If you're going to Saturday's D.C. March, are you at all nervous?

[liberalhistorian]

I just sent my money in for bus tickets for my son (age 12) and myself for the march in D.C. this Saturday, and I am PSYCHED, and extremely EXCITED! I haven't gone to Washington for a march/demonstration for about 15 years, not since college. And it will be the first time my son has been to both a large march/demonstration and D.C. He's even more excited than I am.

I am, however, starting to get a bit nervous. We all know just how thin-skinned and vindictive the Boy King Impostor, aka King George II, is, and his Bushista thug allies (Cheney, KKKarl Rove, et al.) are even worse. We all know that they will stop at NOTHING to gain and retain power and to crush those who show any hint of dissent or who will call them on their lies and destruction. So I have to wonder just what kind of reception we'll get from the police and the Secret Service this weekend. I mean, these are people who have imprisoned AMERICAN citizens without charges and without access to attorneys, not just immigrants. And they've gotten away with it so far because the sheeple don't seem to give a damn and are asleep at the switch.

I am very determined to stand up and speak out against this criminal misadministration, the worst and most dangerous we've ever had. But the personal stakes for me are higher now than when I was in college, especially since I'll have my son with me. So I am nervous about the reactions of the misadministration, the police, and the Secret Service, as I don't think it will take much to set them off. Maybe someone getting carried away and shouting an anti-Bush epithet or threat, or some lone nut trying something crazy, or, most likely, the police and/or Secret Service deliberately stirring something up, then using it as an excuse to crack down on EVERYONE.

This won't stop me from going, of course, nothing will! But I can't help but be nervous. Anyone else feeling the same way?

[JohnKleeb]

1. very because I am gonna be meeting a lot of people

and I dont have a sign but I may have a battlecry :).

[libertad]

11. They have thousands of signs available there, don't worry about it.

At least they did last October. He'll love it (your son)! It is so exciting.

[JohnKleeb]

12. Youre talking to me and LH at the same time lol

Yeah thats what I did last year, went without a sign, came home with one. Yeah it is exciting.

[LynneSin]

2. I just try to stay out of the main mess

If I see folks trying to incite trouble I walk the other way. I'll be honest, I've had better luck at the DC rallys than the NYC one.

[deutsey]

3. Not say things can't go wrong

but I've been to many protests in DC, particularly since the inaugural protest in 2001, and it's usually pretty cool on both sides of the barricades. I felt more of a negative vibe from some police when I went to New York early last year than I ever have in DC during a protest.

[prolesunited]

4. No need to be nervous

I'll admit the first few demonstrations I went to in Chicago, I had a few butterflies as well, especially since I was going alone. But, like you, I felt like I had to speak out. What I found was a peaceful group of caring, committed people of all ages, races and walks of life. The police were there in full force, but they left us alone and we left them alone. Just use common sense. If you see something happening that you don't want to be a part of, move away, QUICKLY.

Plus, you are meeting up with the rest of us, right? So, you're going to be among friends. I'm sure you trust us to peacefully demonstrate and assist you and your son should the need arise.

What I will say is that you will NOT regret taking this step. I don't even have the words to describe what it is like to be among others who share your beliefs and to channel all of your pent-up energy and frustration into direct action. You will be energized and uplifted beyond belief.

So, relax. We're going to have an AWESOME time!!! :bounce:

See you Saturday! :hi:

[JohnKleeb]

5. What a great time its gonna be

This is my 2nd ever, should be my 3rd being that I had plans way back in 2001 when I was only 13 1/2 to protest the inguaration but I ummm overslept or couldnt get a ride. Proles I talked things over with my folks, plan be that my dad will go with me when I meet my lol contact and then he go home from there, thank god my folks arent wingers though I would like to be trusted.

[liberalhistorian]

9. Oh, I've been to marches in D.C.,

and I agree, there's just nothing like them. You're on fire for days afterwards, uplifted and energized, as you said, like nothing else. And I am, indeed, very excited about meeting up with the DU group and finally meeting some of you!

[bowens43]

6. Don't be nervous.

The police in DC are, for the most part, very cool and very professional. They are very well trained and do not often over re-act. The only nervousness I feel , is the excitement of participating in our constitutionally protected right to publicly question the actions of our government.

Despite the best efforts of the idiot and his evil minions, the US is not yet a police state.

[JohnKleeb]

7. I had a good experience last year its just I am nervous lol about

meeting many of you all. If I act shy and shit thats why.

[bowens43]

8. I know the feeling

I'm a professional introvert when not communicating through the keyboard. I love the anonymity of the crowds.

[eleny]

10. Stay at the edge of the crowds if you can

I'm thinking back to a particular demonstration. It was the one back in the 60s when people stormed the Pentagon. I hitchhiked from NYC to DC with a friend in college. He insisted we stay on a little hill right above the Pentagon. The crowd was very large and we were still in the midst but near the back.

I looked to my left and several yards away, Nat'l Guardsmen were loading their canisters of tear gas. As the people way in front tried to gain entry to the building, the crowd surged forward and the Guard fired their canisters. My friend was able to drag me backward and we stayed out of harms way.

It'll be easy for your son to participate but still be safe with you. If you sense some trouble in the crowd, you should be able to keep hold of him no matter what if you stay near the edges.

[liberalhistorian]

15. That's a good suggestion, I hadn't

thought of that. I think one reason I'm particularly nervous is that my son will be with me and I don't want anything to happen to him or to happen to me in front of him. Just being a typical overprotective single parent, I guess, lol!

[AWD]

13. I'll protect you!!!

[liberalhistorian]

14. Thanks Jeff!

Are you going? Are you driving yourself or taking a bus?

[AWD]

16. Bus

From Akron....leaves at 11pm Friday, comes back early Sunday morning.

[liberalhistorian]

17. Same time here, except my bus

leaves from Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland. I know my son and I will both be totally zonkered on Sunday, that's for sure. He's mad because I'm making him do all of his homework Friday afternoon. But I know we'll both be too tired on Sunday to deal with it.