Will March 19th protest in NYC be dangerous ???

[adigal]

As I said in another thread, I will be going, wearing my husband's NYC fire dept sweatshirt/NYC Fire Dept jackets on my 14 year old son and his best friend, with a big sign:

Disabled FDNY
9/11 - 52 Warnings???
Impeach Bush

Do you all think it will be dangerous for the kids?? I will still go if you all think it is, but I won't take them. Also, anyone going from the Albany area??? I would love company - I am an ex=repub who never did anything like this before, but I am going to die if I don't do something about this oligarchian government Bush is trying to create.

Also, I need two other sign suggestions - thanks. I think you all are terrific.
Adi

[aquart]

1. NYC is used to large protests. I've been to many.

Peaceful protestors go home in one piece. How old are your children? Can they take the hiking? Do you know where to find bathrooms?

Don't treat the cops as your enemy (Bush's treasonous incompetence killed plenty of them on 9/11) and I sincerely doubt they will kill you.

[In Truth We Trust]

2. Paper ballots NOW!!!! Hand counts Now!!!!!

thats one suggestion. here's another: STOP fraWd!!!

[manic expression]

3. Some suggestions

I've been to a mere 2 demonstrations (RNC NYC and Bush's DC inaugural party), so I don't know all too much.

A lot of people bring younger kids or even toddlers. Unless something really goes wrong (and it shouldn't, by all means), there shouldn't be any danger.

A few things to look out for: "Black Bloc"-type Anarchists (they are the people in all black and usually cover their faces) are usually the most aggressive part of a march/demonstration. Some confront police physically, so you might want to keep away from that part of the group if you can (they're not bad people at all, and I actually respect them for what they do, but they do attract trouble).
If the people around you get rowdy, and you want to be on the safe side, try to get out of the area as quickly (make sure you keep track of the people with you at all times, however) as possible. The police will use pepper spray or tear gas on protesters for any significant disturbance (it happened in DC), so if you don't want to risk it (i.e. you have kids with you), take the path of safety.

From what I've heard, NYC cops are much more laid-back than those in the South (Savannah was an absolute terror) and in DC.

Bring a lot of energy and some food and definitely some water if you want to. Another word of advice, there are sometimes some restrictions on bag size, but it shouldn't be a problem in this march.

That's all I can think of right now, other people will probably have more advice. I hope you go and have a good time!

[adigal]

4. Thank you all! I can't wait to make my signs and march!!!

on March 19th!!!

[fooj]

7. Here's a thought...

MSM- Do your jobs! Stop the betrayal! On a personal note...my husband is just about ready to put EX in front of his Republican status! He's mortified! I was so proud of him when he voted for Kerry! Take care at the protest march! I wish I could be there with you-can't make the trek across country this time around. Peace!

[lonestarnot]

6. If you can't yell as loud as I can, bring a megaphone! n/t

[lonestarnot]

5. A sign: rover/gannon tailgate; impeach bushitler! n/t

[nostamj]

8. it should NOT be dangerous but...

it could be VERY large. and they will almost certainly block streets and 'funnel' people along set routes.

keep an eye open for ways to quickly blend into spectators.

it really should be safe for a 14yo. i've been to many and never felt in any danger (though I have seen some confrontation between the police and more aggressive protestors). you just walk away...

[diamond14]

9. NO...it will NOT be dangerous....it'll be a LOT OF FUN....meet new friends

people helping people....activists galore...all kinds, all groups..all religions...all causes related to anti-bush* and anti-war.....

it's more like a CARNIVAL....music, street theatre, dancers, drummers, a wide-variety of ethnic and cultural costumes....it's all fun and interesting....


here's the BILLIONAIRES for BUSH* at a NYC protest....see, it's fun and interesting...and in this case...sarcastic....




kids protesting in NYC, Feb.25, 2003
(it was very COLD - make certain your kids have WARM clothes, water, snack food, etc.)



it can get CROWDED, so your kids and YOU must stick together and watch out for each other....NYC March 20, 2004....note the CARDBOARD tube POLES used to hold signs...metal and wood poles NOT ALLOWED in NYC...



NYC, March 20, 2004....but even kids get out there to hold signs....young girls hold signs, note the cardboard tube poles holding signs....the PEACE people are very good about watching out for each other, helping each other, and making sure that the children are OK...



you'll see EVERYONE there in NYC...pregnant women, babies in arms, kids in carts and wagons, babies in strollers and buggies....seniors and people with disabilities in Wheelchairs...EVERYBODY....it's a CARNIVAL...it's a NYC event...GO and have lots of fun....dress warm, check out weather, you may need to bring raincoats or umbrellas....bring water, drinks, food...you'll see LOTs of people wearing backpacks with their food/drink in it....most coffee shops and stores along the route are PACKED, and you can hardly get inside...but check the route for bathrooms beforehand, which all permitted groups will be marking on their web sites...I found a GREAT public bathroom only a block off the route, in a Government building, where the employees cheered us in our fancy outfits, and took us to their very nice and big and uncluttered bathrooms....much better than trying to shove everyone into an overcrowded burgerking....

there is ONE big issue for NYC cops....NO metal or wood poles in your PRO-PEACE signs...the only poles allowed are cardboard tube poles (which you can buy at most OfficeDepots, or Staples...just a long cardboard tube to slide into the sewn ends of fabric banners, or use ducktape or staple to put YOUR unique sign onto a cardboard tube....the cops took some poles away from many of OUR DC protestors, because we can use real poles in DC, but apparently NOT in NYC....

[Stephanie]

10. Is your husband disabled FDNY?

It will not be dangerous for kids. Every protest I have been to since 2001 has had plenty of kids there, even some in strollers. Although not so much the August RNC protests. Didn't see as many kids there.

[diamond14]

11. NYC is fine for kids....stay with the main march and you will be fine

the RNC protests, World Trade Protests are NOT for kids (there are too many anarchists that go, and trouble with the cops always happens...those protests are ONLY for young and strong people)....


but the regular Pro-Peace rallies are great for families, kids, grandparents, people with disabilites (especially Veterans with Disabilities)...EVERYONE....the NYC rally is co-sponsored by many religious groups, Pro-Peace groups, Veteran groups....it'll be LOT OF FUN....just a BIG CARNIVAL, full of musicians, street theatre, drummers, ethnic costumes, religious attire from all over, signers, dancers, CODE-PINK, Billionaires for bush* and many other colorful and exciting exhibits, puppets, etc......GO and have fun...

[flyarm]

13. i will be going as well!!

and i will dress real nice so no one can say we are all bums..which is how the msm likes to portray us..and i will be wearing my american airlines flight wings..for my co-workers who were lost on 9/11 ..and i will carry my signs!!

bush lied and my co-workers died..52 warnings ingored!!
where was norad bush???

where were my warnings bush??

where were my co-workers warnings bush??

just retired ny base fly

[adigal]

15. My husband is diabled by 09/11 clean-up

in which Christie Todd Whitman told us the air was fine, and the 1500 firemen at least got asthma or, worse, lung infections. I began to hate the repubs when I figured this out.

[diamond14]

12. more PHOTOS....NYC...March 20, 2004...baby strollers, young kids..

seniors, EVERYONE...notice the cardboard tube poles (buy at OfficeDepot, or Staples, etc.) holding up all the signs....


here's some PHOTOS from my colleagues...NYC, March 20, 2004...it's a CARNIVAL...it's a party....stay together, bring a backpack with food, water, drinks, need warm clothes, gloves, raingear?, sunglasses?, sunscreen?....be prepared for the weather....HAVE FUN !!!!

see the stroller under the banner...pregnant woman holding banner...






young people...










seniors...

[shadowknows69]

14. everyone going to NYC

go to DC instead. That's our seat of Government. That's where we need to take the biggest stand.


Disclaimer: I probably won't be able to travel outside my small city in upstate NY so take that however you want. Also. I don't think it will necessarily be 100% safe to bring kids.

[ultraist]

17. United for Peace and Justice! whoohoo!

OP Author: Check out answercoaltion.org or unitedforpeaceandjustice for info on logistics. You may want to meet up with a bigger group or at least know where they are gathering. They also provide good info on parking, sign regulations, public transportion, etc.

GREAT PHOTOS!

[adigal]

16. Thank you, everyone, so much...

for your suggestions. I am very excited, as are my son and best friend. Thanks!!!

[ultraist]

19. My husband and I are taking my 10 year old to DC

I'm very cautious about my children's safety. The tips provided above are really good ones. Avoid any group that looks to be antagonizing the police or is hostile. I doubt many Peace protestors will be doing this though.

Just stay alert and you will be fine, just as you would if you were at Disney World. It IS like a big street fair.

March 19-20 marks the two-year anniversary of the U.S. bombing and invasion of Iraq. There's a new urgency and a stronger determination within the global antiwar movement to bring the troops home now.
• Download mobilizing leaflets
• List your March 19-20 protest on our calendar
• View list of March 19-20 events
• Endorse the March 19 mobilization

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/

[New Earth]

18. what day does the 19th fall on?

that's a Saturday, right? if so i will probably go.

[AnnInLa]

20. Just a reminder for those for whom New York is too far

We are also having a large protest in New Orleans that same day. So, if New York is too far for you to travel, come on down, yall.