Friday might be one of the biggest days in the complicated life of President-elect Donald Trump. He will officially be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. He can do a little dance, make a little love... generally get down that night. But Saturday is the day millions of women across the country are really gearing up for. That will be the Day of the Woman, the day protesters will march on Washington to let Trump know we are watching him. As people diligently prepare for Saturday, many are wondering about security and if you can bring a backpack to the Women's March. Because it's going to be a long, emotional, historically significant day, so, naturally, you'll need to pack snacks.
If you are planning to join the hundreds of thousands of activists set to march on Washington at 10 a.m. Saturday, you might want to do a little research. Because not just any old backpack will be allowed, due to size restraints and safety concerns. If you would prefer not to have your bag searched by security, get you a clear backpack no bigger than 17in by 12in by 6in. Worried you won't be able to find a clear backpack? Get creative!
Backpacks are clearly (get it?) going to be a necessity on Saturday, as well over 200,000 protesters plan to descend on the nation's capital with one common goal: to make sure ALL voices are heard. As the Women's March website states in its mission:
In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.
So what will you need to put in your backpack?
- Your fully-charged phone, so you can snap pictures of celebrities like Amy Schumer, Rufus Wainwright, Cher, Scarlett Johansson, Olivia Wilde, and Katy Perry, to name just a few. You might also want to capture some of the speakers who are set to talk to the crowd, like Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, filmmaker Michael Moore, and Ilyasah Shabazz, Malcolm X's daughter.
- Your wallet, because there will be some pretty amazing food trucks, also it's just always smart to bring your wallet.
- Water
- Sunglasses/sunscreen for a day outside
- Moms might want to bring a breast pump (although there will be areas arranged for breastfeeding mothers, of course, and D.C. law states women must be allowed to breastfeed publicly without being legally reprimanded).
On top of your new, trusty clear backpack, there are other essential items to consider. Comfortable shoes are important, as are warm layers. D.C. in January isn't precisely the tropics, after all, even if it will be slightly warmer than usual. Be careful not to pack anything that could be seen as a weapon, and pay attention to regulations regarding flags and posters (found on the handy FAQ page of the Women's March website, along with transportation guides, etc).
And not to get too icky, but don't forget to pack your belief in the power of peaceful activism. Because that's the whole damn point.
