In DemFromCT's
diary today on the 2004 election results, a poster made the following
comment:
There is a solid case for election reform, but as you note and Chris Bowers has observed, that case must be made in a Democratic Congress, not the current one. This should be a staple of the national campaign message for years to come. If and when we get DNC reform, of course.
The patience and calm of this writer are certainly commendable. However, for those who are unwilling to wait serenely for that great day a-comin' when Democrats are back in power, and eager to reform our whole broken, corrupt electoral system here is a preliminary list of counter-coronation events that that will occur in D.C. and across the nation:
PROTESTS IN DC
United for Peace and Justice urges everyone who can to converge in Washington, DC on January 20. In particular, they encourage you to participate in the creative, powerful protest activities being organized by two groups:
- The DC Anti-War Network calls for people to converge on Washington, DC, on the day of George W. Bush's Inauguration, January 20, 2005, for peaceful anti-war actions, including: (1) A permitted nonviolent anti-war rally followed by a march to Bush's inaugural parade route, and (2) A nonviolent civil disobedience die-in, following the rally, in memorial to the dead at the hands of Bush and his Administration.
- Turn Your Back on Bush 2:00-4:00 PM on the inaugural parade route.
Planners state: "This is a non-violent, mass action that will powerfully demonstrate the broad opposition that exists in this country to the presidency of George Walker Bush. We call on people to dress neutrally and line the parade route. As the presidential motorcade approaches many of us will simply turn our backs on him. We invite you to join us."
Visit the DC-based Counter-inaugural.org website for housing and ride boards, resources, meeting information, and detailed information about other counter-inaugural events in Washington, D.C.
Other events in Washington:
- College and High School Student Walkouts against the inauguration will be performed on both the 19th and 20th. These are likely to merge into larger actions.
- Women's March and Funeral Procession invites diverse protest groups to gather to mourn the loss of American freedoms while the Bush administration celebrates. The Women's March and Funeral Procession with be held in the style of the New Orleans jazz funeral, and will take place on January 20, 2005, in Washington, DC, to coincide with "Inauguration Day." A pre-march rally will convene at Dupont Circle at 9:00am, featuring speakers, information tables, and various kinds of entertainment. The legal, permitted march will leave Dupont Circle around 11:00am and eventually merge with the DAWN march at McPherson Square around 12:00pm. All are welcome to join in. See also Code Pink.
- Billionaires for Bush will auction off Social Security on Thursday, Jan 20 at 10:30 AM. The fabulous and photogenic Billionaires in tuxedos and ball gowns will carry out our president's mandate by auctioning off Social Security to the highest bidder, as well as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Some of their slogans: "Make Social Security Neither!" "Cashing In Your Children's Tomorrow...Today!" "Taking from Main Street, Giving To Wall Street!" "No Brokerage Firm Left Behind!" "Drain America First!"
- Deliver a Spine to DNC Headquarters
on the day after the inauguration. The Backbone Campaign calls on progressives to join an action at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters, Friday, January 21. Participants will gather 11:30 AM at Folger Park, 2nd and D Streets SE in Washington DC. From there they will progress to DNC Headquarters and make three demands of the Democratic Party: New Progressive Leadership, a Bold Grassroots Strategy and a Clear Progressive Agenda.
LOCAL PROTEST ACTIONS NATIONWIDE
Dozens of local protest events around the country are scheduled for January 20. Details for some of them are posted at RadicalDesigns.org and Counter-Inaugural.org. Some highlights:
- Student Walkouts As described above, College and High School students will be performing walkouts against the inauguration on both the 19th and 20th.
- Turn Your Back on Bush. People who can't make it to DC for the Inauguration Day Action are putting together plans for local actions around the country. Here are some ideas they suggest: "Get a mask, dress up as George W, and at the same time as we're turning our backs in DC, get a crowd to turn their backs on you. You can download a printable mask or order one. Find another representative of Bush's policies weapons manufacturers, corporations that are outsourcing American jobs and plan an action to turn your back on them. Be sure to tell your local newspapers and tv stations about your action its a good way for them to have a local angle on the inauguration and the Turn Your Back on Bush action."
- 51 Capital March "Make a Sign and Show Up"
This is not an organization but a grassroots electoral reform protest movement that uses this website to network and organize logistics. The website founder describes himself as "an IT professional, father to three young adults, and an American citizen. I live in Houston Texas and am currently recovering from cervical spine surgery. I am the product of my times." Outraged at what he and his son decided was a rigged election, on November 27, 2004, they sent out a nationwide call for citizens to "Make a Sign and Show Up" on December 12th at their State Capitols to demand an end to vote fraud and voter suppression. In less than two weeks over 3,000 concerned citizens heeded the call and showed up in over 40 capitals across the country. The site's founder states, "This is a people's uprising. It is not funded. It is not sponsored. It is not affiliated with any organization. Rather, we are American citizens who are determined to stand up and protect the integrity of the vote, and, in so doing, preserve our freedom, protect our democracy, and defend our constitution... If someone offers to get a permit, fine. Otherwise, states guarantee citizens the right to peaceful assembly for the purposes of a redress of grievances. We are citizens. We have grievances. We want them redressed. All I'm asking of fellow citizens is: Make a Sign and SHOW UP on January 20 around their state capital building (oh, and communicate with their family, friends, associates, and neighbors about the need to protect the vote)."
- "Jazz Funeral for Democracy". This is a traditional New Orleans jazz funeral entitled "A Wake for Peace". The Jazz Funeral for Democracy timed to coincide with the inauguration of George W. Bush. Street theater encouraged. March, rally and inaugural ball featuring local New Orleans musicians. Assemble at Congo Square ("Louis Armstrong Park"), on Rampart Street across from the French Quarter, at 10:00 AM. Funeral March begins at 11:00 AM. and will proceed down Rampart Street to Canal Street.
- Counter-Inaugural March in Duluth, MN is organized by the the Northland Anti-War Coalition: "We'll be marching from Leif Erickson park at 5:15pm to the MN Power Plaza in downtown Duluth (Lake Avenue and Superior Street), where we'll be having a rally with speakers. The theme of the protest is to call for the troops to be brought home from Iraq now!"
- Creative direct action and non-cooperation in Houston: "INAUGURATE YOURSELF!! Bush's inauguration on January 20th is a call for creative autonomous action and non-cooperation in Houston, Texas. In Washington DC, the beltway establishment will re-empower a president whose agenda tramples on the very freedoms they claim to fight for. In the hometown of George W. Bush, the war-profiteers and the oil-agarchy will be expecting 'business as usual' as they re-coronate their corporate lackey and continue to exploit the planet and it's people. In the midst of these troubling times, we are calling for people in the belly of the beast to inaugurate themselves and create a chorus for justice, freedom, and peace."
- Women in Black is a world-wide network of women committed to peace with justice and actively opposed to injustice, war, militarism and other forms of violence: "As women experiencing these things in different ways in different regions of the world, we support each other's movements. An important focus is challenging the militarist policies of our own governments. We are not an organization, but a means of communicating and a formula for action. To start a Women in Black vigil, all you need is a commitment to a cause that falls into the category of "against war and for justice". You can establish any formats or rules you like. Remember: every vigil is autonomous. You don't have to ask permission about anything from anybody, other than your own group."
BOYCOTTS
- Black-Thursday.com
Originated by our own David Livingstone, who did a magnificent job of embarrassing Hannity and Coulter on Tuesday. On January 20th, people across the country will join together to speak in one voice. By staying home from work, by not buying products from chain stores, by turning off their cable TV, by not buying (or using) gasoline or other oil-based products, by not making long-distance phone calls in an infinite number of ways, Americans will send George Bush a message he sorely needs to hear. America expects accountability, transparency, humanity and justice from an administration which has, up to now, provided little in any of these areas. See also BlackThursday.org.
- BushBlackout.com is suggesting that you be heard through your silence by blacking out your website or blog for the day and displaying a short epitaph to democracy: "We have made some suggested images available that you can display in place of the normal content on your website Thursday, January 20th. Feel free to use any image or statement you find suitable for your protest, we just suggest that you make the background of your website Black and display a message of protest to show solidarity with other BushBlackOut protesters."
- Day of Fasting "On January 20th, join in a day of fasting and prayer for peace and democracy. This idea was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, whose work in the form of nonviolent resistance helped to free India from one of the most powerful forces of that time, the British Empire. Many people question the legitimacy of [the Bush] presidency after he won two terms in close elections fraught with intentional voter suppression... Mr. Bush endangered the United States and the world with his unnecessary aggression... Therefore, please join in this action of nonviolent resistance. Do not go to work. Call in sick, take a vacation day, or find another way to avoid work on that day. Do not spend money. The corporate economy that has supported this war needs to get a message."
- Gasoline Boycott Day On January 20, this group is calling for a national boycott of gasoline in the United States of America: "Citizens of this great country are frustrated, not only by the high cost of gasoline, but also by the failure of our representatives in Congress who speak of pursuing alternative energy sources, but fail to act on their promises."
- Not One Damn Dime "Since our leaders don't have the moral courage to speak out against the war in Iraq, Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20th, 2005 is "Not One Damn Dime Day" in America. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" those who oppose what is happening in our name in Iraq can speak up with a 24-hour national boycott of all forms of consumer spending."
So tell us what YOU'RE planning to do....