http://inauguration2005.tribe.net/thread/0b74abca-593a-47d0-8813-ec81d401c4ed?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://Inauguration2005.tribe.net/thread/0b74abca-593a-47d0-8813-ec81d401c4ed#85147797-4d44-4313-8a49-678e44a2aa95 As a veteran of DC protests I can tell you that this administration, the DC police, and the media are highly adept at marginalizing voices of dissent. They can make a crowd of half a million angry citizens look like a half a dozen freaks. They know what they're doing and they do it well. Based on prior experience, here's how I envision January 20th going down. In the morning you will arrive curbside. The police will be very nice and tell you you're not allowed to be there. They will politely direct you to the sections of the street where you are allowed to stand. You will then cram in with all the other dutiful protesters where 90% of you will be invisible. That evening the media will report that a "handful of protesters failed to dampen the joyous atmosphere" and they will show footage of cheering Bush supporters followed by some lone kid with a bandana over his face trying to light a flag on fire. Forgive my cynicism by I've seen it happen over and over. A.N.S.W.E.R is trying to address this concern by urging people to arrive on Pennsylvania Avenue before 9:00AM and line the streets and refuse to move. That's a good idea and maybe it will succeed, but I have a strong feeling the police will be there to re-locate us. Refusing to move is an option but that will only work if our numbers are large enough. If we get a good, long curbside presence, then maybe turning our backs will be effective. But let's not allow ourselves to be crammed into a "free speech zone," or pushed back from the curb where no one can see us. Remember, if 200,000+ people all move at once to where we're not allowed (like straight up Pennsylvania Avenue) they won't be able to stop us and people will bloody well take notice. I'm tired of these massive but well-behaved protests getting absolutely no attention. For the sake of the country, please let's not go quietly on this one. Sun, 09 Jan 2005 00:39:11 GMT http://Inauguration2005.tribe.net/thread/0b74abca-593a-47d0-8813-ec81d401c4ed#85147797-4d44-4313-8a49-678e44a2aa95 James 2005-01-09T00:39:11Z