Hope I’m wrong.
I’m seeing more and more main stream progressives pushing of the October 27th multi-city anti-war march. Randi Rhodes talked about it today and the blogs are devoting some time to it. I don’t remember there being such a push for past marches - maybe it’s a positive sign.
I’ve been a big advocate for attending anti-war marches. But it seems to me that these weekend events are pointless - Congress doesn’t work weekends.
Here’s the site: National Mobilization, I hope they succeed in creating real change - but…
Another polite weekend march will change NOTHING.
The time for civil gathering is long past. Civil disobedience should cause an interruption in daily life - calm easygoing marches with smiling protesters on a Saturday doesn’t really do much. That’s why the media(except C-SPAN) doesn’t cover it. Hell the only ones that pay attention are pro-war nuts, who seem to garner the most local media attention.
I’ve been to every major DC march in the last 2-years. Most of them served to recharge my anti-war spirit. It’s nice to be with like minded people - But none of them made a damn difference.
Count me out until the anti-war movement can organize a weekday ruckus that stops everyday people in their tracks. Hell, I’d be more than eager to help organize such an event.
I can see it clearly:
Organize (covertly) a small group of people for some early morning shenanigans - safely block every major access road and public transport from entering a major city one unsuspecting weekday. No destruction, just devise a way to disable major arteries into a city(or many) in such a way that it takes road crews days to clear. I haven’t worked out the logistics - but I’m sure it can be done, progressives are smart. Remember the New York City transit strike last year? Images of New Yorkers walking home across bridges dominated the corporate press for days - amazing what happens when you screw with business types, no?
Something that disruptive might actually make the news. A bunch of anti-war smiley faces - not so much. Do it everyday - different cities - Monday, Thursday, Tuesday, … you get the idea. Sounds a bit crazy I know - but desperate times…
Or maybe surround the capital one fine fall weekday morning and prevent Pelosi, Reid, their band of merry collusionists from leaving until they Impeach Bush/Cheney.
Again, I hope I’m wrong - but conservatives threw civility out the window long ago. It’s time progressives followed suit.