Mood:
hug meNow Playing: COPS Bring Guns & MACE to PEACE PROTEST
Hey there all you my fellow Z3 readers
Wednesday Oct 5 2006 kicked my ass
I have a lot to say in fact this took me 24 hours to put together
As you read this heartfelt report, I write today, please click on the short links as they come along in the paragraphs, and save the good links for latter.
Now where was I?
Oh ya! I was getting this all started with a short clip from the website
THE WORLD CAN’T WAIT
…… listen to this audio link (3 min) and then we will go to the next step
http://worldcantwait.net/media/sunsaranba.mp3
Oooooh boy!
…..hmmmmmm this is right up my alley! Go Girl!
Let’s get this Party Started
Now that we heard that lets back up to the first half hour after I woke up.
I woke up and was thankful that the sun was sort of shining ….a protest was going to be going on downtown…sunshine was going make it all way-more user friendly to get the people out in the streets with the Important message which was:
“Drive the Bush Regime Out - The World Can’t Wait”
I pulled down my IMPEACH BUSH poster from its perch on top of my fridge as I made my coffee.
Stuck it in the hatchback car window so it was visible
( Here is the picture of my best friend holding my sign )
So then, I turn the radio on to Air America (http://www.airamerica.com/ ) save this link
And there is a caller on the Thom Hartman Show (http://www.airamerica.com/thomhartmannpage ) save this link
and I recognized the caller’s voice. I know that guy!
Wow! It is Bill Foster from the NWFC talking about The Human Rights Festival.
Which is a film series throughout this month …that the NW film center is showing in Portland ….at the Whitsell Theater (http://www.nwfilm.org/screenings/?volissue=345&series=4 )
Now I think that is fantastic to have the Human Rights series and here he was on Air America telling the masses about it …..cool!..... Go Bill!
The road to Guantanamo is the one I really want to see! Here is info on it from the NWFC site that I posted on Indy Media a while back in regards to this film of three men sent to Guantanamo by a frickin mistake? (http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/09/346377.shtml )
As I drive to work there are no comments to me or anything mentioned about my Impeach sign. I am mentally ready for the noon “World Cant Wait” protest meeting time. I asked for two hours for lunch….but really should have taken the whole day off.
So that morning I swing by Bill Foster and shake his hand beings I know him, it was easy to do. I thank him for his film series and his Activism by calling into Air America Radio (He is the NWFC Director) and we chat about politics and how unfortunate-of-times we are in these days. I make it a point to shake his hand and personally Thank him…..Because I mean it from the depths of my heart and soul…I do appreciate what he is doing and his call in to the radio this morning. …..meanwhile back outside I glance over at the parks …the protest will be starting in a couple hours …right over there across the street in the park blocks…I wonder how many will be there? Hmmmmmm hundreds? Thousands?....I don’t know?
Well at noon, it looked to me like about 300 hundred people were in the park.....Not 3,000!
From behind the stage in this very poor picture, you can see the windows where businessmen are eating lunch in the windows Of the Arlington a rich businessmans club. I was watching the speaker on the stage but could not help notice the 3 separate window each with expensive dining going on inside. I could see the white cuffs and dark suit eating in an ominous way as I listened to the speaker talk of the corporate war machine and how we are being led down a dark path.
The lunch's were consumed in fancy fashion.
It was a nice smooth rally lots of anger but in peaceful tones directed at the lies and bad turn of events that this administration has put us all in. Code Pink was there and some anarchy-clad styles were there, as well as some older folks and a few younger. Overall, it was a mix of people who all wanted the war and the lies to end.
A girl and a guy got up and spoke on the need to not sit around (see picture above with the windows ..well the two speakers I am referring to are in this picture as well) She reminds the crowd that we can’t keep saying the world can’t wait and then WE WAIT?…..she said “hell we said the same thing a year ago! We need to use Direct Action …we need to block traffic and stand up and get attention and say this Bush Regime is wrong” ……
Wow, …….fell the rage …even the Peace People are getting mad! I understand that.
I thought well …I really do not want to go to jail today but I am willing to protest!
The march starts about an hour and half latter after a speech by Thom Hartman who I just was listening to earlier this morning on the radio as I had mentioned….and a KBOO radio host and a few others speakers spoke up too but I didnt catch their names.
Well 30 mins later and into the march, while going past past the Justice Center down Main Street I run in to Alex Ansary. What a dedicate journalist. This guy was on the move bullhorn in hand. A Frontline Activist that I really appreciate and admire for his Integrity and Tenacity( http://alexansary.com/ ) save this link
(see link near bottom of this page for Alex Ansary Video on Goggle ...of his TV show covering this event)
I shake his hand and thank him as I did Bill….saying I appreciated his efforts and work. He asks me how Joe Anybody’s website is doing?
I say Ok! as we are walking his phone rings ….people are chanting …cops are watching from the sides in long rows like a bike-cop-barricade. He hands me the Bullhorn he was using I say naaaa! Not right now!
In fact my time is up ……I got to go back to work ….the 2 hours I had for my Lunch, had ended….Damn I didn’t want to leave things were in full swing, cops all along the way in casual manners… not all rioted up …and the crowd had energy, and you could fell the excitement in the air. It felt good to stand up and speak for Peace and for Sending Bush the message we did not like what he is doing. As the protesters weaved up and down through the streets of Portland I headed the other way, 6 blocks …back to work. Damn ….I was feeling almost sick from worry and disgust for this society that had to act like this to get the frickin Leaders to behave. Throughout the speeches and during the march my heart was extremely heavy…I feel the pain of these people….all of us wanted PEACE….ALL OF US WANTED PEACE and the end to this madhouse run by Bush.
We were bonded by that common denominator.
More on the common dominator dynamics a little latter.
Back at work and about an hour latter
As I was bringing a ladder around the building …I see the protesters heading back to the park……I snap a couple pictures as they come in a long line down the street back to the starting point.
Gosh, I love those people for standing up. I wanted to thank them too if I could have.
…..Just then I see in numerous directions police riding on bikes real fast as the Horses go running between the two buildings at my work…since there is a wide path that leads to the next block……what is going on I wonder…..I set my ladder off to the side and run around to see what is happening ..everybody is up at the corner…I run up there and already there is maybe 50 people on the sidewalks right there and probably 15 police with RIOT gear on … the bike cops are up ahead chasing down the small break-away protest group.
.I look up the street to the west I see about two dozen protester who have broke away from the main march but I cant see them to well they are now two blocks down the street And they are walking down the middle of the street with their Signs in the Air with Police chasing behind them on bikes. And the wana be NAZI Robo’s are now marching up to join them from behind ….”they literally march up the street”. Like a German War march
I am on the corner with maybe 20 people all watching the cops.
A police white van whiz’s by …
The Robo cops all are now in a double row formation….one is barking out commands like military signals… they look very serious and pissed…they all have multiple guns and other weapons strapped to them
People are yelling, “They are just kids” “Don’t hurt them” I think I may have yelled at them as well. A woman grabbed my hand and thanked me she was about 70 years old.
It is real panic feeling and very surreal thing to witness. ….it was INSANE and only 10 feet away from my very own eyes. I knew I should have taken the day off.
God Please don’t let those Police Hurt Them Kids.
PART 2: The Breakaway Group 3:00pm
There now is a stand off about two to three blocks down the street from my workplace.
The police that marched by me wouldn’t let anyone go past there line see this picture here
Well I guess up the street this is what was going on: It turns out the police shot beanbags/ rubber bullets, and tear gas at some of the protesters…..I had heard or read that 10 were arrested.
And here is a link on Portland Indy Media on this topic: http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/10/347079.shtml?discuss
Facts be told, no body that I read or heard about was violent …well the Police were!
But the people were the whipping posts “again” for corporate America Bush regime.
(cop kicking girl on 12th and Jefferson)
And this photo was taken by a good friend of mine, up close to the front line.
I appreciate his efforts and participation and especially the photos he was able to help document these crimes as well as the peoples efforts on this march.
**********************************************************
All this crap all went down within a bout an hour. I was sickened and it was hard to concentrate back at work. As I worked, I knew the people outside in the streets were going to get hurt by the Police…there was not much I could do. I worried for them.I wanted so bad to be there to witness and support peaceful non violence protesters. I wanted to be a witness tothe police crime if they HURT anyone.
But I couldnt leave work. It stressed me bad. I hated it!
I was trying to remain compsed and not breakdown, it was a rough day!
I almost checked my self-out for the day …I was defiantly was honestly now feeling sick! However, I lasted until the quitting time at work, of course the protest and standoff were long over with …where upon I, heading quickly to my car.
Read my post on INDY MEDIA
that points out the main stream Corporate Spin......
CH 8 is seemilngly being the fairest and most truthful in reporting this
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/10/347133.shtml
I had not gone 10 blocks with my sign still in my back window that said IMPEACH BUSH when at a stop light the guy in the lane next to me, gets out knocks on my window, which I roll down and he says:
(He is about 80yr old) “If Bush wasn’t doing this We would have an Atomic bomb dropped on us.” I look up startled….. and say, loudly “Hey it was an Illegal INVASION…and my cousin died in that stinking war” I roll up my window and drive off……man!!! Stupid old Republican I know he is a FOX News watcher.
Within 15 minutes latter I was across town and out of my car, walking with my sign to the overpass on the 84 freeway by somewhere around 29th street. The traffic was slowly moving along under the overpass. I stood up there facing the outbound traffic with the sign.
The sign must have been pretty well noticed, I was worried that it was such a darkening sky and the overpass was kind of high above the cars. (Next time I am going to a lower one in the bright early morning!)
. I had maybe four cars flipping me off
…but lots of HONKS and waves
….YESSSSSSSS! I repeat lots of cars honked and hands waved at my sign!
It felt good to hear the honks, I stayed for about a half hour, darkness came quick!
Well that was exhilarating I am just one guy on an overpass ….just ole Joe Anybody ...doing his best to end the madness!
But damn it felt real good! Somebody has to keep the torch burning and I can help!
Now its after midnight and this day for me has dragged me to some sharp edges.
I have a couple comments then my head will get some needed rest
(I did finally eat) ......
I want to mention a comment I posted before I went out the door to the World Can’t Wait Protest
Here it is: http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/10/347034.shtml
Which can be summarized by saying:
I want this so-called lying leader out NOW!
He has broken many Laws and is the cause behind many deaths
He scammed us and lied.
He is violating Geneva And International Human Rights Laws
I will stand up as an AMERICAN and say this
I say this because I love my country and my freedom
I don’t care who organized the event I WANT BUSH OUT NOW
The protesting group that deviated from the main body did so in a brave move.
I say they were brave in that they want one thing like all of us did at that gathering
WE WANT BUSH OUT……those kids or whoever those brave souls were….went to take the bullet for this cause. Was I going to do direct action? …well not like them guys… !
I didn’t want to go to jail today …. these breakaway protesters want the same thing and they wanted the WORLD to take note….even if it meant arrest or as in this case a bullet
I do stand behind them ….so I support them…..They are angry and upset (well so am I)
You see in the Peace Movement……we ask ….we plead …we try to do all we can to and sometimes it has to get more serious …because the general public wont listen unless it is some outrageous or loud new story…and the media even then downplays the whole issue
Well this breakaway group was willing to get the anger and disgust for this Regime on the news……and they were a lot more serious …..they stood face to face with the POLICE
The mainstream media hardly will cover this in fact check this Oregonian link here:
http://www.blogs.oregonlive.com/oregonian/newsupdates/default.asp?item=209280
Notice the lies and the NON-coverage …it is appalling
Facts be told the protest march trough downtown, and the end the part I missed when I was back at work …apparently the march stood in the street 20 minutes outside the Oregonian chastising them for their compliance with Bush and helping to purport the Corporate Pro-War news. You see why? They fabricate and Lie!
I latter looked at the main Corporate news sites it is very poorly covered…in fact; it speaks of all this in very misleading untrue fashion. Reports of one small injury! HA!…reports that don’t say anything about the horse’s trampling on girls and innocent people…in fact when I watch video footage from KATU TV they stop the film numerous times to “cut-away” from the Police being VIOLENT…how convenient! Actually, I meant to write “How disgusting!” click on video link on their website
http://www.katu.com/news/4320052.html
And then a fellow protester with the real story which also sets the record straight blogs in at this link on the Oregonian’s website…..here is his comment which is more truth full than our local newspaper:
http://www.oregonlive.com/forums/oregon/index.ssf?artid=150978
Am I mad at a few protesters who want to block traffic? No !
Why are they doing it ? Oh, they are anti war and anti Bush !!? Cool
The dynamics of fighting this Regime will have to cover many facets.
The protest will take on many many, forms …we all want the same thing
There may be Direct Action and it may range across the spectrum from one man sitting in front of traffic to massive thousands blocking the bridges or the Capital.
Whether it is an action I would do or necessary condone is not THE POINT
The point is we need to drive the Bush Regime Out…..The World Can’t Wait
So I approve of all aspects if it serves this “higher moral ground”
RUN BUSH and his Neocons out …The game is not fair and They are cheating…so we the movement up the ante ……we make the world hear us and sooner they will support us for all we are saying is give Peace A Chance….and yes! Some will take a rubber bullet for me and you to save this world……and by Golly I support them …I am proud of them on the Frontline.
One must remember the Portland Police …now those guys “will hurt you or even KILL you.”
They will hurt you for just sitting in the street. They did that today!
And I do not like that one bit. In fact, that very issue needs to change.
There should be a law in this town that the Police cannot hurt innocent unarmed citizens!
They should make it a serious crime to shoot peace marchers.
As dully noted it should be a crime to; shoot at people in crowds that are non-violent.
Why does our city condone this use of force on its citizens? I will be asking my official the very question. I would also like to see if the cut-out scenes from KATU can be used as evidence
….Well its time for this Average Joe to hit the hay.
It will be soon another day …..And I feel like I got my emotional ass kicked
It is tough taking on this Liar Bush and his Henchmen…
Peace Now
Love You All
~Joe
An excellent commentary by a fellow activist Alex Ansary describes this protest and more VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES……Please watch this complete show!
Right On Alex!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2801662433794981019 save this link
Also here is some added interesting reading on INDY MEDIA by "catWoman"
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/10/347140.shtml
WCW footnote
By the way Z3 readers on OCT 6
I read this follow up on the WCW website
You can count me in …
the subject is on TORTURE......cool! (sic)
In one week, we are calling for MASS MEETINGS – where thousands across the country must come to be part of summing up what we have accomplished and be part of planning how to go forward, rapidly expanding our capacity. We’ll discuss “how do you drive an illegitimate regime from power?” We have very important plans for what the next ambitious and necessary steps this movement should make.
In the meantime we must not lose an ounce of momentum - immediately getting other people to join us. To keep the profile and message of World Can’t Wait pulsing through the political atmosphere over the next 6 weeks. We are calling on people to:
1) Be out in the streets - be out in the public square. Wear orange. Wear orange armbands. Decorate yourself and the city with orange Emergency crime tape to symbolize those being disappeared and tortured in our name. Pick a busy area in your city and be there at the same time and day for the next 6 weeks, creating a culture of resistance in song and theater, holding speak-outs on the “Your Government” indictments, making exhibits and showing films. We’ll be ready to respond to an October, or November surprise by the Bush Regime.
2) Today is a gigantic step forward in starting the society-wide debate needed for people in their millions to act even more powerfully. So we are calling today for STATE OF EMERGENCY TEACH-INS to take place before the end of October that can carry out emergency education on each of the “Your Government” indictments found in our Call. We are out to wake people up to what is going on, in their name. We will make the case that this regime is guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
So go home with something orange and wear it the rest of the month. Come to the meeting next week and plan to bring your courage and your imagination, bring your resources and your political connections because together we will plan our next steps needed to drive out this Regime before 2008.
Because Bush, because Cheney, because Rumsfeld, because Rice, because Gonzales must all be driven out, they must leave the White House politically repudiated and thoroughly discredited as the war criminals that they are. Anything short of that is unacceptable to the world, to our children, to the future.
THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN - WHICH ONE WE GET IS UP TO US
Joe Anybody Loves Everybody 
PEACE!
This page is linked to on INDY MEDIA at the following URL:
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/10/347156.shtml
