The Guardian has a new story about the remarkable Dorli Rainey. At 84 years old her lifelong commitment to progressive citizen activism should be an inspiration to all of us.
Protesters' stories: Dorli Rainey and Occupy Seattle
Over the years, I have been active. I helped close down the freeway when the shooting started at Kent State, when the four students got killed during the Vietnam war . I was involved in the anti-WTO protests and got teargassed. People say to me, "Are you crazy? Why don't you just retire?" I can't. I have to keep on going because there's so much work to be done. I just don't feel like sitting at home and letting the world fall apart.
A lot of my older friends are very involved in the protest movement. One, Father Bichsel , is in federal prison here in Seattle. He just turned 84, too. I would like to educate people so they understand what really is happening. Our first amendment rights are being shredded. The police are being militarised. I taught a course about current events at a community college for senior citizens, and those senior citizens still come to events with Occupy Seattle or Stop The FBI Repression . One of my friends is 90, and she has a big Stop The FBI sign and stands in front of the FBI. It's very gratifying when they tell me that they look at the news with completely different eyes. They used to believe everything they read in the paper, but they don't any more.
My voice is not completely back and my lung capacity is not up to 100% yet. I used to run upstairs, but now I get really out of breath – and that is a direct result of the pepper spray. But I am very happy that I got pepper-sprayed, because finally the media are paying attention. I hope it does not go away. I hope that understanding of the real problems in the world will grow.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dori during my time with Occupy Seattle. I also was part of the march after Kent State that closed down the freeway, and part of the W.T.O. protests. I feel that I share Dorli Rainey's commitment to life long activism.
Occupy Seattle marched yesterday demanding the removal of SPD Chief Diaz for failing to take action to correct the pattern of officers resorting to excessive force in the department.