I’m going to Washington DC to participate in a weekend of protests against the IMF and the World Bank and various other evil creatures. What I want to know is, if I get arrested (for protesting), how long can I expect to wait before I get back out again? Would I be deported (as a Canadian)? I need to know because (you’ll laugh) I have an exam the day after the protest. I’m trying to reschedule but if it falls through, I’d like to know this to know how fast I should move in the other direction if I see the fuzz.
If you are arrested on a weekend, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to post bail until the courts open on Monday. The police and municiple courts don’t arrange their schedules around the convenience of protesters. There is a price to pay for civil disobedience.
There are a lot of ways to legally protest in the USA. Isn’t it kinda rude to go to another country with the intention of breaking their laws?
What’s wrong with the IMF? Jim Phelps and company have been making this world safe for democracy for decades! Commie!
Wrong thinking is punished, right thinking is just as swiftly rewarded. You’ll find it an effective combination.
Nyah. Actually, I have no interest in breaking anybody’s laws; as I understand it, it’s still legal to protest in the US. But experience tells me that cops have a way of getting funny about these things. Anyway, my exam is on Tuesday, so Monday wouldn’t be a problem assuming my momma can wire the money. (I’m so embarrassed.)
btw, I’m not actually a communist, I’m a social democrat. But I’ll be sure to pass your comments onto my friends in the Marxist-Leninist contingent. (smiles sweetly)
DC has magistrates to set bail over the weekend. As long as you don’t do anything that rises to the felony level, you should have no problem getting bond set and getting out.
For most non-violent protesters, I would expect an unsecured cash bond - for example, your bond would be, say, $1000, but you won’t have to pay a dime. You will have to sign a paper saying if you fail to appear for trial, you owe DC the $1000.
If the protestors are more violent, or just piss off the cops, or if you can’t provide satisfactory proof of residence… or possibly if you’re a foreign national 
… you may be required to post a secured bond, which means Mom would have to wire you the money.
- Rick
Merci beaucoup.
Better reschedule that exam anyway… even if you don’t get arrested, the traffic here in washington might keep you here longer than expected.
malden
I hope your exam isn’t in Economics…
It’s in Spanish, silly. And I am trying to get the thing rescheduled.
As it happens, I’m trying to use the fact that it’s a Spanish exam for leverage. “Vamos a manifestar contra las organizaciones que ayudan a mantener en subdesarrollo los paises pobres, como los paises hispanoamericanos de que hablabamos en la clase…”
matt_mcl, buddy!!! Welcome to DC and I’ll see you at the protests 
I don’t know how long the fuzz will hold you if you get arrested, it depends on how active the protestors are in… well, protesting against your arrest. Much the same thing happened in Seattle and people were let go pretty quickly because there were people outside the jail getting angry.
The best tip would be get the hell away if the cops are coming in your direction. They’re not going to be looking for out-and-out lawbreakers, they’re going to be looking for anyone they think they can get their hands on quickly. (The Washington Post ran some lovely pictures this morning of DC cops training for riots at Lorton prison in VA. Heartening.)
If DC is anything like Seattle, though, there will be trained legal observers there to vouch that the cops are basically running amok and arresting for no good reason.
If you are arrested, good reason or no, don’t do anything the cops tell/ask you to do, posting bond included. Demand to speak to a lawyer first. Then follow his advice. Doing anything for the police without getting some legal consultation first is basically an admission of guilt, regardless of whether you actually broke the law or not.
Having said that, once you’re down here on the 16th, look for anyone selling Socialist Worker and ask for Jeff S. It’d be cool to meet a fellow Doper in such a situation!
All I wanna do is to thank you, even though I don’t know who you are…