Walk Softly, And Carry a Big Canvas Bag

On my way to work I pass the Massachusetts State House, a favorite spot for protesters to gather, chant, and pass out literature. There's been a recent uptick in the number of protests recently.

The thing is, though, that the protests are rather sad. They all seem to be based on important issues, yet the number of people involved in each is oh so depressing. For example, yesterday I passed a "protest" on bi-lingual ballots (in favor of, not against). Except: there was only one lonely, sad person participating, handing out flyers, and looking hopefully at passers-by (I took a flyer because I felt bad for her).

Today was marginally more successful - about 20 people stood in a line, hands full of cardboard cut-out keys, passing out flyers asking for the government to helps stave off imminent housing foreclosures.

So this got me thinking: what's the appropriate bag for a protest? This is not a superficial thing, people. Bags make a very important political statement: how the HECK am I going to carry around all this sh*t and have free use of my appendages at the same time?

I based my selections on several criteria:

• Bags that are large enough to fit the appropriate literature, bullhorns, snacks, water, vinyl gloves, aspirin, etc.
• Bags that are sturdy enough to withstand possible gassings, water sprayings, handcuffs, popo tug of war, and property siezings
• Bags that are diverse enough to be used in multiple occasions. Many people only protest once - no point in shelling out dough for a bag, just to see it hanging in the closet for eternity, conjuring memories of happier times

And suddenly it struck me. The perfect bags for a protest - and, coincidentally, a true environmental saver - the oversized canvas tote! Large, sturdy, approrpiate for multiple occasions, and, most importantly, trendy.

Follow Miss Marc on her journey to save the planet AND get an appropriate protest bag in one tiny package.

Marc by Marc Jacobs
$128 at Bloomies Spice up your life! Neutral one one side, bright on the other. Red spaceships (?) can be removed and thrown at cops in self-defense*.

Kidrobot Reversible Canvas Tote
$148 at Nordstrom

If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say "I wish I could protest and study the Seattle skyline at the same time", well, I'd have zero cents.

Nordstrom Reusable Tote
$21.95 at Nordstrom

Picture it: Bannockburn Elementary School, 1991. Earth day. The phrase that would be forever stamped on my brain. Now stamped on a bag.

Beau Soleil Raw Cotton Tote
$45 at Saks

Note: *Total fabrication