Protests/Rallies/Marches in the Media (12/12)

[dzika]

Stories of protest are starting to hit the wires.

FROM: Columbia Daily Tribune
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2004/Dec/20041212News014.asp

Activists demand election reform
System glitches prompt calls for change.

The Associated Press
Published Sunday, December 12, 2004

-snip-
As the Electoral College prepares to certify President George W. Bush’s
re-election tomorrow, concerns persist about the integrity of the nation’s
voting system - particularly in Ohio, where details continue to emerge of
technology failures, voter confusion and overcrowded polling stations in
minority and poor neighborhoods.


FROM: The Olympian
http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20041212/southsound/48133.shtml

Election doubts provoke protest
Crowd gathers on Capitol Campus

CHRISTIAN HILL - THE OLYMPIAN

-snip-
OLYMPIA -- More than 30 people stood Saturday in the shadow of the Capitol to
vent about an electoral system they say has left voters out in the cold.

They're among many in the United States who believe the presidential election
nearly six weeks ago was fraught with voting irregularities and other problems,
putting the outcome in doubt.

"If we can't count the vote, we can't trust the results," said Shawn Newman, an
Olympia attorney who has litigated election law cases.

Earlier, he spoke through a bullhorn before a group of people bundled for the
cold holding signs reading, "No stolen elections" and "Count all our votes."


FROM: StatemanJournal.com
http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041212/NEWS/412120322

Salem

Protest calls for election investigation

December 12, 2004

-snip-
A protest concerning al leged unfair voting practices is scheduled for noon today
on the steps of the state Capitol building.

The gathering is one of many being organized today at state capitals across the
country and in Washington, D.C.

A group called 51 Capital March is organizing the protest to demand complete
investigations into reports of vote fraud and vote-count manipulation.

Protesters also are expected to call on Electoral College electors to withhold
their votes for president until state election officials "provide a complete,
fair, accurate and verified manual vote recount."

The protest is supported by activist organizations such as Action Speaks Portland
and Democracy for America.



Please post any additional stories you find.

EDIT: Changed Subject.

[Slit Skirt]

1. don't leave Denver out....we had about 200 people

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=142x2934

[17yroldtwins]

14. Congratulations!!! What's your secret?

Getting 200 people to show up on a cold Colorado day is terrific!!!

How did you do it?

How did you get the word out? Where did you gather? How did you get press?

Tell all!!!

Attie

[jdog]

19. Yesterday better than today

I think I'm the only one who showed up yesterday and today and I gotta say yesterday's was significantly better. And I know for a fact a great deal of planning went into the rally yesterday. It paid off.

[Slit Skirt]

25. only the Denver Post was there

somebody has a very good idea and had big signs made of the telephone numbers of all the media local stations...people with cell phones in the crowd called them to let them know we wanted coverage...what a great idea.

I think the thing most important is that there were a lot of different groups opposed to Bush...9/11, moms against Bush, civil rights groups, antiwar groups....and they all tapped into one another to do this....

also it helps that we advertised on DU and people showed up....

Denver and Boulder is very active in the cause...the revolution...whatever you want to call it...we can get 200 -300 people at a 9/11 "town council"


AND IT REALLY HELPS THAT WE HAVE THE MERCURY CAFE...THE PLACE TO BE FOR POLITICAL ACTIVISM.

[rumpel]

2. LA Times 12/12 For Some, the Race Remains Far From Over

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-vote12dec12,1,3856600.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

[dzika]

8. Thanks. Great Post. n/t

[ginnyinWI]

18. It appears that John Kerry

really doesn't believe he won Ohio. Someone ought to be able to convince him! What will it take, I wonder? Media? Tomorrow's lawsuit? Let's hope something does, because we need a high-profile leader right now to get the job done.

[dzika]

3. FROM: Cincinnati Enquirer

FROM: Cincinnati Enquirer
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041206/NEWS/412060365/1092/spt04&template=printpicart

Election still faces a fight in Ohio
Challenges expected today to contest results, request statewide recount

By Andrew Welsh-Huggins
The Associated Press

-snip-
COLUMBUS - While the rest of the country focuses on Christmas
shopping and NBA slugfests, Ohio still is trying to decide who was
elected president.

-snip-
About 400 people rallied at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on
Saturday to demand a recount begin immediately and to point out
Election Night irregularities they claim could have cost Kerry the
election. On Sunday, Democrats trained coordinators to participate
in recounts expected to begin later in the month.

"We should verify the accuracy of the vote and the process by which
the vote was achieved," said Cliff Arnebeck, a Columbus lawyer
working for the Massachusetts-based Alliance for Democracy. "Even if
it's several million dollars, it's a minuscule investment to ensure
the integrity of the process."

[dzika]

4. Columbus - Demonstrators Expected For EC Vote

FROM: Ohio News Now
http://www.onnnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=2681676&nav=LQlCU6bq

Columbus
Demonstrators Expected For EC Vote

The Ohio presidential election has been conducted mostly in
obscurity for 200 years. Not this year.

The Electoral College's vote in the Ohio Senate chamber Monday is
expected to be accompanied by demonstrations sponsored by groups who
aren't buying President Bush's victory over Democrat John Kerry.

Led by a coalition representing two minor-party candidates, the
dissidents have demanded a recount that will begin this week. Many
believe the recount won't change Bush's 119,000 vote victory over
Democrat John Kerry, but some do.

Ohio and its 20 electoral votes put Bush over the threshold for
election when Kerry conceded on the morning of November third.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[dzika]

5. Activists demand election reform

FROM: Columbia Daily Tribune
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2004/Dec/20041212News014.asp


Activists demand election reform
System glitches prompt calls for change.

The Associated Press
Published Sunday, December 12, 2004

-snip-
As the Electoral College prepares to certify President George W.
Bush’s re-election tomorrow, concerns persist about the integrity of
the nation’s voting system - particularly in Ohio, where details
continue to emerge of technology failures, voter confusion and
overcrowded polling stations in minority and poor neighborhoods.

[dzika]

6. Not related - New Obermann Interview

FROM: USC Annenberg, Online Journalism Review
http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/041130glaser/

On Air and Online, Olbermann Draws Attention to Voting Problems

MSNBC's Keith Olbermann uses wit and intellect in his new Weblog and
on his show to cover the controversial voting-irregularities story
that he says most major media haven't touched.

By Mark Glaser
Posted: 2004-11-30

[dzika]

7. LA Times - For Some, the Race Remains Far From Over

FROM: LATimes.com
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/latimests/20041212/ts_latimes/forsometheraceremainsfarfromover

For Some, the Race Remains Far From Over

Sun Dec 12, 7:55 AM ET


By Sam Howe Verhovek Times Staff Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Clifford Arnebeck won't let it go. He can't let it
go. Not, he says, while America refuses to recognize that John F.
Kerry was elected president Nov. 2.

-snip-
The bid appears quixotic, to put it politely, as Bush has been
officially declared the winner by 119,000 votes and Arnebeck is
arguing before a Republican-dominated Supreme Court in Ohio. Nor is
the Massachusetts senator helping him out, said Arnebeck.

"I can't for the life of me understand why Kerry isn't fighting
harder for this. Maybe it's some secret Skull and Bones tradition,
where you're not supposed to show up the other guy," Arnebeck said,
referring to the Yale secret society of which Bush and Kerry were
both members.

-snip-
They feed each other's postelection rage over the Internet, swapping
reports about voter suppression and possible computer hacking or
other electronic manipulation of the results.

Protests continue to be staged, including a "rally to change the
tally" in San Francisco and black-armband demonstrations in Denver
and Boston this weekend against what organizers call the "media
blackout of election fraud." But they are especially focused on
Ohio, whose 20 electoral votes proved crucial.

"I would like to welcome you to Ukraine," said Susan Truitt, a
speaker last weekend at a rally outside the Ohio statehouse, where
400 showed up to demand an inquiry into fraud allegations. She was
referring to the nation about to hold a new presidential election
after protests that the first one was rigged.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson (news - web sites), who also appeared at the
rally, cited a recurring grievance of the groups who questioned the
legitimacy of Bush's 2004 victory. Why is it, Jackson asked, that
exit polls seemed to point toward a Kerry victory that day?



This is a pretty good article... you might want to read it.

[rumpel]

23. I hoped he would mention the Conyers' forum, which

does bring the whole legitimacy of the election in a credible light.

[dzika]

9. Once obscure, Ohio vote has new prominence

FROM: Akron Beacon Journal (ohio.com)
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/10401245.htm

Posted on Sun, Dec. 12, 2004

Once obscure, Ohio vote has new prominence
JOHN McCARTHY
Associated Press

-snip-
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio presidential election - the one that
counts - has been conducted mostly in obscurity for 200 years. Not
this time.

The Electoral College's vote in the Ohio Senate chamber on Monday
was expected to be accompanied by demonstrations sponsored by groups
who aren't buying President Bush's victory over Democrat John Kerry.

-snip-
The protesters won't be near the Senate when the vote is taken. They
will be conducting their demonstrations on the sidewalks surrounding
the Statehouse. L'Estrange said the protesters will be there to
ensure that all voters' voices are heard.

"We want a fair election. We want a fair vote and we want a fair
recount - not a recertification of what we already have," she said.

[dzika]

10. Electoral College to meet in Columbus on Monday

FROM: Akron Beacon Journal (ohio.com)
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/10401249.htm

Posted on Sun, Dec. 12, 2004

Electoral College to meet in Columbus on Monday

Associated Press


WHAT: Fifty-first meeting of Ohio's Electoral College to cast the
state's 20 electoral votes for President Bush, the winner in Ohio on
Nov. 2.

WHO: Some of the notable electors include William DeWitt Jr. of
Cincinnati, a former business partner of the president and one of
his most prolific campaign fund-raisers; state Sen. Kirk Schuring of
Canton; Ohio Turnpike Commission executive director Gary Suhadolnik
of Strongsville.

PROTESTS: While the electors are voting, dissidents who believe the
vote should be put off until a recount is completed plan to
demonstrate outside the Ohio Statehouse.

QUOTE: "There's a luncheon or something, but then I've got to get
home and go to work." - Summit County Republican Party chairman Alex
Arshinkoff, on his plans after the vote is completed.

[dzika]

11. FOX 19 Cincinnati

Fox 19 in Cincinnati picked up the AP wire story:

Once obscure, Ohio vote has new prominence
http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=2681814

[dzika]

12. Photos from Austin 51 Capital March

Great pics!

Posted at this DU thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x145174

And this link:
http://photobucket.com/albums/v601/jbond56/

[katinmn]

37. Which speaker is Kip Humphrey?

[dzika]

13. Group rallies at the Capitol

FROM: Capital News 9 (Ohio)
http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/headlines/?ArID=108182&SecID=33

Group rallies at the Capitol
12/12/2004 3:29 PM
By: Capital News 9 web staff

-snip-
It was decided more than a month ago, but still some Democrats are
demanding a recount in the presidential election.

Activists from the group Progressive Democrats of America gathered
on the steps of the Capitol Sunday afternoon to demand a ballot
recount in Ohio.

The activists believe nationwide presidential election ballots are
fraudulent due to covert electronic vote switching.

Activists from the group Progressive Democrats of America gathered
on the steps of the Capitol Sunday to demand a ballot recount in
Ohio.

Student Brad Russell said, "The Bush administration, Debold
Incorporated, the various people who have been alleged to be
involved in this are guilty until proven innocent. If they give me a
fair recount and prove they didn't do anything, then I'll stop
talking about it."

Watch the Video!
http://www.capitalnews9.com/shared/video/video_pop.asp?destlist=50074

[dzika]

15. SFGate.com picks up AP Story

Dissidents protest Monday's Electoral College vote in key swing state Ohio
JOHN McCARTHY, Associated Press Writer

Sunday, December 12, 2004
(12-12) 12:54 PST COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) --
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/12/12/national1554EST0518.DTL

[dzika]

16. Bob Fertik's blog - Sunday Update

FROM: Bob Fertik's blog - Stolen Election 2004: Sunday Update
http://blog.democrats.com/node/1905

by Bob Fertik on December 12, 2004 - 2:09pm.

-snip-
There is an unprecedented huge wave of election protesting across
the country - see www.51capitalmarch.com, www.denvervoice.org, or
www.Nov3.US.

On Monday, when Ohio's Republican Electors cast their 20 votes for
Bush, they will be greeted by protesters.

[dzika]

17. AP - Protesters Urge Delay for Ohio Electors

FROM: AP

Yahoo:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041212/ap_on_re_us/ohio_electoral_college_1

SanLuisObispo.com:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/10401638.htm

Star-Telegram:
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/nation/10401638.htm?1c

Protesters Urge Delay for Ohio Electors
JOHN McCARTHY
Associated Press

[Darkhawk32]

20. Wow, I can't believe my local newspaper.....

in Columbia, MO actually covered the story. Hank Waters, the publisher, is usually a staunch Republican backer but this year, he couldn't bring himself to endorse the complete failure in *.

I find it more unbelievable that he would allow such an article into his newspaper, even given his misgivings about *.

[dzika]

21. UK's Guardian picks up AP story as BREAKING NEWS

Protesters Urge Delay for Ohio Electors

Sunday December 12, 2004 9:31 PM
By JOHN McCARTHY
Associated Press Writer

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-4669019,00.html

[dzika]

22. AP Story just picked up by 55 different media outlets

phillyburbs.com, PA
In-Forum (subscription), ND
Tacoma News Tribune, WA
New York Newsday, NY
Fresno Bee, CA
Akron Beacon Journal (subscription), OH
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA
Pioneer Press (subscription), MN
Fort Worth Star Telegram (subscription), TX
The Ledger, FL
Mid Columbia Tri City Herald, WA
San Jose Mercury News (subscription), CA
Fort Wayne News Sentinel, IN
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, PA
Miami Herald (subscription), FL
Kentucky.com, KY
Kansas.com, KS
Myrtle Beach Sun News, SC
San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN
philly.com (subscription), PA
Duluth News Tribune, MN
Macon Telegraph, GA
Tallahassee Democrat, FL
Biloxi Sun Herald, MS
Kansas City Star (subscription), MO
Tallahassee.com, FL
Bradenton Herald, FL
Newsday, NY
Charlotte Observer (subscription), NC
Centre Daily Times, PA
Grand Forks Herald, ND
Tuscaloosa News (subscription), AL
Dateline Alabama, AL
Wilmington Morning Star, NC
MLive.com, MI
News & Observer, NC
ABC News

Can anyone say WOW!

[rumpel]

24. WOW

[dzika]

27. It looks like many more media outlets

picked up this story as well but I stopped counting after 55.

[dzika]

26. Jackson Protests Ohio Vote

FROM: nbc4.com (Ohio)
http://www.nbc4i.com/news/3991337/detail.html

Jackson Protests Ohio Vote
Democratic Leader Says Kerry Supports Investigation

POSTED: 7:42 pm EST December 12, 2004
UPDATED: 8:03 pm EST December 12, 2004

-snip-
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Rev. Jesse Jackson is back in Columbus to protest
the outcome of the Ohio vote in last month's presidential election.

Jackson says the irregularities from the November election range
from scanners used in the voting machines to the way some
provisional ballots were rejected, NBC 4's Mike Gormely reported.

"I'm asking for a full investigation into the voting
irregularities," Jackson said. "Especially the voting machines."

-snip-
Jackson said the electors should not be seated Monday until a full
recount is completed. He added, if the electors are seated, they
should be seated provisionally.

Jackson said he spoke with Sen. John Kerry Sunday and said Kerry is
supportive of the investigation.

Jackson will also be at Columbus City Hall Monday for a forum
concerning evidence of election irregularities in the state.

[dzika]

28. Send No Messengers of Defeat: The Texas Capitol Rally

FROM: ILCA Online
http://www.ilcaonline.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1220&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Send No Messengers of Defeat: The Texas Capitol Rally
By Greg Moses, ILCA Associate Member

-snip-
“Today across the country a citizen uprising begins,” says Kip
Humphrey, giving the first speech of his life, under a pure blue sky
in Texas. It is the day before the Electoral College meets, and
Humphrey is here to demonstrate his anger and disappointment with
the way that election 2004 has gone down.

Just two weeks ago Humphrey and his son set up a website called 51
Capital March dot com and, using internet chain-mails, began asking
folks to make signs and show up at their state capitols. When I show
up to the rally in Austin around Sunday noon (with a notebook
instead of a sign) a young woman hands me a white button with slim
black letters that say, “I Showed Up.”

“Thank you for showing up,” she smiles. “You’re welcome,” I smile
back. In the background I can hear, “the times they are a’changin’",
playing live from the steps of the Capitol.

Humphrey reports from the podium at the Texas Capitol that 29
rallies were being held this weekend, not bad for a two-week old
idea. Looking over the Austin crowd of about 200 people, Humphrey
declares that each person here represented thousands of others.

“March like a Ukrainian,” says one sign in the hands of a teenage
girl. “Live Free or Die Bold,” says more than one other sign. “The
Vote was Rigg’d,” shouts one sign in plain language. “We need paper
trails,” insists another. And finally, in a turn of phrase that
mocks a local computer company, “Dude, where’s my vote?”

[dzika]

29. Protesters Allege Voter Fraud

FROM: WKOW-TV Madison, WI
http://www.wkowtv.com/$spindb.!query.1listnews.storeview.13677.news

Protesters Allege Voter Fraud
Sun 12-12-2004 , 9:23 pm

Thousands of people across the country and in Madison gathered today
to say "you stole my vote."

The 'You Stole My Vote' 51 Capitol March took place on the Capitol
steps. The group protested what they call the theft of their votes
and our voting rights in the the past election. One protester said
that many people don't realize not all the votes were counted.

[dzika]

30. Ohio voters tell of Election Day troubles at hearing

FROM: The Plain Dealer (cleveland.com)
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1100428444286470.xml

Ohio voters tell of Election Day troubles at hearing
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Reginald Fields
Plain Dealer Bureau
Columbus

-snip-
Tales of waiting more than five hours to vote, voter intimidation,
under-trained polling-station workers and too few or broken voting
machines largely in urban or heavily minority areas were retold
Saturday at a public hearing organized by voter-rights groups.

For three hours, burdened voters, one after another, offered sworn
testimony about Election Day voter suppression and irregularities
that they believe are threatening democracy.

The hearing, sponsored by the Election Protection Coalition, was to
collect testimony of voting troubles that might be used to seek
legislative changes to Ohio's election process.

-snip-
Both a written and video report on the hearing will be provided to
anyone who wants a copy, especially state lawmakers who are
considering mandating Election Day changes, Kaplan said.

-snip-
Harvey Wasserman of Bexley said he tried to vote absentee with the
same home address he has used for 18 years but was told he couldn't
because his absentee application had the wrong address.

"But the notice telling me I had the wrong address arrived at the
right address," he said. "I wonder, how many of these absentee
ballots were rejected for no good reason?

[dzika]

31. ummm...

I just realized that it's kind of lonely in this thread. I need to get out more.

[dzika]

32. kick n/t

[dzika]

33. He was re-elected for a second term but some voters demand a recount.

FROM: NewsChannel5.com WTVF Nashville, TN
http://www.newschannel5.com/content/news/8389.asp

Election Recount 2004?
Posted: 12/12/2004 10:47:35 PM

He was re-elected for a second term but some disgruntled voters are
demanding a recount

The outcome of the 2004 presidential election is still drawing
criticism. Sunday, nearly one hundred Tennesseans gathered to
express why they think President Bush shouldn't serve another four
years.

They met at the State Capital to say they want to make sure every
vote is counted.

Some critics have cited a number of problems, including long lines
and a shortage of voting machines in many democratic precincts.

[dzika]

34. Lots of Media today...

All of the Marchers, Protesters, Organizers and Supporters have done a super job. I'll pat myself on the back too since I'm the only one posting to this thread.

There are still plenty of media reports coming out and there will be more tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a big day. I'm getting some sleep.

[kk897]

36. I'll pat you on the back, too! n/t

[dzika]

35. Protesters pushing for vote recount

FROM: The Arizona Republic
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1213protest13.html

Protesters pushing for vote recount

Casey Newton
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 13, 2004 12:00 AM

-snip-
A day before each state's electors cast their votes for president, a
group of Arizona Democrats urged federal election officials to slam
on the brakes.

About 200 protesters from around Arizona gathered at the state
Capitol on Sunday urging electors to delay the Electoral College
vote until each state performs a hand recount of the popular vote.

The event was timed to pressure the electors, who are meeting in
each state today, to cast electoral votes for president and vice
president. President Bush won Arizona's 10 electoral votes with 55
percent of the vote, besting Sen. John Kerry.

-snip-
"I'm really fed up, and I can't take it anymore," said Jo Kimmel,
who drove in from Tucson for the protest. "It's time to act to make
each vote count."

State Rep. Ben Miranda, D-Phoenix, said he would push for
legislation that would mandate printed records of individual votes.
He also called for more accountability for poll workers who handle
voting machines.

"We want to make sure that whoever touches that machine, it's
documented," he told the crowd, which responded with cheers,
applause and occasional tabla drumming.

Gathered on a lawn near Adams Street and 17th Avenue, protesters
listened to Bob Marley songs on a public- address system and vowed
to continue pursuing election reform. "This isn't about an election -
this is about the voting process in this country," said Celeste
Pettijohn, a Democratic district chairwoman from Phoenix. "We have
no assurance that our vote was counted."