For Protesters and Organizers

[snot]

This relates esp. to protests on Jan. 20 but could relate to others.

Remember what happened to the half-million or so who demonstrated in NYC during the RNC--many were carted away and held illegally for 36 hours and more--convention's over--so sorry! If anyone sued and won for violation of civil rights, just a small cost of doing business.

On Jan. 20, they only need to hamper us for a short period in order nullify any effect our efforts might have had.

Plus, I expect they'll wait until the last possible moment before revealing the TRUE locations of the parade and other events. And they'll have large holding areas set up in advance, and keep us incommunicado, etc., just as they did in NYC; only this time they'll probably be anticipating that we might be anticipating all this.

So we need some SERIOUS planning and counter-strategy -- best if possible to get an injunction BEFORE Jan. 20 against the kinds of violations that occurred in NYC, so that violators will not just be liable for petty damages but be held in contempt of court (which I believe can put them in jail at least briefly). And lots of lawyers and bail money on hand at the time.

And maybe it's also time we start proclaiming more loudly and farther in advance on our right to be heard--I mean, I'm sure the * admin will try to line the parade streets and fill all events with folks who've sworn their fealty to him; but we have as much right to have our complaints heard about this inauguration as others have to be heard applauding it (among other reasons, plenty of our tax dollars will be spent on both the hoopla and "security").

PS: Here's a graphic you can use on t-shirts, flyers, etc. A link to the page with the file is below:



Here's a link to a page where you can download a file containing the graphic in Illustrator 3, eps and pdf formats:

http://www.sortor.com/black_box_graphics_text.html

Original size about right for a t-shirt or fits on letter-size paper. Pls forward!

[RaulVB]

1. Kick

[skids]

2. Well, that's what happens in NYC

NYC is worse than most. That 36-hour stint through the jail system is not normal for other places, as far as I know.

But you are right. Invest some time into reading up on protest tactics and talking to people who have "been there".

[snot]

3. Any recommendations

on books re- protest tactics? Time I have v. little of, so if you know of 1 or 2 concise works, much appreciated.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

4. Playing into their hand

Why wait for inauguration day?

[snot]

5. I will be at the next protest in my state, TX--BUT

so far I've been unable to confirm that anything's scheduled. A general protest has been called for all state capitols on Sun, 12/12, but so far it doesn't appear anyone's actually organizing anything in Austin, TX. I can get a handful there, but before we drive 6 hours wd like to confirm we won't be the only ones there.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

6. I was at a 2000 state capital inaguration protest and

it was not satisfying. Just felt too far removed... only about 150 showed up, though more trickled in through the afternoon, and by the time the Libertarians joined in there were about 500. Still, sort of lame feeling.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

8. Oh--sorry I misread your note.

I wasnt aware of the 12/12 one. I will have to find out if anyone else knows about it. If the word doesnt REALLY get out, the crowd is going to be puny...

[jsamuel]

7. Wear your red gloves/paint your hands red!

The Red Hands Movement