Ohio?!

[L84TEA]

I wish I was able to attend, Anyone hear anything about the protest yet???
dying for details here!!

[Dark]

1. What protest? n/t

[liberalnurse]

2. I was there....it was fun, inspiring but

we are still in the shadow's of the Ukraine.......I expected more folks from other states.

The speakers, the followers are indeed pasionate, yet, I feel I don't have clear direction; a "Treatment Plan" or "Action Plan" with measurable goals.....All the assessment data is great but what do do with it remains vague.

The best I felt comfortable with is that we sit-in 24/7 at Blackwells office.......

[L84TEA]

3. any guesses on attendance numbers?

[meganmonkey]

5. I would say 600-700 total at the rally

The symposium after was more enlightening and encouraging that the rally itself, IMHO. It was most of the same speakers, but much more personal. Jesse Jackson was supposed to be there, but he is really ill and he spoke to us over the phone/speakers instead, which was still pretty powerful.

To sum it up, as far as action plans, etc...There were many different opinions among the speakers - some were stressing the importance of legal actions, others disagreed and spoke more of civil disobedience.
My conclusion is this - there is a LOT of work to be done. I was terribly disappointed by the turnout, but the passion in the room at the symposium was incredible. The event was described by most of the speakers as the beginning of a very long struggle, akin to the civil rights movement. Actually, as part of the civil rights movement. This obviously isn't turning into a rioting-in-the-streets kinda thing yet. It should be, but it isn't. There are lots of actions taking place, and it takes all kinds. The legal battle is one very important facet of it. But we are going to need a lot of ACTION by citizens. We are going to need citizens to go to the offices of their public officials, especially in the shadiest states (Ohio, Florida) to show up at offices and DEMAND answers, DEMAND records, and REFUSE to leave until they get them. We are going to need organized civil disobedience - people coordinating plans in case of arrest. Simple, safe actions like rallies are also vital. We need all sorts of protest here.

DON'T GIVE UP!!! This isn't about getting Kerry in and Bush out - it is about our democracy!!!!

[kk897]

4. were they calling for a sit-in?

I wasn't sure... I will probably be there tomorrow, but I thought it was going to be people standing around with signs and chanting kind of thing. But hey, a sit in's good. I'm actually more likely to go.

I didn't get to the symposium---was a sit-in discussed there?