Melissa's now in the FBI's files
So I just wanted to share some thoughts as I just returned from the anti-war, peace demonstration in DC. And it was amazing! And inspirational!
But of course, when I took a look at the numerous newspapers out there, the rally was extremely minimized & downplayed, or, at worst, not even covered. So I wanted to give you a first-hand account since you most likely won't even hear that this rally ever happened.
First off, people always say how these rallies never make a difference. But keep in mind that the Vietnam war shut down earlier primarily because of the anti-war rallies. You can never lose hope. Sometimes, that's all we have. I could feel that after the depression & frustration felt after the '04 elections, there was definitely a resurgence in peoples' motivation with Cindy Sheehan's message and the recent Hurricane Katrina situation. And we need to continue supporting our troops scattered all over the world and military recruiters in schools, especially after many have been killed or wounded in this latest Iraqi war alone. Not to mention all the civilians worldwide - "Not one more!"
Secondly, it is the greatest motivation to come together, stand together with so many different people from all walks of life yet who all have a similar vision and perspective. Different ages, different races, different religious beliefs, different political representation: Quakers, Libertarians, Communists, Socialists, Democrats, Independents, Green Party - shoot, who's to say there weren't any Republicans either?
I have been to many protests, rallies and demonstrations back in college and in the Bay Area where I grew up. I've even gone to many in Boston BUT a DC rally is a whole 'nother story. The estimates of attendance ranged from 300,000 - 600,000. And keep in mind that Amtrak's train lines from Boston - NY - Philly - DC were "supposedly" not working and kept thousands of other supporters from ever reaching DC. I also heard there were other demonstrations simultaneously happening in London and other US cities.
Of course, the Boston Globe stated that there were only 100,000 people in DC, which was estimated from the police officials. Go figure. I heard CNN & CSPAN cited numbers closer to 200-300,000.
Anyway, today (Sunday), they are also having a pro-war rally in DC. Keep an eye on the news regarding this and again, the disparity of media attention. In fact, today's Boston Globe's article was titled "pro-war rallies..." yet it covered a bit of the anti-war rally.
The bus ride was a bit painful (left at 11p on Friday, came back at 4a Sunday), but the whole trip was an experience to be shared! I hope all of you and all the people you know who feel similarly about the war and our existing goverment administration and the injustice will stand up and join in these movements!
I strongly believe the people can make a difference if you really voice them, no matter what your position is. Let me know if any of you want to talk more. I also have some great photos to share.
* MOST MEMORABLE PHOTO: Seeing the veterans pose to flip off the White House
* BEST SIGNS: "I don't trust any Bush but my own" or "Bush is a punk-ass chump"
* PEACEFUL ACT TOWARDS THE POLICE LINE: Makin 'em crack a smile & even having a couple admit they would rather be on our side of the barricade; taping up the almost 2,000 photos of all dead American soldiers along the barricade & watching the responses of the policemen and officials
So yes, I am now in the FBI's files. And proud. We saw many of the special service people and policemen with cameras of their own. Hope I look good in those photos they have of me. ;)
But of course, when I took a look at the numerous newspapers out there, the rally was extremely minimized & downplayed, or, at worst, not even covered. So I wanted to give you a first-hand account since you most likely won't even hear that this rally ever happened.
First off, people always say how these rallies never make a difference. But keep in mind that the Vietnam war shut down earlier primarily because of the anti-war rallies. You can never lose hope. Sometimes, that's all we have. I could feel that after the depression & frustration felt after the '04 elections, there was definitely a resurgence in peoples' motivation with Cindy Sheehan's message and the recent Hurricane Katrina situation. And we need to continue supporting our troops scattered all over the world and military recruiters in schools, especially after many have been killed or wounded in this latest Iraqi war alone. Not to mention all the civilians worldwide - "Not one more!"
Secondly, it is the greatest motivation to come together, stand together with so many different people from all walks of life yet who all have a similar vision and perspective. Different ages, different races, different religious beliefs, different political representation: Quakers, Libertarians, Communists, Socialists, Democrats, Independents, Green Party - shoot, who's to say there weren't any Republicans either?
I have been to many protests, rallies and demonstrations back in college and in the Bay Area where I grew up. I've even gone to many in Boston BUT a DC rally is a whole 'nother story. The estimates of attendance ranged from 300,000 - 600,000. And keep in mind that Amtrak's train lines from Boston - NY - Philly - DC were "supposedly" not working and kept thousands of other supporters from ever reaching DC. I also heard there were other demonstrations simultaneously happening in London and other US cities.
Of course, the Boston Globe stated that there were only 100,000 people in DC, which was estimated from the police officials. Go figure. I heard CNN & CSPAN cited numbers closer to 200-300,000.
Anyway, today (Sunday), they are also having a pro-war rally in DC. Keep an eye on the news regarding this and again, the disparity of media attention. In fact, today's Boston Globe's article was titled "pro-war rallies..." yet it covered a bit of the anti-war rally.
The bus ride was a bit painful (left at 11p on Friday, came back at 4a Sunday), but the whole trip was an experience to be shared! I hope all of you and all the people you know who feel similarly about the war and our existing goverment administration and the injustice will stand up and join in these movements!
I strongly believe the people can make a difference if you really voice them, no matter what your position is. Let me know if any of you want to talk more. I also have some great photos to share.
* MOST MEMORABLE PHOTO: Seeing the veterans pose to flip off the White House
* BEST SIGNS: "I don't trust any Bush but my own" or "Bush is a punk-ass chump"
* PEACEFUL ACT TOWARDS THE POLICE LINE: Makin 'em crack a smile & even having a couple admit they would rather be on our side of the barricade; taping up the almost 2,000 photos of all dead American soldiers along the barricade & watching the responses of the policemen and officials
So yes, I am now in the FBI's files. And proud. We saw many of the special service people and policemen with cameras of their own. Hope I look good in those photos they have of me. ;)