I attended a
protest this evening at 5:00 in front of the White House. Cindy Sheehan,
Diane Wilson, Dick Gregory, Daniel Elsburg, and many others gathered on the asphalt between the White House sidewalk and Lafayette Park to begin a hunger strike. There was a substantial presence by the press. My guess is that there were about 150 or so protestors there. Code Pink placed a long pink cloth down the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue, and Food Not Bombs prepared and served a simple meal of bread, rice, and beans. All who wanted to eat sat down on either side of the cloth. But before the supper, there were a number of speeches.
When I first arrived, Diane Wilson was speaking. Diane is an extraordinary person with an immense presence. I had the honor and pleasure to serve coffee to Diane about a couple of months ago in my apartment right after she had announced her intention to do the hunger strike to bring home the troops. I spoke with her after the rally and the meal, and she expressed her willingness to be a martyr for the peace movement. I hope she will reconsider.
There was a small contingent of wingnuts who stood across the street and chanted insipid slogans like, "We can't forget 9-11." They were particularly noisome when Cindy spoke. It is clear they have a particular ax to grind in her regard. There was a red banner they held that read, "Cindy Sheehan's starving for attention."
There was a grace given by a minister immediately prior to the meal. The minister asked that we hold hands with each other, and no one else other than Daniel Elsburg had his hand on my right shoulder as we prayed.
I left around 6:30. I will return tomorrow to spend the Fourth of July with the protestors. Perhaps I shall write tomorrow evening concerning the events of the day. If anyone is in D.C. and looking for an appropriate way to spend the holiday formerly known as the Glorious Fourth, come on down.
Peace now!