Only in DC do protesters get a police escort

[MiniMe]

There are a small group of protesters outside, in the rain, and they have a police escort. At least 3 cop cars are with them. They are protesting the cost of the war. They protested at the Washington Post and in front of my building (which is across the street from the Post). About 25 people. Not sure why they are protesting my building, they were saying something about Bechtel, but Bechtel is not in our building. I think they got something wrong. May be code pink, they are dressed in mostly black, but with pink signs and they had pink accents on their clothing. Didn't talk to any of them to find out.

In front of the Post, I heard "The Washington Post is a hoax". Some other statments about getting out of the war now. Not sure what else they were saying, they had the bullhorn pointed the other way when they were at the Post. Just keeping my fellow DU'ers up to date on what is going on in DC when I see it.

[LeftyMom]

1. Must depend on who you are or where you're protesting.

That's totally not my experience with the Metro PD.

[MiniMe]

2. Could be, but I thought that at least 3 police cars for 25 people

was a bit much. But I saw it today, and I saw it at least 1 other time. :shrug:

[LeftyMom]

5. Maybe they were anticipating a confrontation

[hootinholler]

9. Depends on how big the anticipated crowd is...

When it gets large enough Metro calls in people from outside DC to help. Those cops tend toward harassment and exuberant crowd control.

There have been instances where fenced in crowds were pepper sprayed (during * 2nd inauguration) and the city has paid a price for that.

All in all, Metro does a pretty good job handling protests.

-Hoot

[HelenWheels]

3. Are you sure the cops aren't harassing them? nt

[MiniMe]

6. Nope, no harassment there. They were in front and behind the protestors

They stopped when the group stopped and started when the group started. Strictly an escort.

[Marrah_G]

4. I found the cops at the DC marches to be pretty terrific.

I have pictures of the capital police coming down the steps looking all storm trooperish and scary.....but in reality they were pretty cool. The regular DC cops treated us very well and I got the impression some would have liked to have marched with us.

[Captain Hilts]

7. I agree, especially as they have to be on alert for troublemakers who are not part of the protest.

I agree, they've been pretty fair.

[arcadian]

8. If protesters are moving through the streets, they'll have an escort.

Pretty standard. They have stopped traffic for us, to let us march by.

[MiniMe]

10. I found out a little more.....they have picked up a bunch of people and cops along the way

Funk the War is their motto.




http://www.dc-sds.org/

They have at least 15 police car escorts, tons of motorcycle and bike cops, and 3 mounted police. They are students, so I guess this is good. Of course, it is rush hour now. They are off of K street and going back up 15th street. Oh, there is a helicopter following them too. Crazy day, is it the anniversery of the war?