When congress returns, it is time to march on DC again.

[adamuu]

Can someone please organize this? Just tell me when, and I'll be there. with friends.

On Sunday, September 25, 2005, a large number of protesters marched on Washington to protest the Iraq war. Media coverage was patchy, but some estimates ran around 250,000 marchers. We did not have the support of Congress. Only a few congresspeople in the Progressive Caucus even acknowledged that we were there. GWB decided to be out of town that weekend, so he did not have a Nixon moment as we shouted at the White House front gate. Still, we made as much impact as we could in a hostile climate. To this day, it is difficult to find MSM articles about the event. But, I was there. The crowd was a dense as it appears in this photo. All day.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/...

Recent news stories have claimed that the town hall shouters had an influence on our elected leaders. Are we just going to let that go? These losers are going to end up influencing policy just by being loud? Screw that! There are more of us than there are of them!

If we were to have a similar march, this time for single-payer healthcare, even if it is not quite as large, would the media ignore us the same way as in 2005? Would Congress? Would the White House?

The media is in tune with this issue now. They are in gawker mode. Well let's give them something to gawk at.

I believe the Democrats are asking for a backlash from us. FDR famously said, "I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it."

[T Wolf]

1. Unless the march includes taking the god damned politicians hostage until they pass

real health CARE reform, bodies in the street will be ignored.

Those victorious marches that stopped the wars against Iraq and Afghanistan are the only examples where mass protests accomplished anything. ' '

[adamuu]

2. yeah, the outcome was discouraging. But our party was in the minority at the time

The R's could easily ignore us.
The Democrats cannot.

[Tim01]

3. I think the politicians think your numbers are too small to be relevant.

If there are enough supporters of your cause, people who will put their money where their mouths are, the politicians will come around.

[Johnboi70]

12. Why post if you're just going to be negative?

I mean, it's not like marching could hurt, but for some reason you want to discourage people? The anti-healthcare people are having an impact despite their lack of numbers and their obvious astroturf roots. I say march, march, march!!!

[mnhtnbb]

4. I was there in Sept 2005 and yes, we were pretty much ignored by MSM.

I posted here before Congress let out that we'd better plan to organize a giant DC march in September; we should shut the damn town down until Congress starts representing us instead of kowtowing to insurance companies.

[adamuu]

16. I'm sorry I missed that post. Good thinking!

I for one am guilty of being a little complacent the last six months. I keep waiting for something to happen. I apologize. It is clearer now, that we have an even tougher fight than we had during the election.

On the other hand, as Arianna Huffington put it last night, Obama hasn't made it clear what we should be saying when we knock on doors. What exactly should we write on our protest signs?

[ThomWV]

5. The key is to doing it when Congress is in session

Has there been a major protest march on DC in the last several decades that took place when Congress was actually in town and in session?

[librechik]

6. 9/9/9==I just heard about this gathering on Stephanie

the weekend before Congress returns. Storm the Capitol with good will and Christianity--and this time, bring the kids!

[skip fox]

7. I think it's a great idea.

Let's hope the insurance companies don't ramp up the tea-baggers to do the same the following week when Congress is in session. (I fear something like this would be the case.)

But what can one do except act responsibly and decently in the face of callow barbarism.

[librechik]

8. exactly, dear skip

it doesn't ever work to adopt the tactics of the opposing side. we must be brave leaders, even if no one follows us.

[adamuu]

9. Cool ! I'll look for a link when I get home.

Any idea why Chrstianity is attached?
any idea why it is scheduled outside of the Congressional calendar?

Well, If it's the only lead, count me in.

[adamuu]

15. I couldn't find a link :(

And, do you know that's a WEDNESDAY?

[bdamomma]

10. congress needs their a$$es to be kicked to the curb.

enough, crapping all over the people, don't they have their insurance coverage?

[adamuu]

11. What is the best way forward

It's not going to be fair, it's a rip off, and it sucks. I share your sentiments. But what can we do, in all reality?

[bdamomma]

19. maybe we should take notes from other countries

when the people are not happy they storm the government.

[jtrockville]

13. Mad As Hell Doctors HAS organized it. Just show up (9/30-10/1)

See their website for the full route, but it ends up in DC Sept 30 - Oct 1.
http://www.madashelldoctors.com/

[adamuu]

14. Oh.. this is something.

Thanks!

[mnhtnbb]

18. This is great! Hope it's not too late. Thanks for the link.

[Mystayya]

17. I was there. There seemed to be more foriegn press then american press.

I'll be in DC Oct 11th-12th to march for Equality for all citizens. I would very much like to see another Anti-War march.

Note: I think much of the lack of coverage and political support for the Anti-War marches is that the organizing groups are also very much against the Israel-Palestine-Lebanon conflicts. When they say Anti-War they mean all war. That scares away alot of politicians and public figures.

[adamuu]

20. MARCH.MARCH.MARCH.MARCH MARCH MARCH

Public Option March in DC on Sept. 13
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Robert Reich calls for 'march on Washington' in support of public option
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Why Haven't We Had An "Illion Man March" For Health Care!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Are you willing to walk the walk?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

When congress returns, it is time to march on DC again.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...