In the category of "well, that should be interesting", I'm going to go to a protest tomorrow. I think for details I might as well just copy and paste from the e-mail:
Hello to all,
Pride Alliance, Safe Zones, and Keshet, as part of a
huge, city-wide effort, plan to hold a peaceful demonstration outside of the
ex-gay Love Won Out (www.lovewonout.com
) conference this Saturday. Our purpose is to offer a message of truth,
love, and acceptance for LGBT families and those struggling with their sexual
orientation. We will have placards, posters, ribbons, armbands, and resource
info available on site. Transportation to the
church site will be provided on February 25th at the South 40 clocktower at two
separate times: 6:15 AM and 3:45PM.
(emphasis in original)
Assuming that the protest remains peaceful, any advice from people who have actually participated in protests before? There's no reason to expect particular police hostility, but I'll still take a few precautions (no money or legal ID, although I have to have my student ID to get back into my dorm). Thoughts?
More important post later this evening, probably a few hours later.
According to the ACLU's site- and they know something about protests- the information is very likely to be abused. As I could do without being put on no-fly lists or having my parents informed of my fully legal behavior, I'd rather they not have legal ID they can use against me.
Legal protests are not always dealt with legally.
Have fun and make you voice heard!
I therefore expect to be harassed. American law does not require me to identify myself to the police, and it is to my social and legal advantage not to: the police can claim I was cooperating with their search of my bags unless I resist everything from the start, while peacefully cooperating with any commands- that's to say, state that I am acting under protest and am not cooperating... then cooperate.
If I get arrested, whether or not the police have any grounds to do so or even claim a crime at the time of my arrest, I will forefit any and all money I am carrying; this can be extended to some other devices, but those must be returned if I'm released without being charged. Money is forefited.
So I'll carry enough for a pay phone and lunch, in addition to having a chance to unload those 36 granola bars General Mills gave me and packing a real meal anyway. My backpack will contain mostly food, actually...
Reading this, I feel even more disinclined to ever move to the U.S.
Not that we don't have some similar laws here, regarding the refusing to cooperate issue.
Other than that: wear shoes you can walk and stand around in. Make sure you're dressed adequately for the weather--you're likely to be standing outdoors or several hours.
Use the bathroom before you set out.
Ooh, one better- I have traveler's checks left over from my trip to Washington. I'll write the serial numbers down of some of them and if the ones I bring get taken, I'll cancel them. But having some cash is probably a good idea anyway...
And I think I'll bring my backpack, loaded with food because I'm not sure how well other people will plan.
Bandana.
Rocks.
Lighter.
Oh, wait, you aren't a Commie. Nevermind.
By all means, express your opinion and use your freedom of speech. This is good for you and for others, including those you disagree with. But be careful to break no laws. Don't trespass, avoid being drawn into violence or vandalism, and remain civil at all times.
I hope it went well.
This is Aarthi by the way. ^_^ Hi Adam.