“My BIL and family are going to DC not for the march but the inauguration. UGH. But they want ds2, a DC college student, to drive them around on the 21st. Is it going to be a nightmare to get them around to see the sights? They’re renting a car, but I fear it will be a mess and not the best day to see the Mall, etc. Any tips?”
Yes, it will be a total mess. Tell them to just stay home completely and skip the inauguration. 
>:)
@CountingDown That will be a terrible day to drive around, as many streets will be closed and I’m positive there will be nowhere to park. I don’t know how many they are expecting at the actual inauguration, or if they have a website for tips, but I would imagine the info would be similar to what they are suggesting for the march.
If somebody is planning to do sightseeing in a car on the 21st, I would suggest that they look at sights that aren’t in downtown DC–like maybe the Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington Cemetary, etc. Driving downtown, especially near the monuments and museums, is likely to be very difficult.
@Youdon’tsay, I would assume anything within 10 blocks of the Mall will be closed to traffic. Air & Space out near Dulles Airport is fun and out of the way of traffic. If they are staying near the Mall and are willing to walk, they could hit the museums, but expect long lines to get through security.
That does it. I’m calling my SIL and making sure she knows. Thanks.
My son is a senior in high school and his political science class is going to DC for the inauguration (they had to commit to the trip prior to learning who the president-elect was). They are flying in early Thursday and flying home Sunday evening. They may have the option of attending the March on Saturday or doing other sightseeing…not sure yet.
I am pleased to see the moderate temps in the low 50s, but not happy with the growing chance of rain. What is your plan to deal with rain? I am sure no umbrellas are allowed. How are the disposable ponchos? If no backpack or bag is allowed, they are really limited to what they can carry.
For Friday, they were already told they will need to load their pockets with snacks for the day since getting food will be impossible. They will be leaving the hotel at 5:30am and not leaving the area until after the parade.
How about dealing with the rain while sightseeing? Are umbrellas or backpacks allowed then? What if they plan on going to the museums on Saturday?
My son did a similar trip four years ago. His teacher was a GOP elector. Ouch for him.
uwalummom:
Since I do a lot of traveling, I already have a very light weight ankle length raincoat with hood that folds up either into the pocket of my wool coat or a small crossbody bag. It fits over a winter coat if need be. If I didn’t have that, I’d pack a large heavy weight trash bag. Maybe two.
I am not chancing a backpack. I am using bags I already own: a wallet on a shoulder strap that I will wear under my dress, and a small, flat, cross body bag that I will wear over my dress, but under my coat. And I’ll put stuff in pockets. Phone, gloves, sunglasses, hat. I’ll pack the crossbody bag so it isn’t the end of the world if it is taken away from me. I can stuff the important stuff from my wallet in my bra or shoe if I need to. Probably I’ll put some money in my shoe just in case. Water and food and wipes and extra socks will be in crossbody bag. Maybe a change of underwear. I’m not convinced we are getting back home when scheduled. I told my husband if I get waylaid trying to get back, I may just go visit family a few states north of DC for a couple of days, since that would be an easy train ride for me. Then just fly home at some point. I don’t have any real commitments the following week.
it just isn’t clear to me how our particular group is staying together or getting back to the bus in a timely fashion so I’m trying to be ready for anything
not everyone in our group ordered metro cards 
Just heard from a friend that her GW tour for Thursday was canceled.
Washington DC has received 1800 requests for bus permits for the day after the Inauguration, but only 200 for Inauguration Day, according to NBC. Unfortunately they don’t supply us with info about how many permits are typical for inaugurations or protests.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/national-international/Hundreds-More-Bus-Permits-Requested-for-Day-of-Womens-March-Than-Inauguration-Day-410471185.html
I just keep reminding myself that the chaos I am envisioning will probably be directly tied to size of the turnout, and thus a very good thing.
Also, I wanted to add the reason our group isn’t so organized is because most women are already up to their eyeballs in hands-on local volunteer efforts, which are particularly time consuming during Thanksgiving and Winter holidays. The March really is an add-on activity to an already full schedule for most of them.
As far as the claim things aren’t so organized, when you consider this is a result of a groundswell of grassroots organizational efforts accomplished in just 2 months start to finish, I think it is pretty impressive and that alone carries a lot of weight and meaning!
Don’t know if this has been said. But if this is anything like other large protests of the past, not everyone will actually march. A number will just congregate in that area. Police and news media should get their estimated counts out, of all there.
Yes, a rain poncho can do it. Just wear layers and remember the temps will drop later. Think of extra socks or rainproof footwear.
And of course there can be anti march protesters.
In case you haven’t seen it, a FAQ has been released with a bit more information: https://www.womensmarch.com/faq/
Looks like the donations are going to the Gathering for Justice from the FAQ posted. That looks like an interesting organization. I had heard of the justice league, but not the words Gathering for Justice and I can get behind inequalities in the justice system and youth in the criminal system in a heartbeat. Some research to do I guess.
What donations are you referring to, @momofthreeboys?
From the FAQ toward the bottom. I wondered where the donations were going (I work for a non-profit) and if they were tax deductible so I assume Gathering for Justice is where the donations are going.
although it’s funny that the folks making the FAQ webpage left the question after “how to I make a donation by mail?” and misspelled deductible…I’m also surprised that donations can’t be directed to one or more of the organizations involved. But I do find the work of Gathering for Justice interesting and up my alley.
Thx for the link @SuburbMom, even though I’m marching in NYC I just gave a donation.
@doschicos, Gathering For Justice is the org your donation goes to in link Suburbmom posted.
If you look at the website though, they’ve gathered very little in donations it seems. I don’t see their mission as being a donation gathering and disseminating one but an organizing one. They don’t seem to be ACTIVELY seeking donations.
Just throwing in my two cents about why I’m marching, along with several of my friends, all in our 60’s. We’ve been the recipients of so much goodness; we’ve been fortunate in so many ways. It’s time for us to step up, take a stand and be counted. We hope somebody is watching and listening. It’s a good start. I’m donating to organizations who are in jeopardy because of the new administration and I’m making noises about causes I believe in…