Completely agree. But I don't want to give people the impression that if they need to have a phone for whatever reason that they can't or shouldn't attend a protest, especially one like this where the point is to get as many people in the street as possible rather than achieving any specifically defined goal.
Leaving the phone at home is definitely the safer option, but I want people to know that they can still attend if they have to have a phone on them.
While this is good advice, it's not always very practical. OP indicated they are 17, meaning a minor. That may mean they need to be able to keep in contact with parents/guardians at home. I've also been to actions with groups of people where having contact is important for coordination.
If you need to bring a phone you can do so, but be mindful. Turn off any biometric features (fingerprint, face ID, etc). Police don't need a warrant to access your phone if you have biometrics. They can just put your phone in front of your face or put your finger on it to unlock. But if you have a passcode they cannot force you to unlock your phone without a warrant (and you can always just pretend you don't know the code).
I'd also suggest turning the phone off (or, at the very least, on airplane mode) except when you're actively using it. And minimize when you need it. I typically turn my phone off before arriving and wait until I'm gone from the location to turn it back on.
If you need to bring a phone, don't plan to do anything illegal. Large events like this will always have a significant segment of people who are not doing anything illegal at all. Stick with that group. Carry signs, chant, show your numbers, make contacts with other protesters in the crowd. But if/when you see people in black bloc, don't join them.
I'd rather Bernie be Minority Leader...
I've been in the streets. Where are you?
I've been attending various demonstrations, protests, and actions for nearly 20 years now. Ever since my early 20s (I'm 38 now) I've made a point of attending at least one protest every month, in addition to other actions I take part in. Lately, that's been closer to weekly than monthly. I cook for my local Food Not Bombs and sometimes help distribute (although my work schedule makes that difficult).
I vote, sure, but that's 2 days a year, at most. That's an incredibly small part of my political engagement.
Granted, but my top priority at the moment isn't getting rid of the Democratic Party. It's the fascism of the Republican Party. History shows us pretty clearly that a fascist movement has never been defeated without leftists and liberals finding common cause in opposition to the fascists. Every time fascists have lost in history, it's been at the hands of a popular front of leftists and liberals working together. Literally every single time. And the inverse is also true. Literally every time fascists have taken power, it's been by dividing leftists and liberals and getting us to fight against each other while they take and consolidate power.
It's not about whether it's the right time or not. The fact is that under the current political system it's simply not possible. The system is designed to prevent it from happening. You can't get rid of the Democratic Party until we get rid of the current political system first.
Also, if we're wishing for things that won't happen without overthrowing the political order, I'm much more interested in getting rid of the Republican Party. You know, the fascists who are actively black bagging people on the streets and sending them to a foreign Slavadoran labor camp where we supposedly can't get them back from.
I never told anyone to get third party candidates elected. Whoever told you that was either maliciously giving you bad advice or is clueless as to how the American electoral political system works.
Feel free to steal/copy.
I feel like the phrase "Deny, Defund, Depose" could become a very powerful slogan if it takes off.
My sign is big block letters reading (words on the left in black, on the right in red)
DENY DOGE
DEFUND MUSK
DEPOSE TRUMP
Nah, they can have it. It's always been a symbol of white supremacy and subjugation. I don't want it.
I think trying to both primary Vichy Democrats and run a 3rd party bid at the same time would be enormously counter-productive.
I was at the Washington Monument with my wife and 2 young kids this past Saturday. I plan to be there on the 19th, too. And we've been at the local Tesla dealership every Saturday there's not a big event planned.
I also really appreciate mentioning this is on a weekend. As a family with two adults who work full-time and two young kids, trying to make an event during a weekday is virtually impossible.