Serious question about the September 15th March

[Puregonzo1188]

This is not meant to be negative in anyway, as I plan on attending the march on Saturday and have since it was first announced. However, I got an email today from impeachbush.org that includes on article from the Washington Post on the march. In this article, they say the group's permit is only for 10,000 (even though the group expects tens of thousands). Even so, why is the permit for such a low number? I've been to several marches in DC against the war and they've always had way more then 10,000 and I doubt a group would get a permit for a number they thought was significantly less then expected (in less they are trying to play look at how many showed up then were supposed to card).

My question is, why the expectant low turn-out? It just doesn't seem right to me. And once again, I'm not trying to rain on anyways parade as I am going and do not want to discourage anyone else from doing the same.

[Jacobin]

1. It's to give the cops an excuse to break it up

Fricking nazi fucks. Watch for government provocateurs embedded in the crowds who want to get violent.

[babylonsister]

2. I think the permit must be a formality. What will they do when

10s of thousands of people descend on DC? Hard to limit waves of people heading in the same direction.

[Maggie_May]

3. they probably couldn't get a permit for a larger crowd

I heard of a lot of people going and don't think it will make a diff to them if they have a permit for 10 or 100 thousand. Whats sad is it won't make a difference to Bush. The polls now show even lower on his success in Iraq and he doesn't care. He is talking about leaving troops there for a long time. He doesn't listen he doesn't care what you I do or say. I think he wouldn't even been making this speech tonight if it wasn't the GOP forcing him to due something.

[tomg]

4. Actually, after what happened

to Rev. Yearwood, the breakup of the press conference, and now the low permit number I'm more determined to go than I was before; however, our 14 year-old was planning on coming with us ( he has been going to demonstrations since before the war started), but for the first time I don't know if we should bring him( he wants to go, but what he wants isn't necessarily what he can have).

Like Puregozo, I'm going, my wife's going, our friends are going, but whether my kid is going -

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, is there going to be a contingent of DU there? If so, is there a meet up? thanks

edit for typo

[Puregonzo1188]

5. I'm only 17, so I really don't feel comfortable advising you on anything related to

your son. I will say this though. Based on the same events, I myself am a little worried, but I remember before the September 2005 demonstration there was all these DUers predicting George Bush would have people massacred in the streets and that at the time made me a little anxious. However, I've going to demonstrations for two years and haven't had a single problem yet. I'm sure whatever decision you make it will be best.

And after several DUers sugggested, I'll stop freaking out about the permit.

[Horse with no Name]

6. Isn't that the year that they sprayed some kind of biological in the air

and quite a few people got sick?

[bdamomma]

7. I went in Sept. 2005 and I did not get sick.

[Horse with no Name]

8. quite a few did.

Let me see if I can do a search.

[Puregonzo1188]

10. This is the first I'm hearing about it and I spent the next couple of days on DU

during the surrounding "controversy" afterwords and no mention of it was ever made. But I could be wrong.

[tomg]

11. Thanks for the input.

Coming from someone your age on DU, it is gladly welcomed. Actually, my son and I were in the London bombing, so I think I am being just a little overly cautious. In fact, he has been to a number of demonstrations already, so unless something radically changes by tomorrow morning, it's a family trip.
Again, thanks.

[L. Coyote]

9. I suspect it does not matter what the number is. The permit is real and it will go on.

[NightWatcher]

12. If you go to a protest, do two things for me..

Be prepared to be arrested. Let others know where you are supposed to be and have someone standing by to bail you out in the event that you should get picked up. Conduct yourself accordingly but be sure to follow the protest protocol for being arrested.

Also

If there is a 'police store' near your house, go and buy some Sudecon Decontamination Wipes. They are used to cleam up pepperspray. I like to carry a dozen or so in my backback and pocket. If Sudecon is not available there are a few other wipes that are sold to clean up from mace and pepperspray. Just dont tell the clerks at the store that you are going to a protest. I tell them that I got my mom some pepperspray and I need to get her tons of wipes to keep all over the place.

Good luck and stay safe