Inside the Belly of the Beltway Beast

The following is an update from key organizer, David Swanson. Sunny Miller, from the famous Traprock Peace Center, and I are organizing a series of nonviolence trainings during Camp Democracy... Where Were You When They Took Your Rights Away? > > By David Swanson > > > > Can you name the one country on earth where the government can steal > elections, strip away basic rights, spy on citizens, and launch wars based > on lies, but where the people do not take over the nation's capital in > protest? > > > > If you said the United States, you'll be wrong on September fifth when Camp > Democracy begins on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. > > http://www.campdemocracy.org > > > > At long last, Americans are preparing to say "Enough is enough," and to do > what Ukrainians, Mexicans, or any other people not drugged into acquiescence > would do when things got this bad: occupy the capital city to demand peac...

This is a followup to my previous post regarding PDA's current ineffectiveness in changing the direction of the Democrats. Two higher-ups within the organization, including the national coordinator, have now told me more than once that PDA will endorse pro-war/corporatist Dems in a general election, even whent here is a progressive/anti-war Green or Independent in the very same election. How can they have any power with party leaders, if they are known to back whoever the party chooses come November. Every single time. For those dedicated to peace, I offer the Voters Peace Pledge, rather than marching behind the PDA banner in 2006. Here is the link: http://www.votersforpeace.us/signUp.jsp?key=1134 Below is what one of these PDA leaders wrote me about their strategy. I am convinced it is a flawed one and will alienate many from the peace movement, although I respect these two men as thoughtful individuals. In communications with PDA board members David Swanson (afterdowningstreet) a...

Taken from a staff editorial of Street Sense, D.C.'s homeless newspaper Y ears of uncertainty of the Franklin School shelter at 13th and K Streets, NW, may be approaching a resolution, with the Williams administration signaling that the shelter could be closed by the end of the 2006-2007 winter hypothermia season next spring. But with renovations and other issues at the few remaining downtown shelters, the fate of the 240-plus men who lay their heads at Franklin remains unknown, as does the ultimate arrangement for emergency shelter beds in the downtown D.C. area. Franklin opened as an emergency shelter four years ago, and rumors of its closing have been circulated almost since it opened. Now the rumors are becoming a reality, and how the and its homeless people got to this point is a perfect example of how not to make decisions. For over a year, city officials have said they will only close shelters once alternative space is found. But when Randall (School shelter) closed in south...

Cindy Sheehan to Move Camp to National Mall Cindy Sheehan and activists in the growing peace movement plan to move Camp Casey to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., September 8 - 21. The camp on the Mall will carry the name Camp Democracy at Fort Fed Up. Organizers intend the camp to bring together peace activists with activists for social justice, united in demanding a shift of public resources from war to the needs of people. Participants will lobby Congress to end all funding of the occupation of Iraq, and will demand that Congress hold the Bush Administration accountable for the falsehoods that launched the war and the abuses of power here at home that have accompanied it. Camp Democracy is launching an outreach effort to include organizations in the planning of the camp's activities, which are all in the initial stages. Organizations already on board are listed on the website: http://campdemocracy.org Participating organizations and guest experts and celebrities will ...