Im goin to DC this weekend for a protest...how wuld i avoid bein arrested?

Question

I reserved a seat on a bus goin to DC this weekend for a protest against bush. Its been finalized, and i really wanna go. I protested here in my hometown for the impeachment of bush, and there was no problems w/ anythin but da weather. a couple of my friends warned me that i might get arrested, but 1st ammendment states freedom of religion n free speech. i kno we loosin that right w bush in office, but w/o protestin nobody will eva kno da truth, n da war will continue till sh!t gets outta hand! i kno these protests always go on, n nobody from our group eva got arrested, but its my first time protestin in DC. I need to protest, but how do i ensure that i wnt be arrested...i neva had any problem like dat b4, n i neva been arrested or had any kinda charge, i aint neva violent...im prolly just gonna b 1 of da thousands protestin, n im prolly just gonna be holdin signs or nuthin...not like some of them radicals who get pumped n violent. Can they arrest thousands of ppl for dis? lemme kno..

Answer 1

Quite simple actually. Don't do anything illegal, don't be around anyone doing anything illegal, and obey the requests of police/security. A big rule that a lot of protesters tend to break is trespassing. Make sure that, whatever you are doing, it is on PUBLIC property, and no, this doesn't include the White House lawn.

Answer 2

If the protest turns violent, and you're in the vicinity, you would be guilty by association. It doesn't matter WHO'S president.
If you want to avoid getting arrested, don't go to the protest.
Since you probably can't do that (can't use proper English either, from the looks of it), if it starts turning violent or super rowdy, GET OUT OF THERE. And QUICKLY! Make sure you always have your eye on an exit. Otherwise, you will get caught up in it, and at worst, you could be hurt. Or you could be arrested (but they wouldn't book you unless it was obvious you had taken part in the violence.).

Answer 3

The best way not to get arrested is to not do anything illegal. Don't throw rocks, bottles or try to fight with the police. If you are told to move on or change locations, do it. Don't block streets or sidewalks. Keep your protest what it is, a protest. Free speech doesn't include cursing, threats or flipping cars over. If you act like you are standing in your mother's living room while doing it - you should be okay. So will the cops.

Answer 4

There will always be dangers to dissenting against a govt in power The more autocratic and secretive the govt is the more likely they will want to quell dissent.
Part of that is to instill fear in the citizens that bad things will happen if they come out to protest policies. It is not against their morals to send in spies in to the protestors group to instigate violence and misbehaviour.

"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people." -
-- Martin Luther King Jr.

.... even peaceful protesters can be arrested for "refusing to disperse. ...