**** Who's headed to D.C. on Oct. 25? Let's pull something together ****

[prolesunited]

I've been able to successfully re-arrange my schedule to make it to DC on Oct. 25. I haven't booked a flight yet, but I plan on flying in from Chicago Friday afternoon and leaving late Sunday. I know for the last big protest in DC, a group of DUers got together and stayed in the same hotel and partied together before and after the event.

So, I have some questions. Who's going to be there? Is anyone interested in meeting up? I anyone coordinating a DU contingent? Any local DC people able to help coordinate arrangements?



United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) and Act Now to Stop War & End Racism (ANSWER) are joining forces to call on all those who oppose the war, invasion and occupation of Iraq, to unite on Saturday, October 25 in Washington, D.C., for a truly massive outpouring reflecting the growing popular opposition to the Bush Administration’s foreign and domestic program.

It was the peace and antiwar movement in the 1960’s and 70’s that proved to be one of the decisive factors ending the US war in Vietnam. The October 25th demonstration will be a powerful repudiation by the people of the United States of Bush’s criminal war and occupation of Iraq and will be a signal of the new antiwar movement’s potent political force countering the Bush Administration.

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1957

[G_j]

1. I'll be there

we're planning on chartering a bus.

edit, I sould say chartering at least one bus, but hopefully more.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. Have fun, prolesunited.

It is the weekend of the triplets' third birthday party.

[prolesunited]

3. Triplets turning three

You absolutely can't miss that. :-)

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. The family would have my head!

And it's too much fun, plus my nephew-in-law's great Greek food.

[goddess40]

5. 3 generations going from here

My mother, son and myself.

[prolesunited]

12. That is very cool!

Did you go to the one last year? How far from D.C. do you live?

[goddess40]

54. we're from central Wisconsin

While we had planned on going last time my mothers foot didn't recover from surgery fast enough. We had paid for seats on a bus and passed them on to someone who wanted to go but couldn't afford to pay.

[jonnyblitz]

6. I'll be there along with my sister (another DUer)

We am going down on an ANSWER bus out of Rhode Island (tho we are in CT) and I am planning to try to meet other people there (non DUers) but wouldnt mind running into other DUers as well, if possible. We will only be there for the morning of the march then we leave after so the chances are slim. Too bad there wasn't an easy way to identify DUers on the street other than DU t-shirts or whatever...

[prolesunited]

26. There's a scheduled bus out of Chicago as well

but it would mean spending more time on the bus than the actual protest, with no time to meet up with people. My charge card is empty, so what the heck? I'll splurge on a plane and hotel. I think it's going to be worth it.

BTW, who's your sister?

[bowens43]

7. My daughter and I will be there.

we're driving up on the morning of the 24th.We're going to spend Friday in the museums and Saturday giving the idiot hell. We would be interested in a meet up of some kind.

[prolesunited]

8. That's one of the reasons I want to get there on Friday

Last time I was there, I did the Mall and all the monuments and memorials along with Library of Congress and the National Archives. I hit the Smithsonian, but had no idea how many buildings it encompassed. I pretty much ran through several buildings and missed so much. How old is your daughter?

[bowens43]

11. She's 21

and an art major so we will be spending our time in the art museums.

[Mandate My Ass]

9. Me

Along with my husband, sister and son. I hope the weather is as beautiful as it was for the protest last October.

Nothing has been firmed up yet, except who is going, but I'll either get up early Sat. morning and drive down or find a hotel and come down Friday night after work.

[Bushfire]

35. Folks, if you have the means don't miss it

Hey G!

It's cool people like Monica_L, and many others who you'll be able to place a face with the names behind DU. There is nothing else like it. It makes this forum 100 times cooler after the protest/event.

[Mandate My Ass]

36. Hey I wish you could make it again

It would be a pleasure to see you under any circumstances although I'm sure you'll be there in spirit and me and my gang will hopefully be exhibiting the proper esprit de corps.

Hope all is well with you. :hi:

[Bushfire]

38. Wish I could be there too

it is conflicting with stuff going on here. You should get some sleep though. Aren't you up late tonight? :hi:

[prolesunited]

39. Do you want us to keep you posted

on any get-togethers? I didn't make it last time. I think it is very cool that you are doing both with your family. As the saying goes, "The family that protests together, stays together." ;-)

[Mari333]

10. we went to DC for the last protest before the war

flew from O Hare to DC...
Now, if we go, we are boycotting the planes until the TSA drops their blacklist..we might do Amtrack..

[graphixtech]

13. hopefully,

if I can figure a way from KC which does not involve flying (or driving solo).

It would be cool to meet up with duers (and perhaps share expenses).

[prolesunited]

14. Why don't you check with other DUers

in your area? Maybe you could do a road trip? That would be fun. I have fond memories of such trips during college.

[Misinformed01]

15. We want to go...I am really hoping

that vacation/moving time allows it--would love to meet some other DUers in DC. Fun! Plus the weather should be great-

[prolesunited]

16. Cool!

I know there's still time, but I'm worried about hotels booking up. I thought it would be fun to get a block of rooms somewhere. I think that's what they did last time.

Anybody know anything about the hotels out there? Where would be an affordable, convenient, nice place to stay?

I hope you guys can work it into your plans. I think it will be another historic event and I would love to meet both of you in person. :-)

[Misinformed01]

17. There are hotels that are not that pricey

out in the suburbs; best part of DC is the subway system there-it is the easiest in the world to use, even for a klutz like me-

There is a new exhibit at the Museum of Natural History that I am dying to see too....I just read about it recently, but am brain dead right now and can't remember what it was-

I will pull out my trusty triple A stuff, and see what I can find out about the hotel situation.

Wouldn't that be a great weekend? Tons of people, the Smithsonian, hopefully sunny, cool weather...

[prolesunited]

18. Sounds like a great plan!

I'm going to try to get into town mid-morning/early afternoon Friday so I have some time to do some sightseeing. Hopefully, more people will chime in but that doesn't mean we can't start the ball rolling.

Keep me posted on any info you dig up.

[Misinformed01]

19. I am going to try to talk a couple of

people into going to this-

Sometime this weekend, I will look for hotels that are reasonable, and in a decent area near the subway-

[prolesunited]

20. I hope ShakeyDave

is on that list! :D

[veganwitch]

27. i would be willing to house 1 or 2 people

i would love to open my apartment to a solitary or couple who dont want to/cant pay for a hotel. im metro accessible. ive got a queen size aerobed. if you want to come friday or stay saturday night, thats fine. message me if you are interested.

ma masion est toi maison.

[prolesunited]

28. What a wonderful offer

Perhaps some DUer who couldn't afford to come otherwise will be able to take you up on your generous offer. I certainly hope we'll all be able to hook up.

I was thinking get-togethers Friday night for those who arrive early and Saturday night for those who can stick around.

[deutsey]

21. I'm hoping to be there!

PM me with any details about DU get-togethers!

[prolesunited]

41. Nothing is set yet

but we're working on it. Will you be in town Friday and Saturday or both?

[jab105]

22. My county has a bus goiing up there....

Its my birthday, so I'm thinking of protesting Bush for my birthday, what could be better:)

[screembloodymurder]

23. I'm going

need a million to get their attention.

[seg4527]

24. re

Damn, I wish I could go.

But that's the problem with being 17. However opposed to the war my dad is, I doubt he would let me go down to DC for this.

[prolesunited]

25. Bring your dad with you

You could use a variety of tactics:
Father-son bonding time
Historic visit to nation's capitol
Real world lesson in democracy

As you saw from the thread, a number of families will be going together. Talk to him about it. It couldn't hurt. None of these protests have been violent or out of control.

[goddess40]

55. My son is 14 and I'm taking him

along with his grandmother

[youngred]

29. I'm in DC

if there is a DU congregation I'd be very happy to meet up with them

[prolesunited]

30. Definitely!

I would like to do something both Friday and Saturday nights as well. Since your in the area, maybe you could help with logistics as far as where to go and how to get there. Would you be able to help?

[youngred]

31. sure

depends on what you are all interested in doing.

I'm not as familiar with the local bar scene since I'm 20 and MPD is notoriously harsh on drinking of even adults. But I can do grunt/groundwork on transport and staying places

[ima_sinnic]

32. hoping to drive up from Florida

Will probably stop about 3 hours south of DC on Friday nite and then leave at dawn to arrive in DC Sat. morning. Would love to meet up with a DU contingent.

[prolesunited]

33. Great!

You might check into bringing a Florida contingent with you. Not sure where you're at, but there several Florida DUers.

This keeps sounding better and better!

[LeahMira]

42. Smart idea...

Will probably stop about 3 hours south of DC on Friday nite and then leave at dawn to arrive in DC Sat. morning. Would love to meet up with a DU contingent.

That's a smart idea. There are plenty of nice, reasonable priced places to stay an hour or two outside of D.C.

I'm in Delaware, but we're already planning to host three folks from Massachusetts over the weekend... driving down in the morning is only two hours and it's fun to honk and wave at the other folks coming in by bus via I-95. Loads of free parking at the Forest Glen Metro Station, and about a half-hour ride will take you right in to the march... you do have to transfer at Metro Center, but there's always people there who are going your way.

BTW, if you all want to meet up after, my cousin's daughter has a lead in Cabaret at American University, and she would love a cheering section. :-)

[Oilwellian]

34. I'll be happy to organize this gathering, if you wish

I don't want to put any kind of info in this thread insofar as where we're staying or meeting up for the rally, so if you need info on a good and reasonably priced hotel, PM me for the details. Do it fast as I'm sure the rooms will be filling up quickly in the next 2 weeks. Also, we need to find out exactly where the rally's going to be held so we can determine a nearby place to gather. I'll comprise a list of all who PM me, and keep you up with the details as they unfold.

Will Pitt, Matcom, KHepra, KGreg, DS1, and all of you other awesome people I met at the first rally, please please please, sweet Virginia is asking that you come to this one too! :D ;)

[prolesunited]

40. Check your inbox

:hi:

[UnapologeticLiberal]

37. I'm in DC, but I can't go

It is parents' weekend, so I probably can't go because my parents will be here and I don't think they will want to go. Plus, I am not entirely comfortable with ANSWER anyway...if they consider Rabbi Michael Lerner too right wing and pro-Israel to speak at their rally, then they are pretty out there.

[LeahMira]

60. Lots of people can't go... we'll protest twice as loud!

Plus, I am not entirely comfortable with ANSWER anyway...if they consider Rabbi Michael Lerner too right wing
and pro-Israel to speak at their rally, then they are pretty out there.


International ANSWER is pro-Palestinian. I understand your feelings on that. At the same time, I think that any protest event you will attend will include some folks whose ideas aren't entirely to your liking. The one issue that unites everyone is the issue of getting U.S. troops out of Iraq. Let's focus on the things that we can agree about.

Have a good weekend with your parents. Try not to wear them out! :-)

[DancingBear]

43. Hotel info and an offer to help

I live about an hour or so west of D.C., in Virginia. There are 2 or 3 hotels in the closest town to me - relatively inexpensive (Comfort Inn and Best Western, I think), and several more in the "next town over". Staying in either of the towns and going into D.C. via Metro is the way to go. Please let me know if anyone needs more info - we'll help in ANY way we can - innkeepers, tour guides, you name it!

Mr/Ms DB

[prolesunited]

44. Thank you very much for your kind offer.

Would you be interested in meeting up with the group Friday or Saturday night? Were you planning on attending the march?

[Oilwellian]

47. Hi Dancing Bear

Thanks for the info on the hotels in your area. I've thought of staying in the outskirts of DC and taking the Metro into the rallys but found I can stay in the heart of DC, 2 blocks from Constitution Avenue (walking distance to the rally) for $50 per night plus about $15.00 for parking. Personally, I like being 5 minutes walking distance to the rally and don't have to mess with transportation. But that's just me. I'm going to be driving up from Roanoke Friday afternoon, so maybe you'd like to hitch a ride with me into the city and stay with other fellow DU'ers. One nice thing about it, you can party and not worry about having to take a train back home in the evenings. Let me know if you're interested, and either way you decide, I look forward to joining up with you and other fellow DU'ers to protest against this farce of an administration.

[GregW]

45. I'll try!

It must be about time for me to check up on those East Coast offices of mine again!

[Oilwellian]

46. Ohhh! That would be fantastic Greg!

I'm getting a room at the same place we stayed last year, and will also be checking tomorrow to see about reserving a block of rooms for anyone else interested in the same hotel.

Keep me posted Greg. I'd love seeing you and other fellow DU'ers again.

And those interested in this hotel, PM me for details.

[LastDemInIdaho]

48. No thanks - watching ANSWER slag Israel again and again is too much

If they and their anti-Israel message were not the headliner I would be more than ready to go. ANSWER disgusts me.

[jonnyblitz]

49. Sharon disgusts me. n/t

[prolesunited]

50. I'm sorry you feel that way

but many who will be there are not there to support ANSWER. Rather, they are there to protest the administration.

I check on there Web site, which outlines the focus of their demonstration. Didn't see any mention of Israel.
http://www.internationalanswer.org/news/update/082603whyo25.html

In addition, this action is being cosponsored by United for Peace and Justice, which is more mainstream. I think this will help keep the program more on track.

From their site:
UFPJ and ANSWER have both organized antiwar demonstrations numbering in the hundreds of thousands in the last year and have now agreed to join forces for the purpose of organizing the October 25 National March on Washington, D.C. under the banner: End the Occupation of Iraq, Bring the Troops Home Now!

The protest will also condemn the vast cuts in vital domestic social and economic programs and demand: Money for jobs, education & healthcare, not war and occupation. As the October 25-26 weekend is also the second anniversary of the passage of the so-called Patriot Act, authorizing political arrests, indefinite detentions, domestic spying, and religious and racial profiling, the demonstration will also be a call to Fight Back Against the Patriot Act.
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1957

I would like to discuss your reaction, though. What specifically have they done that has you so angry at them? What is their anti-Israel message?

[LastDemInIdaho]

53. Here's a start...

http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/COI/index.html

Page after page of indictment screed against Israel and not so much as a whisper of preventing the suicidal attacks against Israel and banning Jewish speakers at their rallys.

[jonnyblitz]

57. why should they let a speaker who disses them like you do

speak at their rallies. And not all of us fall for the simplistic AIPAC/Likud version of events over there. Sharon is a murderous butcher. You don't treat a population like the Palestines are treated without expecting retaliation, as ugly as that might be. Don't insult our intelligence, we see what is going on over there.

Rachel Corrie RIP

[prolesunited]

59. Personally, I think both sides are wrong

and there will never be peace until both Arafat and Sharon are legally and peacefully removed from office by those who cherish peace and the lives of their children on both sides. I could go on, but I don't want this thread to turn into an I/P discussion.

If your conscience will not allow you to attend, that is your choice. I would hope you would honor the intention of this thread by not using it to dissuade others. If you feel strongly about the issue, perhaps you would want to start your own thread where it could be discussed.

[LeahMira]

63. Really?

The International ANSWER did not agree to let Rabbi Lerner speak at their rally in California because he had previously criticized their position vis a vis Israel and Palestine.

I disagree with that decision, but they have certainly not banned all Jewish speakers at their events. Rabbi Lerner responded beautifully by encouraging his supporters to support the protests also and not to focus on "personalities." In so doing, he took the higher ground, IMO, and came off looking like a "mensch."

You can read both groups' statements on their respective websites: internationalanswer.com and tikkun.org

Also, I am totally disgusted and saddened at the suicide bombers, but at the same time I see the overwhelming force of Israel and the relative powerlessness of the Palestinian people. I think that just as the ruthless U.S. action in Iraq that has involved so many civilian casualties has managed to become a recruitment tool for terrorism, so has the harsh Israeli reaction to the bombings managed to fuel the sense of powerlessness and desperation among some Palestinians. I think Sharon is as bad for Israel as Bush is for the U.S.

None of this makes either side right, and I certainly don't know the answer. I just know that what's going on now isn't the answer because it isn't working.

Rabbi Lerner has suggested that the Palestinians sit down in the streets and refuse to budge. He feels that while some of them will be carted off or even killed, the Israelis won't continue to use force against people who refuse to fight back. No one has tried it, so who knows. It could work.

[LeahMira]

62. Sorry to hear that...

I've been to two of the protests... last October and last January... and while you will see the random sign or the random literature table that is pro-Palestinian, for the largest part everyone is there to protest the Bush administration and its mishandling of the "war on terrorism." Of course I can't predict who will be there this time, but I think it's important to show numbers and let the administration know how we feel on that issue.

Quite honestly, I don't see Bush as any friend of Israel either, so while I may be uncomfortable with the pro-Palestinian contingent I do feel that we have common cause in our dislike for the current administration.


As an aside... my son made aliyah to Israel last year and we have visited him there. We were able to "tour" a bit of Gaza also, and no human beings should have to live in such a way. You can blame the Palestinian leadership and you can blame Hamas and you can blame all sorts of people, but the fact remains that there are real people living in conditions that I can only compare to some of America's poorest Indian reservations, but Gaza is even worse. That's the problem with ideology and rhetoric. Real people are involved in the consequences... on both sides. I don't know the answers, but the fear and anger on both sides is not something that anyone can ignore.

[Plaid Adder]

51. We have our plane tickets

and we will be there.

Yee ha,

THe Plaid Adder

[prolesunited]

52. You're certainly on top of it!

If I'm staying downtown, what airport should I fly into? Which airline did you find the best rates with? Are you interested in being notified of any gatherings?

BTW, I'll definitely be in Chicago to protest Bush on Sept. 30. There's a thread in activism.

[Plaid Adder]

58. Eep, my partner handles all that stuff

I think we ended up flying into BWI. We were in a weird situation because we have to do a kind of triangular thing (flying to two different destinations on the same trip).

Sure, notify me, although I can't promise to turn up; I have a lot of people to see while I'm down there. However, I will certainly see you and a couple hundred thousand other people on the march.

IMPEACH!
INDICT!
IMPRISON!

Say it with me, folks!

IMPEACH!
INDICT!
IMPRISON!

Yee ha,

The Plaid Adder

[SidewalkSerferGirl]

56. Protest watcher

I'll be there with a bright green hat on--the Legal Observers will be keeping an eye out for you!

Also, if anybody has questions about DC, I'm a resident and over 21. Happy to help.

[LeahMira]

64. Please do...

Post links to the Metro Station map and do you know any decent hotels/motels an hour or so outside the city on north, south, and west sides that people might check in to via internet? Preferably those nearby a Denny's or Pancake House or etc.?

Thanks for "Legally Observing!"

[SidewalkSerferGirl]

67. Some logistics

A.N.S.W.E.R. has a pretty good logistics page on their site:

http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/o25/logistics.html#dc1

The Metro map is here--it's very very accessible and easy to understand:

http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

It runs until 3:00 am on weekends now.

If you want to stay even further out but still take advantage of mass trans, there are two commuter trains, the MARC (Maryland) and the VRE (Virginia), but both have different or no hours on the weekends--in that case, you have to do a combo Metro/bus route. It's generally pretty easy once you figure out where you want to stay. Of course, there's always Amtrak--all three systems go to Union Station, which is then connected to the Metro on the red line.

MARC train: http://www.mtamaryland.com/

VRE train: http://www.vre.org/

Staying in Virginia might be cheaper, as most things are, but I don't know of any specific places to stay. The ANSWER page has some ideas. If you want to know if an address is in a good area, I might be able to help with that.

Hope that helps a little!

[prolesunited]

68. I'm staying in the city

What airport should I fly into? Thanks for the links as well.

BTW, welcome to DU! :hi:

[SidewalkSerferGirl]

71. DC Aiports

Any of the three airports (National (still refuse to call it "Ronald Reagan National"), Dulles, or Baltimore) will work, but Dulles is the least convenient--you'll have to pay for a shuttle unless your hotel has airport shuttles. National is the easiest, because it's off the Metro, on the yellow & blue lines--it's often the most expensive, though.

Baltimore is usually the cheapest. Depending on when you arrive, you can take the MARC train into town for 6 bucks. I don't think it runs on the weekend, so if you're arriving on Saturday there's a bus that runs from BWI to Greenbelt metro station, or there's a regular Amtrak train for something like $25.

Thanks for the welcome--I've been reading the boards for months, I guess I was just waiting until I had something helpful to contribute!

In what area of the city are you staying?

[prolesunited]

72. Thanks!

That's a great help. I have to get my plane ticket.

I'm sure you have plenty of other things to contribute as well. Jump in. It's awfully noisy, but it's a lot of fun.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[DancingBear]

61. Bear Family Update

Both my wife and I will be there on the 25th - driving to the metro stop in Vienna and taking the train in. Hopefully, we'll be bringing along two friends - one age 27 (from CT), the other age 67 (from NC). We're in the middle - age 50.

Looking forward to putting DU names to faces - keep us informed as to any formal/informal gatherings. Once again, should anyone coming from the west (or anywhere else) need lodging info, transportation in, or whatever, we're here to help.

[prolesunited]

69. You're on the list

Don't worry, it's not Ashcroft's. ;-) But then again, it just might be. :scared: Looking forward to meeting everyone as well.

[AWD]

65. I'll be there!

Whatever DUers choose to do, count me in!

[prolesunited]

73. I'll keep you posted!

:hi:

[CheshireCat]

66. I'll be there!

along with another DUer from SC. We are riding a bus sponsored by the Carolina Peace Resource Center. Leaving Friday night at 10:30 pm. Will arrive in time for the protest, then leave Saturday night for the return trip home.

We will not have much free time, but I would LOVE to find a way to meetup with some other DUer's sometimes Saturday evening or afternoon.

Please pm me with any details on a DU get together.

This needs to be a MAJOR demonstration - larger than last year. Please come if you can.

Peace.

[prolesunited]

74. We'll definitely have to figure out a way to hook up

Sounds like a lot of time spent on the bus, but I'm sure it will be worthwhile.

[MountainLaurel]

70. Me, in all probability

I'm a local, too, so I'd be amenable to meeting up before or after, or providing tips on local places.

[prolesunited]

75. Think of Bush's performance today in front of the UN

Don't you think you should be out in the streets of DC letting him know how you feel?

We're using this thread to organize sending DC info to people. If you want to be included, please post on this thread so we can PM you with the details once they're finalized.