i'm just trying to do my thing, maintain my existence

here are some photos i took while i was at the rally and march today.

it rained like a mofo, which is to say, a lot. but it didn't dampen my spirits, not most other people's, it seems.

there was 2700 according to a few different counters, so i think that's the official count. of course, with repeated downpours, a few people wavered and went to seek drier areas. i stuck it out until the civil disobedience segment started, but then i decided to get something to eat, cause i was starving! call me weak, but even the most zealous protester needs some food every now and again.

i will post a few updates to this as the evening progresses and i collect my thoughts... and dry off!

PEACE!

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UPDATE (@10:12pm): i arrived in Oakland just in time for some pouring rain to soak my pants (i forgot i had my rainpants with me) while i walked over to Flagstaff Hill in Schenley. i've probably already mentioned how much i enjoy this area of oakland, and today was no different, despite the inclement weather. approaching flagstaff, i could see a large group of people, holding signs and umbrellas, refusing to let a spring rainstorm deter the festivities. there was even lightning and thunder, as if to signal the growing police presence in the area as the rally got underway. there was some problems with the public address setup, causing a few missed speeches and confusion, but the rally went off without a hitch.

i had a great little conversation with a wise woman about the need to develop a dialogue not only with like-minded people, but also with those that see differently on issues we find important. we discussed the need to invest our efforts, time, and energies into many avenues to approach problems on every level. we both recognized the need to turn out for protest rallies and marches to voice our dissent to the war in iraq, our support for civil liberties for all, and change in the world, but that we also could not depend on such actions (direct or indirect) to make the necessary changes on their own.

this is especially pertinent to those who feel that their voice has no effect in national politics, or even in local politics. when coupled with other forms of communication and discourse, protest marches can have an effect. so can voting, letter writing campaigns, direct action, and even just talking to people on the street. it is important that every available resource comes to bear on the problems at hand, in the hands of those motivated to make a real difference. no matter how corrupt the system is, there are many options for making change on any level. it's easy for people to say "that won't work. i'm not going to try that and look a fool for trying", but the fact is that if you don't try all your options to change any situation, then you won't look like a fool, you will be one.

the conversation went along those lines for awhile, but she had to head off and snap some more pictures. i couldn't blame her, either, cause i wanted to take advantage of the brief respite from the rain to snap some of my own. we wished each other well, and thanked each other for the wisdom and food for thought. if one could really eat the food for thought, i would be stuffed to the gills right now.

i think it's great that so many people turned out to show their anger, sadness, regret, frustration, and fear over the continuing war in iraq. i think that anyone who claims it is no longer a war should see what really happens on a daily basis in baghdad. i think that anyone who claims iraq is safer should talk to a few people who live there, and live in fear. i think making one's voice heard, among thousands, is inspiring. i think that it is possible to make a great change in this world, either by visibly assembling to protest, or writing letters to your elected representatives, or taking part in any number of direct actions and civil disobedience events...but i favor an approach that combines ALL of these efforts, and more besides. the problems are both large in scale, and numerous in amount, but if enough people are dedicated to doing their parts (everything in this world has more than just one part...or even a few!), then we can be the change that we wish to see in the world.

this reminds me of another conversation i had with a wise man on the merits (and detractions) of voting. he was approaching people, trying to get more people registered to vote. i think it's a great effort, because even if you choose (for whatever reasons) not to vote, you should at least be registered so you have the option. i mean, really, there should be NO reason you're NOT voting (because it's free, easy, and people can't tell you "i told you so" later), but that again is your choice. anyway, he had some really great thoughts on the grassroots nature of organizing groups of people and how that grassroots trend can be helped to continue and thrive in the future. basically, Dean's campaign got started by a few grassroots organizers getting more and more people involved online and on the streets. but even though dean's campaign ended, that pool of interested citizens does not have to end. further, that using the same techniques and expanding upon them has the potential to bring a lot more voices into the political landscape. i voted for Nader in 2000. now, despite what a lot of people think and say, Nader did NOT throw the election to Bush, cause Gore fucked up all on his own, but that's a whole other debate. the most basic reason i voted for Nader was that he represented a new choice for the american people. he represented a grassroots campaign to bring another party (the greens) into the mix, and i couldn't agree more that we need more choices. although i've decided to vote otherwise this year, i still agree with Nader that politics should not be an arena for a select few to discuss or be interested in. the reason politics are corrupt (get out your notebooks, class), is that so few people take part in the process, and so infrequently, that it's usually left to people with stronger beliefs to be the movers and shakers. this does not have to be so, and in fact, it should be quite the reverse. the reason that politicians get away with murder is that so many people let them! i don't realistically think that the system can become perfect overnight if a few more people get involved, but Nader's campaign said it best: there can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship.

this means that it is your duty to let other people (preferrably those in a position to listen and do something on your behalf) know what is important to you in your daily life. remember, the squeeky wheel gets the grease!

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