What should I expect at the Sept protests?

[mongo]

I'm looking for the lowdown here. I've never been to anything this big before.

Will we be in a gated - "free speech" area? Can I bring my backpack in?

I will only be in DC for about 18 hours, but I need to have my medications with me, and my food - since I'm poor and saving my money for the meetup that night. Not to mention that I'd like to have a long sleeve shirt with me, some water, one of those emergency ponchos in case of rain, paper and pen, etc. I like being comfortable - and prepared.

I don't care if I'm searched. No way I'll be bringing any contraband. I'm just afraid that they won't let me in with my backpack.

Your thoughts, please?

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. You can expect...Me!

:hi: I've never been either, at least on this scale, so I'll be watching this. :hi:

[mongo]

3. WooHoo!

See you at the party! :party:

[tk2kewl]

2. Last time I went was during daddy's adventure...

there were no searches or free-speech-zones then, but times have changed so I don't know what to expect

[mongo]

8. I stayed home and got labled

as an anti-American dissident by my co-workers during gulf war I.

I'm much more involved now.

[LynneSin]

4. I always have a backpack

I'm not sure what to expect since the IMF will be having their world meeting (and I don't think it's a coincidence that we're also protesting that same weekend).

You'll be fine!

[mongo]

5. Cool.

Thanks!

[LynneSin]

6. The DC police have always been the best

They never seem to be in "attack force" mode. But believe me, if you go after then and you know some idiots down there will - then they will unleash.

[mongo]

11. I've been on vacation in DC

and the cops that patrol the mall/smithsonian area were really nice.

Big change from Chicago where I went to college and lived for a while. The cops will pull you over for a traffic violation and try to pick a fight with you.

[texanwitch]

7. I will be there, coming by myself to. I am bring my backpack because

of my video camera, and digital camera. If there are enough of us and I think that we will have a huge crowd, everything will be OK.

I am looking forward to meeting everyone.

Is this your first protest?

[mongo]

10. Not my first protest

I did a couple of the Bush appearances in Ohio and WV before the election. Met some fine democrats and union folks.

[texanwitch]

14. That's good. I know several people who are going and this will be

their very first protest.

I have been to so many protests here in Houston I have lost track, and after the last protest what I call the Battle of Halliburton I am ready for anything.

I really think we will have a large turnout with what is happening in Crawford, people who couldn't get to Crawford will come to Washington.

Hope to meet you there.

I was at the protest in January 2002, the really cold one, and the feeling of being in a large crowd is really great. The protest and the bus trip there and back is one thing I will never forget. I made some great friends on the bus, you will have a great time.

Bring extra money, money tends to go fast. T-shirts and buttons
might be for sale.

[mongo]

15. I am planning on having a great time

and I hope to meet you too - hope you are going to the DU meetup on Sat night - where ever it ends up being.

[EstimatedProphet]

16. It's at RFD's

More info here:
http://www.brainshrub.com/dcdumeetup

[texanwitch]

17. I will be there, I am coming a few days before and staying a few

after, this will also be a vacation for me.

[The empressof all]

9. I haven't been to anything large since the 70's

Here's what I always found helpful.

Wear a hat. It will keep you cool, warm or dry

Wear a bright colored shirt so that your friends can spot you easily.
(We always tried to all wear the same color)

Keep your coffee intake to the bare minimum.....Coffee is a diuretic. Bathroom facilities are not always accessible and at least for women there are always lines. Even if you think you don't need to use the facilities, if you pass one that's empty use it. (Trust me on this one) You will need to keep hydrated so you will have to drink throughout the day----Water is best. If you can freeze a couple of bottles of water the night before they will stay colder for you during the day.

Keep protein in your back pack. Peanuts, Jerky, energy bars. Eat small amounts throughout the day.

Wear very comfortable shoes. You will be on your feet all day. Wear socks and you may want to even bring an extra pair. I found changing socks in the middle of the afternoon very cooling.

Bring baby wipes to keep your hands clean and wipe your brow with if it's warm.

Bring some large plastic baggies (or even a plastic grocery bag)to tote any garbage you may need to carry out.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[LynneSin]

12. Here's a few more!!

Bring sunblock. I know in Oct 2002 we all had bad sunburn from the day

I also bring a small roll of toilet paper since if I have to use a porta potty I probably won't find any of that. Local drugstores have travel size toilet paper and I keep a roll of that in my hiking backpack.

And bring a bottle of Purell because when you're done using the porta pottie you have no way of washing your hands.

Bring extra rolls of film because any film you do find for sale along the protest route will be charged about twice as much. And on that note - bring extra batteries too.

I live for my backpack and I'll probably take my new hiking backback for the event!

[mongo]

13. Check

Got the hat - and the "flair" for it. Actually bought a new one for the trip. My old jungle style hat is 20 years old and is threadbare.

I'm all by my lonesome, so I'll just stick to the fascism is... shirt my sister got me when she was on vacation.

I have a huge bladder (I know you didn't need to know that) and there are plenty of bathroom facilities on the mall. Bringing 4 liters of water for the bus and Saturday - can't carry any more than that.

Always eat small meals like that. Back in the day I was quite the back-packer, so I'm used to providing for myself.

Bringing my steel-toed sneakers I'm wearing right now. I only own two pairs of shoes, and a pair of boots.

Baby wipes are already in the pack. I'm going to leave the leatherman and all other knives that are usually in there at home, except for my smallest knife tool which has some small scissors and teasers on it.

Grocery bags are already in the day pack too - as is a towel (you always have to know where your towel is), and a washrag. Great for cooling down.

Most likely I'll pair down the first aid kit that is already in the pack. Don't think I'll need a snake bite kit for example, but the sunscreen, and some bandaids stay.

[Rabrrrrrr]

18. I dohn't know - a lot of people who hate Septs?

Whatever they are.