Have you ever participated in a sit-in or any other civil disobedience?

Chicken? Arrest sounds like the the best part!!

DO IT!!!!

I’ve been to jail a few times, but not for a worthy cause. No humans or animals were harmed in my crimes, but I’m not proud it. Well, a little proud, I like the street cred.

Scenario #1
Q: “What did you do in the protests, Mariah?”

A: “I waved a sign around.”

Response: “Oh. Umm, good.”

Scenario #2
Q: “What did you do in the protests, Mariah?”

A: “I stood my ground and got cuffed and they took us downtown.”

Response: “OH HELL YEAH!!.”

I am just such a sheltered white girl lmao. The thought of being arrested is just stupidly nerve-wracking to me.

I understand the charge would be at worst a misdemeanor and it would probably be no more than one night in jail if, worst-case scenario, I did get arrested.

Would I be allowed to contact my work and boyfriend to let them know where I am? Would I likely have to appear in court in the area afterwards (I’m most likely traveling out of state for this sit-in, so that could be a big inconvenience). Is it a problem that I’m not currently acquainted with any lawyer? Also I can probably skip a day of my medication but I’d start to get nervous about that if it went on for more than a day…

The sit-in is also welcoming people who are not willing to hold their ground if asked by police to leave, and so are much less likely to get in any legal trouble. That could be a happy medium for someone as anxious as me…

Would I be allowed to contact my work and boyfriend to let them know where I am

Plan for the unlikely event of spending a night in jail. Really unlikely, but so what if it happens? So what?

Tell your friends and family beforehand you might be delayed a day because you’re out fighting for truth, justice and the American way. BECAUSE YOU ARE!!!

Much more likely you will go to a march and wave signs and chant and go home. And I guarantee you will be disappointed if that’s all that happens.

I should think your odds of
of being arrested in Boston minimal at best. For one thing, the turnout will probably be massive. But I’ll tell you the one thing that always cracks me up and never fails in any demonstration In which I’ve ever participated. If you’re looking to get arrested, all you need do is throw in with any contingent of disabled folks and
particularly those in wheelchairs. Those people are both serious and pissed and afraid of NOTHING.

If I do this I am most likely traveling up to Maine for it. Not much point in asking Elizabeth Warren to work any harder to save healthcare. :P

Bangor? If I remember, several thousand people showed up in January to defy Trump’s inauguration. In fact I thought at the time that the turnout was startling considering the state’s population.

The attendees are still getting coordinated but I’m hoping for Portland, much shorter trek for me. Susan Collins has an office there.

Isn’t Collins openly opposed to the act as it stands?

Hmmm. When you’re old and grey which will you regret most? Being arrested for standing up for something you believe in?

Or not participating because you were worried about getting arrested?

Yep! But McConnell is working over this recess to strike a deal with the Republicans who are currently no votes. We need to ask Collins to stay committed.

The nearest “yes” voting senator to me is in PA, and that’s a pretty good trek. I don’t have a car so I’ll be taking Greyhounds most likely.

@Earthbound_Misfit yeah that’s what’s going through my mind too. I just don’t usually take risks….like at all. XD

I understand. I have a feeling you have a strong social conscience AND these protests are about something that really matters to you. I suspect you’ll regret not taking a stand if you choose not to participate.

I have been in a few. Notably the first night of the second Iraq war. We went out on the Interstate and shut down northbound traffic for hours. The ending was violent.

But you are smart. It will be very clear when people will start to get arrested. You will have warning. Once it hits that just walk off and all will be well.

However, they are right to tell you to prepare. Have someone to call that you can call that can arrange bail. But I am pretty sure if you keep your eyes open you are more likely to be struck by lightning than be arrested.

Just don’t get arrested, you really don’t want that.

@ARE_you_kidding_me Can you elaborate on why? I’m getting a mixed message here with Jay saying ‘so what’ about spending a night in jail and now you. What are you anticipating would be so terrible about being arrested?

Just want to know what I could be signing up for. Some of the people at this sit in will be leaving at the first sign of trouble, but others will be standing their ground and are willing to be arrested for the cause. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be in the first group but still toying with the second.

If convicted you always have to disclose on any job application.
Other than that, I think you should go.

I’ve never been involved with any protest mainly because I hate crowds. The problem for someone like you would be getting swept up in the actions of those around you. You may not be violent but if those around you turn violent, it’s hard to extract yourself from the crowd. These protests have been getting more and more violent every time. Kinda like the VeitNam protests running up to Kent State. When you join a protest like this, you lose a certain amount of control and fall victim to the actions of those around you. That’s why I hate crowds.

The group I’m in is committed to nonviolence. Many of us are disabled so I like to think people will consider the risk to their fellow protesters with regards to physical limitations. If see any signs of anyone breaking that vow I’d leave immediately. I’m very opposed to violence in protest.

Jay gave you the worst advice I have ever heard in my entire time here, no offense jay. If you get arrested you put your personal safety and possibly life as risk. Cops won’t have sympathy for any medical issues you have and you’ll possibly be exposed and vulnerable to others who are there for that night for whatever reasons. You also put your employment and future employment at risk. When an application/inerviewer asks if you have ever been arrested you will not only have to say yes but explain why if they even let you answer. On top of that if you are charged you will need to pay a lawyer, court fees possible fines and on and on. It’s a bad scene. Stay away. DO NOT LET YOURSELF GET ARRESTED

@Mariah I’m thinking arrest is very unlikely and I think it is time for the young to stand up and resist as my generation did during Vietnam and are continuing to do. I’ve been to some rallies but never arrested. However, I understand your concerns and I too think Jay is being a bit cavalier. I would talk to the organizers and try to gauge how likely they think obstruction will be to happen. Then figure out what you want to do and don’t feel guilty about your choice. (I do think it would be great if you went though.) Would your BF go with you?

Remember that when you sign up for something like this, you are joining a mob. Mob mentality is designed to stir an emotional response rather than a logical one. Further, movement in a mob is severely restricted. Do what you want but you won’t have the control, you think you do.

I’ve been arrested twice, not for protest, just for being dumb. It sucks because you’re not in control and have very little information, but beyond that, it’s just inconvenient.

To answer some questions here, just from my limited experience.

Would I be allowed to contact my work and boyfriend to let them know where I am?
Sort of. It’s a collect call that’s identified beforehand as being from a jail, so they have to accept the charges. I was able to call someone both times, but it was when they say you can, it’s not like you can just request it. So several hours later (12+).

Would I likely have to appear in court in the area afterwards?
You can probably handle everything by mail and fax if you’re not challenging any charges.

Is it a problem that I’m not currently acquainted with any lawyer?
Only if you want to challenge any charges or think they are excessive. I don’t think you’d know that in advance. You don’t need a lawyer to get out or to respond, generally just to negotiate or fight.

Also I can probably skip a day of my medication but I’d start to get nervous about that if it went on for more than a day
They’re supposed to provide necessary medical care, but it’s more of a question of access to someone who you can even ask. Most of time is literally completely separate from anyone associated with the jail, and the people you do see are intentionally hardened to whatever you could possibly say.

Re: Employment after – I’ve never had any larger issues than just being asked to explain why I was arrested. I’ve worked with law enforcement since then and it wasn’t an issue. I can’t tell if there has ever been a time I didn’t get an interview because of it though.

It’s worth noting that 70 million Americans have some sort of criminal record and many charges can be expunged – example article from PBS

I guess for your situation, my main question would be what benefit there was for my cause to being arrested? Lawmakers don’t understand civil disobedience, they understand things on their terms. Remember that they’re people who have made their decisions as well, and decided to become part of the system that would arrest you.

If you want to influence them, meet them on their turf. Write, call, march peacefully, tell them your story and listen to their response. Sometimes dealing with their staff and actually getting a real person can be more effective than leaving a voicemail in a full box.

You’re going to a peaceful protest, not a riot. Peaceful protest is guaranteed by every level of law we have. If it turns into more, you have the option of not participating, right?

I have, but it wasn’t planned. Wound up in a riot at Herman Hill park on Easter Sunday, 1979. Pretty bad deal. Tear gassed us and everything. Couple of people got shot, but not dead. After that I decided it was time to get the hell out. I had reached the edge of the park and was starting to run across the street to the residential area, where most people had opened their doors to rescue people who were getting tear gassed, when out of nowhere a cop showed up and hit me hard with the butt end of a shot gun on my shoulder. Knocked me on my ass. And I was just trying to leave! Very bad deal.

Anyway, that doesn’t really answer your question. If a riot does start get out ASAP. Also, it is a risk you take, but I’m fairly certain they snatch up the worst offenders first. They can’t possibly arrest everyone.

OK thanks for the info everyone. I am still thinking. My boyfriend will not be with me.

I am not expecting this to be a large group. There are sit-ins being organized nationally, but the one in Maine isn’t looking like it will be much more than a dozen people or so. So I’m not concerned about being caught up in a crowd and unable to leave if I want to.

I honestly don’t see an arrest of this nature on my record as being a barrier to me getting employment in the field I’m in. Especially if I get the opportunity to explain myself.

Don’t fucking let yourself get arrested. Don’t.

Yes—I gave out food in a park.

Update – I am going to the sit-in. I’ve bought my train ticket. I’ve decided I will definitely not intentionally get arrested. I read some blog posts that scared the shit out of me, lol.

Ok I reread your post to see what day it is and see that it’s tomorrow, July 6.
You are one of the most level headed people that I’ve every had the pleasure of meeting. You are wise beyond your years. I know you will be careful and still have your voice heard. Thank you for representing all of us that want affordable healthcare for all. Good luck and tell us about your experience when you get back!

So is it to be Portland? I don’t worry much about you in Maine. My concern is more about the necessity for the sit-in, and the likelihood that your group is “squandering its reserves”. The Republicans have really “stepped in it” by fkn with the ACA. It turns out that Obama actually set the biggest and most obvious trap any fool ever rushed into willingly.

And Mariah it is true that in this society an arrest record is a weapon that can be utilized to dog you for the remainder of your days. However, for those of us left of center, a civil rights arrest is equivalent to a CIB. There are and will be more people than you might imagine who will respect and prefer you because of it. There is a certain reverence due a “real” soldier.

You can be arrested but not charged, ergo, no record.

If you are arrested, you have an arrest record; which does show on most background checks. Arrest records can be expunged by going through legal proceedings to seal the records.

You just don’t have to be convicted for a criminal record.

I checked. You’re right. In Kansas it would show up on the KBI website.
I’m not sure how they even check that information out.

Today’s the sit in. Let’s check back in through out the day to see if @Mariah will need bail money.

I’m on my train, almost to Portland now! Sitting in at 2:30. So excited.

@Mariah Good on ya! Best of luck – should be a nice time!

keep a journal.

Good luck @Mariah!

I’m home safe! The group in Maine ended up being very small and casual. Much bigger protests, some still ongoing, in other states. This was a great experience.

Did Collins make an appearance?

So proud of you @Mariah! Thank you for speaking for so many!

Her staffers told us Collins was in Bangor and would not be able to meet with us. We gave our statements to the staffers who said they’d pass it along.

Thanks everybody for encouraging me to participate!

Yay! Glad it all went well and you had fun. You did good @Mariah.

Mariah’s not in prison! My advice failed!

Happy to hear it went well. Very cool you went out of state to let a Republican hear you instead of preaching to the choir at home.

Thank you for going! Good job!

You know there would have been bedlam in this place had they arrested you?