Plan Your Day

The route

We gather at the U.S. Capitol, march west along the National Mall, and finish at Sylvan Theater, the outdoor stage just southeast of the Washington Monument.

A · Start: U.S. Capitol B · Finish: Sylvan Theater March route (approximate) Metro station

On a phone? Swipe the map sideways to see all of it. We'll confirm the exact street route on this page before the march.

Start in Google Maps Finish in Google Maps Start in Apple Maps Finish in Apple Maps

Schedule

5:00 PM
Gather at the Capitol
Find your friends, grab a sign, and look for our volunteers in volunteer shirts.
5:30 PM Tentative
Opening words
A short welcome before we step off.
About 6:00 PM Tentative
We march
West along the National Mall toward the Washington Monument, about 1.3 miles.
About 6:45 PM Tentative
Arrive at Sylvan Theater
The stage is on the Monument grounds, near 15th Street and Independence Avenue.
7:00 PM Tentative
Rally: speakers + music
See the lineup.

Can't make the whole thing?

That's fine. You can join the march anywhere along the Mall as it passes, or skip the walk and meet everyone at Sylvan Theater for the rally.

Rain or shine

We march in any weather. If anything changes on the day, a yellow banner will appear at the top of every page of this site.

Getting there

Metro is the easiest way in and out. If you're driving, there's parking along the Mall and in garages nearby: see below.

To the start

U.S. Capitol

M
Capitol South
Closest station. About a 10-minute walk to the Capitol.
M
Federal Center SW
About a 10-minute walk.
M
Union Station
About a 15-minute walk. Best if you're on the Red Line or arriving by train.

Home from the finish

Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument

M
Smithsonian
About a 5-minute walk. It'll be busy when the rally ends.
M
L'Enfant Plaza
About a 15-minute walk, and it serves five lines.
M
Federal Triangle
About a 12-minute walk north across the Mall.

Parking

Street parking along the Mall

Jefferson Drive SW and Madison Drive NW, on both sides of the Mall
Constitution Avenue NW (15th to 23rd St) and Independence Avenue SW (15th St to Maine Ave), near the Monument

Metered, and paid by card or the ParkMobile app (no cash). Check the meter for that day's rates, hours and time limits. Parts of Jefferson and Madison Drives may close for the march itself. National Park Service parking info

Garages (open 24 hours)

Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW (enter on 14th St). About 10 minutes' walk to Sylvan Theater, so it's easiest for getting home.
Union Station, 30 Massachusetts Ave NE. About 15 minutes' walk to the start.
L'Enfant Plaza, 420 10th St SW. Between the start and the finish.

You can reserve a garage spot ahead with SpotHero or ParkMobile. Free: about 520 spaces along Ohio Drive at Hains Point (East Potomac Park), a longer walk to the Monument. Rates change, so check current prices before you go.

Biking

Capital Bikeshare has docks all around the Mall. Bring a lock if you ride your own; racks fill up fast.

Getting dropped off

Pick a spot a few blocks from the Capitol, such as Union Station or near Capitol South Metro, and walk from there.

Coming from out of town?

Plan your trip with WMATA's trip planner.

What to bring

Bring

Warm layers. October evenings in DC often drop into the 50s.
Comfortable shoes. Parts of the Mall are gravel.
Water and a snack
A charged phone, plus a small battery pack if you have one
A hand-held sign. Make it big and readable.
A small flashlight. We'll finish after dark, and it helps in a crowd.

Leave at home

Weapons of any kind, including anything that could look like one
Open flames: no candles or torches
Sticks or poles for signs
Alcohol and glass bottles
Drones. The National Mall is a no-drone zone.
Anything you'd hate to lose. Keep valuables zipped up.

Accessibility

Everyone belongs at this march. Here's what to expect.

The route is flat. The Mall's footpaths are packed gravel; the streets alongside are paved.
You're welcome to skip the march and go straight to Sylvan Theater for the rally.
Volunteers along the route can help you find a slower pace group, a place to rest, or the accessible viewing area.
Service animals are welcome.

At the rally Details soon

Accessible viewing and seating area near the stage
Accessible portable restrooms

Need something specific? Email [email protected] and we'll do our best.

Safety

We look out for each other. That's what peace looks like in practice.

Volunteers

Look for our volunteer shirts. Volunteers will guide the march. If you need help, or see something wrong, find one of them.

First aid

First aid volunteers will be at the start and near the stage. Locations soon For emergencies, call 911.

Lost your group?

Meet at the info table at Sylvan Theater. Write your phone number on your kids' arms before you leave home.

Weak signal?

Big crowds jam cell networks. Texts usually get through when calls don't. Once you've opened this site, it's saved on your phone and works without signal.

Stay out of it

If someone tries to provoke you, don't engage. Walk away and let a volunteer know.

Buddy up

Come with a friend, pick a meeting spot in case you get separated, and check in with each other through the evening.

Know your rights

Peaceful protest is protected by the First Amendment. But this march is on federal land, in a city with a heavy federal law-enforcement presence. On the Mall you may see U.S. Park Police, U.S. Capitol Police, DC police and federal agents, including from Homeland Security. Your rights are the same with every one of them. Read this before you come.

If you're stopped or questioned

Stay calm and keep your hands visible. Don't run, argue or resist.
Ask: "Am I free to go?" If yes, calmly walk away.
You have the right to remain silent. Say it out loud: "I'm going to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer." Then stop talking.
You don't have to answer questions about where you were born, your immigration status, or who you came with.
You can ask for an officer's name, agency and badge number, including agents in masks or plain clothes.
Never lie, and never show false documents.

If they want to search you

Say clearly: "I do not consent to a search." Don't physically stop them.
Officers may pat down the outside of your clothing if they suspect a weapon.
You don't have to unlock your phone or give your passcode.

If you're arrested

Don't resist. Say you'll remain silent and want a lawyer, then say nothing else, to officers or to anyone in the cell with you.
Don't sign or agree to anything without a lawyer.
Write our legal support number on your arm in marker before you come, so you have it even if your phone is taken. Number coming soon

If you're not a U.S. citizen

Talk to an immigration lawyer before you come, if you can. An arrest at a protest, even one that's later dropped, can put a visa or green card at risk.
The right to stay silent and the right to a lawyer apply to you, whatever your status.
If you have valid immigration papers, carry them and show them if an immigration agent asks. Don't hand over a foreign passport or consular ID unless agents show a warrant signed by a judge.
Don't sign anything immigration agents give you, especially forms agreeing to leave the country, without a lawyer.
Make a plan before you come: who you'll call, and who picks up your kids if you're held.

Protect your phone

Turn off Face ID and fingerprint unlock and use a passcode. Courts give passcodes more protection than your face or finger. (iPhone: Settings → Face ID & Passcode → turn off iPhone Unlock.)
Turn off location sharing, and use Signal for messages.
Think about leaving your main phone at home and bringing a basic one.
Photos of other marchers' faces can be used to identify them. Be careful what you post.

If you see someone detained

You have the right to record police and federal agents in public, as long as you don't interfere. Keep a safe distance.
Note the time, place, agency and badge numbers, and the person's name if you can get it. Tell a volunteer.
Don't physically intervene.

This is general information, not legal advice. Sources: ACLU: Protesters' Rights, ACLU: Immigrants' Rights, EFF: Attending a Protest.

Questions

Do I need a ticket? Should I RSVP?

No ticket needed: the march, concert and rally are free and open to everyone. But please RSVP. It takes 30 seconds, and knowing how many people are coming lets us plan enough water, restrooms, first aid and volunteers.

Can I bring my kids?

Yes, this is a family-friendly event. Dress them warmly, and write your phone number on their arm or on a card in their pocket.

Can I bring my dog?

Service animals are welcome. For pets, we'd gently suggest leaving them home: it'll be crowded, loud and dark.

Can I bring a sign?

Please do! Hand-held signs only: no sticks or poles. Cardboard and a thick marker work great. Sign-making tip: short words, big letters, high contrast.

Where are the restrooms?

We're arranging portable restrooms at the start and at the rally; locations will be posted here. Smithsonian museums close at 5:30 PM, so don't count on them.

What if the weather is bad?

We march rain or shine. If plans change, a yellow banner will appear at the top of this website.

Can I join partway, or just come to the rally?

Absolutely. Join anywhere along the Mall, or meet us at Sylvan Theater near the Washington Monument.

How can I volunteer?

We need route guides, first aid volunteers, and people to help with setup and cleanup. See the Volunteer page.

I can't come. How can I help?

Share this site, call your members of Congress, and look up who's funding your candidates. It all counts.