socks with those comfy shoes, too! I got massive blisters and had to drop out of the pro-choice march last year because my socks slipped down into my shoes and I got killer blisters.

Oh, blister band-aids may come in handy, too.

[Kukesa]

24. One more question:

your opinion on how to deal with the opposition -- you know, those folks who yell in your face and call you names.

Any ideas on that one?

[fed-up]

25. Try getting peace minded folks near you to sing "Give Peace a Chance"

this helps to calm down the "mood"

If that fails, then move on

Confronting provacative idiots during a peace march is seldom productive.



edited to add to something I forgot in my earlier post.

Bring some hard candy or something similar to suck on. This can help with dehydration and that cotton mouth feeling from walking/breathing city air/street dust. It also helps sooth the throat after chanting/singing protest songs all day. :)

[brainshrub]

27. Ignore them, walk away. Do not engage.

True story:

In Asheville, when the war started, we had a guy who stood across the street from us and shout inflammatory insults non-stop.

"COMMUNISTS!!! CHILD MOLESTERS!!! I'D LIKE TO BURN YOU WITCHES TO ASHES!!! WHEN THIS WAR IS OVER, I'M GOING TO REPORT YOU TO HOMELAND SECURITY!!!" (I'm posting the polite stuff he'd scream.)

At first we tried to talk him down, but he kept shouting hour after hour, and it started to get annoying. Then one of us suggested that we all simply "ohm." I thought this was the stupidest idea in the world, but what the hell... nothing else was working to shut the wanker up.

We linked arms and start "ohming" at him and he went berserk! When we started singing "Our Father, Who Art In Heaven" he screamed and frothed so hard, I was concerned that he was going to have a heart attack. Within 10 minutes he destroyed his vocal chords!

From that moment onward, he was unable to squeak louder than a fat smurf. He went home soon afterwords and I've never seen him again.

The lesson: Do not give power to conservative agitators. Be polite, kind and yet firm. Do not try to "educate" them: Republicans are beyond the point of return. They are doomed for the dust-bin of history, and they know it. Otherwise, they wouldn't need to get in your face.

[Kukesa]

35. Thanks brainshrub and fed-up.

Good information from both of you. I'm going to a local protest on Saturday night and will heed your advice.

[beltanefauve]

44. "Who would Jesus Bomb?" works too! nt

[corporatemedia]

41. I'll be carrying a American flag, so I tell the wingnuts that I'll shove..

it up their ass because there's gotta be plenty of room right next to their tiny heads.

My protest sign is a FLAG.

It is our flag and it is our country.

It is the wingnuts who drive their pickup trucks over OUR flag.

I hope to see many flags Saturday.

And if any on "our side" try to take it for the purpose of burning it, I'll shove it up their ass, too.

Peace.

[brainshrub]

46. At the counter-inaugural there was as asshat who tried to burn a flag.

The crowd tried to stop him, but he was one of those 14-year old anarchist types: to busy being "Mr Rebel" to consider the ramifications of what he was doing.

He ended up catching his pants on fire instead. The flag was made of flame-retardant material. The flag-burner, on the other hand, was simply retarded.

He didn't hurt himself, but it certainly took the wind out of his sails.

:rofl:

[SunDrop23]

30. Excellent info! Thanks for posting it!

[stlsaxman]

31. Timely and thorough and much, much appreciated!

thank you thank you thank you!

see you in d.c.!

[don954]

32. one more item, saftey glasses that look more or less like normal sun glass

glasses:

http://www.safevision.net/sportglasses/XL-1%20files/XL-1%20lead.html


"
21st century methodology helped establish this latest interchangeable No Tears™ system.
"Goggle in a sunglass" concept provides incredible wind, sun, glare, and debris protection.
Patent pending system utilizes exclusive Ultra Foam™ seal to hug the inside of the ocular ridge
Works like a goggle, looks like a sunglass.
Polycarbonate is scratch resistant & anti-fog coated providing all weather & terrain protection.
Elastic mini strap attaches to temples through T-Peg™ docking, securing the glasses with ultimate fit.
Available in your prescription in a safe, polycarbonate lens.
Lined Bifocal & Progressive lenses Available
Certified Z87 Safety Frame & Lenses "

pretty good for making sure chemical sprays do not get in your eyes...


thay have some cheeper types at home depot/lowes nowdays too.

[brainshrub]

33. Nothing says: "Hey police! Come and harass me!" than a pair of goggles.

Someone who comes prepared for trouble, is looking for trouble. At least, that's how the cops think.

If you're going to bring goggles, hide them. I'm speaking from experience.

[don954]

34. thats whats nice about these, you can remove the foam pads and they look

like normal sun glasses, you can keep the foamy pads in your pocket in case they are needed... just put them on plastic so their sticky side don’t get ruined.

[vard28]

36. Some very good advice, but what about us older farts...

... who actually need to bring along more that one bottle of water? We already have the small snacks. We will each have these nifty little 2.5 lb. chairs that fold up to the size of an umbrella. We aren't as flexible as you young folks and can't sit on the ground or the curb. Well, we could, but they'd end up having to call for a wrecker or a winch to get us up... LOL! We have to eat healthy stuff like apples (another way to keep hydrated) and can't really do the vendor cart hotdogs, etc. Everything I've read about what to expect says that there aren't too many places to get something to eat? Plus, what's the bathroom situation like? There are restrooms in the museums and the occasional port-a-pot, but there are gonna be a lot of people. I'm guessing our bike pedalin' W isn't gonna have someone put out any comforts for us.

Thanks in advance! :hi:

[eridani]

45. Those little foldup camp stools are great for us old-timers

Smartest purchase I ever made.

[tavalon]

42. I just finished packing

Thanks for your help! See ya there!!!!

[GliderGuider]

47. Dishcloths or hankies soaked in vinegar

Carry them in a Ziploc baggie to keep them wet. When the tear gas starts to fly you tie them over your nose and mouth so you can breathe. You'll be glad you have them.

This will not work against pepper spray, though - just tear gas.

[SteppingRazor]

48. Also BRING CASH (bail money)

Yes the Metro takes credit cards. So do most places. But you know who doesn't? County jail.

God forbid you get swept up in a mass arrest (or, if you're into civil disobedience, maybe you're depending on it!). Either way, you'll want lots of cash on you to get out of jail quickly. Prison ain't fun, even little ol' county jail.

[northzax]

50. technically

it's the District Jail, as this is the only place in the country where you are neither in a county nor a parish...

[vard28]

52. True, and it ain't like...

... Mayberry either! :rofl: When they ran out of jail space in DC in '71, here's what they did -

-snip- The next day, police used tear gas and mass arrests to keep the streets open. By 8 a.m., they had arrested 2,000 people, thwarting an attempt to tie up key bridges into the city. There were so many arrests that police stopped using arrest forms and simply scooped people up in vans. Lacking jail space, police held the arrestees outdoors at the Washington Redskins football practice field near Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The day would end with more than 7,000 arrests, a record, but with surprisingly little violence -- 155 injuries were reported -- considering the stakes.

For the whole article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/2000/vietnam092799.htm

We live in Virginia suburbs just outside of DC. It was quite an event..