On Friday, I wrote a diary that the Georgia House passed a state budget that disappears the Georgia Council for the Arts. This is truly a national issue, because when one state eliminates its Arts Council, many more will jump on the budget-busting wagon.
Over the weekend, a facebook page called "Artist march on the Capitol" got 611 confirmed attendees and 781 who might attend. People came from Macon, Augusta and Athens, and the line of marchers stretched nearly the entire mile-long route to the State Capitol. There, we gathered on the steps to hear speakers, perform according to our talents, and chant "Save the Arts!"
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I’d say it was a successful demonstration.
So herewith photographs of the event.
Thank you all for your support.
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This bone-headed move would make Georgia the only state in the U.S. without a state-level arts council.
Invoking the incredible Gladys Knight and the Pips.
Some had a snarky tone.
Others were a bit more direct.
This really old guy was a hoot. He shuffled along with his walker in his skeleton suit, and when I asked if I could take his picture, he launched into a sort of parallel-bars routine.
Nuff said.
Notice the young women in the front, who danced spontaneously throughout the demonstration.
Do I dare quote T. S. Eliot at a demonstration?
As long as we stayed off the grass, they chanted "Save the arts!" right along with everyone else.
And finally, of course, the sign of the dkos:
I sure wish I'd gotten a better picture. The puppet got up and made a speech, which was intelligent and well-received.
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An hour after the demonstrators dispersed, a handful of us went to the office of Jack Hill (R-Reidsville), chair of the appropriations committee. Although he wasn’t available, we had a lively conversation bombarding his two aides with everything we had. They said there have been lots of phone calls and people are very upset. Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the committee will meet to decide the fate of HB 947, and I plan to be there, and if given the opportunity, will address our esteemed state senators. I'll let you know how it goes.