How to Plan a Demonstration in Washington D.C.
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Introduction
The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights guarantees "...the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." This includes demonstrating in Washington D.C. So you have decided to redress a particular grievance in a demonstration in D.C., now what do you do? Read on to learn how to organize a demonstration in Washington. There is this huge misconception that only large national organizations are able to conduct a march or protest in the District of Colombia, but in reality, anyone can. The problem is that many people do not know where to start. The information is not available through the Washington, D.C. website. Follow the guidelines below, however, and you can conduct a protest or march in Washington with ease.
Steps
Step One
Decide on the type of demonstration. When it comes to demonstrations in D.C., most people are familiar with marches: March on Washington in 1963 where Dr. Martin Luther King gave his now famous speech I Have a Dream; Poor Peoples' March on Washington in 1968 and the Million Man March in 1995. Start planning at least three months ahead of your anticipated march. Permits are approved within 48 hours but you can submit them up to a year or more in advance. The earlier you start, the better.
Step Two
Decide on your cause and be specific. Make sure you are focused on the message you want to send to those watching.
Step Three
Contact other like-minded people or organizations. It is better to have a coalition rather than go it alone. Others will have contacts that you won't have, thus making your demonstration more effective.
Step Four
Choose a date for the demonstration, and then determine who will be in charge of what and when the particular jobs must be completed. Create a calendar with a timeline including the date for the demonstration, and then work backwards listing every detail of what needs to be accomplished. To have a wonderful cause ruined by a lack of organization would be a waste.
Step Five
Decide on the location. Demonstrate in a heavily populated place for the most exposure. Visit the Dcpages website for a map of the District of Colombia. Determine the protest gathering point, march route and rally area. Print the map by hitting the ¨Print Screen¨ button on the keyboard. Use a yellow highlighter to plot out the different protest points on the map.
Step Six
Secure a permit for your demonstration. Contact the National Parks Permit Office by calling (202) 619-7225. Ask them to fax you a permit application. Ask them for the availability dates on the gathering location, march route and rally point. Once they have confirmed availability, proceed to fill out the entire application. Make sure to specify the estimated number of people participating in the protest and the main contact person. That person must sign and date the application. Make a copy of the application and the highlighted map for your records. Mail the original application and highlighted map to: National Parks Permit Office, Room 128, 1100 Ohio Drive Southwest, Washington, District of Colombia 20242. Wait about a week for a National Parks Agent to call. This agent will be specifically assigned to your organization for the permit application process. Have the agent give you her direct extension for further questions and information. Provide the agent with any additional information he may need to approve the permit. Ask him to fax you the approved permit immediately and mail the original back to you.
Step Seven
Start campaigning for participants with your permit in hand. The National Parks Permit Office will take care of notifying the District of Colombia Police and other city organizations that require special events notification. It's that simple! Contact the media and write press release information packets for distribution.
Step Eight
Write legible posters with correct spelling. Also, see to it that the letters are visible to those watching. The sayings on the posters should be catchy and memorable.
Step Nine
Abide by the laws. Those in your group who are short tempered will bring the wrong sort of attention to your cause. On the day of the demonstration, already have in place those you have appointed to squelch hints of disruption.
Tips & Warnings
Be friendly and polite to the National Parks Agent, she is your key to permit approval.
Call the National Parks Permit Office at (202) 619-7225 for help in filling out the application.
All applications must be mailed or walked in to the National Parks Permit Office.
