Baby at protest with heavy police presence??

Question

Am I a bad mom for bringing my 8month old to a protest with heavy police presence?? 
We weren't really doing anything illegal it was a peaceful protest just blocking some traffic and disrupting a Shell Corp shipping area. 
A ton of cops did show up though (18 cop cars at one point) but they never threatened arrest and obviously if they told us to move I would've left with my baby right away. 
My daughter was happy or sleeping the whole time it's not like she was suffering being there (I brought her toys and food and we blew bubbles and stuff). 
I just want to know would you judge a mom who does this? Part of me feels bad because it could look like I was putting her in harm's way. But in my opinion I wasn't and her safety is my number 1 priority. Part of the reason I care so much about the protest is because I care about the state of the planet for HER.

Accepted Answer

I feel like it’s not worth the risk? A peaceful protest could erupt in violence out of the blue. Not trying to judge, that was just my first thought but you obviously know that environment better than I would, any kind of protest sounds potentially dangerous to me 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

I would not expose my child to that kind of situation. You cannot control other people and it easily could have gotten out if hand. I would have gotten a babysitter if it was that important to me.

Answer

Would I judge? Yeah, you can leave your baby with someone else when going to these. You weren’t putting her life in danger yet y’all were blocking traffic? And a lot of times in protests there’s always some idiots who take it too far and could have very easily escalated the situation where cops would have had to use at least pepper spray to get it back under control.

Answer

I think if you’re white and/or reasonably privileged this would be fine. If I were black or Latinx,  I probably wouldn’t because the danger quotient would’ve been much higher. Just being honest.

Answer

I think that’s super irresponsible that you would have your 8 month old baby there. Use your head.

Answer

Welllpp too late now🤷‍♀️

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No way in hell. My son was six months old and we were planning to do an Endo awareness walk in DC until I found out they were having a big rally over gun control (an obviously hot button issue) and we didn’t go to the walk. TBH, I hate even going out in large crowds by myself let alone taking him out in a protest. That walk meant a lot to me and the whole trip was a bday present. We even had a cute sign made for our stroller but it just wasn’t worth the risk.

Answer

I think it is great that you took your baby. I plan to take my son with me to protests and rallies because it is a great way to teach civic engagement. My son has gone with me to vote and to meet with elected officials, I see a peaceful protest as no different.

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I’ve taken my daughter to protests since she was pretty small. I want her to grow up knowing she can use her voice and that’s one of the ways to do so. The vast majority of protests will not turn violent and if they might, you can usually feel there’s tension. I’ve left a protest early before because it didn’t feel right. You can be a good parent and civically engaged. You can teach your kid to be civically engaged too. You’re doing fine.

Answer

Protests can erupt into violence so quickly I wouldn’t risk it. Either leave the child with someone or don’t go.

Baby at protest with heavy police presence??

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