Which group's protests do you admire most?

[ColbertWatcher]

PETA protest for animal rights often involving nude celebrities and covertly videotaping abuses.

Code Pink protesting the current Iraq debacle and future wars, can be found in the background of every Congressional hearing

Anonymous protests the most dangerous cult with monthly rallies of thousands of young people around the world

Greenpeace protests whaling by putting themselves in physical danger on boats between the commercial whaling ships and the whales they are hunting

Billionaires for Bush protest the Republican culture of greed by mocking them at every public function, expect them at the GOP convention in Minneapolis this September

Adbusters protest consumerism by "vandalizing" public advertising in ways so creative and subtle, viewers may never realize they were exposed to a poster jammed by the group

Changed to:

Freeway Blogger a culture jammer who protests the Iraq debacle by posting signs and posters on freeway overpasses to remind the people stuck in traffic why they're stuck in traffic

ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) protest to raise AIDS awareness and ending the crisis. Created the iconic SILENCE=DEATH triangle.

Patriot Guard Riders protest the American Taliban by blocking the assholes who show up to protest military funerals.

(ADDED LATE) The French when gas prices got too high every trucker parked his rig to block the ports. The French will protest anything.

If you choose other, please post a description of the group, link to the website, and if you have any, pictures of the group protesting.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Oh, man. How to choose just one! I guess right now for me it's

Just because they are speaking truth to power at a time when that power has become so corrupt. We've slid into fascism.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. That is a beautiful picture. n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Yes it is, but go back to the site that it is from. Scary place!

[JuniperLea]

4. Best picture around!

This is the epitome of protest perfection. The looks on both faces speak volumes.

[ieoeja]

18. That picture reminds me too much of the civil rights riots.

White person with blood on her hands screaming in the face of an African-American who stands their silently ignoring the raving maniac. Followed shortly by a White cop beating and arresting the Black woman for disturbing the peace and inciting a riot.

[ColbertWatcher]

26. It mirrors it almost literally.

But, in an Alice in Wonderland sort of way.

In the first picture, the white girl in the first picture is the one with all the power; the black girl has none.

In the second, the "white" woman, Desiree Ali-Fairooz, protests against the black woman, a war criminal.

[proud2BlibKansan]

75. I went to a Code Pink fundraiser in DC in March

They auctioned off a framed copy of this picture. The winning bid was $800.

[GreenPartyVoter]

79. Nice!

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ColbertWatcher]

7. Damnit, I knew I'd forget someone. Thank you for posting. n/t

[Lisa0825]

86. *parishioners*????

WTF??? The fucking primaries are over! GROW UP!!! :mad:

[lame54]

6. I like this guy...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x151993

[ColbertWatcher]

8. Damnit another one I forgot! n/t

[lame54]

16. Thanks CW - I just voted

[ColbertWatcher]

24. You're welcome...

[ColbertWatcher]

11. I added him/them in to replace Adbusters, since they're both culture jammers. n/t

[slackmaster]

9. I met some people from Anonymous recently and was very impressed

Scientology sucks ass.

[ColbertWatcher]

12. Yes they do.

[devilgrrl]

13. I like Anonymous and any other group that uses pranking to get their point across.

$cientology does suck!

[seemslikeadream]

10. Code Pink

[defendandprotect]

14. Actually, tho I had to say "other" . . . I mean ALL of them are good . . .

I'm not familiar with "Anonymous" . . .

And I haven't seen "Adbusters" in so long I thought they were gone . . . !

Act Up also doesn't seem to be active any longer . . . ????
BUT they were superb!!! Creative -- really great!
All of their campaign from the condoms in St. Pat's to quilts were wonderful!
Wait -- were quilts someone else?

I think PETA and Code Pink are doing well and have done well ---
I've tried to hook up with Code Pink but I'm sure I'm not trying hard enough.
Hasn't worked yet.

Greenpeace I've always liked --

Billionaries for Bush is humorous and I've noticed it a few times ---

So pretty much my favorites are Act Up, Code Pink, Peta ---

MoveOn good. . . rough going over the Betrayus ad --- wish they hadn't backed down!
The one they have going now with a young mother with child --- I noticed by accident
cause I don't watch ads -- is strange . . . I don't think not effective because
mother and child we'll usually stop for ---
I'd see the GOP grabbing that kid and brainwashing him in a few years!








Don't get the "Patriot Guard Riders" . . . not familiar with it ... ???

[ColbertWatcher]

19. Oh, how could I forget the quilt!? n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

21. Who are the Patriot Guard Riders?

They are a group of motorcycle riders (most likely veterans, too) who block Fred Phelps when he protests military funerals.

[defendandprotect]

59. Isn't Fred Phelps the homophobe...? Why military funerals?

[GreenInNC]

60. Fred Phelps

He preaches that our deaths in Iraq and Afganistan are God's wrath on the US because we allow homosexuals to live.

[defendandprotect]

62. Ah . . . could we ban the teaching of religion --- ????

I mean seriously, it is dangerous to mental health!!!

[ColbertWatcher]

65. Is there a group that protests religion!?

Besides Landover Baptist?

[defendandprotect]

67. Well....I'm jokin' . . . I don't want to ban anything . . . but I'd like to see

people wake up from the brainwashing --- and see people appreciate how much damage patriarchal

religion has brought ---

BUT . . . in the sense of a reply to religious nuttiness, I think some Atheists do --

Mary Madelyn O'Hair/? was terrific to listen to --- she appeared on C-span once or twice . . .

in maybe half hour segments - her own programming.

Raised the really valid issues --- why are we permitting churches to go tax free re their

land holdings and stock portfolios?

And it wasn't too long after that that she was dead ---

[ColbertWatcher]

68. Anonymous protests a cult? That's the closest I can think of. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

88. They also counter protest against the peace movement

Really, the only decent thing they do is block Phelps at funerals. Of soldiers. They don't object to him at the funerals of gay people. And they have assaulted peace activists.

So it's a mixed bag with these guys.

[flvegan]

15. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Protest with a heaping portion of intervention.



On edit: requested link

http://www.seashepherd.org/

[ColbertWatcher]

17. Tell us what they protest!

Come on, post their web site. Lots of people read DU, give them some clicks!

[pitohui]

23. they basically do what you're giving greenpeace credit for

i think the sea shepherds are more willing to put their lives and freedom on the line, not meaning any disrespect to greenpeace but i think they are a little bolder

however i have voted for ACT UP as i think they were the most successful in getting widespread attention to their cause w.out completely pissing people off -- some of these groups (like PETA) do not accomplish anything they can point to except for self promotion

[ColbertWatcher]

27. I'm glad you posted then.

Because if I made a mistake with giving Greenpeace credit that belongs to Sea Shepherds, then let it end now.

Also, I agree with you about ACT UP.

I wanted to add a GLBT group, but could think of no other.

The two images they created--the quilt and the SILENCE=DEATH triangle--are lasting images and iconic of peaceful protest.

[flvegan]

29. SSCS protests a great number of things, all of which are marine related.

Whaling, the Canadian seal hunt, shark finning, the Taiji dolphin slaughter, etc.

However, unlike *other* organizations, they intervene. They're known for ramming other ships and other tactics to interrupt "business" so to speak. They don't just take pics and hang banners, they get in the way. When Sea Shepherd gives chase, whatever they're chasing runs like hell. Absolute heroism.

http://www.seashepherd.org/

[pitohui]

32. what he said

i'm not saying greenpeace deserves NO credit, i'm just saying sea shepherd takes the next logical step to defend the marine mammals etc

[flvegan]

33. Agreed.

Greenpeace does deserve credit as a decent protest organization. They cover a LOT of ground and have brought a great deal of injustice to light with what they do.

[ColbertWatcher]

34. Thank you. n/t

I think it's too late for me to change, but your comments are appreciated.

[InvisibleTouch]

61. Yes, they are my top choice...

...for exactly the reasons you mentioned. They're actually out there taking direct action, at the risk of their own lives, with immediate beneficial results for the animals they're protecting. Not to say there isn't a place for petitions and protests and legal work, but what Sea Shepherd does takes the truest form of courage.

[LeftyMom]

73. And shark poaching and finning.

Speaking of which, did you get a chance to watch Sharkwater yet?

[flvegan]

77. Loved it.

I saw the advance sloppy copy, and the final product was fantastic.

http://www.sharkwater.com/

[JanMichael]

66. Holy shit! Thanks for the link!

My god I wish I was younger and could be on one of those boats...

[flvegan]

71. I hope to be on one in my "older" and secure age.

Someday. It's a dream of mine. I my Top 3.

Someday.

[iamahaingttta]

20. Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping

http://www.revbilly.com/

It's protest you can dance to...

[ColbertWatcher]

22. I was going to post him too, but so many culture jammers...

...so little space!

[leftofcool]

25. Other........any humanitarian group that offers help, food and water

to those in need in the US and abroad.

[ColbertWatcher]

28. This poll is asking about groups that protest...

...I started it after I saw another DUer had this picture:



...as their avatar while CSPAN was playing on the TV in the background, and I wondered which group's protesting tactics were the most memorable or effective, or just admired by people.

Feeding the hungry is an important issue, but which group is protesting the apathy shown toward the people of, say Haiti, who are eating mud as we speak?

[leftofcool]

31. There are very few protesters in these groups

and most have a small member count and they don't make the news like the Code Pinks and PETAs. My personal opinion is that some people spend way too much time worrying about whether a hook in the mouth of a bass hurts the fish, as opposed to worrying about people eating dirt.

[ColbertWatcher]

35. Lots of people sneak on and read DU without posting.

Give them some exposure; post their link and tell everyone a little bit about them.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

30. I like those people that throw pies in people's faces.

:thumbsup:

[conspirator]

36. The "yes man" for most original protest n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

37. The full-body condom at the WTO? n/t

[conspirator]

91. No, the fake speakers at the WTO meeting

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379593/usercomments

[ColbertWatcher]

95. Brilliant, thank you for adding. n/t

[Radical Activist]

38. Unions

They consistently do protests and pickets the most strategically, effectively and well organized compared to the other groups you mention.
I'm not sure which one I'd pick out as the best but there are several stand outs like SEIU.

[ColbertWatcher]

39. You're good. Thank you. n/t

[Radical Activist]

41. You may not think so after reading my next post

about Code Pink. hah

[ColbertWatcher]

43. This is a Democratic forum...

...you can speak your mind even if it is in conflict with anyone else's.

Hell, if you say something that someone disagrees with, they can respond!

[GreenPartyVoter]

80. Another good one *thumbs up*

[Radical Activist]

40. Code Pink is the most embarassing and least effective.

I've never seen a protest of theirs that was anything more than a publicity stunt. And yes, there are times when a well organized protest can accomplish something more than getting on TV. Their choice of targets and tactics don't seem well thought out. They help marginalize the movement by alienating more people then they attract.
And we're past the point where the names and leadership of peace groups should discourage participation by others based on gender. Its one example of how they're stuck in a 60's mindset that isn't effective in today's world.

[ColbertWatcher]

45. What alternatives would you recommend for them?

If you had their members, what would you tell them to do instead of what they're doing now?

BTW, I disagree that they have done little worthwhile.



That image alone inspired countless people.

I think there is this belief that Code Pink exists only in Washington, since everyone sees them on CSPAN all the time.

[Radical Activist]

46. As I just wrote in another thread

what that images says to a majority of Americans is something like...
"Oh look, another crass, insane looking burned out hippie is against the war."

I don't think it helps bring more people to our side or changes anyones mind in any way. I doubt it inspired anyone who wasn't already against the war and it probably didn't encourage anyone other than former hippie baby boomers to get involved. Its a publicity stunt and not a particularly effective one.

If Code Pink wants to be helpful they should go to the Iraq Vets Against the War and ask THEM how they can help and let a new generation of leaders step forward. The most experienced baby boomer activists I know are usually happy to step back and let young people take leadership roles. But, we have a real problem in the movement of the boomer generation not making room for new leadership and a broader movement.

[ColbertWatcher]

47. Well, that's where we disagree...

...I believe the woman in the picture, Desiree Ali-Fairooz, was arrested for her actions.

What it did was show that it was possible to get in the faces of this administration and it showed that the administration is made up of cowards.

I don't know enough about IVAW or Code Pink to know how they feel about each other.

But, I do agree that new protesting tactics are needed.

[Radical Activist]

52. I really like California

But after reading your last comment I thought to myself, "I bet this person is form California." And I was right. How something plays in California and how it plays in Peoria are two very different things.

[ColbertWatcher]

54. I am from California, thank you.

Guessing that I am from California was not so hard since odds were in your favor.

As far as what IVAW and Code Pink are concerned, I begrudge no one the right to protest as they see fit.

Hell, fred Phelps can protest all he wants too.

I just don't have to agree with him.

BTW: Using Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church is not a way to say that people who live in the middle of the country are backward; he's just in the news for wanting to protest Carlin's funeral.

[Telly Savalas]

90. The right to protest isn't being contested here.

It's the effectiveness of the protests which is being called into question.

More folks may now know that it's possible to paint your hands red and get really close to the Secretary of State, but it's doubtful that this knowledge will change anyone's opinion of the Bush Administration or the war.

[ColbertWatcher]

96. Getting close to them is an accomplishment...

...since they invented/abuse Free Speech Zones.

Remember the 2001 inaugural?

Most of the people on this forum know there were people protesting, but there are probably more in the general public who don't.

Getting close to them is our right, otherwise what is the purpose of protest? They live in their little bubble safely surrounded by the echo chamber of their own making. Like the public unaware of inaugural protests, this administration has no idea how much people disagree with them.

Now they do: we disagree so much with them, that--at least one of us--is willing to get in their face and call them "war criminal".

Someone needed to get in their face and tell them we know what they're doing and we think it's criminal.

[That Is Quite Enough]

42. Anonymous has Guy Fawkes masks. That does it for me.

[ColbertWatcher]

44. I voted for Anonymous.

I am in awe that they are able to do what they are doing all around the world.

[Earth_First]

48. Other: Earth Liberation Front!

:popcorn:

[Radical Activist]

51. Is that even a real group anymore?

Or is it something the FBI makes up as an excuse to harass environmentalists?

Although I have been to some great Earth First actions.

[ColbertWatcher]

55. I forgot them too...

...I didn't think about this too much.

I should have split it into a few polls.

[flvegan]

70. Yessss!!!

That's bravery.

Nice choice! I went with the "terrorists" that sunk the Icelandic whaling fleet upthread, but you just came right the fuck out and said it.

:thumbsup:

[LeftyMom]

83. dude, you're never getting on a plane unmolested again.

:yourock:

[flvegan]

84. !

:rofl:

[LeftyMom]

85. I keep hoping for hotter TSA agents.

I figure if I have to let some stranger get to second base, they could at least be good looking.


Apparently this IS too much to ask. :cry:

[bunkerbuster1]

49. I'm feeling inclusive--the Patriot Guard

I like their nobility of purpose, and how they specify that they don't care if you're pro- or anti-Iraq war--all they want is for families to be able to bury their sons and daughters in peace and dignity.

[ColbertWatcher]

56. Yes, and because they battle that moran Phelps. n/t

[lonestarnot]

50. I have to go to one at McSames office today at 5 pm - 7 pm You left out Vets for Peace.

It's only 104 here today. Prollee 120 in Bagdad. :toast: :patriot:

[ColbertWatcher]

57. You know, I forgot a lot of groups...

...but here's hoping this starts a conversation, eh?

[Breeze54]

53. You left out United for Justice & Peace too ... so.... I voted for Code Pink!

;)

:kick: & Recommended

[ColbertWatcher]

58. You can always vote "Other"...

...I forgot a lot of groups, but the polls only allow for 10 choices, one of which has to be "Other"!

[defendandprotect]

63. While we're here...What's the biggest issue the public needs to understand?

About anything ----

[ColbertWatcher]

72. That deserves it's own thread.

I was thinking of doing another poll tomorrow about famous protests.

[Unvanguard]

64. I've always admired ACT UP. They ended up being rather effective, too. n/t

[ruggerson]

69. I think a case could be made that Act Up was the most successful of all

those you mentioned.

[proud2BlibKansan]

74. I am torn between Code Pink and the Freeway Blogger

I love CP for their creativity. But I love the FB because he reaches so many people with just one sign.

[SmileyRose]

76. I have to go with this guy

[ColbertWatcher]

82. That's going to be on tomorrow's poll...

...most memorable protest.

[newmajority]

78. WHY ISN'T PUMA ON THIS POLL ????2222?????222????

HILLERY'S CORPORATE SPONSORED CORONATION WAS CANCELLED BEACUSE PEOPLE ACTUALLY SHOWED UP TO VOTE, AND WERE STILL PISSED OFF ABOUT IT!!!111!!! WE DEMAND INCLUSION ON THIS POLL!!!!11111!!!

!!!1111!!!!!1!!1!!

[Recursion]

81. Nude models = good nt

[readmoreoften]

87. The Zapatistas. /nt

[blindpig]

93. yep. n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

97. I'm sorry I missed this one, thank you for posting. n/t

[LBJDemocrat]

89. The French

As Michael Moore says, in France, the government is afraid of the people, not the other way around.

[earth mom]

92. The French ROCK! But I like Code Pink too.

:yourock:

[windoe]

94. I admire them all!!! nt