Camp Casey needs you! Who's in?

[titoresque]

Spoke with Hadi Jawad of the Crawford Peace House, folks on the scene at Camp Casey have asked that people PLEASE organize "sit ins" at your local Senators/Governors offices, in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan. Be prepared and willing to be arrested. Most likely will not happen, but as I've said I personally will be THRILLED to be arrested for this NOBLE cause!

Please reply here if you are planning "sit in/arrest in's" in your state.

[eleny]

1. Sorry, but I wouldn't take your word for it

I don't know who you are or know for sure that you spoke with anyone from the Peace House in Crawford. Sorry.

[ray of light]

2. yes

I will try if my child is well again.

[hiaasenrocks]

4. What would it matter?

First of all, it seems like a strange thing to lie about.

Secondly, assume he didn't speak to anyone. How does that detract from the general idea of organizing sit-ins in various states?

[eleny]

6. DU doesn't generally enocurage people to do things to get arrested

And I've never heard Cindy or people from the Peace House encourage that, either. Encouraging sit-ins at a governor's office in Cindy's name feels out of line to me.

[DistressedAmerican]

9. Peaceful Civil Disobedience And The Discussion There Of Is In No Way

against the rules here.

This is a legitimate effort. Please stop trying to discredit it.

[eleny]

12. I'm concerned because people are being encouraged to get arrested

And there is no confirmation that the OP spoke with someone from Crawford Peace House. Encouraging natiionwide sit-ins on the basis of one poster who is a new DU member is cause for legitimate concern. If it's legit, fine, we'll learn that soon enough. But I wouldn't go off and start organizing on the basis of this one person's posting.

Besides, if this went sour, it would reflect very badly on Cindy Sheehan's efforts. And no one wants that, right?

[hiaasenrocks]

14. Believe me, the effort that was discussed

in South Carolina yesterday wasn't done at the urging of a single DU poster. Are you assuming that people across the country haven't thought of this on their own? Seems to me this particular discussion is but a small part of the effort.

[DistressedAmerican]

16. Feel Free To Call The Peace House Directly. Hadi's Number Is There.

You can find it on the Peace House main page.

If you are suspicious. You are welcome to call and confirm.

This reaction seems a little knee-jerk to me. Try confirming for yourself rather that just questioning the credibility of the OP. It is quite easy to check the authenticity of the info.

Personally I believe arrests will be needed to draw attention to the issue. I am not surpised that this is a proposed tactic.

American's are such wusses about getting arrested for a cause these days. We live in fear. What is the big deal?

It is time to remember what MLK said, "A jail is just a building".

[lonestarnot]

24. Wow just came to the board and saw this thread!

Don't people learn from history? Doesn't anyone recall what happened on university campuses nation wide toward end of Vietnam? People grew balls and refused to be budged from mass sit-ins!

[hiaasenrocks]

10. I don't think he said that Cindy or the

Peace House was encouraging people to get arrested. There are no quotes there, and I took those particular comments as his own commentary on the situation. Plus, it kind of goes without saying that protesters are often hassled by police or even arrested.

That said, his idea is a good one and I hope to see some of these happen across the country. The alternative is to cower in a corner, worry about getting arrested, remain silent... Sounds just like what BushCo would want us to do.

No thanks.

[DistressedAmerican]

11. Hadi Is A Co-Founder Of The Peace House. They Are Working Directly

with Cindy. If this comes from Hadi, It is as good as coming direcly from Cindy. They are fully coordinated. Hadi would not make a move like this without Cindy's approval.

[hiaasenrocks]

13. Thanks for the info. I agree with you. n/t

[eleny]

17. I understand who Hadi is

And I'm willing to err on the side of caution until there is more than the word of one new DU member. It may very well be legit. I'm going to wait until I learn more definitive confirmation that it's accurate. There's nothing wrong with that, imo. I'm using common sense before taking any action.

[DistressedAmerican]

23. See Post 22. Just Got Off The Phone With Hadi. This IS LEGIT.

I understand your caution. But, it appears unjustified.

Good looking out!
DA

[lonestarnot]

27. Well I am not new and I can confirm that poster would not lie about this!

I personally know this poster!

[theHandpuppet]

18. Most people wouldn't know that

Thank you for clarifying the matter. I fully understand the other poster's suspicion, however, since DU is constantly being freeped and the poster did not identify themself or their connection to Peace House. I would have been suspicious myself, and I'm even coming to Crawford.

Note to folks posting on behalf of the Peace House or Cindy -- please identify yourself so we know who we're dealing with. Thanks!

[eleny]

26. Thanks theHandpuppet

Clarification was necessary for the reasons you outlined.

[lonestarnot]

32. This poster hold the American flag! Here she is!

<>

<>

<>

[DistressedAmerican]

7. You Should. This Is An Organizer Working With Them You Are Talking To.

I know the work of the person in question and will gladly vouche for them.

Stop being so suspicious.

The folks from the Peace House have activiated accounts to facilitate contacts.

This is one of them. What they say can be trusted.

[eleny]

19. Then have someone put it in an entry in Cindy's blog

That will end any concerns anyone may have. Thanks.

[lonestarnot]

33. I posted pics... I have personally fw blogged w this person!

[hiaasenrocks]

3. Anyone in South Carolina want to get in on this?

I was talking to some friends yesterday and the five of us are thinking of organizing a protest on the capital grounds in Columbia. Not sure how many people we can get in this so-called "very red state," but it's worth a try.

If you're interested, reply here or send me an email: [e-mail]

Also, I welcome any tips from people who have previously organized such an event.

[DistressedAmerican]

5. Here Is Some Info On Peaceful Civil Disboedience From My Site. May Help!

Suggested Tactics For Dealing With Police Harassment Of Protesters

(Please Note: This should not be in anyway considered legal advice, Just My Thoughts On The Issue.)

Good Sources For Legal Info Include:

The National Lawyers Guild - http://www.nlg.org/

See Their Links Page For Many Good resources - http://www.nlg.org/resources/links.htm

The American Civil Liberties Union - http://www.aclu.org/

See Their Section Called Right To Protest For Similar Ongoing Cases And Resources - http://www.aclu.org/FreeSpeech/FreeSpeechlist.cfm?c=86



As many of you know I have spent much of the past several days pulling together photos, video, and written accounts of police actions during the recent POTUS (President Of The United States) visit to New Jersey.

The full information can be found at:

http://www.seedsofdoubt.com/distressedamerican/main.htm
http://www.seedsofdoubt.com/distresseamerican/pastfeatures.htm

There is video of the NJ arrests posted as well at:

http://www.seedsofdoubt.com/distressedamerican/westfieldvideo/WestfieldArrest.avi

http://www.seedsofdoubt.com/distressedamerican/westfieldvideo/WestfieldPoliceState.avi

Several intimidation tactics are being employed at these events. It is best to be prepared in advance for what you might see out there.

The tactics they are employing are fairly simple and should also be fairly simple to defeat.

So far we have seen that as the New Jersey event was letting out, the police decided to disperse the crowd of (perfectly legal) protesters. They began by grabbing and arresting several people from the crowd, none of whom had in any way broken the law. These arrests were them used to threaten the others that if they did not disperse they would also be arrested. In the New Jersey case the tactic worked fairly well. They arrested 9 and dispersed the protesters in minutes.

Here's what I suggest. First, take a camera. It is a lot easier to defend people who are charged with video or photos than just a story. Second, if arrests begin, it is important for the crowd NOT TO DISPERSE. I think it would be far more effective for everyone to just sit right down there and if need be get arrested. It is a lot harder for the main stream media to ignore the arrests of 150 protesters than it is to ignore 9.

Fill their local jails and hold a jail cell rally. It worked for MLK!

I understand that this takes a commitment. It will most likely result in disorderly conduct charges, fines and a Secret Service file. However, if we allow these folks to drive us off when we are well within out legal rights, THEN THEY WIN!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Cleita]

8. Well, one of my senators is Barbara Boxer, so I wouldn't

want to harrass her with a sit-in, however, those who have Republican senators and Congressmen should try to organize something. I'm trying to find out if there are any demonstrations planned in my area.

[KarenInMA]

15. I was thining the same thing. I don't need to hang out

with Teddy or John Kerry.

[titoresque]

20. Excuse me

I'm sorry, but all you have to do is call Hadi Jawad at the Crawford Peace house and ask him yourself! Heres the number 254-486-0099 ........then get to work! Take your damn country back! Stand in Solidarity with Cindy!

Really, why would I lie about this? I have been talking to him for a couple of day's because we were hoping people from all over would get up and get out, even if you cant travel to Crawford there is still alot of things you can do....and staging a sit in demading that Bush speak to Cindy is a good way to make a powerful statement!

What is so hard to believe here? I dont get it.

Call him! Please call him! 254-486-0099

Peace,
Patriot Mother Az.

[titoresque]

21. kick and read PLEASE

kick

[DistressedAmerican]

22. I HAVE NOW CONFIRMED THIS INFO WITH HADI! THEY DO SUPPORT IT!

You all know me well enough. Hopefully you trust me by now.

I have confirmed with Hadi the information posted here. It is an independent effort but, fully supported by the Peace house. It was suggested as an alternative to folks turning themselves in at local police stations.

Hadi says that the supplies are holding up quite well. They still need cash donations if at all possible.

A paypal account has been activated on the site:
http://www.crawfordpeacehouse.org/

Hadi says that anything you can donate is a big help. Even ten bucks.

So in short, like the OP says, the Crawford folks want our support. These are two suggestions for providing it.

[eleny]

28. Thank you, DA

I understand now. The Peace House is not calling for sit-ins nationwide but will support such actions as part of Cindy Sheehan's efforst going on down in Crawford, Texas. Is this correct?

[DistressedAmerican]

30. My Pleasure. Your Concern Is Understandable. Is Was A Bold Suggestion

for a newbie.

But, this is all good to go.

So, go and sit!
:pals:

[eleny]

31. Please see my posting again

I edited it for clarification. I just need to be sure that I understand exactly what's been proposed. Thanks in advance for any reply from you.

[titoresque]

36. Whats being proposed is

that people, Mothers in particular (but not exclusively) organize sit ins in your state/city at your Reps offices to show support for Cindy and her demand to speak with Bush. I assume this would also be welcome if and when Cindy is arrested, to stage a sit in until she is released. But the latter of the idea is my own, and not endorsed by the Peace House at this time as we have not discussed plans that far in advance.

[eleny]

37. Thank you, titoresque

I now fully understand what you've proposed and wish you well. I appreciate your personal clarification.

[titoresque]

38. No not correct

They are calling for sits ins nation wide

[lonestarnot]

34. THANK YOU DISTRESSED AMERICAN!

[titoresque]

25. Thank you very much for calling!

I know im new here to posting and I do understand the concern...sort of, but yes, this is an alternative to directly turning yourself in. This is a choice we have personally made here in Az and we have already sent out our press release so we will stay course and actually turn ourselves in. We are also planning to begin our sit in on Friday a.m. we are waiting until then to see if Cindy is arrested tomorrow. Also we are Mothers and have children so that was a concern, so it seems to be better as far as school and work details if we wait for the sit in until Friday a.m. until.......whenever, as long as it takes.

Thank you for all your support in this! Now, let's all get to work. Ive got phone calls to make.....

Peace,
Patriot Mother-Az.

[DistressedAmerican]

29. Get Back To Work! Camp Casey Needs You.

People get nervous about new faces. Nothing to take offense at. All straight now.

Back to my grindstone as well!

[lonestarnot]

35. okeedokee...n thanks

[titoresque]

39. kick.who's in?

We have been contacted by Az. Republic(an) they are doing a story.
And still working on sending press release out to more local. I guess the AP tried to call me yesterday several times but the number that Hadi had for me on his phone was wrong, he read it off to me and was completely WRONG.....I was using a calling card but I looked all over the calling card and even that number was no where on it....I find that very strange. So anyhow was not able to speak with them yesterday.

Call me paranoid but...you know that the Peace House phones are surely tapped by now, is it possible to scramble incoming numbers so that this would happen? I dont know, but I thought it was very strange!