Life
9 Things You Should Bring To Your Local Women’s March
According to the Women’s March official website, this year's march, commemorating 365 days of resistance, will gather in Las Vegas, Nevada, for Women's March: Power to the Polls on Jan. 21. As with last year's Women's March, which was headquartered in Washington, D.C., the event will see thousands of sister marches taking place across the globe. If you choose to attend the main Women's March in Nevada, your local march, or other event in solidarity, there are a few things you should bring to the Women's March so you're prepared to protest.
“In Alabama, Black women delivered as they always do,” Linda Sarsour, co-chair of the Women’s March, said in a statement on the Women’s March website. “In addition to being willing to follow and support Black women, we all must commit to fighting the systemic voter suppression laws that inhibit so many of our communities from voting. This campaign will mobilize a new group of activists to create accessible power to our voting polls.”
The Women’s March 2017 was a historic protest of Trump's inauguration, where an estimated 4 million people came together in the U.S. in what is described as the largest single-day protest in American history. Nearly a year later, cities all over the country are preparing for Women’s March 2018. If you were at the Women’s March last year, you probably have a good idea of what to expect — large crowds, tons of walking, and a lot of excitement.
Women’s March 2017 was unprecedented, but now that we have a blueprint for Women’s March 2018, it’ll be much easier to prepare if you plan on attending. Whether you plan on going to the national Women’s March in Las Vegas or going to a local sister march in your area, there are some things you definitely want to bring.
1Thermos Filled With Water
It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the march. There may be stretches where you won't be able to get something to drink, so pack a thermos and fill it with water. It will stay cold for hours, and that’ll be one less thing you’ll have to worry about.
2External Phone Battery
There probably won’t be a lot of chances to charge your phone once the march begins, so come with a fully charged battery and an external battery, also filled with juice. It’s important to be able to communicate and find your way around if you get lost.
3Your Sign
Folks got really creative with their signs last year, and this year promises to step up the game even further. Make a sign to express how you’re feeling about the current political climate.
4Snacks
Snacks are a must-have for Women’s March 2018. You might be walking around for long stretches, where food might not necessarily be available. Clementines, granola bars, or other healthy snacks are must-haves — plus, they might help you make a new friend if you happen to be marching with a hungry companion.
5Clear Backpack Or Bag
For security reasons, backpacks and bags bigger than the size of a wallet that you bring to the march must be clear. But there’s still time to find a stylish, clear bag.
6Cash
There will be vendors on the edges of the march. Not all of them take credit cards, so if you want a bite to eat or souvenir, having cash on hand will be helpful.
7Medication
Don’t forget any medication you usually take when preparing for the march. Packing over-the-counter headache medicine might not be a bad idea as well — chanting for hours on end can create strain.
8A Friend
There’s going to be a lot of folks at Women’s March 2018. Going with a buddy will make the experience more memorable, not to mention safer. If you don't know someone IRL you can make plans with, see if you can connect with someone on a Facebook group for your local march to stick with.
9Note Card With Phone Numbers
Nobody memorizes phone numbers these days, so in the event your phone does die, having some emergency contact numbers written down may just save you from a lot of stress.
No matter how you choose to observe what some are calling the one-year anniversary of the Resistance, you need to be prepared. Make sure to take into considerations other circumstances local to your area, such as the weather, and pack your clear plastic backpack accordingly.
