BREAKING: Const Ave occupied as of 7PM b y antiwar students

[Puregonzo1188]

Source: Indymedia

As I left to post this, the occupation has been going on since about 4PM, with no sign of police attack nor preparation for one. Three tents and a large banner are set up, with the tents blocking the road and the banner along the median.

If you are in the area, please go down and check it out! While no police attack has occurred, that could change at any time. In addition rotating fresh activsts into the blockade could allow it to be sustained indefinately(tents for sleeping are there), with monday morning rush hour as the ultimate target.

Read more: http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/141001/index.php

---

According to the group that organize's this blog the street was still occupied as of 9:00. The site hasn't been updated since and I have my local news on and of course no mention of.
There's pictures here http://encampmenttostopthewar.blogspot.com/

[ruiner4u]

1. first thing that popped into my mind was kent state...

damn i hope im wrong and overreacting..

[Puregonzo1188]

4. I don't think it will get to that point. I'm more concerned why Constitution Ave has been (or

possibley still is) occupied for more then 5 hours and my local news is talking baseball players fighting.

God we live in 1984.

[rodeodance]

8. priorities you know.

[CoffeeCat]

15. Oh....

...if only OJ would join the protest.

Then, we'd have round-the-clock, wall-to-wall coverage with satellite trucks
as far as the eye can see!

[ronnie624]

101. Yes, but only to discredit those who oppose war. n/t

[The Doctor.]

109. Great Idea!

Pay OJ to be a pro-war activist.

The media's collective head would explode!

[emilyg]

32. My news had nothing on this.

[mahina]

43. Hope you call all the tv news people,

and pretend they care.

But it's important not to give one inch to hopelessness. Just this week a group of labor union people and the usual peace people came together, and we learned about Labor Against War. AFL CIO, ILWU, Local 5 UNITE here, etc. and us pinkers.

Building community, is where it is going to change. Breaking percieved boundaries.

Their sense of timing is so impeccable, with Myanmar in the news. Good on them, God bless and protect. They need support from outside too, assuming there are arrests. Checking in on them, making calls for them, seeing them lets the police know that they a re not isolated. It's really important.

Aloha.

[Puregonzo1188]

83. I've never contacted my news before, but I am going to at least send them

an email this time.

[JohnnyLib2]

6. Aye. Please, not again.

Shudder.

[1monster]

18. Or Tiananmen Square. More and more people joined every day until

the powers that were brutally shut them down.

[Benhurst]

2. God bless them and keep them safe. This, coming from an agnostic.

:patriot:
The Republic still lives!

Now let's hear from OUR candidates.

On edit: I forgot to recommend! Either #2, 3 or 4. Who cares? Keep 'em coming!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[grasswire]

3. remember, all you students....

....you can protest the war while you are young AND then sell out and be a Volvo-driving, latte-drinking granola later! It's the American way.

[Mend]

12. actually I drive a Mercedes and hate latte and granola but I sure did protest

that war.

[grasswire]

13. that's what I said

Students should feel free to protest. Even those who are strong capitalists. There's always time to go to both extremes.

[CoffeeCat]

20. I protested...

...I drive a Land Rover, I drink Starbuck's daily (I make my own at home), but
I won't touch granola. Too much partially hydrogenated high fructose corn syrup.

[Mend]

25. I just discovered (on-line) that the Starbuck's Chai latte without the latte has

almost 300 calories in the venti size...good grief. I am back to Lipton tea and Sweet n low.

[glowing]

96. Use honey and stay away from the fake sugar... its soooo bad for you.

anything to do with Monsanto usually is...

[Kutjara]

130. Stevia is a good substitute for sugar.

It's healthy (despite the misinformation spread by the saccharine lobby that only allows it to be sold as "nutritional supplement" in healthfood stores), has no calories and tastes great in coffee.

[KansDem]

162. I bought a four-pack of diet root beer last week...

I haven't had a high-fructose corn-syrup soft drink since January 1980. Nor do I drink anything with artificial sweetener. But this diet root beer (Steaz? Natural Brew?) uses stevia and it's only 6-7 calories a bottle!

Mmmmm-mmm...back to soft drinks (now if I can only kick the hard drink habit?...Naaahhhhh!!!)

[CoffeeCat]

165. Do you know who makes Splenda?

Thanks for any info! :)

[tsuki]

111. Good for you. Off topic, but I have lost 25 lbs the past three months

and the only thing I eliminated was HFCS.

[Mend]

115. does Pepperidge Farms use that in Goldfish? I can't tell from the label.

ps...great weight loss...good for you!

[panzerfaust]

148. Right. Not that important a topic anyhow.

Some people are finally laying their asses down in the street to stop this criminality, and 'GoldStar' posters on DU can think of nothing better than condescending remarks about how 'students should protest', granola, latte, and weight loss.


:puke: :puke:

[NOLALady]

151. ITA

Those kids should be applauded and supported.

When I first read this, I had flashbacks of Kent State, Jackson State, hoses and dogs. I was really afraid that there would be bloodshed.

Thank Heavens noone was hurt.

[CoffeeCat]

166. Oh come on...

...haven't you ever stood with a group of people and had a conversation
about serious and not-so-serious topics--flipping back and forth from one
subject to the next?

Talking about other things doesn't mean we don't take the initial topic
seriously.

Pull up a chair and I'll whip you up a nice sugar-free, mocha-chino--with
fat free whip cream, if you like. :)

[CoffeeCat]

157. You give me hope...

(and I do think this is an important topic!) I try to avoid HFCS as
much as I can in some things--because I am a total binge eater and
I'll often eat junk foods that have a great deal of HFCS. I'm not
looking for foods that have HFCS, but most junk food and even foods
that are positioned as "healthy" have a lot of HFCS--like granola
bars.

Congratulations on losing 25 lbs. That's so wonderful! I bet you
look great, but I bet anything that you feel like a million bucks.
Am I right???

I am of the opinion that HFCS is total poison...absolute rot.

I'm really going to try going cold turkey on all processed food.

Thanks for sharing that.

I'd love to hear anything you have to say about HFCS! :)

[tsuki]

164. But I didn't change my diet. I buy those choc chip cookies made

with sugar (the Hollywood brand.) They are the size of a half dollar. A couple of these and I am done. Sugared out. I buy mayo, bread, pudding etc, just making sure there is no HFCS.

I am a Feingolder, so I believe that allergies play a large part of our ill health. He was absolutely correct about the elimination diet, and I do have a corn intolerance.

It was just Thom Hartman's continual snarking about HFCS made me give it up.

[Pesky_Hound]

158. Sorry off topic

I haven't lost any weight eliminating HFCS. But, something happened that is almost better. I have a chronic fatigue condition(don't think it is the syndrome, but maybe it is), I have been battling that for almost 6 years now. It got really bad this last 9 mos, I could barely get out of bed, when I did get out I didn't have the energy to even do most basic tasks, I could barely read on the computer, couldn't watch tv for more than a half hour without falling asleep. I suspect that HFCS was the biggest culprit, even more than stress, a virus that may have triggered the chronic fatigue. Anyway, I am feeling much better, maybe since I am able to move around more I will actually start losing weight.

Sorry for the off topic, but you need energy to protest and stuff.

[gateley]

34. That's very supportive. nt

[ScottytheRadical]

47. Or we can protest the war and be card-carrying revolutionary socialists...

Being a 20-year-old student at Portland State University in Oregon, can't say I see this scenario playing out. I was at a protest today of about 1000 people in Portland, and people were fired up. And the other young Socialists in my organization especially so. I haven't been to a march with so much energy since, well, 2003.

Generation Y is not the baby boom generation. The American economy is no longer upwardly mobile, and conservatising jobs simply won't be available for many of us.

At any rate, I never learned to drive, I dislike granola (but enjoy oatmeal) and I question your decision to include lattes in that statement. If you thinking drinking a latte is selling out, you've never had Stumptown coffee before!

[calimary]

49. Welcome to DU!

We need you to become active like this. Brings me back to the days when I protested.

I hope to God there's more energy. It's the apathy across America that's hamstringing us so far. People NEED to take to the streets again. But back then, many of our asses were seriously on the line because there was still a draft. The men among us were protesting as though their lives depended on it, which was quite true. Their lives DID depend on it.

And I LOVE lattes. Venti nonfats. But dammit, they're still fattening, so I'm stuck with tea and Splenda.

[Cybergata]

132. Great Post!

As a person who protested the Vietnam War, President Regan's Central American policies, President Bush Sr.'s Middle East policies and still protesting over Junior's War, I welcome you to the movement. I once believed we needed a balance between Socialism and Capitalism, but the past eight years have made me a die hard socialist. And agreed, Starbucks is the last place I'd go for a Latte, but I love my Co-op's granola.

I love seeing young people out protesting. I feel like the human race will have a chance as long as young people keep the movement alive.

[Cybergata]

133. Great Post!

As a person who protested the Vietnam War, President Regan's Central American policies, President Bush Sr.'s Middle East policies and still protesting over Junior's War, I welcome you to the movement. I once believed we needed a balance between Socialism and Capitalism, but the past eight years have made me a die hard socialist. And agreed, Starbucks is the last place I'd go for a Latte, but I love my Co-op's granola.

I love seeing young people out protesting. I feel like the human race will have a chance as long as young people keep the movement alive.

[jwirr]

155. The 20 year olds are facing more than the war in their future. I

commend them for speaking out about the war but they are not going to have the chance to step down once it ends. They have the long emergency to look forward to in a very short time. In the 60-70s we had not understood what the future held for us - many of us did go home and bought into business as usual. I still fear for the protesters tonight - I cannot see the authorities standing down completely.

[dickbearton]

50. So right, K&R...

That is one of the biggest problems facing America, apathy
and/or thoughtless compliance.

[Ken Burch]

56. Is there a REASON you're being so smug and cynical about this?

These kids are potentially risking their lives for the principles most of us just sit around yammering about.

These kids are HEROES, for fuck's sake.

You've got no good reason to be mocking them.

[subsuelo]

113. someone touch a nerve?

[Ken Burch]

150. Yeah! I won't let middle-aged cynics diss these heroic kids!

They're walking the walk while guys like that poster don't even talk the talk anymore.

If you want people to show courage, you have to support them when they do.

If this sounds hypersensitive to you, so be it.

You'd think a Hugo Chavez supporter would LIKE these kids.

[subsuelo]

152. Oh, I think these demonstrators are great

I just didn't see that post as a diss against the kids

[Ken Burch]

153. Well, perhaps we're just interpreting it differently

Thanks for clarifying your position.

[TomInTib]

5. Something's Happening Here

The students are finally in the streets.

The Vets will follow.

Finally.

[rodeodance]

10. pictures are from ealier (daylight). good pics. Thanks

[Californian Dreamer]

35. ...What it is, ain't exactly clear

There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me, I've got to beware

I think it's time we stop, children
What's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right, if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
And getting so much resistance from behind

I think it's time we stop, children
What's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

What a field day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, Hooray for our side

I think it's time we stop, children
What's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life, it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
Step out of line, the man comes and takes you away

I think it's time we stop, children
What's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

[blondie58]

77. oh, my gosh, I have sung along to those words umpteen times

but the relevance didn't really strike me until you pointed it out, Californian Dreamer. I was young during the Vietnam War- was too busy climbing trees and catching crawdads, so Vietnam was not a personal issue. I applaud these students though. It is nice to see them take action.

[conscious evolution]

79. For what it's worth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g9PiEgYYUU&mode=related&search=


Peace
ce

[llmart]

138. Boy, does that bring back memories.......

I'm 58. We need to remember that we can make a difference. We did back then.

Also love "War what is it good for - absolutely nothing."

[uppityperson]

7. k&r

[CountAllVotes]

9. kick!!

:kick:

[Puregonzo1188]

11. I was planning on going to today, but something came fairly last minute and I couldn't

I know several DUers were planning on going, does anyone have any reports on what happened?

[SharonRB]

88. I've been trying to find out how the march was

Whether they had more or less people than we had on the 15th. Even here on DU I haven't seen anyone talking about it.

[jeff30997]

14. K&R

Interesting story.

[InkAddict]

16. Here's to when they slow down the Beltway

stop up the Metro escalators, fill the Mall, and shut down the Key, Memorial, and George Washington Bridges. Course, then again, maybe it could snow a lot--I've heard it has the same effect...and then it melts.

[papau]

24. Snow is a 3 week disaster - this looks like 1 block on a Saturday where there are

easy ways around them.

But the news blackout is similar to the news blackout during Reagan when we "occupied" the area in front of the White House and in the park across the street.

[gateley]

36. Oops. Wrong Place to post this. nt

[Theres-a]

17. K&R

[fenriswolf]

19. thats right

hit them where it hurts, stop the machine, people marching doesnt do alot, lets see what happens when american road ways have a clogged artery, well see what happens then.

[2rth2pwr]

21. Police attack? It looks like there is a cruiser right next to them and they are

letting them protest. I understand all the excitement but who are they trying to convince? B*sh is locked in and the top 3 on our side started with "get out now" but now want to stay there.




And what's up with the mixed message? Free Palestine, Immigrant Rights, Health Care, FIST etc....

[SlowDownFast]

48. "what's up with the mixed message?...

Free Palestine, Immigrant Rights, Health Care, FIST etc...."

A.N.S.W.E.R. fucks, that's what's up.

Never get anywhere with muddied messages -

Free Palestine/Mumia/Peltier/My uterus/Willy/Jerry Garcia's guitars/Our minds/The whole world, etc.

What's so fucking hard to get about that?

Gawddamn, it pisses me off.

:grr: :banghead: :mad:

[piesRsquare]

60. THANK YOU!

It is so nice to see that someone else out there feels the same way I do!

So many protests and marches over the past five years have been total jokes, what with every issue under the sun being brought up!

:banghead:

[loudsue]

117. As the saying goes: "Follow the money".

There have been several research threads on DU in years past that tied A.N.S.W.E.R. to some well-infiltrated politics.

As long as they're the ones getting the $$, they'll continue to be the voice of the milque-toast protests.

[SlowDownFast]

123. Mine as well

lobby Congress to pass a bill mandating a worldwide Utopia within a 6 months time frame...

:eyes:

[coalition_unwilling]

141. I have mixed feelings about the marches and demos ANSWER

organizes in Los Angeles. They tend to call them for Saturdays and march from Olympic and Broadway to the Federal Building downtown or Saturdays from Hollywood and Vine to Hollywood and Highland. The problem with the former route is that there are very few people in downtown LA to see the protest; the problem with the latter date and route is that it takes place in the height of the Hollywood strip and, although many tourists may see the march, it is thereby easy to dismiss it as yet another Hollywood Freak Show.

On the other hand, the mass marches and demos in LA have the principal benefit, imho, of convincing members of the Resistance that they are not alone (the flip side of the epithet "preaching to the converted"). Thus, I found them of immense psychological benefit in the months immediately before and after the invasion\occupation of Iraq.

However, over time, I became more firmly convinced of the greater relative efficacy of regular local weekly anti-war\anti-Bush vigils. I have been attending one or more regularly since April 2003. At the one I have attended longest, we meet once a week on Friday at a busy intersection in Mar Vista. There are anywhere from 15-50 on any given Friday, depending on the latest set of outrages perpetrated by Bush and his fascist cohort. The principal advantage to participating in a regular weekly vigil is that the message is far more focussed on anti-Bush\anti-war\anti-imperialism and that, over time, I have been able to witness personally the colossal shift against Bush and his fascist cohort that has taken place (as evidenced in the ratio of people giving us the finger or shouting "traitor" to people honking and flashing the peace sign).

[northernsoul]

78. I concur

The "laundry list of grievance" approach to public protest decimates the effectiveness of such actions. If I had a dollar for every time I went to an anti-war demo only to be harried by various standard-bearers for the plight of left-handed bisexual dolphins in Bolivia who are being unfairly targeted by anti-littering laws, I could probably quit my job now.

[proud2BlibKansan]

84. So where is YOUR sign?

And where are YOU?

[SlowDownFast]

121. Here's my sign:

[NOLALady]

122. Nice sign.

Apparently TONC organized this protest to unite different groups.

When you organize a protest, you will be free to choose a theme (and signs) that works for you.

We're all on the same side here.

[SlowDownFast]

124. Uniting different groups is great...

...so long as they all have the same goal and message and don't stray from it.

If a certain group wants to free Mumia or Palestine or Willy - great. They should all have separate events on separate days - if they truly want to make progress with their particular cause.

Anything else is just pissing in the wind.

[proud2BlibKansan]

145. Good luck gathering supporters

:rofl:

[Puregonzo1188]

85. Actually, answer did not organize this protest, the Troops Out

Now Coalition did which is basically a splinter from ANSWER.

[proud2BlibKansan]

86. Where did you get that information?

Veterans groups promoted this march. ANSWER did the march 2 weeks ago.

[TankLV]

102. couldnl't agree more - now it's just a goddamned INCONVENIENCE for commuters around town...

Pick a message - a SINGLE message and stick with it - everything else is just clutter and ANNOYANCE...

I support courageous protesting and all - but not if it's this supermarket "we protests everything for every cause" bullshit...

sorry if that ruffles feathers here...

that's NOT the way to protest - if this is a real protest - seems like kooks to me and everyone else in the city...

this will damage the cause of getting us out of this goddamn WAR...

[SlowDownFast]

125. .

[knight_of_the_star]

156. Hallelujah!

I could care less for the argument that people present that "at least ANSWER is doing something". The total lack of discipline on message ensures whatever they do will be an unfocused joke as opposed to effectively sending a message.

[ronnie624]

107. I have to agree with your comments about mixed messages.

The need to stop US aggressions in the Middle East is of paramount importance, as it will surely be a catalyst for a much larger and more dangerous conflict in the future. I think war also helps to perpetuate the use of hydrocarbons as a source of energy. And preventing wars in general, would allow us more time and resources to focus on the lesser issues.

[orleans]

22. wow. i just googled and didn't find anything. (am i a bad googler?) n/t

[blondie58]

89. maybe you're just an amateur at using 'the Google'!

[struggle4progress]

23. There's apparently a complete news blackout on this: not a good sign.

[defendandprotect]

29. C-span didn't cover the 9/15 anti-war demonstration in DC LIVE . . .

they did show some of it the next day -- and unfortunately I couldn't pay that much attention, but it looked like they gave equal time to anti-war and war protestors!!!!

Hope I'm wrong --

C-span is being controlled and the concept of this kind of coverage of government will be harmed -- sadly!!! In fact, we've lost ALL of the US Senate thanks to Comcast!!! You can tune in via the C-span website -- Comcast thought it urgent to move the US Senate to "high definition" at another tier of service!!!

[defendandprotect]

31. We need YouTube film on this -- -!!!!

[gateley]

42. You're wrong. They gave MORE time to the Pro War people. C-Span! nt

[Joanne98]

106. But they gave the little tiny fake protest in front of Columbia great coverage!

The media SUCKS! We need to get rid of it.

[gateley]

39. If that's accurate, it's HORRIFYING. It makes me feel like I can't breathe. nt

[Name removed]

26. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Oilwellian]

27. And so it begins...

finally.

[calteacherguy]

28. What's beginning, finally? nt

[Name removed]

72. Deleted message

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

[ldf]

97. does anything begin

if you never hear about it?

:shrug:

[Colorado Progressive]

30. Its about time. Maybe they finally realized they are all about to get drafted! nt

[ikojo]

33. Whatever the reason...I applaud the actions

of these people. It takes guts to block a street, especially in DC at this time when it can possibly be classified as a terrorist act under the PATRIOT Act.

[Colorado Progressive]

45. I agree! nt

[Cybergata]

134. I second the sentiments.

I've been noticing a lot of police provocation, and over reaction lately. These people have guts and my appreciation.

[Hulk]

37. God bless THEM...one and all!!

THESE are the heros in this nation. We've labeled the military as the heros, when they certainly are putting their lives on the line for this ill-guided fiasco of the chimp's. But these young adults are voluteering for righteousness in this land, and very possibly putting their lives on the line against their own corrupt government. These are the heros in my book.

The f-propaganda noise will play them as degenerates and misguided and gullible liberal radicals, but they are the brave ones willing to take the stand for the 75% of us that are unable or unwilling to do the same. God bless them all. Your country salutes you!!

[gateley]

38. As of 12:56 a.m. no mention on CNN.com or MSNBC.com. And on CNN I

scrolled down the Latest News column until I reached the headline "Someone Swiping Toilet Paper". I am NOT making that up.

What's the latest??

[dickbearton]

53. That is the value of America's MSM - toilet paper.

[sce56]

40. It is about F'ing time. We need to do more!

[flyarm]

46. there is a guy filming..so that is good..for their safety! eom

[gateley]

41. K&R nt.

[BadgerKid]

44. self-delete (possibly old news)

[ShaneGR]

51. Everytime I showed up to a DC protest of the Iraq war it was never really about Iraq...

Ended up being a mixed message free Palestine, People for the SOcialist Republic of (insert name here), Hugo Chavez is great, free healthcare for all, stop Darfur, and the list goes on. The point is the war, one thing at a time people. You kill your own message by not being focused. Anyways, good luck with the sitin.

[Lasher]

55. I've seen people highjack antiwar rallies like that

There was a big antiwar rally in DC and when this guy got the mic he ended up making a long speech about some other cause. It really sucks when people do that.

[drm604]

58. I sometimes wonder

if some of those people aren't actually disruptors who are there to purposely muddy the message.

[aquart]

61. Bingo.

Works, too.

[Captain Hilts]

71. No, they're often scheduled speakers. ANSWER isn't very focused nt

[Captain Hilts]

62. I HATE that they can't stay on message. nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

92. Yes, and since the bush administration has only done ONE thing wrong,

it is silly to protest more than one of their offenses!! :sarcasm:

[Captain Hilts]

100. If it is advertised as an anti-war rally - that attracts - people from all politcal views...

then it is counter-productive to introduce other topics.

[proud2BlibKansan]

104. We are all on the same side; we have the same enemy

Those who are more concerned about racism may come to a rally that embraces that cause as well as many others. Those who are battling the homophobes and those who are battling sexism will find solidarity with the anti-war activists. If it is billed as strictly an anti-war rally, then mainly anti-war activists will attend. And we have all seen how well the media ignores these marches. So I am strongly in favor of embracing as many causes as possible as that draws MORE PEOPLE.

One of the greatest events I have attended since this damn idiot was selected to be our pResident in 2000 was a speech given by Rev Joseph Lowry in April 2006. He strongly advocates joining causes to fight bush. And he specifically said that had we united all of our groups - the groups opposing the war, the groups battling racism, the groups battling sexism and homophobia and immigrant hate - bush would NEVER have been re-elected. We are a mighty force united and a string of splinter groups with a weak voice otherwise.

Rev Lowry is the minister who spoke at Coretta Scott King's funeral about "weapons of misinformation" while bush sat right there on stage behind him. He is the leader of the SCLC and a powerful voice. He has been working for years to unite our causes. And I agree with him 1000%. Yes, the more the merrier and the more likely we will be noticed. We are at a critical stage and the war mongering racist sexist homophobes are winning the media battle. So let's all join hands and speak out together. Criticizing a group that is working harder than most of us to send a message we all should be embracing is far too counter-productive.

[Captain Hilts]

105. Those are fine causes, but, again, if it's advertised as an anti-war rally, it should focus on that.

And not introduce other topics.

People from all over the political spectrum - Jane Fonda to William F. Buckley and Pat Buchanan - are against the war.

[proud2BlibKansan]

108. I strongly disagree

We need to bring more and more people into the movement to expose the bush administration and demand they be held accountable. All are welcome in my tent. :hi:

[Captain Hilts]

110. Then have an anti-Bush Admin rally and advertise it at that.

My tent is big, too.

But when you start piling on issues, folks that showed up to protest the war and find themselves in a multi-issue rally, doesn't make them feel comfortable or welcome.

I've seen this happen at the DC rallies.

[SlowDownFast]

128. Circus tent. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

146. If that's what it takes

that's fine with me.

[SlowDownFast]

126. Bass ackwards.

About the only words in your post that have any wisdom to them if you put them together:

"splinter groups" = "counter-productive"

[proud2BlibKansan]

147. And what is your message?

What are you doing to oppose this administration?

[Name removed]

73. Deleted message

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

[ClayZ]

52. Whoo Hooo! K and R

Students take to the streets!

Soon the troops will say "Sir, No Sir!"

[Virginian]

54. The streets were blocked off earlier Saturday for a triathelon

If the news isn't carrying the protest, the traffic reports will.

The protesters need to keep the message pure.
It has to be about the war in Iraq and its possible escalation and expansion. It can't be about that and Immigration and Palestine and Jena. Each one of those deserves it's own, separate protest.
You don't want to muddy the message. If you confuse the them on what issue you are protesting, the news won't get it right if they DO report on it.

You couldn't ask for better weather for the event. Just look at those blue skies over the Capitol. Much better than the hazy white skies we had last week.

[NOLALady]

82. It seems TONC called the protest to bring the groups together.

"Holmes organized Saturday's event to showcase how it's possible to unite different social causes.

"That's why if you see in our march we said stop the war. we also said free the Jena 6 we also said justice for katrina survivors. We also said stop rage on immigrants."


The MSM will not get it right anyway. They never do.

[Puregonzo1188]

87. Yes, the theme was "Stop the War at Home and Abroad" (n/t)

[proud2BlibKansan]

91. Bingo! It's called uniting causes

Too bad these critics (none of whom are apparently actually THERE in DC supporting the activists) realize why that is so important.

[NOLALady]

95. There were many antiwar signs in Jena,

but IMO not enough. There was so much energy there, it was unbelievable. While looking at this mass of people I thought about how great it will be if/when they come out in full support of the antiwar movement. TONC might have been thinking the same way. Maybe it's time to create the perfect storm of grievances.

There were about 3000 people there at 5AM. By 8AM there were about 13,000. The Bikers alone numbered about 4000. When we left about 1:45pm buses were still pulling in. The police had the busses driving around in circles trying to prevent them from getting in, so people got off the busses on the highway and began walking. The MSM report of the number of people was vastly off the mark.

I think it's important to unite this group with the antiwar movement. And, if including the Jena6 can do it, so be it. This is about fighting a war on two fronts, here and abroad.

[proud2BlibKansan]

99. As Rev Lowry says

(and far more eloquently than I can) we are ALL fighting the same enemy. The war mongers are also bigots and sexists and homophobes. Yes, we absolutely MUST join together and fight the bastards running this country. They illegally invaded a country and they and their followers also support racism and sexism and homophobia.

I applaud ANSWER for promoting ALL of these causes. More power to them. I only wish I lived closer to DC and could join them and their wonderful marches more often. I also wanted so much to be in Jena. Good for you for lending your energy to that very important cause.

[noamnety]

118. Thanks for your posts in this thread.

Those who see this particular war as an isolated event to be stopped, rather than part of a system of oppression, are missing the big picture.

We don't want to stop this war - only to find ourselves in Iraqnam Part III (part 8, 9 , 10, etc. if you count Haiti, Granada, etc.) in a few years, because we were unwilling to admit and confront what the real causes of this war are.

[proud2BlibKansan]

144. Yes I agree completely

:)

[ikojo]

116. I've been to a few large national protests and what I've seen

is that groups have all of these signs and they just hand them to folks who are not carrying anything, I usually say no because I generally have a backpack with me and I don't want to carry any sign that I did not bring. There often is no coordinated way to discard of signs and I'd rather not drop it in the streets for the cleaning crew to pick up,

What I'm trying to say is that I suspect that a good number of the folks carrying Mumia or Palestine signs haven't a clue on what the signs are championing.

[terminal_concept]

57. FAN THAT FLAME!!

All those messages are good! speak out! You can drown out the media if you FAN THAT FLAME!

[ClayZ]

59. "This is what it's all about," said Holmes

http://www.wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=63463&provider=gnews

[Cybergata]

136. Thanks for the Link.

That is a great newstory. It was very positive. Thanks for posting this.

[Squatch]

63. I think this thing fizzled out last night.

DOT webcams are showing clear streets on Constitution Ave

[hedgehog]

64. Is it too early for a tin hat?

What if the DOT webcams are showing an old loop?















Mwa-ha-ha

[Squatch]

65. I'll tell you in about an hour when I drive down there

Have to meet my aunt for breakfast.

[Rebellious Republican]

66. Thanks Squatch, keep us posted,this is what I have been hoping for

Young people taking to the streets!

:kick:

[Squatch]

67. I'm not "taking to the streets"...I'm going to Ihop.

:)

[Rebellious Republican]

70. Sorry, I did not mean you personally, I was referring to the young

people that were already there, or at least were there.

:blush:

[hedgehog]

68. I hope you know I was making a feeble attempt at humor

while facing a very grim subject.

[Dystopian]

69. K&R....beautiful.....

Seeing the younger generation out there on the streets is a sign of hope...Our generation started this for them...I can only pray that they gain momentum...

peace~

[The Wizard]

74. Democracy

is not a spectator sport.

[debbierlus]

75. If it keeps going, I will think about joining them...whose with me!

If they can keep it sustained for a day, I will drive down there & stand with them.

[Danieljay]

93. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz huh? what? Hey, dont' disturb my Nancy Grace OJ coverage. n/t

[Cybergata]

137. If people keep joining them, then it will keep going. n/t

[Vinca]

76. I suppose this is all over the MSM . . . right?

:sarcasm:

[PghTiny]

80. Of course not

You will hear about Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Martha Stewart, Michael Jackson, the runaway bride, JonBenet Ramsey, and on and on and on...

[Danieljay]

94. you forgot OJ! n/t

[Chalco]

81. It's been on the news here in DC. nt

[Puregonzo1188]

90. Really? I watched the NBC eleven o'clock news last night and I didn't see any coverage of if (n/t)

[lonestarnot]

98. Woohoo!

:woohoo:

[Imagevision]

103. Rove put the kabosh to all msm reporting on anti-war protests when he

insisted that no news coverage of kia's returning to Andover should not be on the tv news, and then focused on NOT providing anti-war movement protests. Bush cabal got it's act together.

[proud2BlibKansan]

112. Actually that policy was put in place by the Pentagon during the Clinton administration

Rove has done a lot of evil things but he isn't responsible for the lack of coffins arriving at Dover on the 6:00 news.

[RainDog]

114. go viral

put aside whether you are a revolutionary or a college democrat or even a conservative who doesn't believe in attacking nations w/o just cause.

Use the organizational tools that are of this era, not the past. get facebook accounts, if you don't have them, and contact "friends" to join your event. ask them to ask friends.

tell them this is the time for all students to stand together...by sitting in.

contact all the student newspapers for all the colleges and universities in the area (that could easily bring out students) and also contact the heads of the various college democrats and other political entities at universities, as many as you can, and ask them to contact others because you can't get to all of them. ask these orgs to contact their student newspapers to get the story out.

get indymedia to prepare four of the best pix and attach them to emails to all these people for use in student newspapers.

contact some of the big online bloggers with the same.

don't expect that all students read indymedia, and don't castigate them if they don't. have a message that "The time has come to stand up for our America."

"Do your duty, Congress" - "Wars of aggression are War Crimes."

try to avoid any of the old slogans from past times. No "war is not healthy for..." or "make love, not war" etc. Make this YOUR time. YOUR issues in this moment in history.

set up a "communications station" on a legal to be there space (like a sidewalk or park) where various students can donate l.d. phone minutes to make calls to universities that someone has compiles as a list (an excel sheet would be great with name of U. contact person, phone no., a place to put an "x" is someone has been contacted, or an n/a is contacted and no one answered the phone... add a place for their response. follow up with emails if no one is at the phone no. this is also where people can register for facebook or create an event that can go out to friends and friends of friends.

sorry for sounding like your mom telling you to clean your room, but I think it's important to get beyond the usual suspects of political activists.

thank you for working to wake up America. best to you and all there.

and ignore the cynicism. they have nothing better to offer.

[Quixote1818]

119. Is this amounting to anything? It's been up on the DU home page since last night

and it doesn't seem to be amounting to squat. Has anything interesting happened in the past 12 hours with this?

[whistle]

120. May 1 to May 4 1970, Kent State, those images I and millions of Americans

...watched on the evening news are still vivid in my memory, Ohio Governor Rhodes calling the Kent State student protesters "...the worst elements in America", inflamed passions of a country divided on the Vietnam War and then the grieving parents, relatives and friends of the students who were gunned down. BushCo wants to allow that to happen all over again!

[lovuian]

127. woohoo

:woohoo:

[Gonnuts]

129. General Strike

Our protests don't matter, our votes don't count, our emails, letters and phone calls are ignored, but there is one way to end this war and stop the insanity that's relatively easy and I have no idea why DU, MoveOne, Think Process, Huffington Post, Brad Blog, and all the so-called progressive, peace sites haven't even tried, a General Strike. How many millions of members do these sites have? If they all coordinated a GS and brought this country to a standstill the war would be over in a week.

GS are easy. Just stay home. Don't buy anything. There is no risk of arrest or physical harm and even though times may be hard certainly staying home for a day is worth saving lives being lost on an illegal occupation.

I don't get way any of the anti-war sites haven't used this tactic? Nothing else is working, so why not do a GS? Even if just 10% of the work force participated it would have an enormous effect. If people stopped buying GE products I promise you this war would end ASAP.

I have been asking this question of the anti-war sites for some time and have yet to get an answer as to why they don't use their power and people to call a GS. All I get back are requests for donations.

I need help. I'm asking all of you to ask our anti-war sites to call for a massive GS.

Wipee-do

[NOLALady]

143. Actually,

I've been to other sites where they are discussing GS. Christmas is coming. I don't think they would notice a one day GS as much as they would notice a Holiday GS.

First of all, we don't need anyone to call it. We can just do it. We can make a conscious decision to sit out the Holidays (and the rest of the year if necessary). Buy only that which is absolutely necessary for survival.

Pass the word, via you tube, my space, face book, emails, etc. Make it a grassroots effort.

We can consider setting a date for a GS. If their reaction shows that they are not taking us seriously, we can decide to sit out this Holiday Season.

My suggestions.

Any other suggestions?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

167. You can cook and knit and make your own cards.

Instead of buying imported stuff nobody needs from a sweatshop.

[sarcasmo]

131. Kick

[The Witch]

135. 5 pm sunday is this still happening?

(0.o)

I wish I'd known......... not that i can do much with stitches in my belly... damn it

[L. Coyote]

140. WEBCAMS

http://www.trafficland.com/#city/WAS/camera/200112

[Joanne98]

159. I keep winning a free laptop. I can't get thru the popup!

[f the letter]

139. solidarity!

[Puregonzo1188]

142. Video on Youtube of TONC Protests yesterday

I don't think either one includes the civil disobedience, but I'm not sure (I haven't seen both all the way through yet)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07UMNCXHRV8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu_SHfmJJys&NR=1

[Joanne98]

161. WOW! Everybody needs to watch these!

[blogslut]

149. I totally missed this happening

I like this. Just plop down in the street, not budging. This is good. More of this please.

[Synnical]

154. Wa Po, Page A-17 War Protest Draws Small Crowd

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/29/AR2007092901579.html

Hundreds of demonstrators, including students and families, rallied and marched in downtown Washington yesterday to protest the war in Iraq, complaining that the Democratic-controlled Congress has failed to do the public's bidding and bring U.S. troops home.

From an elevated stage in front of the Capitol Reflecting Pool, a succession of speakers at the "Stop the War" rally urged Congress to stop funding the conflict and prevent more deaths of soldiers and Iraqi civilians.


"On September 11, I witnessed almost 3,000 people killed in New York," said John Graham, a volunteer emergency medical technician from New Jersey who helped treat victims of the World Trade Center attack that day six years ago. "Now we've had more than 3,000 U.S. troops killed in Iraq. It's more than enough. It's time to stop the death."

[Joanne98]

160. Assholes!

[bdamomma]

163. damn them for shaming this country. we come a long way from

WWII when our military were considered heros.