On February 15, 2003 I, like many here, marched with millions around the globe in an effort to stop the inexorable march of the present administration toward war in Iraq.
After March 20 of that year, I was dispirited, heartbroken, and angry. For whatever reason, decisionmakers in our country (and the serious people in the media) did not seem to take notice of all the facts -- or consciously manipulated them (or made them up) to serve questionable purposes. Further, millions of voices that were raised up as one in February had seemingly accomplished nothing.
It was clear to me: government needed people who weren't afraid of the truth and were willing to fight for it within the system. Thus, I decided to go to law school.
I graduated in May, took the bar exam a couple of weeks ago, and look forward to being yet another progressive attorney, hopefully fighting the good fight and making the world a better place.
I look back now after 3 grueling years of law school and, given all that has happened since March 20, 2003, I realize the fight to change both our national policies and our internal politics is not an either/or proposition. In other words, one can simultaneously fight for change both "within" the "establishment," and via other methods. Instead of merely seeking change within the system itself, there comes a time when direct action is necessary. Unlike the present occupants of the Executive Branch, I respect, admire, and cherish the rule of law. But sometimes justice and necessary change can't wait for the slow, inertial, incremental movement of the courts, elected officials, the pundits, or the myopic perspective of most of our modern-day media.
Folks, we appear to have, for the time being, and for the purposes of getting our loved ones out of Iraq as soon as possible, lost the ears of our Democratic candidates for President. Such so-called pragmatism, in addition to our recent disappointments with the Iraq supplemental, etc. leaves me again feeling much like I did in those early days after the march in February, 2003, and as I have felt most days since: Disappointment, frustration, anger.
Why march again? What good is protest in this day and age? The first thought some of you may have is, "Yeah. Direct action... Not much good it did a few years ago. Why expect anything new this time around?" Part of me appreciates and understands that sentiment in this age of "free speech zones." Especially as our Democratic friends in the Congress seem ineffectual to end this ongoing national catastrophe.
I guess the short answer I have for why direct action WILL work this time is as follows:
- Almost 3700 dead and growing.
- Unlike early 2003, only a third of Americans believe the war in Iraq to be going well.
- We had a limited timeframe in February, 2003. Now the Iraq Moratorium Day is planned as a series of escalating actions. There are no artificial, manipulative deadlines set by the cavalier and brazen wanna-be cowboy occupying the White House this time around. This President no longer enjoys the confidence of the country at large, and even if the media ignores or denigrates us like they did in February, 2003, (or if they continue their habit of minimizing our numbers...) there will be another protest the following month. And the month after that. Every third Friday until the decisionmakers will have no choice but to remedy this wrong.
Finally, protest is, in and of itself, symbolic and representative of what is best about this great country of ours. Unlike many other places on the globe, our Constitution protects our freedom of assembly. Such explicit and unequivocal protection of this activity by our founding fathers contemplates that from time to time direct action is necessary and expected as a corrective force against corruption or incompetence and to keep our elected representatives aware of who they REALLY serve. By joining me and thousands of others every third Friday, beginning 40 days from now on September 21, you will fully realize the honor and privilege of being an American citizen.
You will help to restore some semblance of sanity to our foreign policy.
You will help to prevent untold numbers of deaths and grievous injuries of Americans and Iraqis.
You will undoubtedly show what a true patriot is.
There might be that moment where you get goose-bumps from the satisfaction of collective action against the attitude of complacency or helplessness that has gripped our representatives with respect to the present ongoing disaster in Iraq. Maybe it will be that fantastic moment when you recognize: I am not alone. Personally, I get an amazing wave of emotion when I first hear one lone voice during a march: "This... is what... democracy looks like!" and then how that voice is joined by others until it becomes a beautiful chorus.
Or perhaps it might be a solitary action. For example, you may decide to ride your bike to work that day. Or you may defend your wearing of a black arm-band to a war supporter. Or you may take a moment to hope, to pray, to remember.
I look forward to September 21, 2007, as we together assert that the time is NOW to begin to remove our troops from Iraq and end this long national nightmare.
Thank you for reading and best of luck to all of you, and especially to the patriots standing up and fighting for progressive change in "red" areas of our country. You have my humble and undying admiration.