ALERT! PROTEST BUSH IN INDY THIS WEEK!!

[IndianaGreen]

This is the latest information I received today by e-mail:

All, George Bush is scheduled to address a meeting of dignitaries at Black Expo, most likely on Thursday afternoon. A number of individuals and folks representing groups, such as the IPJC, want to be on hand to nonviolently protest the current Resident of the White House while he is in Indianapolis. A few of us have been trying to find out exactly when and at what time the Shrub will arrive and how long he will stay ... we're sure he'll leave as quickly as possible after making his appearance.

Thoughts are that he will address the IBE Corporate Luncheon & Awards presented by the Pacers Sports & Entertainment at the RCA Dome, as that is a major event of the Black Expo and it is on Thursday. According to the Indy Star, doors open at 8:45 a.m., seating by 10:45 a.m., luncheon promptly from 11:00 a.m. -- 1:15 p.m.

The event, which will bestow honors on a number of African-American celebrities, is noted as being SOLD OUT ;) so don't plan on getting an inside seat.

We don't all believe everything we read in the Indy Star. Bush also may arrive on an entirely different day and/or time -- or NOT AT ALL. He's dismissed Indy before, so there's always the possibility he'll do it again. But we DON'T think he will this time. Too POLITICALLY INCORRECT. Also, according to Fox 59, "IPD IS PREPARING FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS" while Bush is in Indy. Ah-hem. That is Foxspeak for "IPD plans to kick protestors' butts if and when they can seize any opportunity."

For this reason alone, we need to be as large and unified a group as possible. There is not only more safety in numbers, but our message can be made loud and clear.

Please make a sign or banner and plan to stand with us wherever we're "allowed" to stand. For all who missed out on the NGA fiasco or Bush or Cheney's last visits to Indy, not only MUST we continue to protest the War in Iraq, but we also MUST continue to stand up for our DIMINISHING civil liberties -- and a host of other grievances created by the Bush Administration.

The latest IPD routine in Indy when dignitaries visit -- i.e, Bush or Cheney or anyone IPD considers a dignitary -- is to intimidate and try to oppress free speech and our right to assemble peaceably. There may be a "protest zone" declared. And likewise, a "No-Protest" zone. There's also an area that law enforcement now refers to as the "hot zone." The police have been known to CREATE AND MOVE THESE ZONES -- AND THE PEOPLE IN THEM -- without any consideration of the legalities or illegalities of their actions. Just two weeks ago, after a protest at the State House, IPD used Tasers on two young people who most of us believe were targetted because of their prior protesting rather than the reasons given by the Indy Star. The police arrested 24, I believe, but dismissed charges against all but three.

There is ROGUE POLICING IN INDY and we MUST NOT ALLOW IT CONTINUE.
By tomorrow evening when the Pastors for Peace caravan is hosted at North Meadow Friends (all are welcome -- it's a pitch-in!), we hope to have a little more specific information about the protest. For now, just be aware that WE WILL COME TOGETHER WHENEVER BUSH ARRIVES IN INDY AND WE WILL LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD.

Please pass on this info to your friends and contacts and ask them to come downtown and stand with us in unity.

BTW, the 3,200 person IBE "SOLD OUT" event is sponsored by American Family Insurance, Black Enterprise Magazine, Eli Lilly & Co, Ice Miller, The Indianapolis Recorder, NIPSCO, Sports Graphics Printing, Purdue University, Nordstrom, Veolia Water, Urwin Mortgage, Greater Indy Chamber of Commerce, SBC, Comcast, and Bright House Networks.

In Solidarity

[joneschick]

1. does this appearance have anything to do

with * being called out by Julian Bond for not showing up at the national NAACP convention in Milwaukee?? hmmmm?
I wish I could be there, shoulder to shoulder, but I can't make the trip. Does with you in spirit help?
kj

[Voltaire]

2. You know it does

He can come here to Indy but not Milwaukee....riiiiight. So childish is this maladministration.

[hippiechick]

3. Looks like IG beat me to it ...

now I don't have to edit/post your email :P

:hi:

[IndianaGreen]

4. "more specific information about the protest"

By tomorrow evening when the Pastors for Peace caravan is hosted at North Meadow Friends (all are welcome -- it's a pitch-in!), we hope to have a little more specific information about the protest.

PITCH-IN" DINNER FOR PASTORS FOR PEACE CARAVAN TO CUBA TONIGHT AT NORTH MEADOW FRIENDS

In all the last-minute flurry of Bush protest-making, let's not overlook a VERY IMPORTANT LOCAL EVENT later TODAY: The PASTORS FOR PEACE FRIENSHIPMENT CARAVAN TO CUBA will be rolling into Indy where they will be hosted by North Meadown Friends Meeting House. A "pitch-in" dinner will begin at 5:30 with comradery and lots of talk afterward. Caravaners will spend the night at North Meadow, then continue their trek to the Texas/Mexico border. ALL ARE WELCOME!! The North Meadown Friends Meeting House is located at 17th & Talbot Street near downtown Indy. In Solidarity & Struggle, Cate