MeFites March on Washington

posted January 5, 2017 6:17 AM | |

Sat January 21 at 8:30 AM, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (front steps off Independence Ave)

600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC, USA (Map & Directions)

I'm getting into DC mid-afternoon on the 19th and leaving bright and early on the 22nd, via Amtrak to/from Pittsburgh. Staying in Glover Park, but happy to go anywhere I can get on public transit for a meetup.

No idea who I'm marching with - I was vaguely intending to find one of the Pittsburgh contingents and fling myself at them, but would happily march with a MeFi crowd.

I'm knitting hats as fast as my fingers can fly. Which isn't very fast, so I don't want anyone to count on one from me, but once I get through the ones I have promised to specific people, I intend to keep on knitting, so I hope to show up with a stash of extra hats to hand out to anyone who wants one. I rather imagine the 7-hour train trip to DC is going to help me get that done. Which reminds me I should get some more pink yarn before then.
posted by Stacey at 7:08 AM on January 5, 2017 [2 favorites]

Hi Sciatrix! I would love a pussyhat! It would be great paired with the Vagina Dentata wheelchair hubcaps I'm conjuring up!
posted by angrycat at 7:08 AM on January 5, 2017 [4 favorites]

Potentially useful for meal- or drink-based meetup planning: a bunch of local restaurants and bars are giving some proceeds that weekend to organizations like Planned Parenthood and Martha's Table.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 7:15 AM on January 5, 2017 [3 favorites]

My church has chartered a bus. We're arriving Friday night, but staying somewhere way out (I think Fredericksburg), taking Metro in, and then planning on leaving after the march. But we are lovely people, and it would be great to see folks and march together if anyone is lonely.
posted by hydropsyche at 7:22 AM on January 5, 2017 [1 favorite]

btw I don't actually recommend partaking because this is not an event I'd want to be paranoid for, but marijuana advocates are planning on handing out 4200 joints on the march. Legal, apparently, if not on federal property. I still wouldn't do it, though.
posted by angrycat at 7:41 AM on January 5, 2017 [1 favorite]

I proooobably need to make... *ticks off fingers* I'd guess at least three hats, then, counting angrycat's and my own, and probably a fourth for my lovely roommate who is letting my partner and me take the time to travel by looking after our dog, three cats, and foster while we'll be away all on her lonesome. (I suspect she will be trying to go to the Austin march if she's not working, if she can line up some transportation.) Clearly I need to get somewhere I can pick up yarn ASAP--probably not today but maybe tomorrow, unless.... oh, I just had an idea about where I can go that should be pretty accessible from work after I run this experiment. Splendid.

(BTW, I'm probably modding this pattern so that I can knit most of it in the round because I have an irrational hatred of knitting in the flat and seaming. I'll almost certainly switch to flat knitting for the ears, but if anyone else wants a bit of help working out how to do that or knitting period, lemme know. I've also helped share the Pussy Hat project idea with a few fibercraft friends of mine here in town, so I might be able to bring more yet depending on what they say.)
posted by sciatrix at 8:02 AM on January 5, 2017 [2 favorites]

A couple of the alternate patterns on the site are meant for knitting in the round, if that's helpful.

I have only knitted one thing in the round, like a year ago, and don't quite trust myself to re-learn how to do it in time, so I'm sticking to flat-with-seams for now for the sake of speed. But I'd love a copy of the in-the-round pattern you do end up with. I know a few people who have asked for hats to wear to future protests even if I can't make them in time for the March, so after the March I'll have more leisure time to re-teach myself how circular needles work.
posted by Stacey at 8:09 AM on January 5, 2017

HAAAAA I was all to my SO, "Hey, if you have any big pieces of cardboard, save it for me because I'm going to make vagina dentata Athena shield hubcaps for the wheelchair!"

And SO was all, I just received this large delivery and lo! There is a round piece of cardboard that perfectly fits your wheels!

I got a little excited, yelping about how I was going to paint a giant toothed vagina and then yelled A METAFILTER FRIEND IS MAKING ME A PUSSY HAT and I think the SO is now a little resigned that I'm going to be screaming PUSSY DENTATA through the streets of DC.
posted by angrycat at 8:34 AM on January 5, 2017 [19 favorites]

I'm planning on picking up some yarn today to make myself a hat - if you do an in-the-round pattern with worsted weight I might steal it from you (also assuming that I have a size 8 circular ...) We're local so I'll probably be there with my husband and a few friends, but we'd be glad to meet up with other folks.
posted by brilliantine at 8:56 AM on January 5, 2017 [1 favorite]

Oh, I hadn't seen that when I went looking on the site for patterns in the round--thanks! I was expecting to work in worsted yarn anyway, so it makes sense that I'd have missed them. I have one of those fancy-schmancey set of interchangeables with removable tips so I can work in just about any circular size.

Knitting in the round is mostly only a touch more difficult to start, because you have to make absolutely sure you haven't twisted the yarn when you attach things, but then at least for me it goes much much faster. I may borrow their chunky-ass yarn round patterns for ideas on how to keep the ears effectively tight and pointy without seaming (since half the reason I prefer the round is that I hate seaming), but my current worst case scenario is basically to cast on 100 stitches instead of 50, join them in the round, work my way up to the base of the ears, and work in the flat on two separate pieces (basically, by taking 50 stitches off and putting them on a bit of scrap yarn tied into a string for later which I can then come back to) up until the tips.

I'll share anything I come up with here!
posted by sciatrix at 9:13 AM on January 5, 2017

Kid Ruki and I are driving down from Rhode Island on the 20th, and taking the Metro in from the hotel in College Park. I bought our Metro Passes online yesterday. If you're going to be take the Metro at all, I strongly encourage buying the passes in advance.

Thinking about it logically, it's an eight hour drive, so I should really keep Kid Ruki home from school and get an early start, otherwise, we wouldn't reach the hotel until 11 pm. But if I leave early, I would be free for dinner Friday night. Thoughts?
posted by Ruki at 9:48 AM on January 5, 2017

relevant hashtags
#WomensMarch
#WhyIMarch

#inauguration seems to be the fascist hashtag
posted by angrycat at 11:07 AM on January 5, 2017 [1 favorite]

We aren't planning to go to the march but if anyone is still looking for a place to say, we may have room. We're about a 15 min. cab/Uber ride from the Mall. Feel free to send me a MeMail.
posted by whitewall at 5:56 PM on January 5, 2017

I live in DC and am *definitely* going. Would love to connect for lunch, dinner, drinks, anything.
posted by armadillo1224 at 7:14 PM on January 5, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm on hat #5, and the version I've liked best is to cast on 96 or 92 and work in a circle, doing the ribbing as usual and then breaking up all the knit with one line of purl up either side to make a fake seam. I think the fake seam helps the ears keep their shape a little bit better.
posted by Akhu at 5:39 AM on January 6, 2017 [2 favorites]

I live in DC and am not going to march because we have a baby and are doing our part to protect the future by trying our best to keep her safe, but that DOES mean that if someone else is in a similar situation and needs childcare we'd be open to providing it (with the understanding that if there are, God forbid, mass arrests or something, it might be for an extended period of time). Our apartment is small so capacity would be limited but if someone wants to attend but needs childcare for the resistance please don't hesitate to contact me. If there are any other ways we can be supportive while taking care of our beautiful kraken please also let me know.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 5:57 AM on January 6, 2017 [19 favorites]

childcare for the resistance
our beautiful kraken
Mrs. Pterodactyl

So many things about your comment delight me. :D
posted by joyceanmachine at 6:38 AM on January 6, 2017 [8 favorites]

I bought our Metro Passes online yesterday. If you're going to be take the Metro at all, I strongly encourage buying the passes in advance.

I had no idea that you could even do that... Buying tickets at the station is rarely a problem, so I seriously wouldn't sweat it if you don't buy one in advance.

Metro's day passes aren't a particularly good deal -- you're probably better off buying a SmarTrip card, throwing $10 on it, and paying for individual rides. (This also gives you a little more flexibility, as it's accepted on buses)
posted by schmod at 6:49 AM on January 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

I won't be going to the march, but as far as the hat goes - if you do want to knit the ears flat (although I like the purl "seam" idea better because it sounds like you'd still need to do some seaming with the flat method?) - if you own interchangable needles it's often faster to hold stitches on a new cable with endcaps rather than fiddling with scrap yarn, fwiw.
posted by sockermom at 7:03 AM on January 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm coming and bringing six other nasty women from Tennessee. We have a fabulous congressman, Steve Cohen (that we have him in a deep red state is a miracle, really, and a testament to his character) and I think we are meeting up with other Memphians through his office. We are flying in Thursday and staying until Monday. I already have my hat, and am trying to figure out the logistics of bringing my sign. We are trying to stay as far away from the Friday festivities as possible because I don't want my presence to be counted in any way as support.

I made an offhand suggestion on an askme that we all put a small Metafilter logo on our signs, and now I would LOVE to identify fellow Mefites that way.
posted by raisingsand at 7:55 AM on January 6, 2017 [4 favorites]

I am in DC and definitely plan on marching but not sure of exact plans yet. Will put myself down as a maybe!
posted by capricorn at 9:54 AM on January 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

I am in WV and plan to attend. I would love a hat if anyone has an extra. If anyone in the northern half of WV wants to go and needs a ride send me a memail. I willbe going up and coming back on the same day so it will be a long one but we don't have to worry about finding rooms.
posted by irisclara at 11:14 AM on January 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

Coming from NY/NJ, parking in Silver Springs, MD. Have reservations for an Jose Andres restaurant that night.
posted by armacy at 4:22 PM on January 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

I don't think I am going to the march but if you need to park in a metro accessible place I'm in Arlington in the Ballston area. I'm happy to give you one of the day passes to park in our zone and you can walk over to the metro station.
posted by phearlez at 6:41 PM on January 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

I will be at the Women's March, probably with friends and family, but I'm not entirely sure... would be happy to meet up or march with MeFites!
posted by EvaDestruction at 6:50 PM on January 6, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'd be happy to make a MeFi logo on our signs and/or hats. I have some MeFe blue yarn and I think it's extra bad ass to embroider MF on my pussyhat. Double entendre FTW!

But I'd really like to sort out a Friday night meet up.
posted by Ruki at 6:56 PM on January 6, 2017 [3 favorites]

I am here for a Friday night meetup and MeFi march. I am staying in Tysons Corner on the metro line FWIW.
posted by Sheydem-tants at 6:00 AM on January 7, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm not going to the march on the mall (giant crowds give me the willies, no matter the cause), but I am planning what is currently a one-person We're All Neighbors & Glad You're Here anti-protest on Friday/Jan. 20 at a local mosque (in Alexandria or Fairfax) if anyone is interested.
posted by easily confused at 7:12 AM on January 7, 2017 [4 favorites]

All right, Friday night meetup? Do we want to aim early or late evening, at dinner or something different? I'm probably going to be negotiating around making sure my gran gets time and attention from me while I'm in town but before she leaves on Saturday morning, so earlier in the evening would probably work best for us. We'll be in Alexandria but probably using the metro to get around DC during the day.

Is there also any interest in finding each other and marching together?
posted by sciatrix at 8:19 AM on January 7, 2017 [2 favorites]

Re hats, I have now acquired yarn to make probably six or seven hats, of which three or four are definitely reserved. We'll see how fast I get through this yarn.
posted by sciatrix at 8:21 AM on January 7, 2017

Question, I really want to march but I'm mobility impaired. Does anyone know the route? How far it is? I asked this of another group and got a very vague answer.
posted by miss-lapin at 9:16 AM on January 7, 2017 [3 favorites]

They haven't posted the complete route yet, they said because of security issues. But one post I read said it was about one mile long.
posted by raisingsand at 9:37 AM on January 7, 2017

There's a disability caucus of folks working with the March to try to ensure accessibility, on Facebook. I'm on a bus right now but later on tonight I'll see if I can bring over some useful information from the caucus.
posted by Stacey at 9:46 AM on January 7, 2017 [2 favorites]

I'm planning on coming in with a state delegation that is scheduled to bus in overnight to arrive early Saturday morning and leave immediately after (eep!) so won't be able to meet up Friday but I'll be following this thread with interest.
posted by blue suede stockings at 8:21 PM on January 7, 2017

miss-lapin, if you're on Facebook, the Disability Caucus is posting running updates, as they are, and answering inquiries, as they can, here. An exchange addressing your concerns came up last night and so far the only answer seems to be, they're aware, and there are multiple prospective marchers asking so hopefully they'll have answers to disclose ASAP:

Would appreciate a list of options/ instructions for those of us with limited walking ability. Is there a closer place we can start from; will there be seating and where along the way and at the rally itself for those with limited mobility using crutches canes and walkers; are there alternate and less demanding routes, closer metro stations, etc. I can walk 1/4-1/2 mile with a walker.

Women's March on Washington - Disability Caucus At this time, we can't release anything about the marching route. Just know that we have this in mind as we advise National.
Like · Reply · Yesterday at 6:20pm

This was their last update (January 3) if you don't have Facebook access:

Hey folks, we wanted to update you on the progress we continue to make to help advocate, advise, and organize for the Women's March on Washington.
- ASL services will be provided at various locations at the rally so that people who require these services do not have to sit/stand in one area.
- National is planning for closed captioning and hearing assistive devices.
- We are discussing accessible seating arrangments for folks in wheelchairs or people who cannot stand for extended periods of time.
- There will be accessible porta poties.
- There will be an ADA Tent (we are organizing what will be provided at this tent).
- If you would like to march as a group, we will have people convenining at the ADA tent before the march.
- There has been talk about how to get people from buses and transit stations to the Rally area. At this time, we cannot confirm anything about what type of help will be provided. We will release this as soon as we have a concrete plan.
There are hundreds of experienced individuals who are helping organize, many who are extremely cognizant of accessibility and disability rights issues. We want to thank Women's March on Washington for their continued effort in making this an inclusive event and thank everyone who has offered to volunteer. If you have signed up to volunteer, we will be contacting you shortly to discuss training and logistics.
Let's march together to show Washington, D.C., the United States, and the world that we are an active and proud community!
posted by blue suede stockings at 8:32 PM on January 7, 2017 [2 favorites]

I'm driving from Pittsburgh Friday night after work and staying in Frederick both Friday and Saturday nights, because I am officially too old to drive all night/wee morning hours any more (my former Phish touring self is so ashamed). Park and riding in to the march.

If anyone wants to do an early morning Metro park and ride meet up, I'd love to. I don't have anyone to march with currently, I'm just kind of lone wolfing it.
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:08 AM on January 8, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'm just outside DC (Mount Rainier, on the MD side) and will be attending. We might be able to put a couple of people up if they don't mind couch or futon.
posted by nonasuch at 11:47 AM on January 8, 2017

I am unable to attend the March. However, I am organizing a pre-inauguration Ukulele Flash Mob. If you're in Boston and you can play ukulele, we would love to have you take part! All skill levels welcome; enthusiasm is more important than talent.
posted by pxe2000 at 2:55 PM on January 8, 2017 [1 favorite]

Vagina dentata wheelchair hubcaps, finished and affixed!
posted by angrycat at 1:49 PM on January 9, 2017 [14 favorites]

I can't get out of Texas to make the March, but I really want a mefi pussyhat. I will totally throw into the yarn, transport, beer fund for those of who who are representing us.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 3:16 PM on January 9, 2017

I'm full up on hats to make before the March, but have promised to make some after for people who want them for future protests. (Or just to own a piece of my lumpy questionable knitting.) Happy to add to that list for other folks who don't get their hands on a hat before the March.

(I LOVE the hubcaps.)
posted by Stacey at 3:42 PM on January 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

I will be at the march, but due to tight scheduling (I'm taking a chartered bus) I probably can't make a meetup. For what it's worth, this is a shot from tonight's Women's March on Washington Knoxville Planning Meeting. By the time we all settled down, every seat was taken in the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. You know, the UU church where in 2008 a right-wing gunman opened fire during a youth performance, killing two and injuring seven?

Love WILL triumph over hate.
posted by workerant at 6:13 PM on January 9, 2017 [11 favorites]

Is anyone interested in actually marching together, given tight scheduling? We don't yet have plans over here, but would be happy to help make some. (I need to work out what my signs will say, too...)

Everyone is aware that cell phones are likely to be very, very unreliable with so many people straining the towers, right? So if we're going to plan to march together--or even some subset of us march alongside others--we ought to have a plan for meeting together and where and when we'll meet, what we'll do if someone is late or held up, etc. I suggest maybe meeting at a Metro station, since many of us will be using the Metro to get into the protest?
posted by sciatrix at 6:54 PM on January 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

A meeting at one of the terminus Metro stations (around 8 AM? does that sound right?) would probably work best for anyone wanting to meet before the trip in. Since I'm staying in Frederick, it doesn't matter which Metro I park and ride at.

My Mother in Law I think is going to be there with her union, but I have no idea whether or not I'm actually going to be able to hook up with her. Though it is SEIU so I should just look for the big splotch of purple on the horizon.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:02 PM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Chartered buses from state and organizational delegations (the source of the tight scheduling for many of us) are getting funneled in and out of RFK stadium as best as I can tell (not sure if it's ALL of the ones officially registered and coordinated with national, or just the ones I know of), which is something to consider if choosing a metro station meetup point within DC proper. (I'm still debating whether or not to walk the two or so miles to the designated starting point or to metro it, since I'm feeling a little panic attacky at the thought of 3000-ish folks from my fleet alone trying to take the metro from RFK to our start.)
posted by blue suede stockings at 7:08 PM on January 9, 2017 [2 favorites]

The BF and I are expecting to go, and we are both very excited to see how big this thing will be. We should be staying in Silver Spring or Bethesda, so would love to ride in on the Metro with any nearby Mefites.

(I have done no reading up on specifics, like, ummm, where and when to go, so if anybody could post a link for those of us who are research-impaired, that would be great, thx.)
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:32 PM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

computech_apolloniajames: Closest metro station to the march start (Independence Ave and 3rd, which is at the southwest corner of the Capitol building) is Federal Center, but coming fromSilver Spring or Bethesda I'd just take the Red Line to Gallery Place and just walk the few blocks to and across the Mall. It's not that far. Transferring trains is going to be a nightmare, so if you can avoid that, do.

The Women's March website is top notch, and the resources page has all the info you need.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:59 AM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

I would be happy to march with people, since I will otherwise be going all by myself. Maybe we could meet for breakfast before heading to the march?

I would also love to meet up on Friday for dinner.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 8:00 AM on January 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

I would love to do a Friday dinner as well, and ideally meet up with folks for the March if I can. I'll be in Glover Park on the 30N/31/33 bus line, and my intention was to take the bus straight in to the March. But it looks like I could pretty easily take the bus the other direction and get myself to the red line, if somewhere along the red line makes a reasonable meetup place for other folks.
posted by Stacey at 8:31 AM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Okay, let's focus on marching plans for just a moment--I like the idea of breakfast an hour or so beforehand, maybe at 8am somewhere near a metro station? Hm. Let's see. I would say we need to be at the starting location by 9am latest, because crowds make me think it's gonna be a bit of a shitshow getting around. (Aw, hell, I wasn't even--I hate crowds in enclosed spaces, so um, I need to mentally prepare for the possibility of a slight panic attack. Oh, well. Worth it, since but probably also worth letting you folks know early about that if I start hyperventilating. I don't lose my shit, but I may suddenly request a bit of air and no one touching me if we're not actively moving somewhere. That's most likely to happen on the metro in, though.)

It looks like we'll be taking either the Yellow or Blue lines in from the Metro, so I would guess that we'll be heading in towards L'Enfant Plaza Station or Federal Center Station. (We can catch either approximately equally easily; we'll be driving to a metro station.) But we can also catch the Yellow line up to Gallery Place if red-line folks would like to meet somewhere near there for breakfast. I'm thinking somewhere like a McDonald's or a bakery, to be honest, that will serve stuff quick and let us grab things and run if we're pressed for time and sit for a bit and talk if we aren't. Something flexible.

Okay, quick head counts: can everyone work out what metro lines they are coming in on or can come in on? Who is coming in on the red line? Who is coming in on blue, green, or yellow lines? Anyone who is coming on the orange or silver lines? Assume you are not switching trains at any point unless absolutely necessary, because I sort of agree with soren that that is going to be a fucking nightmare. The march itself will be meeting at Independence Ave SW & 3rd St SW at 10am, if you haven't looked that up yet and need a point to navigate by.

That will let me work out what might be a decent meeting place for all of us. Thoughts? Opinions from folks coming in on buses?
posted by sciatrix at 9:25 AM on January 10, 2017

I will be carrying a small stash of Ativan, if anyone feels panicky and does not have their own rescue meds handy. (And, you know, wants to take pills from someone you just met, which I realize is dodgy as hell, probably you shouldn't actually do that, but I'm not the boss of you.)

I will be coming in on the red line if I can meet up with MeFites by doing so, and otherwise I will come in on my own by bus and hope that perhaps the gods of cell phones will be kind and allow me to find folks once actually at the March. (Otherwise I shall just attach myself, barnacle-like, to the nearest friendly looking delegation, which is also fine, but I'll probably send sciatrix sad #whereareyou tweets in the meanwhile.)
posted by Stacey at 9:52 AM on January 10, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'd prefer to come in on Red since I'll be driving down from Frederick and the Red Line stations are on my way, but I can get myself to any station with a parking lot that won't be hell getting to. I used to live in DC and know my way around relatively well, so I can get myself where I need to be.

There's a Dunkies and McDonalds both inside the Verizon Center (which is also where the Gallery Place metro station is). There's a couple other McDs in the general vicinity too that might have a slightly lower chance of being a terrifying mob scene. There's one at 9th and E which is kind of the opposite direction from the march start (by a couple blocks, not way out of the way) which might be actually a good thing. There's another at E and 6th which is exactly on the way.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:52 AM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

There is also a Panera across from the Gallery Place metro, and it has more seating than the local McDs do.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 9:55 AM on January 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

And I forgot to add-- the benefit of Gallery Place is that it has Red, Green, and Yellow lines.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 9:55 AM on January 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

DC is of course also chock-a-block with outdoors public gathering spaces, so if an actual place of business seems like a silly notion, there's always, like, the Navy Memorial or something.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:55 AM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

And there is a pastry shop right next to the Navy Memorial-- Paul's, I think?
posted by a fiendish thingy at 10:00 AM on January 10, 2017

I am absolutely up for marching with y'all. I know diddly about DC, so tell me when and where to be and I'll be there.

We should bring nametags.
posted by workerant at 12:06 PM on January 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

I want a "I survived the MeFi election threads and all I got was this lousy President" t-shirt.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:13 PM on January 10, 2017 [22 favorites]

If you want to support some local businesses and meet at Gallery Place/Chinatown, there's Compass Coffee, Chinatown Coffee Co, and Teaism.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 3:30 PM on January 10, 2017 [2 favorites]

I'll be coming in from New Carrollton (Orange line terminus in Maryland) with some friends that morning, but it would be great to meet up with other MeFites! Hat #1 is underway.
posted by wintermind at 4:30 PM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm coming in from College Park on the Green line. That is literally all I know so far, as Casa Ruki has been hit with the viral illness that's going around RI, so I haven't gotten out of bed in a few days.
posted by Ruki at 7:18 PM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

Sheeeeit, it's probably too late to have tee shirts printed. I want to run with soren_lorensen's idea (assuming it's ok with her). Anybody know a place in NYC that can do it quick and not expensive?
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 8:26 PM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm coming in on the Green Line with my sons, early & plan to connect with family there. We may walk from Gallery Place & are not opposed to a breakfast meetup, they are always hungry. Or meeting near a sculpture/monument.
posted by childofTethys at 10:33 PM on January 10, 2017 [1 favorite]

My bus is scheduled to arrive at Reston Wiehle East Metro station (Silver line) at 8am, and I have a Metro pass for the day. I will be hungry.
posted by workerant at 7:39 AM on January 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

Looks like I'll be taking a bus from Florida. We're supposed to arrive around 10am, but then we'll need to travel 4 metro stops to get to the staging location.
posted by Kitty Stardust at 10:01 AM on January 11, 2017

Will work out my own lines etc. later today or tonight (on a bus set to hit RFK stadium as early at 6:30am assuming no traffic hahahaha, even so god only knows how long it will take to get out of there via metro or even on foot since we're with a fleet of thousands of other riders from our state with the same arrival window) but wanted to share, for anyone worried about respite options (for the first half of the march at least, it looks like) this warming station/lactation area/press desk that will be open a few blocks from the march start at the Holiday Inn, 8:30am until 2:30pm.
posted by blue suede stockings at 10:38 AM on January 11, 2017

I'll be coming in on the Orange line from Vienna.
posted by apartment dweller at 8:04 PM on January 11, 2017 [1 favorite]

I am a DC local and I hate marches and crowds and good cheer and solidarity and chanting and especially, especially, I hate hats. but I am going to go to the thing. out of peer pressure, mainly. anybody who is already pre-disgruntled but likewise feels morally obligated to show up even though it is definitely not going to be a good time and wants to get drunk before, after, or during, let me know.
posted by queenofbithynia at 8:53 PM on January 11, 2017 [3 favorites]

Driving NJ to Maryland Friday evening, returning Sunday midday. Would love to meetup if possible.

My experience at the 1989 women's march tells me it's nigh on impossible to actually get together AT the march despite intentions. But if anyone wants to share #s to text "hey we're at X location, any MeFites around?" I'm down with that. What I think would be more likely to be successful would be plans to meet up after the march Saturday evening and/or on Sunday. So I'd be up for that.
posted by Miko at 9:20 PM on January 11, 2017 [2 favorites]

Catching up thread. This "breakfast on the Metro" idea is really nice, but you. have. no. idea what those lines are going to be like. It's not going to be that easy. It would be a lot better to plan a meeting point a couple blocks off the Metro, and/or bring your own Kind bars, bananas, granola, apples and such. It's going to be a complete mob scene as early as 6, 7 AM. It will not be at all easy to get breakfast food on the fly. The place is going to be mobbed. Again, basing this on crowding factor from a march decades ago, but I think if anything this one's going to be bigger. Lines to order coffee/muffins, lines for the bathroom. Plan for crowding, and don't expect normal conditions. Expect and plan for long waits and delays.
posted by Miko at 9:26 PM on January 11, 2017 [10 favorites]

Yeah, having done Big Events around here before (Rally to Restore Sanity, festivals, races of various sizes), plan to pack your own food/beverage if you can. Even just a community 5K can snarl the hell out of every nearby coffee shop on weekends. Leave yourself LOTS of time to get around, use the bathroom, etc. I'll be coming in on the orange line from Dunn Loring and I don't know what time yet I'll be leaving, but it will be earlier than I like. And expect things to stay slammed for a long time after; crowds take forever to dissipate.
posted by bowtiesarecool at 3:24 AM on January 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

It's going to be a complete mob scene as early as 6, 7 AM. It will not be at all easy to get breakfast food on the fly. The place is going to be mobbed.

This is true. At least 1200 buses have applied for permits for the march (compared to only 200 for the day before, ha). It's going to be busy everywhere.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 7:49 AM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Yeah, to be honest I kind of figured on that--breakfast or no, we'll be packing Costco muffins which I intend to grab this weekend. That's also the reason I figured on planning to be there at least two hours before the march technically begins if we want any shot at meeting up. I haven't, however, done anything quite this big--I'm remembering Dragon*Con at the yearly parade, which I suspect isn't even going to come close--so I definitely bow to the expertise of more experienced folk here. I do think it's worth at least trying to make a group to march ahead of time, though, even if I also am trying to plan for massive unforeseen delays and inability to get anywhere.
posted by sciatrix at 7:51 AM on January 12, 2017

FWIW, I am happy to provide my cell number to people. I trust y'all and if you turn out to be axe-murderers who for some reason are running a really long con on Metafilter, well, there are worse ways to get axe-murdered than in the service of resisting our new President-Elect.

Also happy to be the locus for circulating a list of cell #s if other folks want to MeMail them to me, then I can circulate and share with the others. I wonder if it might alternatively make sense, if folks are willing to share cell numbers, to do a group messaging thing via GroupMe or Signal? I've found that really useful in the past for coordinating a group of people to meet up the same place and time, but that was only for ~5 people, I'm not sure how well it scales. (Also, that group of people and I are still keeping that daily group chat going and it's been like four years, so fair warning, you might accidentally find yourselves part of a years-long group chat of people you accidentally became really good friends with because you went to the same flower show in Philadelphia together one day in 2012.)

I remember the Metro being crowded but not totally crazy in 2004 for the March for Women's Lives, but a) I wasn't trying to meet anyone and b) I was more tolerant of crowds then, so I have no idea what to expect. I'll be packing snacks, regardless.

(Or trying to. Has everyone seen the bag size restrictions? If not, you may want to take a look. I have a little bitty bag that will work but I may also be stuffing granola bars in my pockets.)
posted by Stacey at 7:59 AM on January 12, 2017 [4 favorites]

For those rightfully worried about cell towers becoming overloaded, take a look at FireChat- it was originally developed for music festivals where the same issue with cell service often occurs.

FireChat (no I don't work for them) uses your phone to create a mesh network, so instead of querying a cell tower, your signal goes from phone to phone. You can private message people or groups, you don't need to use your real name to sign up, people don't see your phone number when they interact with you- they just see the image you choose and your user name.

The app has private messages and public* chat channels. It works on iPhone and Android and is free. I am happy to make a "MeFiteMarchers" channel- then you don't have to share your phone numbers, but we could all talk. With FireChat we can find each other in the named, public channel, then private message folks with location data- where you are, where you'll be, etc.

FireChat would also be a good way to loop in and talk to the people you're staying with as well- I made a channel for my "house group" essentially, and once everyone says hi on there I'll start a private group chat. That way I don't have to wrangle cell numbers, differing levels of cell service, and our communication is end-to-end encrypted.

Many more words here: FireChat

*From my understanding, think of the public channels like Twitter hashtags. If someone knows the exact phrase, they can follow. Unlike Twitter though, there's no browser-accessible stream and it's not searchable online- so while it's public, it's a few steps more private that Twitter, and unlike Twitter, doesn't need cell service to work.
posted by EVM at 8:10 AM on January 12, 2017 [10 favorites]

I wasn't planning on actually buying breakfast in the city (free grub at my hotel, boo-ya!) so if you guys want to meet up or try to congregate at just a public spot, that's cool. In addition, anyone planning on metro-ing in from either Shady Grove or Glenmont, I could meet you somewhere near there first.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:17 AM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Update: I went ahead and made it- it being a free FireChat channel for MeFites to talk to each other before and during the march next week- MeMail me for the link (unless enough of you tell me you're comfortable with me posting it here, which is technically online and searchable)
posted by EVM at 8:19 AM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Is Internet/phone data use likely to be an issue with FireChat, EVM? It was my understanding that we might not have phone data access because of the density of attendees either. But I could be wrong!
posted by sciatrix at 9:18 AM on January 12, 2017

Hi Sciatrix- that's the beauty of it- FireChat doesn't use phone data. You only need your wifi (even if it says there's no wifi, keep it on) and Bluetooth turned on, and it uses that to create a mesh network, not a cellular network. Side note, mesh networks are the coolest and I have a feeling more of these types of things will be popping up. For now, FireChat is the best one I've found.

So you're correct, we might not have phone data access because the of density of attendees, and we can still use our phones if we use an app that communicates via a local mesh network, like FireChat.

I'm stopping myself from posting many links about mesh networks now, I love them so much- this 5 minute video from the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society is a nice, fairly quick explanation
posted by EVM at 9:25 AM on January 12, 2017 [5 favorites]

Oh, genius! Thank you, this is going to make coordinating SO much easier. My Bluetooth is sort of spotty, which makes me worry a bit about it, but hopefully I'll be able to push *something* to work.
posted by sciatrix at 9:30 AM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

Suggestion: bring extra phone power.
posted by armacy at 10:45 AM on January 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'm also coming in on the Orange line from Vienna, so we can meet up if you like apartment dweller. Looks like L'Enfant is the best option for stopping off orange. I gave Stacey my cell number and can mefimail anyone else who wants it. I'll most likely have a couple of friends with me as well.
posted by brilliantine at 10:58 AM on January 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

I was planning on walking to the March (the joys of living close by), so I'm happy to meet up with MeFites wherever. I will also have anti-anxiety goodies on hand to share.
posted by evoque at 11:17 AM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

This is great - I'm going to get set up for the FireChat. I'm going with family, but would love to connect, even virtually, with MeFites.
posted by Miko at 12:38 PM on January 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

but would love to connect, even virtually, with MeFites

Yup--I'm a little terrified at the logistics of how crowds and thousands-deep delegations are going to maneuver with regards to how realistic it will be for me to look for folks apart from the pack I need to be attached to at entry and exit points for chartered transit (on a very tight window), but man I would love a running real time check in across the crowd with you all.

Like how I survived the debates at home alone on MeFi, but outside and under much less powerless-feeling circumstances.
posted by blue suede stockings at 1:16 PM on January 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'm local and will be at the march. Everything will be very crowded and insane and metro will probably break. Wear warm socks! MeMail me if you need resources between Dupont and Takoma.
posted by aspersioncast at 1:42 PM on January 12, 2017 [3 favorites]

I think that could be really helpful BlueSuedeStockings! If I'm reading your message correctly, you're not sure about a meetup, but would love to be able to communicate w/ people there.

For anyone reading this thread and thinking about staying in, you're also very welcome to join the FireChat. In that case, because you'll have better access to home internet, TV, and radio, you might hear things before we do and could share that. I'm imagining a "hey, things are getting feisty at AB intersection, maybe slow down so you don't further compact the crowd/increase the stress ATM," or perhaps: "obnoxious reporter is reporting from This Intersection, if you don't want to be accosted on camera, skew to the north side of the street," or just general encouraging things, especially to those that are already feeling apprehensive about being in a large crowd.

For anyone interested, MeMail away- I'll be doing a batch of responses when I get home.
posted by EVM at 1:43 PM on January 12, 2017 [2 favorites]

We are coming in on the silver line from Tysons Corner.

Also: does anyone know which tunes, if any, they'd like to sing while marching? I can get started on learning some over the weekend: I am loud and can more or less carry a tune :-)
posted by Sheydem-tants at 4:02 PM on January 12, 2017

We're local, but for reasons similar to the Pterodactyl family, won't be attending the inauguration or march. However, if anyone's still looking for lodging, you're welcome to stay with us. We're in the suburbs, but Metro-accessible!

You'd be couch-surfing, sorry to say, but it's a good couch. We can fit one on the couch comfortably, or two uncomfortably. Memail me if interested.
posted by duffell at 6:56 PM on January 12, 2017

So, are folks trying the FireChat? Is that the best way to metafilter-meet-up?
posted by armacy at 7:41 PM on January 12, 2017

Definitely bring some snacks/water with you. Convenient places to eat are very limited around the Mall and I would not even count on them to be open. Sometimes there are food trucks, but the inauguration the day before may prevent them getting in place. There are nearly always people on foot selling water.
posted by zennie at 9:14 PM on January 12, 2017 [1 favorite]

I live in Old Town Alexandria, and will definitely be going! Not sure of exact plans, but from experience, I learned that it's really hard to meet up with others coming from other places when there are large crowds - so I'm happy to meet up with Metafilter friends going via the Braddock station. The weather right now looks like it will be on the warm-ish side (high 60, cloudy), so I'll probably be wearing my pink "I stand with Planned Parenthood" shirt.
posted by raztaj at 6:24 AM on January 13, 2017

I am local (Potomac Ave, in Hill East), and will be headed to the march Saturday am with a few out-of-town friends. I think meeting up in person day-of will be difficult to impossible, but I would LOVE to get in on the FireChat.

Also, I am going to make some signs this week. I am going to buy some corrugated plastic signboard (like the kind the "We pay CASH for homes" yard signs are made of), some mailing tubes for handles, and tempura paint. The minimum order seems to be about 10-20 blank signs, so I will have extras.

Does anyone want to coordinate to make signs with me/swing by to pick up sign material? If there is lots of local interest, I'll order more sign blanks.
posted by foodmapper at 8:30 AM on January 13, 2017 [2 favorites]

Oh, foodmapper, me! We were going to buy supplies and get signage once we landed in DC anyway, since we're flying in. We'll be landing on Wednesday morning.

Are you sure tempura paint will stick to that signboard, though?
posted by sciatrix at 9:32 AM on January 13, 2017

Do you think they're going to allow plastic signboard? I'm not sure that material will pass muster.
posted by Miko at 10:17 AM on January 13, 2017

Good call on the tempera paint, sciatrix. Looks like acrylic or latex paint would be better.

I think they will allow plastic signboard - it's still pretty flimsy. The FAQ says no poles or wooden sign posts, but that banners and signs are allowed. If that changes, I will just write off the signboard and grab some foamboard or posterboard locally.
posted by foodmapper at 11:52 AM on January 13, 2017

Re: songs Sheydam-tants; if someone shows up near me and wants to sing something with me while we wait (because there will be waiting), I'll probably be sticking to things I do know okay that sing well, whether or not anyone else can be expected to know them. So I'm practicing my wording on Solidarity Forever, We Have Fed You All A Thousand Years, This Land is Your Land, and Bread and Roses. I'm throwing together a Spotify playlist of versions of these so I can keep listening and practicing, if you want to see, along with a couple of pieces that are maybe a bit less singable but worth knowing the words to because there are some good chants I can pull from them.

(I am still trying to follow up with my Ask, because there were so many songs there and I haven't had a chance to process them! And then MonkeyToes had a good FPP to pull from too!)
posted by sciatrix at 4:18 PM on January 13, 2017 [2 favorites]

Bringing it here so as not to derail the thread, but what are you all bringing to the march? I'm being extra cautious because KidRuki will be there with me, and their safety is paramount to me. (Yes, the safest thing would be to not bring them, but they're 15 and made their own decision to go.) I bought a sling bag that mostly meets the size requirements, and I can dump everything into my clear food bag if there's a problem. I'll have a first aid kit, Ativan, two portable phone chargers, vinegar soaked bandanas, and those stuff sack ponchos to clip to my bag strap. Oh, and extra socks. I also downloaded the DC ACLU app. Lots of water, but I'm not sure what to bring for food. Clif bars and trail mix?
posted by Ruki at 4:58 PM on January 13, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'm not anticipating teargas or anything like that. I'm bringing water, some Kind bars, my phone, backup battery, socks, band-aids, a good amount of cash, metro card, ID, sunglasses, sunscreen (if it's bright), lip balm, some phone numbers written down. The extra socks are a good idea.
posted by Miko at 6:12 PM on January 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm not either, with the tear gas, but it takes up such little space and it helps my mind. I have anxiety issues, and one of my coping mechanisms is being ultra-prepared (15 years of Girl Scouts kind of drove that point home, too). On the plus side, this makes me the go to gal at work if anyone needs a band-aid, or OTC medicine, or nail clippers, or an eyeglasses screwdriver. I'm better stocked than our floor's first aid kit. So at least I'm channeling my anxiety for good.
posted by Ruki at 6:26 PM on January 13, 2017 [4 favorites]

I'm bringing my phone, a phone charger, a sling bag, and my credit card.

(As for what I'm singing, I have a handy anti-Trump Spotify mix to the already great mixes shared here.)
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 7:13 PM on January 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

Was just about to AskMe (or poll here) about what to bring on the march route. So far I'll have a portable poncho, phone charger, cash, a metro card (if it finally gets here in the mail), saline bottle, contact case, and backup eyeglasses, and protein bars. Easy enough to slip in alcohol pads and bandaids just in case I suppose. Need a water bottle I can carabiner to my bag at this point I think. Need to get a cardboard "post" for my sign at some point.

If anyone has any pointers on how to sleep on overnight buses, that may be even more critical for me, especially on the way in, given some other health/fatigue issues. I've got a travel pillow (we can leave bulk items on the bus) and will plead for special dispensation for a window seat (no reserved seating) to maximize my chances of getting sleep sitting up on the way there but I admit to being nervous about this part even more so than the crowds. (That's what beta blockers are for as needed.)
posted by blue suede stockings at 7:31 PM on January 13, 2017

Sleeping: I like eye masks, melatonin, and ear plugs.

March: In addition to above, I'll bring hand san. And hopefully the Sharon Jones shirts I just ordered will make it in time.

Fears: In the big marches I did during W, I wasn't really worried about things getting out of hand (though seeing so many people prepared to hurt me was unnerving). Again, who knows here.

I also want to remind folks to check out FireChat (I need to do that too) as it would be lovely to be in touch with all of you.
posted by armacy at 7:42 PM on January 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm on FireChat, but I'll also share my cell if you MeMail me. I'll need a knee brace to walk, but I'll also have a spare Ace Bandage and a fully stocked first aid kit. And, as stated above, if you're comfortable taking Ativan from strangers, I refilled an old script specifically for this.
posted by Ruki at 8:25 PM on January 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

Re: singing: I was just talking to my partner about the march and the song "Do You Hear the People Sing" from Les Miserables came on our iTunes rotation. That reminded me that things like this, things from Hamilton, etc., Lennon's "
Imagine," etc., might be more conversant material than 60s folk tunes, for many marchers.
posted by Miko at 8:41 PM on January 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

Well, no matter what happens with meet ups, I'll be the bespectacled person holding this sign. By my wonky kerning ye shall know me. If you see me, say hi!
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:44 PM on January 13, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'm now on FireChat and am also organizing a chat room for our busload of Presbyterian aged hippies, cynical Gen-Xers, earnest Millennials, and assorted offspring. Thanks for the advice, y'all!
posted by hydropsyche at 7:03 AM on January 14, 2017 [5 favorites]

Info on what happens if you are arrested at a DC protest. Appears to be reliably sourced. Washington Peace Center
posted by Sheydem-tants at 11:57 AM on January 14, 2017 [2 favorites]

So I had initial concerns over how well FireChat would perform as a "no cellular or WiFi" mesh network at the march in the worst case scenario, but it turns out state delegations and even smaller private groups are looking into getting their folks on channels on the 21st, so it's looking like the phone to phone hopping will be pretty robust!
posted by blue suede stockings at 2:26 PM on January 14, 2017 [2 favorites]

I decided last minute to head down late next Friday. I am in town until Sunday morning so if a Saturday night meet-up works better for you hit me up.
posted by Biblio at 5:36 PM on January 14, 2017 [1 favorite]

Here's a list of places in DC that have already committed to being available for warming, respite, bathrooms, breast pumping, etc. if anyone is worried about where and how to peel off from the crowds if necessary.
posted by blue suede stockings at 9:24 AM on January 15, 2017 [2 favorites]

Councilmember Cheh's office and the Warner Theater are very close to one another, FYI.
posted by SillyShepherd at 1:42 PM on January 15, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'll be there with friends, but not sure where we'll be yet. I'll check in here to see if anyone is close, and I'll put a "HI MEFITES" on my sign somewhere.
posted by numaner at 10:28 PM on January 15, 2017 [2 favorites]

Some people are pointing out this post about security restrictions on things people are bringing. It looks to match the FAQ on the WMW website. Basically a small purse and one clear gallon baggy (for your food) are fine, but if you want a backpack get a clear one, and don't bring anything else that's not signboard.

Unknown whether there will be security search checkpoints or anyone enforcing restrictions... I don't recall ever seeing that a march. Checkpoints are usually for big events with a focal point. Rarely, there are tables set up for random search of bags of people entering metro stations. Search stations are looking for weapons, but I would recommend against putting unmarked pills or anything that "looks illegal" in a place that might be searched.
posted by zennie at 12:11 AM on January 16, 2017 [3 favorites]

In addition to all the other excellent suggestions of what to pack, I'll also recommend making an ICE card and carrying it on your person.
posted by evoque at 7:21 AM on January 16, 2017 [1 favorite]

Checkpoints are usually for big events with a focal point.

I'm wondering whether the rally preceding the march is that very focal point/staging area the private security company hired by the national committee will be using for screening. The regulations are essential what it takes to get into an NFL game at this point (with the exception that most stadiums want clear shoulder bags only, not the clear backpacks that are being permitted for the march.)
posted by blue suede stockings at 7:53 AM on January 16, 2017

So some wonderful person compiled a Google Map of all the offered warming/respite spots so far. Click on list to the left for details on each.
posted by blue suede stockings at 8:51 AM on January 16, 2017 [3 favorites]

HT @sciatrix for thinking about how lyrics to the tunes in her excellent March Day playlist could be readily available when needed.

The lyrics to many of the tunes in the playlist are available in the Genius app. Genius runs on both iOS and Android.

You can listen to the songs now on Spotify and download the lyrics for them so you won't need a connection on march day. You may have to tell your phone to accept notifications from Genius.

I'm vetting the tunes now for Genius lyrics availability and will make missing lyrics available ASAP, probably via Google Docs or another share.

Link to the Spotify playlist (already posted above):
posted by Sheydem-tants at 9:11 AM on January 16, 2017 [2 favorites]

Plans solidifying: I'm driving from Northern NJ to Rockville, MD starting about 1 PM on Friday, and taking Metro from there. It is possible I will have an extra 1-2 seats in the car if anyone is interested in a ride. PM me.
posted by Miko at 10:27 AM on January 16, 2017 [2 favorites]

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company is opening up their space for the day for marchers to come in, get warm, go to the bathroom, and get a hot drink. It's about 15 minutes from the march route.
posted by JustKeepSwimming at 10:54 AM on January 16, 2017 [2 favorites]

Shoot, I feel dumb. I started a proposed IRL before seeing this. Should I delete? Or link to this? Apologies! Anyway, I'm local and planning to go. I'm thinking of bringing my 8 month old - not sure how terrible of an idea that would be. And I signed up for Firechat.
posted by kat518 at 12:16 PM on January 16, 2017 [1 favorite]

Shoot, I feel dumb. I started a proposed IRL before seeing this. Should I delete? Or link to this? Apologies!

Don't feel dumb! Because this is still technically a "proposed event"* it doesn't show up very obviously, which is why I'm happy to see it getting linked (and have linked it myself) in related threads on MeFi and AskMe.

*(I don't know if there's ever been a precedent for, "some of us are going to this 200,000 person thing where we may or may not actually see each other so are you "going" or "not going" or "maybe" and is this an actual IRL "event" if "show up at this one metro station or hot dog stand or restaurant at this exact time" isn't logistically possible for the majority of folks who will still consider themselves to be attending this together in solidarity with other MeFites and are getting a great deal of benefit out of this thread and some networking channels that are being set up on FireChat etc.....)
posted by blue suede stockings at 1:21 PM on January 16, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm staying with friends and taking the Orange Line from New Carrollton. I'm traveling solo, intending to meet up with friends (or strangers.) Signing up for FireChat now!
posted by desuetude at 1:24 PM on January 16, 2017 [1 favorite]

Frodisaur and I will be coming in on the red line from Rockville. Firechat looks like a very good idea. Trying to find people in all that mess does not. I really hope I can get a hat.
posted by irisclara at 2:07 PM on January 16, 2017 [1 favorite]

I know some of you have seen this already, but this webinar about street therapy and emotional resistance is starting in about twenty minutes.
posted by Ruki at 2:40 PM on January 16, 2017 [3 favorites]

Reminder that the FireChat (free, works on iPhones and Android) MetaFilter chatroom for this event is up and running- MeMail me for the link ◎[▪‿▪]◎
posted by EVM at 3:08 PM on January 16, 2017 [2 favorites]

Looked at the forecast on my weather app for D.C. Friday: low of 43, high of 49, 100% chance of rain. Saturday: low of 42, high of 61, 20% chance of rain.
posted by kat518 at 3:37 PM on January 16, 2017 [3 favorites]

Current plan for me is to mark it definitely happening at that one big metro station that MOST of the lines pass through and / or some equidistant point of public access between the two most likely metro stations folks will be using when I get home. I'll intend to be there from, say, 8a-930a, to give MeFites some time to gather and straggle in, with the understanding that lots of folks may not be able to move through crowds.
posted by sciatrix at 4:17 PM on January 16, 2017 [1 favorite]

Hi all, I can't meet up as I made vacation plans back in November, but thought I'd share that there are also free nonviolence and active bystander intervention trainings taking place in and around DC on Friday, Jan. 20th.

(full disclosure: a friend helped organize these, in conjunction with others! )
posted by NikitaNikita at 7:00 PM on January 16, 2017 [3 favorites]

Picked the Air and Space Museum for being fairly close to L'Enfant Plaza and also the march starting point, because why not. We'll aim there early in the morning.
posted by sciatrix at 8:55 PM on January 16, 2017 [4 favorites]

Any other Michigan MeFites going? I'm looking to march behind the Michigan banner.
posted by MaritaCov at 6:07 AM on January 17, 2017

This might be a silly question but with the bag restriction, I'm guessing I should leave my DSLR at home. Is that a good plan?

Also for my Lutheran/Christian/hungry friends, The Lutheran Church of the Reformation will have a prayer service at 8 am and a continental breakfast starting at 7 am. It'll also serve as a gathering space for ELCA folks and, depending on when my bus gets into town, I'll try to head there.
posted by Stynxno at 6:24 AM on January 17, 2017 [2 favorites]

Can locals please comment on the merits of walking from RFK bus parking to the march start point?
posted by MonkeyToes at 9:30 AM on January 17, 2017 [1 favorite]

Regarding the Spotify playlist thing, my partner and I will be bringing a small portable Bluetooth speaker and probably a small digital camera the spouse is grabbing from the pawn shop where they work tomorrow. I would not bring a super fancy, expensive DSLR, personally, but a cheap digital camera sounds like a decent idea. Idea with the speaker is that if anyone around wherever we find ourselves would like to learn something off the Playlist, then at least we'll be prepared. Thanks to Sheydam-tants upthread for working out how to get lyrics on your phone if you want to have them downloaded ahead of time.

The playlist is a little bit of a work in progress; I'm still working through an Ask thread where I asked for suggestions and also rethinking some of my choices as I listen to it. (E.G., singing Masters of War at a protest actually sounds like it might be potentially dangerous, and that one is getting pruned; I need to find a better version of This Little Light of Mine; I added a few songs from musicals like Do You Hear the People Sing and The Story of Tonight from Hamilton on the theory people might know those; things like that. I'm happy to take feedback, because the problem with these lists is often that many of the songs don't work as well as folks hope on first blush and then they get super long and unwieldy and no one can learn anything well, so I'm going to be going at it with a fairly critical eye as soon as, well, I have some time to focus on it.

I wonder if you can do playlists in Genius where folks can just download all the lyrics in the playlist. That would be... convenient.
posted by sciatrix at 9:37 AM on January 17, 2017

From the women's march website, they say (addressing people with disabilities who may need to bail out) "there will be Metro exits at various locations throughout the route."

So, it sounds like they're planning to cordon off the whole route? I had been thinking they were only cordoning off the rally area, which would be a big project in itself, but does this mean the only place to enter the whole mile-long route is at the starting point?
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:16 AM on January 17, 2017

hello!! I and my non-metafilter friends will be there. I am not going to try and specifically meet up with any mefites, coordinating with the other people is hard enough. But! If you see me standing next to a very tall ginger and also a very short ginger, please say hello!
posted by FirstMateKate at 10:31 AM on January 17, 2017 [2 favorites]

Can locals please comment on the merits of walking from RFK bus parking to the march start point?

I used to live by RFK and made that walk for the 2008 and 2012 inaugurations. It's about 2.5 miles through a safe residential area. The Eastern Market area is on the way and the provides some choices for food, coffee or a bathroom break. If you don't have to make a pitstop, I'd walk on East Capitol St just because it's prettier and has less traffic than Independence Ave. Memail me if you have questions.
posted by peeedro at 10:48 AM on January 17, 2017 [6 favorites]

So, it sounds like they're planning to cordon off the whole route? I had been thinking they were only cordoning off the rally area, which would be a big project in itself, but does this mean the only place to enter the whole mile-long route is at the starting point?

I don't know but I think it would be pretty difficult to plan to cordon off a group of people that big. Thinking of other big events in DC, the Mall was cordoned off for the Obama inauguration but that was a large group of people that stood still for the most part. I think it was like New Year's in Times Square - once you enter, it was hard to leave and come back. I was at the Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert rally and I don't think it was cordoned off but I was mostly on the periphery. I participated in the March for Women's Lives ... 12 years ago? And since it was a march, it was somewhat cordoned off but if I wanted to leave, I could have easily. It was more like, the road was closed for the march so marchers were in the road and counter-protesters (not many but a non-zero number) were on the sidewalk standing still. I might have had to jump over or duck under some tape to exit but it would not have been an ordeal.

Personally, I'm inclined to plan to stay towards the edges of the march with my husband and baby in stroller in case baby needs to get out, husband or I need a bathroom or coffee, etc. I would be surprised if it was a situation where you could not come and go as you please.
posted by kat518 at 11:49 AM on January 17, 2017 [1 favorite]

It's very ~*marketplace feminism*~ but there's a pop-up shop in Adams Morgan with t-shirts, tote bags, etc. There are a nice variety of posters for a $5 suggested donation to Planned Parenthood.

It's also just a few blocks from The Potter's House, a local nonprofit cafe that just happens to make the best cortado in town.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 12:15 PM on January 17, 2017 [1 favorite]

Does anyone local have timing advice?

I'll be coming in on the Orange or Silver lines to Federal Center SW, and then walking to 3rd and Independence. This would normally be a 30 minute trip, but with the huge number of participants I have no idea what to expect in terms of how long it will actually take to arrive. Thoughts?
posted by the thought-fox at 2:32 PM on January 17, 2017

I think Firechat may have background drained my battery today.
posted by zennie at 4:07 PM on January 17, 2017 [1 favorite]

Metro is running a normal Saturday schedule, and the Washington Post points out (end of article) that level of service didn't cut it with the Stewart/Colbert rally, so expect crowded trains and crowded platforms.
posted by peeedro at 4:09 PM on January 17, 2017 [1 favorite]

I think Firechat may have background drained my battery today.

I had to uninstall it because it made my wifi keep dropping momentarily, even after I had signed out.
posted by amarynth at 4:54 PM on January 17, 2017

Thanks for the link, peeedro. This was very helpful:

I’ve heard from some people who are planning to walk from stations on the north side of the Mall, and I like that idea because of the crowding I anticipate at the south side stations. (The Red Zone barriers should be gone.) Even better: I heard from a group planning to walk in from Arlington County.

Might try to Metro in but then walk back to NoVa afterward!
posted by the thought-fox at 4:59 PM on January 17, 2017

My wife and I aren't great in crowds as big as the one expected, so we're not sure if we're marching and may just be staying on the periphery. But here are some tips!

Metro is operating on its usual Saturday schedule. Trains will be fewer, farther between, and much more crowded than anyone realizes. Reasonable people would expect Metro to increase service for a big event that's been planned in advance, but that's not how Metro works, sadly. That means a few things: be early, be patient, and have an alternate plan in case you can't get on a train or your train offloads short of your destination. If you're prone to anxiety attacks, be aware that platforms at stations may fill up in between trains, and station platforms downtown will definitely be crowded.

I'd assume that you should allow anywhere between a half hour and an hour just to get on a train at stations in the suburbs, and as others have said do not attempt to transfer. Stations downtown are pretty close together, so if you're planning to meet people you can pick somewhere that's convenient for all the lines involved (for instance, Metro Center, Gallery Place, and Archives are all pretty close to each other on the north side of the Mall, while everything but the Red line goes to l'Enfant Plaza on the south side; Union Station isn't far from the Capitol, though).

If you are parking at a Metro station you will need a SmarTrip card to pay for your parking. If you plan to ride Metro at all, just go ahead and get one when and where you can. They cost $10 and come preloaded with $8 worth of fare, and they work on Metrorail trains and buses. There are no longer paper fare cards for the Metrorail system, so if you've ordered a pass I think it will come in the form of a SmarTrip card with the pass loaded. There are supposed to be dispensers at every station, but they don't always work. If you encounter a broken dispenser, you should also be able to buy a SmarTrip card at CVS, Giant, or Safeway stores, but that's also not 100% reliable. Station managers may help you with a balky machine, but I wouldn't count on it. They also don't make change.

If you're staying somewhere close in, you may wish to take buses instead of the Metro. The Circulator can get you lots of places for a buck a trip; the 38B line basically traces the Orange line from Ballston (in Arlington County, VA) to Farragut Square (downtown DC); the S2/S4/S9, 52/54, and 70/79 will take you straight north (up 16th, 14th, and 7th Streets NW, respectively) and might substitute for the Green Line (for that matter the S* and 7* buses go all the way to Silver Spring, but that's a long, slow ride). If you have a SmarTrip card you get a discount if you transfer from the Metrorail system to the bus (or vice versa); buses take cash but don't give change and don't issue paper transfers. If you have to change buses without a SmarTrip card, you'll have to pay the cash fare again on the second bus.

It may also be worthwhile to make use of Capital Bikeshare to get around downtown, as there's a $2 single ride and an $8 24-hour pass. The first 30 minutes of each ride are included; you can (and should) take one-way trips, and if you get the 24-hour pass you just use the same credit card you used the first time and it will recognize you. Rides toward downtown are mostly downhill, and downtown itself is pretty flat. (Note: if you want to ride longer than 30 minutes, you can avoid extra charges by docking anywhere within the 30 minutes and then starting at new rental – even of the same bike you just docked).

Also distances aren't really that great in DC so it's reasonable to walk all the way from RFK or, say, Columbia Heights if transit breaks down completely. I have walked to the Mall on a previous inauguration day, and home from it on several occasions. I might take Bikeshare for that now because I can, but if the weather's nice walking isn't bad.
posted by fedward at 5:12 PM on January 17, 2017 [5 favorites]

I had to uninstall it because it made my wifi keep dropping momentarily

Oh THAT's what was doing it. Thanks. Bummer.
posted by Miko at 5:15 PM on January 17, 2017

Also I love Woolly and I'm glad they're opening their space, but their big lobby is two floors down under a big office building and there's no cell phone signal down there. There's a smaller lobby by the box office on street level, but once you go downstairs you'll be offline.
posted by fedward at 5:18 PM on January 17, 2017

Isn't Metro station parking free on the weekend?
posted by wintermind at 5:37 PM on January 17, 2017

Oh man, is it? I'm such a District Mouse. Well that's one thing you wouldn't need a SmarTrip card for, then.
posted by fedward at 5:41 PM on January 17, 2017 [2 favorites]

WMATA confirms it, free parking on federal holidays and weekends (under "Fees").
posted by wintermind at 5:54 PM on January 17, 2017 [1 favorite]

sciatrix, I hope this isn't a silly question, but if a guy showed up in the vicinity of Air & Space at about 8:00, how would he recognize the MeFites? I may have missed a post.
posted by wintermind at 5:58 PM on January 17, 2017

Aw, hell. You have not, I'm just distracted. Uhhh, I'll be wearing a rainbow flag as a cape and I'll photograph my sign ahead of time so you can see it's me?
posted by sciatrix at 6:24 PM on January 17, 2017 [2 favorites]

I think Firechat may have background drained my battery today.

Folks should definitely run experiments on this in advance, because it can vary per device. I found that it was just fine running in the background (with hourly check ins) on an older iPhone (used up 6% battery power in a 24 hour period ) but did ding battery life a bit on the iPod I tested it on. I had on bluetooth for both. I didn't get the WiFi drop issue.
posted by blue suede stockings at 7:36 PM on January 17, 2017 [1 favorite]

It may also be worthwhile to make use of Capital Bikeshare to get around downtown

FYI:

Stations within the security perimeter will be shut down for the event beginning after 12pm on January 18, 2017. This includes stations near the Capitol, National Mall, the White House and along the Inaugural Parade route on Pennsylvania Ave NW from the Capitol to the White House. A complete list of stations affected by the security perimeter is below. These stations will be offline and completely unavailable from 12pm on January 18 until January 21. Stations will come online on a rolling basis on Saturday, based on accessibility while the secure perimeter is being removed. Check Spotcycle before every trip for the most up-to-date information about station availability.

posted by peeedro at 7:44 PM on January 17, 2017

Can we talk about bags a little more? My everyday daily bag, now that I measure it, is actually about 11 x 7 x 4. "It's not worth the risk," right? Except I don't have a bag that fits within the absolute strictest standards, and I really can't afford to buy something, and yeah, I'm going to be that person who whines about the size limitations being slightly ridiculous.

And I'm having a REALLY hard time imagining that the limitations of 8 x 6 x 4 can be enforced down to the very inch for 200,000 people. I'm not bringing a separate bag for food, this is it.

Someone reassure me, please?
posted by desuetude at 9:21 PM on January 17, 2017

I don't know. 3 inches is a visible difference, and I genuinely do not know how nitpicky and careful they will be at the checkpoint. For me, because my everyday bag is always something I'm really picky about, something I am careful about making good quality, even if mine was closer to the limit I wouldn't risk having it confiscated because how would I afford to replace it?

I'm broke as crap too, and my current everyday bag is a ThinkGeek Purse of Holding so nowhere near the size guide anyway. So I bought a $12 bag at Ross and called it good. I might also look into something like a cheap fanny pack if you could manage that in your budget, or see if you can access one of the string backpack bag things that many of the buses are providing. Surely not everyone traveling from your city on one of them is intending to use theirs, and if you can ask on Facebook or something I bet you can access one.
posted by sciatrix at 3:18 AM on January 18, 2017

(I hear you, by the way. We're really too broke to be buying specific bags for this thing too. The only other thing I could think of was trying to thrift some cargo pants last minute so we'd have some damn room for a wallet and a metro pass. As it is this policy feels like a massive hardship for women specifically, since our clothes often have less place to stow essentials and we generally compensate with a bag large enough to carry a number of other useful things.

I'm really rather pissed off about it, to be honest. But it's not the March's fault; I choose to make this one more thing to be pissed at Trump about.)
posted by sciatrix at 3:27 AM on January 18, 2017 [1 favorite]

As it is this policy feels like a massive hardship for women specifically, since our clothes often have less place to stow essentials and we generally compensate with a bag large enough to carry a number of other useful things.

I was just telling a friend that I view this as not only targeting women, but especially mothers who are bringing their children to the march. A diaper can't even fit in a bag that size.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 5:37 AM on January 18, 2017 [1 favorite]

Except I don't have a bag that fits within the absolute strictest standards, and I really can't afford to buy something, and yeah, I'm going to be that person who whines about the size limitations being slightly ridiculous.

If you can get to a thrift store, Salvation Army, or Goodwill, you can find bags for $1-2 each (Army Navy stores are slightly more expensive). I'm erring on the side of total caution because the private security team hired for this is asking for NFL stadium style compliance (where 60,000-80,000 people in fact are screened routinely at similar choke points) and I have in fact been required to throw away "contraband" (like my entire bagged lunch of sealed food items) by federal property police in DC before passing through certain buildings and I don't want to have to choose, "it's your bag or you" at this thing. I have also seen women turning plastic cosmetic etc. bags from the Dollar Store, that sheet set bag they bought from Target last year, etc. into regulation shoulder bags by engineering ersatz straps and handles for them.

Given the very real risk of counter-protesters infiltrating and trying to start shite (with the goal of making us look violent under a false flag or provoking us into violence to defend our own) I'm not going to make this my fight for the day.

I was just telling a friend that I view this as not only targeting women, but especially mothers who are bringing their children to the march. A diaper can't even fit in a bag that size.

12x17x6 clear bags/backpacks are permitted now, thankfully. Having to purchase or engineer one if you didn't already own one isn't awesome at all, and I would have chipped into a fund to buy them for any women in my delegation who needed one for nursing/medical/etc. but found the cost prohibited.
posted by blue suede stockings at 5:46 AM on January 18, 2017 [1 favorite]

Clear backpacks are allowed if they are smaller than 12 in x 17 in. My son and I just DIY'd one out of a shower curtain liner, clear packing tape, and paracord since they are all sold out on amazon. I'm a white lady who made a literal invisible knapsack to take on a protest march! But yeah, these restrictions are super annoying. Par for the course in the highly regulated world of DC though.
posted by selfmedicating at 5:49 AM on January 18, 2017 [3 favorites]

Yeah, echoing sciatrix, I'm picky about my bags (both form and function) and I'm not enthused about spending even a small amount of money on something that is such a weird impractical size for me. I find anything with much less than a 10 inch opening pretty annoying to use, which is why I don't have a bag that fits the size requirements. Even my small Tom Bihn cafe bag is 10.6" x 8.2" x 2.9", so...no?

I'm erring on the side of total caution because the private security team hired for this is asking for NFL stadium style compliance (where 60,000-80,000 people in fact are screened routinely at similar choke points) and I have in fact been required to throw away "contraband" (like my entire bagged lunch of sealed food items) by federal property police in DC before passing through certain buildings

Guh. Thanks for the grim reality check. Guess I'll go do some shopping at lunch and see what I can rustle up.
posted by desuetude at 7:35 AM on January 18, 2017 [2 favorites]

Good news, Metro will be running on enhanced Saturday service.
posted by X-Himy at 9:33 AM on January 18, 2017 [3 favorites]

I'm good on the clear bag front, but I had ordered a new teeny-tiny bag for my 8x6x4 and it looks like it's gotten delayed in shipping and so will probably not show up today, and I leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow, and I am grumpy about it. I mean, it's fine, I'll just have to carry my Wonder Woman clutch instead, and it's not like that's off-message, but I'd have liked the longer shoulder strap.

Next time we have a protest, I'm gonna figure out how to sew pockets into the inside of hats, and then I am knitting secret-compartment-hats for all the MeFites who want them.
posted by Stacey at 9:43 AM on January 18, 2017 [3 favorites]

I am so happy Metro has made that part of my post wrong.
posted by fedward at 9:44 AM on January 18, 2017 [2 favorites]

The Post's transportation column might be helpful: Here’s what you need to know about the Women’s March on Washington
posted by peeedro at 10:49 AM on January 18, 2017 [2 favorites]

A local reporter is calling me in two hours for an interview about the march. I volunteered for this before my social anxiety could stop me. I'm going to spend the next two hours thinking of reasons why I'm marching that don't end in a helpless string of obscenities.
posted by Ruki at 11:22 AM on January 18, 2017 [4 favorites]

OKAYFINE I went to the surplus store and bought a bag for $4. It is a Belgian gas mask bag. If you smoosh it flat and measure the seams on the outside it is actually still a teeny bit larger than 8" x 6" x 4", (it's like 8-7/8" x 5-3/4" by 4") but it's somewhat funnel-shaped (obviously) and for the love of all that is good and holy if someone picks a fight about the dimensions I can surrender it.

I am super-relieved that the Metro is stepping up to enhanced Saturday service.
posted by desuetude at 12:16 PM on January 18, 2017 [2 favorites]

That Post article has the route, despite the fact it doesn't seem to be on the official web site yet:

The March route: The group will begin to walk from the gathering location around 1 p.m. and march west on Independence Avenue SW, from 3rd Street SW, to 14th Street SW; then will turn north on 14th Street SW to Constitution Avenue NW; and will march west on Constitution Avenue NW to 17th Street NW, near the Ellipse and Washington Monument, where the events will come an end.

So … how big is a crowd of a hundred thousand people? I half expect the crowd to stretch back to 14th before the marching even starts.
posted by fedward at 12:22 PM on January 18, 2017

Two hundred thousand people, fedward, on last report.

Incidentally, the Smithsonians actually do appear to be open on Friday at normal hours as far as I can tell, with the exception of American Indian. We.... we just nabbed tickets to go to the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture at 2:45. Just as Trump is speaking, I hope. It feels appropriate.

Anyway, we'll probably be at a different Smithsonian on Friday, or at least wandering through DC.
posted by sciatrix at 1:20 PM on January 18, 2017 [1 favorite]

200K is about what the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear got, and that filled the Mall pretty well.
posted by Etrigan at 1:23 PM on January 18, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm supposed to be going to the march with a friend. She's not feeling well right now. Hopefully it's a 24hr bug. So it might be two of us, or just me. I'll come alone if I have to. I'm not backing out.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 1:28 PM on January 18, 2017 [6 favorites]

Yeah, I've seen the 200,000 number, and I wasn't trying to discount it. In my head, if I know how big 100,000 people is, then it's easier to guess how big 200,000 is, or how to estimate the size of the crowd by how much space it takes.

FWIW the same firm was hired to estimate crowds at both the Glenn Beck rally (87K) and the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear (215K). If the 200K number is correct, the crowd should stretch back to the Smithsonian Castle, which is seven blocks, and almost half the length of the planned march.
posted by fedward at 1:42 PM on January 18, 2017 [1 favorite]

My two cents re: bags - if you can't get a clear bag, make it easy for security to check your bag by organizing the contents of your bag. As a classy lady, I frequently use Ziploc bags to sort my stuff - snacks in one, pens, lotion, tissues in another, etc. I'd try to take something that does not have a lot of pockets so a guy with a wand can easily pat it down and see that there isn't anything problematic. Hope that works!
posted by kat518 at 2:27 PM on January 18, 2017

And, using the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, THANK GOD they added Metro service, because I take the Orange Crush every day, even during SafeTrack, and that day still stands out in my mind.

I don't think I can repeat this enough: go early. Don't expect to be able to leave right after. Disperse, get a bite to eat (there's nothing near the Mall anyway, so walk a few blocks north or go to one of the afterparties!), then try to leave town. Transit, even with supplementary service, is going to be incredibly crowded, and they'll eventually throttle entry into the nearest stations once the platforms get past capacity.
posted by bowtiesarecool at 2:33 PM on January 18, 2017 [3 favorites]

Here is a link to lyrics for most of the tunes in sciatrix's Marching Solidarity playlist that aren't in Genius:

Marching Solidarity Playlist - Song Lyrics Not in Genius

If you'd like editing privileges, ping me and I'll add you.
posted by Sheydem-tants at 5:16 PM on January 18, 2017 [1 favorite]

What do you DC protest veterans think of planning to get to Shady Grove metro about 8 AM? Early enough?
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:02 PM on January 18, 2017

I just want to put this here because it's driving me crazy. There's this "warning" going around the Facebook organizing sites, as follows:

WOMEN'S MARCH AND ALL OTHER ACTION PROTESTORS BE ADVISED:
James O'Keefe, domestic terrorist and spreader of disinformation about repro justice groups, is trying to infiltrate groups planning to protest at the "coronation" and also groups planning to attend the Women's March. He produces secretly recorded undercover audio and video encounters, some selectively edited to imply its subjects said things they did not, with figures and workers in academic, governmental and social service organizations, purporting to show abusive or allegedly illegal behavior by employees and/or representatives of those organizations. He gained national attention for his video recordings of workers at ACORN offices in 2009, his arrest and guilty plea in 2010 for entering the federal office of then-U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) under false pretenses, and the release of videos of conversations with two high-ranking, now former, NPR executives in 2011.
*****PLEASE DO NOT FILL OUT ANY "SURVEY" YOU GET FROM "THE WOMEN'S MARCH" ABOUT YOUR WHEREABOUTS, WHO YOU ARE, WHAT METRO YOU ARE TAKING, ETC
INFO BELOW
"If you are planning any protests of the inauguration, please be aware that you may be a target of James O’Keefe operatives. If you have spoken to anyone from 'Breakthrough Development Group', this is an O’Keefe front.
If you are working with Disrupt J20 specifically, you are being targeted by O’Keefe. He is apparently trying to get progressives to incite violence.
There will be moles in your campaigns. PLEASE make sure to vet your volunteers."
Note: Please copy / paste this as a status, rather than sharing it. You'll get better display through the FB algorithm.

I am pretty certain this is a disinformation campaign. There IS a legitimate women's march survey, Operation Headcount, which collects no personal data other than contact info if you want to add it. That survey is being used to estimate attendance, show the need for enhanced Metro service, security, etc. And this O'Keefe warning undermines that planning effort.

It IS also clear to me that O'Keefe, among others, are attempting to confuse, disorient, and generally fuck with the march and other protests, including Disrupt J20 today. But instead of being opposition to that, I feel pretty sure this message is PART of that - a way to sow confusion and reduce the March organizers' work to be best prepared.

Snopes on the topic.
posted by Miko at 5:24 AM on January 19, 2017 [4 favorites]

Hey locals! We've had an addition to our party and are looking for a walgreens/cvs/etc around the Franconia/Springfield metro station where we could possibly buy another metro day pass? Thanks!
posted by FirstMateKate at 5:33 AM on January 19, 2017

There are a bunch of CVSs in the area.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 6:47 AM on January 19, 2017

Update to a link I posted upthread, there are now 125+ local bars & restaurants giving proceeds to organizations like NARAL and Collective Action for Safe Spaces. Check the list before deciding where to eat while you're here!
posted by everybody had matching towels at 7:25 AM on January 19, 2017 [5 favorites]

Thanks Miko, for mentioning that. The scare message started circulating within 12 hours or so of the legit survey going out and it is exactly what lowlifes like O'Keefe and company would try to strain logistics.
posted by blue suede stockings at 9:44 AM on January 19, 2017 [2 favorites]

For any of you visiting who will have to purchase Smartrip cards you won't need again:

Doorways for Women and Families

Coming to the Washington, D.C. area for inauguration weekend? Hosting visitors from out of town? Consider donating your WMATA Metro SmarTrip cards to Doorways afterward. Our clients—many of whom don't have cars—use these cards to get to work, appointments, stores and more. You can mail your SmarTrip card to Doorways at PO Box 100185, Arlington, VA 22210. Thank you for your support!

posted by phearlez at 10:51 AM on January 19, 2017 [7 favorites]

I posted this in the MeTa as well but I saw people are writing names on signs for people who can't come so they can protest symbolically; if someone who is marching in DC would be willing to put my daughter's name on their sign I would be very grateful.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 12:52 PM on January 19, 2017

Ok. My maybe is now a definite yes. Plus one! See you all soon!
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 12:57 PM on January 19, 2017 [2 favorites]

So KidRuki and I are attending Friday night service at the 6th and I synagogue. We'll be done by 8:30, so if anyone is going to be in DC Friday night, we're down for meeting up.
posted by Ruki at 3:50 PM on January 19, 2017

Is anyone planning to leave from New York Friday evening or Saturday? I would love to join. Thanks!
posted by vert canard at 4:48 PM on January 19, 2017

So, awesome. My housing situation just went to shit. I am standing on an Alexandria sidewalk with my spouse working out a plan. Anyone have room for two more people unexpectedly?
posted by sciatrix at 5:20 PM on January 19, 2017

I am assuming you would like a better plan than "haul ass to DC to share a king bed with someone who has sleep apnea and didn't bring her CPAP because she wasn't planning on having bed buddies", but if no better plan emerges for you, I do in fact have this king hotel room all to myself in Glover Park. MeMail me or hit me up on Twitter or FireChat if needed.
posted by Stacey at 7:11 PM on January 19, 2017 [2 favorites]

It's going to be okay. I have a spot for the weekend, my partners' and my stuff, a way to get to the march, and a smoking hole where my relationship with my grandmother used to be. But I'm safe now.

God, I love all of you.
posted by sciatrix at 7:52 PM on January 19, 2017 [4 favorites]

Late to the party, but I just decided that when I look back on this twenty years from now I'm going to regret that I decided to sit on my couch all weekend instead of showing up for what matters to me.

I'm not marching with anyone in particular, so I thought I'd meet up with the Metafilter contingent, but after making my way through this thread it looks like...there isn't one? Should I switch to FireChat?

I'm coming in from Virginia on the orange line. Can meet up wherever. I live in New York so no particular fears about making my way through massively overcrowded public transit systems.
posted by unannihilated at 7:24 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]

I posted this in the MeTa as well but I saw people are writing names on signs for people who can't come so they can protest symbolically; if someone who is marching in DC would be willing to put my daughter's name on their sign I would be very grateful.

Is it okay if I put [first name] Pterodactyl?
posted by kat518 at 7:58 AM on January 20, 2017

So, I have given myself permission not to attend the March. I'll deal with the regret later, but I'm absolutely done vacillating.

I'm in Northern Virginia. If anyone from out of town finds themselves in trouble and need a place to crash tomorrow night, I will be monitoring firechat but you can also memail me.

In fact, if anyone gets detained and misses their transportation back I could accommodate you after Saturday as well.

Details: Queen bed, lots of floor space, walkout deck if you need to smoke, parking spot. V. close to buses to Metro.

Allergy alert: I have cats, but one's invisible and the other is working on it. I'm also not so hot with the housekeeping in the last couple of months; the basement is vacuumed and the sheets are clean!

I can't promise I'll be the hostess with the mostess due to anxiety issues but I can offer you a safe place to crash.
posted by ezust at 8:44 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]

Is it okay if I put [first name] Pterodactyl?

Oh yes absolutely, thank you!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]

Ezust, I'll put your name on my sign if you want! Message me if you'd like me to.

I'm in Northern VA too and we also have a guest room and would also welcome people who need to crash if previous plans fall through. We're 2mi from the Weihle metro, so message me if needed. No smoking please, and we have a yippy chihuahua.
posted by selfmedicating at 9:57 AM on January 20, 2017 [2 favorites]

If anybody has the FireChat info please message it to me, I'm thinking I should probably get that set up.
posted by selfmedicating at 11:05 AM on January 20, 2017

Just checked into the hotel in Fredericksburg. We still marching together? Will someone have a MeFi sign or something?
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 4:15 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]

Come chat up either the short chick with the rainbow flag cape over a black peacoat sitting under the sculpture on the Independence St entry to the Air and Space Museum... Or, uh, if we run late and have trouble getting there by 8am sharp (likely), I guess just look around and see who looks awkward and uncomfortable and go ask them if they're here to march with Metafilter.
posted by sciatrix at 4:25 PM on January 20, 2017

I put a photo on the Firechat but can't load it here until I get some damn WiFi...
posted by sciatrix at 4:25 PM on January 20, 2017

I'll be there after all! I'l echo ezust's invitation--if you find yourself in a jam, without lodging, tomorrow night, we may be able to accommodate you. We're in the Maryland suburbs, but metro-accessible.
posted by duffell at 4:59 PM on January 20, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'll be there tomorrow, but my first job is playing the city-savvy guide for my mom and three of her senior center Zumba buddies. So I can't make any meetup because I'm playing escort; but I'm a beardy guy and will be wearing a black Gilligan hat with pink felt ears sew on, so if you see me please say hi.
posted by peeedro at 8:34 PM on January 20, 2017

Has anyone had trouble registering for a SmartTrip account online? I have an old SmartTrip card and am trying to create an account to check its balance and possibly refill it, but after an hour (and multiple "resend" attempts), I haven't gotten my account creation confirmation email.
posted by rmannion at 8:38 PM on January 20, 2017

On my way down toward smithsonian - not sure I'll make it by 8 but hopefully close! I'm in a bright orange jacket and my sign says "protect human rights".
posted by capricorn at 4:35 AM on January 21, 2017

All right, y'all! I'm on my way to the metro now, dressed in a blue plaid flannel shirt and wearing a rainbow flag as a cape. My flag is pinned in place with a button pin that says WHAT YOU DO MATTERS. We're going to sit by the sculpture in front of the Air and Space Museum steps as soon as we can and from there we will just chill until folks can get here with us. If you get there earlier than we can, good luck to you!
posted by sciatrix at 4:36 AM on January 21, 2017

We are on the way. Probably get to Smithsonian a little after 8:30? Plz update thread if y'all move on.
posted by zennie at 5:01 AM on January 21, 2017

I am at the sculpture! (Independence Ave side)
posted by capricorn at 5:11 AM on January 21, 2017

On our way; I'll be the one in the pink sweater with black-and-white kitties on lily pads.
posted by aspersioncast at 5:24 AM on January 21, 2017

We're marching now in London and it's glorious. Love and solidarity to y'all in DC xx
posted by freya_lamb at 5:32 AM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]

Hey, so, not sure if my FireChat is not working or not, but I asked a couple times about when/where for the meetup and didn't get a response. I think I missed it in this thread if it's here...
posted by unannihilated at 5:44 AM on January 21, 2017

FireChat's been acting up on my end. I can't see any activity in the channel anymore.
posted by rmannion at 5:52 AM on January 21, 2017

Follow the music! That's us.
posted by sciatrix at 6:03 AM on January 21, 2017

I'm finding FireChat buggy as shit. I'm waiting in enormous crowd to catch a Metro at Pentagon City (blue/yellow line). I think I'll get into the march area by 11. If any MeFites want to connect to march together, MeMail me for phone numbers!
posted by unannihilated at 6:56 AM on January 21, 2017

unannihilated, are many people taking to foot with you?
posted by ezust at 7:13 AM on January 21, 2017

Just me by my lonesome...saw other people leaving the station but not sure what they did.
posted by unannihilated at 7:51 AM on January 21, 2017

Hitting DC now...anyone around I can join up with? Getting nothing on FireChat.
posted by unannihilated at 8:05 AM on January 21, 2017

Nonasuch and I are headed to Fantom now, should anyone wish to join us.
posted by sciatrix at 1:20 PM on January 21, 2017

My wife and I had to bow out early due to feet and backs, but it was a great march.
posted by biogeo at 1:28 PM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]

I was there yesterday and today. Way more people today. Incredible.
posted by glaucon at 1:53 PM on January 21, 2017

biogeo is being too modest...managed to meet up with him and his wife and we were out for several hours! Great march!
posted by unannihilated at 3:47 PM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]

Just got back. INCREDIBLE. Wait'll y'all see the news coverage. We got to the bastards.
posted by Miko at 4:22 PM on January 21, 2017 [3 favorites]

Did Firechat actually work for anyone? It kept on prompting me to install the ANT Radio Service on my phone (Galaxy Note 4) which is already installed. And then when I tried to skip that installation, it yelled at me for not having it installed, saying that Firechat wouldn't work properly. I just ignored the warning, but I found that Firechat was impossible to use when I was in the thick of the DC marchers (three blocks south of the main stage at Independence and 7th). Couldn't search for any groups and I was only able to see notifications that "someone is using Firechat near you" which was nice, but not helpful. Not sure if it was because of the ANT thing or if something else was the issue.
posted by longdaysjourney at 5:03 PM on January 21, 2017

Just got back from DC, incredible turnout, surprisingly enough Michael Moore gave one of my favorite speeches of the day. including having the crowd memorize the number to reach their congressional officials. 202-225-2131
posted by matrixclown at 5:05 PM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]

Interesting comment from a National Guardsman doing traffic duty near D.C.'s Guard HQ: (paraphrased, but he delivered this with a big grin): "This day, wow, there's such a good vibe, everybody's so happy! Not like yesterday. Today is great!" Every NG I saw was both polite and efficient.

And you locals? Thanks for the welcoming signs in your windows and on your fences; thanks for sitting on your front steps with your adorably pink-hatted babies and waving; thanks for your hospitality.
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:26 PM on January 21, 2017 [5 favorites]

Firechat got really buggy for me too, it kept turning my Bluetooth and WiFi on and off so half the time I wasn't getting any messages. Coupled with the lack of actual data service and I couldn't keep up with mefites until the marching actually started. It was wonderful knowing you all were out there though!
posted by numaner at 6:38 PM on January 21, 2017

So good to meet and march with everyone! afiendishthingy and I got lost in the crowd but I hope you all enjoyed the rest of the march and post-march activities.

I am ready to fight.
posted by capricorn at 6:57 PM on January 21, 2017 [4 favorites]

Yes, it was lovely to rally with mefites, to march with capricorn, and to unexpectedly run into duffel on my way home this evening.

Thanks to all who came all the way to DC to join us here! If you ever want to come back for future rallies, you are welcome on my air mattress.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 7:03 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]

I wound up going with a work friend and his wife and it was pretty clear that meeting anyone actually down there was way out of the cards. But wow, what a day! We marched together in spirit ❤
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:04 PM on January 21, 2017

FireChat was buggy but somewhat usable for me. Helped us meet up with unannihilated which was great! Was great to know you all were in the crowd too even if we didn't get to meet up.
posted by biogeo at 7:08 PM on January 21, 2017

It was usable but very very buggy for me. *cracks back* oh, I am going to be so delighted to sleep tonight.
posted by sciatrix at 8:13 PM on January 21, 2017

I had a few exchanges on FireChat but when I got to the steps I couldn't raise anyone. I don't know if it was the fault of the app or if everyone had left by 10.

photo with hat and sign
posted by irisclara at 8:57 PM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]

I was getting firechat messages through the first few hours of the march, but spotty to nonexistent later in the afternoon. We were in a sea of people on 4th Street near the mall and couldn't get anywhere near the rally stage. I could barely see the Jumbotron. We walked slowly around the perimeter of the mall and left around 4:30, completely exhausted but totally elated. We fell on plates of Salvadoran food in Silver Spring.

(We were staying with my partner's extended family, and one cousin said he'd meet us at the march. Turns out he got down there at 6am and had a spot right in front of the stage, and he heard all the speakers. He couldn't leave to eat or drink or pee, so there's that. But listening to them did blow his mind wide open. He's a fairly high functioning guy on the scale, super smart but not great with personal interaction. And apparently he'd never thought about feminism or women's issues before. That was pretty cool.)
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 6:16 AM on January 22, 2017 [4 favorites]

Great march all! I'm teaching the 5th graders at my UU church today. The subject is Women in the Bible and for our hands-on activity we'll make postcards to send to our senators, as suggested by the march organizers. I'm very happy to have such a tangible example of a big movement led by women to discuss with the kids.
posted by selfmedicating at 7:45 AM on January 22, 2017

Signal worked really, really well for our 50+ team of marshalls in Raleigh. I didn't know there was a group function which was really handy. People would message all of the group with info like, Hey we have hecklers at intersection X and Y. send more teams. Then we'd see Team 12 on the way, Team 22 on the way, etc.

We didn't use firechat at all.

It was fantastic to have a way to communicate with each other, especially when our anticipated crowd of 7k grew to over 20k.
posted by yoga at 8:20 AM on January 22, 2017 [4 favorites]

It seemed to us that Firechat private messages were going through better than chatroom messages or texts. I was able to send my spouse a Firechat message when phones were not useful for anything else (mid afternoon in DC), but our group's chatroom experience with it was not great. This may have just been its first really big test, but it did not do noticeably better than group texts (neither one was working most of the day). There was no phone or internet possible at all.
posted by hydropsyche at 8:32 AM on January 22, 2017

Hey, wonder if any dc area MeFites can help me out? If anyone is able to grab 2 copies of the Post today for me, with the march report, and send them my way, I can reimburse you for papers and postage and add a little lagniappe too. PM me if you might be willing! My mom and her friend, who went with me, would love them.
posted by Miko at 9:16 AM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]

I didn't meet any MeFites – was too busy tracking down my IRL friends – but it was an amazing time. At one point, we found ourselves in an intersection, and there were throngs of people in all four directions, as far as the eye could see. (This was after DC "canceled" the march due to the incredible number of demonstrators. Some folks obeyed and went home. Many did not.)

I was amazed at the lack of visible police presence – I saw a lone National Guardsman outside a Humvee, and a handful of police here and there in cruisers or on motorcycles (lone or in pairs), but little more than that. Almost as much as anything else about the day, I was immensely gratified to see half a million people gathered in one place, under trying circumstances, with scarcely any security – and no violence whatsoever. (I heard that there were four arrests, but I also saw another source which said there were none. Either way: fantastic.)

At one point, we turned down a side street, and found that it was a dead end – which led right up to the fence around the South Lawn. The White House was maybe two hundred feet away, with nothing but a chain link fence keeping protesters off the Lawn.

Turns out that we were only able to access this area because protesters had removed a barricade. Just as we were leaving (because it was a dead end, not because we cared that we weren't supposed to be there), they sent in a small column of police (in cruisers) and National Guardsmen (in large armored trucks, wearing BDUs and helmets) to flush everyone out. I didn't see exactly how that went down, but I assume they just said "hey everybody, GTFO", and everybody was like "OK".

This video (Facebook link) gives a good sense for the sheer scale of the thing.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 11:19 AM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]

Post-march update.

A hate group--very similar in appearance, rhetoric, and methodology to Westboro Baptist Church, but seemingly unaffiliated--has been making their way around Washington, DC this weekend. They visited the Islamic Center of Washington to spread their hate (tw: everything horrible ever), swung by Comet Ping Pong (of pizzagate fame) to just be generally horrifying, and set up shop at the Women's March, between 7th and 6th on Independence.

Well, this morning they showed up at my church in downtown DC. My church that welcomes, accepts, affirms, and loves our LGBTQ brothers and sisters as they are, with joy and open arms, and without condition or reservation. My baptist church that has just called a lesbian couple to serve as co-pastors. This group stormed our sanctuary, telling us that God stood for hate, and that hate was directed at us--because we have committed the "sin" of love.

After eventually exiting our sanctuary, these men and women lined up on the sidewalk outside our church, shouting every vile, racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, and generally filthy, hateful invective imaginable. They hurled abuse at children who entered our doors. They did this in the name of God.

We stood in front of our church doors, a dozen or so of us. We held hands. We prayed; we sang. We welcomed those who came in love. We hugged our friends as they passed the hateful crowd and made their way up the steps to us.

And later that day, as we met for our annual business meeting, we voted to join the sanctuary church movement.
posted by duffell at 4:13 PM on January 22, 2017 [11 favorites]

Oh, and one of the guys on the loudspeaker was wearing a Make America Great Again hat.
posted by duffell at 5:22 PM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm not sure, but I think Michael Moore gave out the wrong phone number. The Capitol switchboard for Congress is 202-224-3121.
posted by zennie at 6:18 PM on January 22, 2017

This House webpage lists the "225" number in the FAQ, but "224" in the contact info footer. I just tried calling both. 224 seems to be an automated system, and 225 is a live operator.
posted by duffell at 6:23 PM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]

Aha. Thanks. The 225 must be the one I never get through on. :)
posted by zennie at 7:40 PM on January 22, 2017

I didn't see ANY security screening procedures anywhere. Were there any for those of you who got somewhere close to the actual rally with speeches? My friends took my advice and stuffed their things into their pockets because their bags were a little too big (one of us accidentally leaving her cell phone in the car in the process) and it was totally unnecessary.
posted by desuetude at 11:56 AM on January 23, 2017 [1 favorite]

Nope - I went to lengths to comply with the restrictions as did everyone in my group, and we never saw a single checkpoint.
posted by Miko at 12:24 PM on January 23, 2017

Thinking in our group is/was that the restrictions were imposed by the march in an effort not to have to screen because there were just too many people to effectively check. Realistically, where were they going to set up checkpoints and when? The Mall was pouring with people by 7am.
posted by sciatrix at 1:01 PM on January 23, 2017 [1 favorite]

This House webpage lists the "225" number in the FAQ, but "224" in the contact info footer. I just tried calling both. 224 seems to be an automated system, and 225 is a live operator.

At least it isn't a sandwich shop...
posted by capricorn at 1:46 PM on January 23, 2017 [1 favorite]

Finally got back home this afternoon. It was awesome. It was great to meet up with some wonderful Mefites even if we eventually got lost in the crowd. I still can't even get my brain around the true size of the crowd.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 5:46 PM on January 23, 2017 [1 favorite]

I know it's late to respond, but I've been crazy traveling since the march. Thanks so much for setting up the FireChat, EVM -- while not perfect, it was pretty useful, informative, and fun (and now deleted. And thanks to everyone sharing their stories throughout; my major takeaway from this event is that there are SO many people who feel similar to how I do and that means a lot. Hope to meet you all next time.
posted by armacy at 6:20 AM on January 24, 2017 [2 favorites]

I was enjoying FireChat the night before and early in the morning on Saturday, but the application got increasingly unstable for me, to the point of being basically impossible. Hopefully this stress test gave the app developers some valuable data, though!
posted by desuetude at 10:30 AM on January 24, 2017

At least it isn't a sandwich shop...

I got lunch at Bub and Pop's today (mmmm … roast pork and broccoli rabe). There was a single TV camera there filming Arlene when I got there. She said they were still getting calls, but today was not as crazy as yesterday. They really don't deserve those calls.
posted by fedward at 11:28 AM on January 24, 2017