Safety and Rules for the January 21st Women’s March on Washington

If you’re going to the Women’s March on Washington, know your rights and stay safe. Read on for what you can do and bring.

It’s a scary time to be protesting. How will your local police respond to the Women’s Marches? I can’t really see them tear gassing a mass of adorable pink pussyhats, but after Ferguson, etc., who knows. Excitement will be high. Try to spread the love, and watch your neighbor’s back.

Your Rights

Wherever you’re marching in America, you have the same first amendment rights. The ACLU wants you to know your rights, and what to do if they’re violated. They are also hosting marches in 13 different states and will send a delegation to D.C., if you want to join them.

Security, Rules and Regulations

D.C. will have a ton of security the weekend of the march and inauguration. Because the National Mall is used to protests, though, so mass peaceful gatherings have not been a problem in the past. The march organizers are officially not expecting unrest, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.

As far as rules for the National Mall and Monuments, D.C. law prohibits firearms. Otherwise,  the National Park service wants you to know that

"Federal laws prohibit smoking, bicycling or skating, eating, drinking, and certain other activities inside memorial spaces. Pets are excluded from most memorials. Feeding wildlife is prohibited."

The National Women’s March organization has its own rules for what you may and may not bring on the march in D.C. Most of these concern bags and backpacks, and what they may and may not contain.

Rules for bags and backpacks from the Womens March on Washinton (Image by Morit Chatlynne)

See the FAQ page for rules about flags, banners, bicycles, chairs, and canes, and other, more general information about the march in D.C.

Next: Women’s March on Washington: Local Travel & What to Wear

Stay safe out there! It’s all about trying to live through the next four years.