With the whole world experiencing constant covid surges, we require masking at our protests (by anyone medically able to do so) in order to better protect our community. If you don’t have a mask of your own to wear, don’t worry, we’ll have free N95 masks available to anyone who needs one! If you have any questions or concerns about this requirement, feel free to reach out to us.
We make this decision to stand in solidarity with immunocompromised and other disabled people in our community, and to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza who are currently dealing with covid and other diseases with little to no way to protect or treat themselves (here is a zine with more in-depth information on why this is is so important). We also make this decision to stand in solidarity with our fellow protestors and disabled people all over the country who are currently facing mask bans pushed on them by their elected officials. Here is an article about how masks are an important symbol of solidarity.
Generally most of the attention we get from people in the community is positive and not negative! Hopefully this will continue to be the case. Refer to the National Lawyers Guild Know Your Rights Pamphlets for protest safety tips. Our rallies fall within protest actions that are legally protected here in Washington, but the police can still get involved if anything they deem a crime occurs while at the protest (or in the vicinity of it).
Also, if you join us at the protest, please do not engage with counter-protesters, and do not speak to the police.