I've been thinking back to an anti Iraq War march I attended in Washington DC

[Siwsan]

2. We never encountered any problems or resistance during that march.

I wish I could remember the date.

I remember as we went along, the expressions on the cop's faces went from stern to almost bored, although certain signs got a furtive grin. Afterwards the group I was with ended up by the Washington Monument where there were a lot of different groups, some handing out literature for their particular cause.

Maybe I was lucky - the two BIG marches I traveled to (Washington DC and Chicago) were wonderful experiences. The group I belonged to, here in Flint, also held a demonstration every single Sunday afternoon - regardless of weather. I was a part of that group for about 4 years. I encountered FAR more resistance and 'abuse' on any single of those Sundays than I ever saw at the big marches. We had black SUVs pull up into the parking lot where we had our cars, writing down on license plate numbers. We had people drive by and scream abuse at us. More than one went by and pointed guns at us. Several cars swerved right towards us. And, of course, calling the police was a waste of time because the offenders disappeared into traffic. (Our demonstration was at one of the busiest intersections in the county, right at the City of Flint, Flint Township line.)

That being said, though, the police never harassed us. Not once during my experience, anyway.