What will happen in DC in October?

There has been a call put out to the entire peace and justice movement to assemble in Freedom Plaza (downtown DC, along Pennsylvania Avenue), and to not leave until the U.S. Government begins withdrawing all it military forces from Afghanistan (this will be at the same time our nation completes a decade of war in this Third World country) and begins to redirect war funds to desperately needed social programs and protections for the environment. The original organizers are encouraging people not to leave until the demands are met. I think this does need to happen. But I also realize that those leaving their homes and camping out on the concrete slabs of Freedom Plaza will need support. They will need food and water brought into them. Folks will need to begin to organize themselves, as did the courageous protesters in first Egypt and Tunisia, and now currently in Spain.

So will it last longer than a couple days, will the mass media largely ignore us? Again, I will repeat, this needs to happen. The U.S. Government no longer truly represents the people -- it represents Wall Street's interests and private companies. It continues to pursue endless wars, while now embracing austerity measures. Will the American people finally stand up for themselves and speak out loud and clear, saying "Enough is enough -- bring the war dollars home!"?

I am laying the groundwork (Alice G. is the first one to join me!) for my own affinity group for October 6, 7 and 8. I do have tentative plans to fly out of DC on Oct. 9 with my college buddy Matt. I will finally visit the great state of Arizona and visit Sedona and the Grand Canyon. If the people's revolt continues until the time I fly out of town, I will consider this action a success. Because by then, it can't simply be ignored. The people's voices will be heard in the halls of power.

It will be a positive experience, and I want to organize my affinity group around positivity; around the creative powers of love and the full commitment to community. Even if the revolt's demands are not met, people will begin to notice that people are exercising their own power, and more will be inspired to follow suit. This could be the beginning of something great and long-lasting.

My two suggestions leading up to Oct. 6 is that we reach out to Unions -- such as what we saw in Madison. That we in the peace and justice movement fully embrace those struggling for labor rights. That we accept that there can be no lasting peace without justice. I would also like to see us embrace and highlight local causes -- such as DC Statehood (Taxation Without Representation) and the hospitality of the homeless we will encounter in DC. We need to follow the lead of our brave brothers and sisters in Food Not Bombs, and provide food for free. This is a part of the world we want to create.

Are we ready? I hope so. It's going to be an exciting time in DC by the time October rolls around. Let's make a difference in our lives and communities, let's be part of a paradigm shift away from violence and uncontrolled consumerism, toward peace, justice and a greater sense of responsibility to our communities.

Sheehan to challenge Pelosi

I was there the day about three weeks ago when Cindy announced she was running against Pelosi. It was outside of Rep. John Conyers'office. I think change is in the air, and all politics is local. The San Fran area is perhaps the most staunchly progressive in the whole country. Tomorrow morning I will be dropping a check for Cindy's campaign in the mail. Peace activist seeks SF-area House seat Associated Press report Citing her son as inspiration, a tearful Cindy Sheehan announced her candidacy Thursday for the U.S. House of Representatives. The anti-war activist, a former resident of Vacaville, said she will run as an independent against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has represented San Francisco in Congress since 1987. "The country is ripe for a change," said Sheehan, who spoke at a news conference in San Francisco, with her slain son's photograph attached to the podium. "It's going to start right here and right now." Sheehan's 24-year-old son...

Guantanamo put on trial -- May 27th

In eight days, Eve Tetaz, a 76-year old retired D.C. public schoolteacher, will enter a courthouse in Washington, D.C. and engage in the legal debate over the fate of America's detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The name of Noor Muhammad has never appeared in an American criminal court. On May 27th, Tetaz will change that. On that day, she will appear at the Washington, D.C. Superior Court as Noor Muhammad. Tetaz was arrested, along with 78 others, at the U.S. Supreme Court on January 11, 2008, protesting the denial of habeas rights to and the torture of inmates at Guantanamo. Like her fellow protestors, Tetaz took the name of an inmate during her arrest. ( See the January 13 Washington Post article "Activists Pose as Guantanamo Prisoners" ) Tetaz says she felt compelled to participate in the protest at the Supreme Court because detainees are being tortured at Guantanamo. "Torture is a terrible crime and sin against humanity," she said. Thirty-four ...

William Thomas Dies

William Thomas, dedicated peace and anti-nuke activist, passed away Friday morning at home. He was co-pilot of the 24-hour seven-day a week vigil at the White House for 27 years. He is survived by his wife Ellen and vigil co-pilot Concepcion. I remember Thomas from my high school years years early in on his vigil. Millions of people from hundred of countries visited Thomas as he kept vigiling, warning them of the dangers of nuclear holocaust and the ravages of war. He will be greatly missed by the peace and justice movement. An excerpt from an article in The Washington Post by David Montgomery, published a couple years ago: WASHINGTON — William Thomas first introduced fanny to brick on the White House sidewalk on June 3, 1981. His sign said, "Wanted: Wisdom and Honesty." He's been there ever since, still squatting, still wanting. A few months after he began, he was joined by Concepcion Picciotto, who has remained similarly steadfast. War is not over, but the peace protest...

Inside the Belly of the Beltway Beast

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