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50501 is a nationwide movement of Americans standing for democracy against the GOP Administration's undemocratic vices by protesting across 50 states to demand upholding the Constitution and end executive overreach

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How Kid-Friendly should I expect the DC protest on April 5 to be? (50501.chat)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I live ~30 minutes outside DC and am planning on attending the protest on April 5. I have a 3yo and 5yo and would like to bring them, but I'm a bit nervous that might be a bad idea.

Anyone here involved in planning or know more details that can give me some advice on how kid-friendly the event might be?

For context, I've been attending political protests since my first in 2003 (against the invasion of Iraq....man do I feel old). I've been to some huge, heavily marketed events like the Women's March in 2017 or the various Marches for Science which I felt would be perfectly kid-friendly. I've also been to some heavily marketed events (a lot in 2020) which I absolutely would NOT want to bring a small child to.

Obviously, if I bring my kids I'm not going to be getting into much more than holding a sign and sticking to the less rowdy parts of the crowd. If things look like it's heating up a bit, my family and I will be out right away. But if this event seems like it might not have a great vibe for kids, I might think about taking them to a smaller event in Frederick or Annapolis instead.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago (6 children)

I'm not worried about them getting lost. I know how to keep track of my kids in a large crowd pretty well. And my wife will be there, too. We'll have child carrying harnesses so the kids can ride strapped onto our back if they don't want to walk anymore. My concern is about the intended atmosphere of the event.

Also, as someone who never saw my parents engage in politics beyond voting, and barely even ever heard them speak about politics, I think it's important for kids to see their parents engaging in politics, even if they don't really understand what's going on. It shows them that it's not only OK, but encouraged to form and act on their own political ideas. It opens them up to discussing political issues when they get old enough to, and shows them that politics isn't just something for the ruling elite.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (3 children)

That's fair. Maybe they'll remember this event and seek it out.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

My older (5 yo) has already attended a couple of protests at Tesla dealerships over the past couple months. When she was less than 1 year old she went along with my wife and I aas we did mutual aid supply drops at various events during the 2020 uprising.

The younger (3 yo) hasn't been to a protest yet. This will be her first. Suffice it to say, though, this will not be the last either one attends.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

You sound like an awesome parent.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 weeks ago

Thanks! I try to be one, although I'm sure there's plenty I could improve upon.

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