Quiet rejection: anti-Bush demonstrators to turn their backs during parade

[kskiska]

No buttons, signs or unusual dress will distinguish the protesters from the thousands who will line the inaugural parade route next month, but at a set time, they say they will demonstrate against President Bush -- by turning their backs on the chief executive.

Coupled with the widely expected pomp and pageantry of a presidential inauguration are demonstrations by protesters angered by Bush's policies, in particular the war in Iraq.

Getting ready for Jan. 20, 2005, various groups are using Web sites, e-mails, fliers and word of mouth to urge thousands of demonstrators to gather in the nation's capital.

Among planned events are an anti-war rally and three-mile march to the White House, a massive bike ride similar to those that disrupted traffic in New York City before the Republican National Convention, and a "die-in" to remind the nation of more than 1,200 U.S. dead in Iraq.

more…
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/12/14/national1723EST0676.DTL

[knowbody0]

1. indians have been using this method for ages

you won't believe how powerful this act is.

[stepnw1f]

5. Yup... A Friend from N. Dakato told me about this

It made sense to me.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

15. Now it makes sense!

Do you know specifically which tribes?

I had a dream 3 mo. before the election.
Bush won, and I was watching the Limo, people lining the street like in F911. but instead of booing and throwing eggs, they all silently turned their backs. Beautiful! I just feels right.

Raven

[knowbody0]

17. i love your dream

[KittyWampus]

19. I Heard A Story Of African Women Turning Up Naked As Protest

which, if true, would also be very powerful.

[pokercat999]

31. Naked would be a little tough in Jan in DC.

[Pretty_in_CodePink]

21. And disempowering .

I saw this demonstrated at a recent workshop using kinesiology or muscle testing. People were tested while looking at another person who would not look them back in the eye but instead looked over their shoulder. Each time the person being tested tested weak. I expect a turned back would have an even stronger effect. I think it would be most disconcerting to *.

[Just Me]

23. The ultimate form of rejection,...is silence,...a "present" silence.

Have you EVER shut up and turn your back on someone who is bent upon fighting or controlling.

Drives 'em nuts.

THEY lose all control over themselves because their strategy of "incitement" is no longer working for them.

I had suggested this approach.

But, it's hard to invent something other than reaction particularly when such heavily predatory tactics are being imposed.

All I can say is,...we have to use everything in our arsenal of human dignity.

A "present", silent rejection certainly works with respect to those driven by a need for acceptance (and there are many,...George, Jr. couldn't handle it,...being the spoiled "Mama's" boy that he is).

[Zhade]

30. Great post, JM. I agree wholeheartedly.

NT!

[SweetLeftFoot]

35. Ignore the enemy

It's what people in Nationalist communities in Northern Ireland used to do when there were British soldiers on the streets. Just go about their business without even acknowledging their presence.

[Angelique]

27. I love this.. It says everything without acting stupid.

Whomever thought of this tactic, should be advanced into one of our leadership positions.. Thanks

[SemperEadem]

53. I've seen that one 'grow legs'

I posted right after the election that on *'s inauguration day there should be a sea of folks in black hoodies who turn their backs in silent protest when *'s motorcade drives by. If the advanced search function would ever work, I could find the post.

But on second thought, folks should dress up as rethuglican as they can stand; that way, they can't be singled out by the secret service or rethug operatives.

[GHOSTDANCER]

50. Kick!!!

I wish him many backs that day.

[The Doctor.]

2. I'll be there. n/t

[Synnical]

11. Me and some friends, too

Not sure how close we'll make it to the parade route, though. In 2001 they had metal detectors and forced people thru a small area of entry. It was snowing and sometimes literally raining on Shrub's parade.

[Misunderestimator]

38. I was there too in 2001... MISERABLE weather for a miserable occassion...

The group I was marching with was blocked from the parade route altogether. I managed to sneak through some alleys and ended up among a group of shrill Texas women in mink coats. I and my friend did our best to be louder than they were. Was lovely seeing Bush's limo speed rather frantically by (we were at the end of the route, so he had already been pummelled with eggs).

[BlueDog2u]

3. I can't wait.

I'll put on my best Republican suit and cut my hair just for the event.

[Skittles]

4. make that 1300+ US soldiers dead now

nt

[rodeodance]

7. same thing used when cadet is dishorored and is discharged from

a military academy. Very good symbolism for the Commander in Chief.
Yahoooooooooooo

[DemoTex]

6. It won't get one second of coverage on the nightly mews.

Mark my word. Not one bit of coverage. I hope I am wrong.

[dobegrrrl]

8. I'll be there!

but I really wanted to throw eggs. }(

[brentspeak]

9. I like the idea but...

...I can't imagine the White House will allow anyone but those who've sworn loyalty oaths to be anywhere near the parade route.

[dobegrrrl]

10. It is a public event on public streets

- not that the Constitution has stopped them yet.

[merci_me]

14. So swear..................

we're dealing with liars. Who cares?

Mary

[gingergreen]

32. NOT TRUE: Request for Inaugural Tickets...

If anyone is going to DC... why don't you get tickets and then you can be closer inside to protest.

Check out the inaugural site... you just have to request them from your state senator.

http://inaugural.senate.gov /

The site's disgustingly pompous, but if we could get a bunch of people inside the more power we would have.

Also discussed in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1069763&mesg_id=1069763&page=:bounce:

[SemperEadem]

54. so swear it to get by, then revert to your true loyalty

they don't have to know... tell them what they want to hear.

[Mari333]

12. I have a fur coat.

Its not real fur however. I will wear that . I wore the damned thing to the last protest during the last silly inauguration, and passed easily as a repuke. One woman said to me, "You cant be a protester you are wearing a mink!"
Anyway, wear your best clothes. Thats what Im going to do. Then, turn around.

[merci_me]

13. We did this on Nixon's motorcade

through various Ohio stops over two days in 1972.

On the Toledo stop, at one point I swear 80% of the people turned their backs.

You should have seen the surpised looks of the people behind us who ended up with us looking at them instead of Nixon.

Mary

[Pale_Rider]

20. In San Jose ...

... rocks were thrown.

http://www.j-bradford-delong.net/Politics/haldeman.html

As Haldeman remembers ...

San Jose turned into the real blockbuster. Very tough demonstrators shouting "1-2-3-4-etc." on the way into auditorium. Tried to storm the doors after we were in, and then really hit the motorcade on the way out. We wanted some confrontation and there were no hecklers in the hall, so we stalled departure a little so they could zero in outside, and they sure did. Before getting in car, P stood up and gave the V signs, which made them mad. They threw rocks, flags, candles, etc. as we drove out, after a terrifying flying wedge of cops opened up the road. Rock hit my car, driver hit brakes, car stalled, car behind hit us, rather scary as rocks were flying, etc., but we caught up and all got out. Bus windows smashed, etc. Made a huge incident and we worked hard to crank it up, should make really major story and might be effective.

After arrival in San Clemente, P went home, then kept calling with ideas about how to push the line. Then called and asked, "How are things at your place?" I said fine and started to talk. He interrupted and said we're having a fire here. Laughed and said house had caught fire from his den fireplace. Told me to come on over. Place full of smoke, hoses, firemen, and water. Not too much damage. P took me in his bedroom (he was padding around the patio in pajamas, slippers, and weird bathrobe when I arrived), said there was no problem. it was full of smoke. I could hardly breathe. He said he loved smoke and would sleep there. I talked him into the guest house. We went over there, had a beer, and talked about the day. Finally to bed about 1:00.

A really weird day, especially the last parts of it. He was very tired, but in great humor. Pulled down his pajamas and showed me horrible bruise on his thigh from motorcade in Rochester.

All through the day he delighted in giving the "V" to peaceniks.

[Bo]

16. The defeated Japanese army used it on McAurther

[blue agave]

18. How would a mile long Moon look ?

That would get the point across a little more emphatically !

[kineneb]

25. Moon across America!

How is that for a theme? All they could arrest you for is indecent exposure or disturbing the peace. Or coordinate with friends and write something on each "cheek" for all to read!

Sick, but humorous.

[kit-kat]

22. Shunning Bush

Here's a link to "Turn your back on Bush."

http://www.turnyourbackonbush.org/

[yorkiemommie1]

24. i won't be able to make it from here in CA

but my co workers and i will be wearing all black as we did on 11/3. we will be with you in spirit!

[HuffleClaw]

26. "No buttons, signs or unusual dress will distinguish"

and WHY? because anyone identified as a 'potential threat' will most likely be arrested.

[Sin]

28. If there are a lot

Of People going to do this and fox news gets wind of it
I bet they will get a team of CGI people so they can overlay a cheering waving crowed on top of the silent still back turned one
Then of course all the other news channels there will be like hey why isn't our crowed cheering tap into there feed quick Because we don't want seem out of place with fox. lol sad thing is I could see that happening at the very least they will try many tight close up shots of reporters heads and or the motorcade I'm quite sure the background will always be out of focus.

So you think hes going to get out and walk this time hehe
this could be why he has been doing all that running as of late.

[NVMojo]

29. Perfect ...and please DU this yahoo version...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&e=2&u=/ap/20041215/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_protests

[gingergreen]

33. They could wear black and have messages on back of T-shirts..

It would not be too obvious in the crowd... but when they turn their backs people could see that all backs turned are in mourning.

Also, maybe they could wear a t-shirt under their jackets that has a protest message on the back-- so when they turn around the message could be easily visible.

[Vogon_Glory]

34. Turning Your Backs Is A Good Tactic, IF

Turning your backs on Generalissimo Gee Dubya can be a very effective tactic--if you can get the strength of numbers to make it stand out.

Crowds of silent, angry protesters about the size of the opposition crowds in the Ukraine would make such a tactic VERY noticeable and put a decent-sized dent in Faux' and the other propaganda organs' pro-Boosh spin.

I am still angry about the election, but I won't be in the country for the incumbent's second inauguration. I'd made travel plans to be elsewhere that day.

[JMS825]

37. turning backs

I like the idea of turning your back on the president who turned his back on america but if you turn your back on him he will stab you in it

[Vogon_Glory]

45. Let's Get Real. Turning Our Backs Is Practical

Let's get real. Turning our backs can be good political theater (Political theater was something the Democrats once did very well)if enough people do it. George Deucey-U Bush is not going to get out of his limo and personally stab the back of each and every person who turns his back on the imperial chariot on his imperial triumphal procession. Not even the weight-lifting, barley-eating, spatha-toting Roman gladiators had the strength and endurance to stick hundreds of people in the back in person.

After the Inaugural, progressives can put their backs into undoing His Nibs' right wing extremist agenda.

[bluetrain]

46. Knife to the Back

What if we had T-shirts that actually had a silk screened image of a knife on the back of them?

[Vogon_Glory]

48. With Gee Dubya It's Actually the Shell Game

With Gee Dubya is actually more the shell game and the verbal double-shuffle than the stab in the back. In present-day Republican con-games, the patsy fools himself.

[JMS825]

36. anti-bush

wonder if they will egg bush like last time so he couldnt do the walk to the whitehouse

[leesa]

39. Good idea, but I hope a few of them have some raw eggs tucked away

somewhere.

[rodeodance]

40. I hope no eggs!! as it would spell trouble--the tuning is very symbolic

and egg throwing would just give the media an excuse to be dismissive!! or sensationalize the scene.

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Spiffarino]

43. We?

Bah.

On edit: You love it here? But...but...you say you live in France. How very odd. :shrug:

[TNOE]

44. Bah is right

yea, well wanna bet you ain't gonna love it here in a year after the boy King uses his "mandate"???? Loving America means standing up to who and what is wrong with America, not kissing the King's arse.

[lonestarnot]

42. Could they quietly BA...Shine the Moon...and show him how Big Bird

supports his agenda?

[walldude]

47. Wish I could be there

A word of warning. Bush doesn't plan on getting egged or protested this time around, as a matter of fact he's planning on having the military around this time for protection. In the guise of supporting the troops of course.
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.php?thold=-1&mode=nested&order=0&sid=19087#162554

[fortyfeetunder]

52. Aren't more military staff needed in Iraq? n/t

[Griffy]

49. too little too late... BE IN DC on jan. 6th, thats when..

we need to ALL be in washington DC to support Conyers and any senator that stands with him.... We will GREATLY strength their hands if there are 100,000's of protesters on the mall... plan now

[zann725]

55. That's right! Let's aim for Jan. 6. Let's not assume Bush has Jan 20 yet

:kick:

[donheld]

51. I wish like hell i could be there

I hope millions do.