leaving for DCin the morning. I'm very nervous.

[redwitch]

Hubby and I are both protest virgins. I am feeling a bit queasy after learning that other protests are probably happening Saturday as well. My idea of the perfect protest would be: totally about the war, other issues for another day. I really have no desire to be arrested and/or tear- gassed. Sigh. Oh well, I will carry wet washcloths in my kit and pray things don't get nuts. See you at the Hawk and Dove Friday night. Drive/fly safe all.

[cry baby]

1. Wish I could go...

I'll send you good wishes and positive vibes. Hope the weather is pretty and the media covers it! Have a great time!

[Erika]

2. Proud and envious of you.

Good luck to all of you.

[faithnotgreed]

3. just know there will be LOTS of your fellow duers there with you both

not to mention all the others
incl cindy

its going to be great i think
i just dont think they would risk anything overly highhanded
lynnesin posted that cspan is scheduled to cover it so thats good and of course

if you feel like anything is starting around you that you dont feel good about then please move away as soon as you can
just go/do as you feel is best for you both

and know were all there together (plus it sounds like youre prepared as you can be)

hope to meet you both friday night

[redwitch]

6. Thanks, I look forward to meeting you too.

I bought a peacecrane for Cindy today, I hope I can get it to her somehow. She is one of my heroes.

[faithnotgreed]

10. well there you have it - she has enough bravery for all of us

doesnt she
and im sure she wouldnt mind you borrowing some either~

[SeattleGirl]

4. Another virgin here.....

Not going to DC, but going to the rally/march in Seattle on Saturday, along with my daughter, also a protest virgin. I understand how you feel -- I don't want to get tear-gassed or arrested either. But I'm hooking up with several people from work who are protest veterans, so I feel better. So hook up with some protest vets and you'll probably be okay.

P.S. I was originally ambivalent about going, but then I figured, if Cindy Sheehan can sit in a ditch across from *'s Crawford ranch, then I can go to a march in Seattle!

[mirandapriestly]

5. I am jealous, I wish I could go. Too far from Seattle

I agree, I hope people don't show up with other issues, like Free Mumia or whatever, that always sort of deletes the main theme. I don't mind the Election Fraud protesters though, because that is part of the issue, we wouldn't have all these problems if they hadn't stolen the election(s).

[redwitch]

9. good point!

nt

[eleny]

7. I was 16 my first demo

At that age you don't worry about stuff. The older we get our scope is larger.

Keep your eyes open and if you spot something that makes you wary, start walking in the other direction. Between the two of you, you'll be fine. If possible, stay at the edges if it makes you feel better.

I hope you get the chance to visit the Lincoln Memorial at night. It's awesome and so are you!

[redwitch]

13. Thank you.

I have been to the Lincoln Memorial at night. It is breathtakingly, heartbreakingly beautiful, there really are no words to describe how it made me feel.

[eleny]

17. This weekend you'll see it with fresh eyes...

...because you and hubby are making important history, too. Take care!

[Postman]

8. Don't worry, you'll be fine...

You will be with alot of other peaceful people. Remember, you are protesting a war and want peace. The anti-war movement is not a violence minded group, despite what the rightwing would like to paint peaceful protesters as...

[brettdale]

11. Well Done

Have fun!, remember your rights!, dont get baited by counter protestors!, remember you live in America!, Its your right to protest!

[rox63]

12. Another protest virgin here

Also nervous, but excited. I'm sure there will be a bunch of us losing our protest virginity together. Sounds like fun... :P

[FloridaPat]

14. I went to the big protests in the 60's & 70's. 100,000 people are just

too many to pick a fight with. It also makes the streets safe. You should have a great time. If someone in the crowd goes off the deep end just walk away in the opposite direction. Bring you camera and water. Have a good time.

[redwitch]

16. My brother gave me protest advice the other day

He was in DC for the VN protest when they rounded people up and put them( 50, 000) in the stadium. However, the bus he got put on with 50 or 60 other protesters was left to be guarded by one DC lady cop. The back door of the bus said for emergency exit. They all figured it was an emergency and out they all went. He did say bring Visine, tear gas is wretched. Needless to say his advice did not give much solace but it did make me laugh!

[FloridaPat]

18. The rest of the story on that one. I had a friend that was working for

legal defense at the time. The feds put the arrests of those folks in 4 bundles. 3 were in one room with easy access and the 4th was in a judges chamber. The next morning when they came in the 3 were missing.

We use to have a lot of fun in DC. I was working when that one happened. They arrested people going to work because they were on the street. It was a huge embarassment to the government.

[libnnc]

15. Protest virgin here too

I did attend the Lesbian/Gay/Bi March on Washington back in '93 but those were the good old "Clinton" days before you had to worry about jack-booted types and paddy wagons. There were even a group of women who marched topless banging drums in front of the White House. It was great! Nobody got hurt, arrested or anything like that. I don't know what to expect now. I'm just going to stay with other DUers.

My train leaves in a few hours. Hope to see a bunch of you! :hi:

[John Q. Citizen]

19. Fear not. Have a good trip and remember that it takes good

people willing to stand up and be counted to bring about change.

I wish I could go. I'm a single dad in Montana with three kids in grade school.

During my teens I attended some huge Anti-Vietnam war protests on the West Coast.

I'm glad I did. Living life without risk is impossible and isn't really living.

There will be a few pro-war protestors and tens of thousands of you.

You will be proud of yourself and we will be proud of you!

There are many worse things in life than being tear gassed or arrested. (and your odds of either will be small, anyway) Living in silence while the madness of the war machine is all around us is one.

And have fun!

[marions ghost]

20. nervous is understandable

but I think your fears will be relieved when you get there.

[nashbridges]

21. Tips to live by

If you come to a protest in DC:

1) Bring water and a trash bag. There aren't enough public trash cans to handle the number of people that show up (there never has been).

2) Find out where the permit is for, and stay in that area. When the World Bank protests came, people wandered off the permit path and, as was mentioned before, the police did a wholesale arrest of an entire crowd. That included people who were going to work. They do not selectively arrest one or two troublemakers, they take the whole crowd.

3) Make sure you have the ability to move away from trouble at all times. If someone gets wound up and picks a fight with a police officer, get yourself away as fast as possible. You don't have to move far to get outside the perimeter of their focus.

4) Be nice to the horses. Most police on the Mall are mounted, and protesters have tried to scare the horses in the past to cause trouble. However, the horses don't scare easily and if the police call in the cars, then you're about to have a very bad day. It also isn't the horses' fault for the protest. They don't have any idea what is going on.

5) Public restrooms are far and few between in DC, even with the porta-potties they are bringing in this weekend. If you find an opportunity to go - do it. Arrests for public urination are more common than arrests for disorderly conduct.

6) If you need help, ask a local! We're pretty friendly people.

[Evergreen Emerald]

22. I want to go so badly

I think it is a defining moment for America. We need to stand. We have been sitting by so long with only argument and little action against the neo-con agenda. I also live in WA state and am unable to attend because of the cost and distance (and lack of vacation time!). I will be with you in spirit and look forward to frequent updates on DU!

Hold a sign for me: Support the troops--impeach Bush

[Theres-a]

23. Peace

:hug:

[ThomWV]

24. We're Leaving At 4:30 Tomorrow Morning Ourselves

Gonna park and hop on the Metro out at Shady Grove and head to town. I have no idea what comes next.

[movie_girl99]

25. peace be with you and your husband

be careful and know that those of us here that cant go, will be with you in spirit.