Safety at March for Life

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Loud-living-dogma

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Not sure what the best topic is for this!
Is anyone very familiar with the March for Life, and the safety of the March? I’m concerned about the counter-protestors, and what they might do.
  1. Are the streets closed to all vehicle traffic?
  2. I have read that counter-protestors have been known to spit on the pro-life folks. Any experience of that?
  3. Has the “antifa” group been there in the past?
  4. Do the counter-protestors shout vulgarities?
  5. Are the spectators / counter-protestors screened for weapons?
    I appreciate any thoughts / comments. I have a teen family member who wants to attend, and we are trying to to find out as much as we can.
 
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When I attended, I spent the entire march in front of the US Supreme Court (where the final speeches/etc would take place. There were maybe a dozen counter protesters, they had kids with them, they were nice people, I chatted with them.
 
About traffic, that morning on the local news commuters were reminded about the street closings for the March and given alternate routes.
 
Can I ask what year that was? I’m afraid of counter-protestors being extra ramped up due to Trump, SCOTUS, etc.
 
It was maybe 2011ish.

The counter protests at Life Chain and 40 Days for life were far more “in your face” with spitting, people throwing drinks, etc.
 
My friend’s daughter and family live near DC. She takes her young children on the march every year. This year the children are ages 3 and 6. She has never had a problem. Many teens participate in the march.
 
Loud-living-dogma said:
I have a teen family member who wants to attend, and we are trying to to find out as much as we can.
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A teen should not attend on her own. Find a local parish who is taking a group and go with them. The parishes who go tend to go every year so the Youth Director can tell you what it was like last year.
 
Large protests in DC are generally pretty safe. They are well policed. If you see trouble breaking out, just move away from it. I agree that if a person is a teenager or is not familiar with DC or how to handle themselves in a protest/ crowd situation then they need to go with a parish group, of which there are many. Churches and the Newman Center around here send busloads every year to the March.

I would be more concerned about safety at post-march socialization activities because after these big events is when people tend to go wandering around the city to restaurants and bars. It is fine for those familiar with the city, but a young person on their own might not be aware/ knowledgable/ careful of where to go. Again this is mitigated by going with a group that usually has a set agenda and other people to go with if there’s time to visit a restaurant, etc. after.
 
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I’m not in the US, but this isn’t the type of thing that would typically attract the attention of Antifa. Unless there is a clearly racist element going then there’s really no reason for Antifa to show up.

I also wouldn’t be overly concerned about violence if Antifa do turn up, in the UK at least they tend to use humour not violence.
 
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Antifa in US has been violent, but for this particular type event I agree they are unlikely to show up.

The March for Life has been going on for years, the security is well established, and the event isn’t particularly associated with Donald Trump.
 
I went to the March for Life when VP Pence spoke. Probably due to his presence, there was a lot of security at the Washington Monument for the rally. During the actual March, I felt very little presence of hate. The marchers are such a lively and loving crowd that we tend to disarm the negative nannies.

I’m sure your diocese has a group or several groups going to the March. Any of the groups with teens going are well scheduled with appropriate activities, such as meeting with your states Senators and Representatives. All of the DC area diocese sponsor some type of pre and post events. I know for my diocese, we have a post-march concert at a Crystal City hotel ballroom and the next day, they tour the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the JPII Shrine with Mass at one of those venues.
 
There’re protester spouting anti-whatever. You have to be a little thick-skinned but the police presence at the West Coast Walk for Life was very impressive. The first Walks 10 or so years ago were somewhat more volatile and crude.
 
I went in 2014 with my teenage daughter and her youth group. St. Louis Archdiocese sends 20 busses each year filled with kids and their chaperones. We were there for several days, not just the march, and got to do some sightseeing too. I loved the experience, and I’m not normally a protester type person. I didn’t see any counter protesters. I just saw a sea of pro-lifers! If you aren’t comfortable letting your teenager go along volunteer to chaperone. My daughter went again in 2016 with the same group, but I stayed home.
 
Security is very good and the police are with you on the streets. Indeed, if an argument breaks out, police come close to monitor the situation and remind everyone to be civil.
 
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