"This is what democracy looks like"

J20 was fun. V. long bus ride to Silver Spring, then metro trip into DC. We were waiting in a long line to get through a security checkpoint, then this guy walking told us that there was no line at the checkpoint two blocks away, so we went to that checkpoint and were able to get in pretty quickly.

Though we missed the actual inauguration, we were on the parade route an hour before the parade was actually scheduled to begin, so we left the secured area and had lunch at Potbelly's [delicious vegetarian sandwich <3], categorizing the people who walked by as we ate into conservative/liberal. [Fur coat and/or cowboy hat = mark of Republican.]

After food, we went back to the parade route. [Guy in uniform at security checkpoint: "I've seen you before, haven't I?" Yes, just can't get enough of being patted down by those hot female security guards.]

Where we were standing, the crowd was largely anti-Bush, so we had some fun chants going. There's nothing quite so energizing as participating in angry chants. There were lots of lovely posters, too. The only thing that made me a little uncomfortable was when some of the protesters started arguing with/booing the pro-Bush people. They support Bush, but they aren't Bush. It's not their policy that's screwing over half the world. Though they probably don't realize it, they're being screwed over, too. We're all in the same boat. [But maybe that's just me and my hippie love-everyone philosophy.]

After Bush passed in his motorcade, we attempted to exit the secured area, which was the really exciting part. On the other side of the fence, there were more protesters burning flags & similar. So on our side of the fence these scary stormtroopers with masks and nightsticks and motorcycles were getting serious.

Scary stormtroopers: You can't leave yet. Go stand over there.
Crowd: . . .
Me: *under breath* tell me what a police state looks like / this is what a police state looks like [a chant that struck me as a bit over-the-top earlier]
KT: I would probably not say that too loudly if I were you.
Us: *waits for scary stormtroopers to let us out*

And eventually they did, but I was just waiting for a riot to break out. Now that's what a real protest is like. Oh, yeah.

And now for the day in txt message form [as received on my mobile throughout the day]:
11:04 Lots of people are getting into parade route - Uncnfrmed gates openng on Cnstitution Av- Marches starting soon
11:17 Crowd outside Access Pt at 7th and D holding up Access Denied posters and chanting Let Us In - great photo op
12:09 Bush's parade starts at 2:00 - People still being allowed entrance onto route
12:18 Best entrances for Parade: from N side: sw corner of Pershing Prk - from S side: mellon fountn or fed triangle
12:24 Good Back Turning photo spots: Nat'l Archives, Mellon Fountain, 12th and PENN and more on the way
12:41 Anrchst Rsist March now leaving Logan Circle
01:07 If you are on the parade route find a good position and hold it. republicans on the way
01:44 reports of tear gas being deployed at 7th and D
02:05 reports of people assembling to rush entrance at 14 and D
02:07 Entrances B (13th) and C (E St.) still open but slow
02:14 Medics and Food at Dupont 3:30 pm - Rally at 4pm to be followed by roving street party
02:20 please disregard text about 14th and D
02:40 reports of the motorcade leaving capitol
02:44 14 and F borders book store has available bathroom
03:04 presidential motorcade now rolling
03:35 repeated pepper spray 14th and penn
03:44 folks having a hard time getting back out at 15th and h
03:53 protesters being denied permission to leave Penn and 13th
04:00 queer fist at 17th and rhose island now - 70 strong
04:05 protesters now being allowed to leave 13th and penn
04:11 Call for support of Die-in at 16th and Hst - Now
04:32 L and Connecticut Spontanious Street Party Now
05:07 J20 Banner Drop 15th St & H St - happening NOW!!!
11:43 J21 9am Jail Solidarity Central Cell Block 300 Indiana Ave NW Wash DC Courtroom C-10

:D I heart activists AAF. Vive la revolution!