my feet are tired, but my spirit is refreshed - notes from DC rally

[suffragette]

I am so glad I was able to go to DC and take part in the rally.
Now that I'm back, I want to share some random thoughts from the days and about the days to come, random because I am still processing it all.

My feet are tired.
They're tired from walking to Lafayette Park for the 1st rally, standing during that rally, marching to the next rally, standing there for much of the day, then walking (with metro rides in between) some more through part of DC to get to Kramerbooks for much needed refreshment and internet connection then on to RFD's for the meet-up. They're also tired from the walk I took the next day - more on that later.

My spirit is refreshed.
I'm glad I walked and stood in DC on Jan 6th with so many amazing people. My feet may hurt today, but there were people on the 6th who were in physical pain all day, yet stayed there to show their support and to encourage our representatives to stand. I realize many people are disappointed that more Senators did not stand, but I won't soon forget the moment when it was announced that Barbara Boxer did. It was electric and powerful and we shared it together, both the people who were at the rally, those in the session and those watching on CSpan and on the net.

Partway through day, some of us went to get food and find a restroom :)
We went to Union Station. We were still wearing our orange ribbons, buttons, stickers and carrying our signs. As we went to different stands to get lunch, people in line and behind the counters asked us why we had these. We talked to them about the issue and process and something quite amazing began to take place. 99.99% of those we talked to and those who made comments in passing were supportive. This happened for the rest of the day and throughout our journey back to the rally, on the metro to Kramerbooks, at Kramerbooks, and on the Metro and the street on our way to meet-up at DA's RFD. Young people, old people, people from the states and from other countries - all interested in the issue and just needing that invitation (our signs, buttons and orangewear) to come talk to someone about it. I do not know what the outcome of this will be, but it was clear that the discussions we had throughout the day both connected us and spread the information further.

The meet-up was great. Big hugs to all :grouphug:
Huge thanks to williampitt for suggesting it and bettyellen for naming the time and place.

The next day I had time before my flight. I had been thinking of going to the Smithsonian, but those darned feet of mine carried me to the Lincoln Memorial instead. I approached it from the side. There are state names inscribed on the outside of the building. I happened to approach the side on which Ohio was inscribed. Inside, as I looked at the careworn expression of Lincoln and read the Gettysburg Address, I felt part of the continuum of people who have stood up for their beliefs. It's not a short process, nor an easy one, but it is worthwhile.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Welcome to DU!

[suffragette]

2. glad to be here n/t

[babsbunny]

3. Thank You

For representing those of us who couldn't go. I was at the rally though, in Columbus on the 3rd. It fired me up!

[suffragette]

4. Thanks for doing that

Everyone who wrote letters, called, faxed and stood up where they could played an important role.

[DearAbby]

5. YES! Thank you for representing us that could not be there

Just know there were so many with you in spirit. I wished I could have been there to share it, your report was the next best thing. thank you for your stand, and for sharing it. :)

[suffragette]

6. pics to come

Thanks for sending your spirit our way.
I took a few pics. Not many, but will post them today or tomorrow to share more visuals.

[bettyellen]

7. hi sweetie! it was so nice to meet you and look how all these dear

people are thanking us when we had such a great time. boy, are they ever welcome.
i am still buzzing from it, thurs was great, all of it.

[suffragette]

8. yes, yes and yes

It was fantastic to come together for change. And fun. And funny at times, like when we had both stepped away from the crowd to call each other to meet for the first time. Well, we heard each other - since we were all of 2 feet apart in that whole big crowd.
Time also to thank all those who could not go, but kept up the pressure - calling and facing senators when we could not.

[FogerRox]

35. I called Laura from 51 capitalmarch.com about 3pm to talk to her

I heard a speach being giving on Ohio probs by a woman--thru the phone.
L said there was maybe 1500 Peeps----

[electropop]

22. a few more pics

http://joeorgren.com/election_fraud.htm

[New Earth]

23. hey look i'm in the first one!

with the blonde hair, glasses, aqua scarf, black coat.....

thanks for these, i'm collecting them from everywhere!

[electropop]

25. Hi Faye

I remember your face, but no, we didn't meet. Too bad. :P I really need to get to work on my photos, I took about 100.

[suffragette]

27. thanks for the pics

I'm next to Faye with the blue cap and the orange ribbons.
Wish we could have met, but thanks for sharing the pics.

[electropop]

28. Hi suffie! Nice to see you too. n/t

[xxqqqzme]

30. hey I'm right Bhind

Faye & Suffragette - hood half off in beige coat.

:hi: Faye

:hi: suffragette

[New Earth]

31. hey! good to hear from you

how was your ride home? :hi:

[xxqqqzme]

32. it was long but it allowed me

2 recover from the rally & all the walking. Plus I started re-reading 'elephant' (3rd time)Learning new stuff each time I read it. I am so glad we all found each other in DC.

[New Earth]

33. yes i had a lot of fun

and i'm so glad that i went. sorry everyone was walking so fast :cry:

i actually ended being sore too, my right hip and inner thigh were so bad i had to lift my leg into the car the next day :(

make sure you look around for some great pictures. i know i saw a few that had you in them.

[xxqqqzme]

34. the next day i walked

the FDR monument; the Jefferson monument; walked all over Arlington; walked all thru Smithsonian American History - i was walked out...I wanted 2 go 2 the Museum of the American Indian but my back was saying 'enough already!!!!'

When I walked away from the FDR monument, it struck me how far this country has fallen N2 mediocrity. That turd whistle in the WH will never do ANYthing even 1/100 as inspiring as FDR.

[suffragette]

37. glad to see you

xxqqqzme, glad you made it back ok and that the long ride home helped.
You're so right about WH and FDR. FDR had more integrity and committment in his pinkie than the usurper does in his whole body.
And Mrs WH is nothing as compared to Eleanor Roosevelt. Now that was a first lady who actually cared about the people..

[New Earth]

9. my right hip and inner thigh is in pain

(from the walking!) i had to LIFT my leg into the car yesterday :cry:

[suffragette]

10. ouch

It hit you higher than me. My feet are still sore and my right calf is yelping at me.
You brought a great spirit to the rally, Faye.

[New Earth]

11. you brought a similar spirit yourself

:)

i did see some signs that said 'voter fraud'!!! it was furiating!!!:grr:

[suffragette]

12. keep educating people, Faye

That's the way they'll learn.

[electropop]

21. We may have met at the rally

I'm sorry I'm so bad with names, and I was too buzzed to make the connection, but did I meet a Faye from Ohio? I was the guy in the gigantic day-glo orange parka. I was amazed to see people who had wheeled themselve across town and over the muddy grass in wheelchairs. That's devotion and stamina!

Me, I can't claim much suffering. I took a nice stroll across town from my office by the White House, to the 2nd rally. People were avoiding me; I might have looked like a hunter/shooter, or like law enforcement. Or maybe I'm just ugly. ;-)

[New Earth]

24. i'm not from Ohio

i'm from NJ. :shrug: glad you showed up though :hi:

[ailsagirl]

13. Thank you for the description-- thank you for going to DC

[SueZhope]

14. what an inspiring message ..thank you for going

hope your feet get a well deserved rest :)

[suffragette]

15. thanks SueZhope

Resting them now.
As I said in the post, there was a fellow DU'er with us who stuck the whole day out even though her back ached like hell.
She inspired me.

[SueZhope]

16. its amazing what some will do

in the name of freedom and democracy..... :)
Thanks to that DUer and everyone who stood

[bettyellen]

17. I just want to say thanks to so many here, I'm pretty I would not have

made it down to DC Thurs if it weren't for you guys.
half way down the turnpike, I didn't think I could bear much more of the fog and hydroplaning and lightening flashes. I thought the truly sane thing to do was to tun around. at best, I was afraid I'd get there way too late and just pass out in my hotel room. I kept thinking of suffragette and andy the redhead traveling across the country, and then faye and selmo 7 and everybody emailing me so excited. all of the KO club (patsy s, miami liberal, crispini, seito, clark 2008, and bunny) who were so encouraging and then yelling at me to go get some sleep (which i did not) so I could have a safe drive.
I was thinking of all of you at 5 AM on that road and how odd it was that a group of people spread out all over the country were giving me a collective big shove i needed to make it there.
at about 8:45 that morning , when i finally got an empty hotel room i turned on the news, and it was set to fox. i was looking for the remote, but there was a news alert, boxer was signing on and they were having a total meltdown. i was jumping up and down on the bed laughing and feeling really grateful to a whole bunch of people i had yet to meet.
and then the day just kept getting better. sometimes you win.
i can't thank you all enough. ever.
x o x o
betty

[suffragette]

18. admire your bravery

bettyellen,
I so admire your bravery in making that harrowing drive and am so proud to have stood with you on Jan 6.

[bettyellen]

19. well thanks but it wasn't so brave... i just wasn't sure if it wasn't

stupid! i'm a really good driver, but being stuck doing 40 because of the fog. yikes! i was nervous that the whole drive would be like that. and that i would arrive in dc in the afternoon and miss everything.
at about 5:30 i ate and the rain slowed and it was cake.
i am proud of you coming so far. i can't wait to hear the conversation you have with your boss about it. he had a wonderful attitude. tell him i said thanks for that, too. all bosses should be like that.

[suffragette]

20. best boss

He is fantastic. As I told you, he encouraged me to go by pointing to the poster he had from attending the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force march in DC and letting me now how positive that experience was.
He was right. It was so positive to stand in DC with everyone on Jan 6.

[bettyellen]

39. give him a big hug from me!

:hug:

[electropop]

26. Everybody needed a bit of courage

to face the waves of firetrucks and mounted cops. This was my first protest ever, and It really helped to have you all around me. It was such a rush when they announced Boxer had stood up. I'll see you all on the 20th!

[bettyellen]

41. my first also...

and i know what you mean about the rush, too.
funny, i have organized and helped plan a dozen political events, but i never actually marched before. never could tear myself away from work before. so, i feel lucky!

[LizW]

29. bettyellen and suffragette

Your posts brought tears to my eyes. How I wish I could have been there with you all.

I was in DC with the family last spring, and it is very emotional to be there. We walked all over, so I feel your pain! ;)

[bettyellen]

38. we all knew that so many of you guys wanted to be there.. none of

us were alone in this march . i feel really lucky to have been able to make it down to DC, and it just wouldn't have happened without sufragette and faye and the KOEB.
and we were all a bit overwhelmed with feeling that day. i saw more than a few tears of joy.

before i forget, i saw a loose thread that i'm not sure my buddy faye caught.....
here's to you, Faye! wOOOt!

:beer:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=267991

[New Earth]

40. i got them

thanks betty :hi: :toast:

[icehenge]

36. Thank you

How inspringing your story was. Thanks for posting it
here for others to read. Your last few lines were
an inspiration for me to remember.