Everything I know about Civil Disobedience I learned from Black Americans

[mopaul]

the ones who marched and protested and raised hell FOR US ALL back in the 50's and 60's. they showed us all how to fight the power through non violent civil disobedience AND WE ALL OWE THEM BIGTIME.

we are still following their brave example, all oppressed groups and downtrodden factions imitate the successful tactics of the original freedom fighters. cindy sheehan is the latest example of this.

they have shown us the way, they have broken down the giant doors, and we must follow them into the heart of america's soul.

somebody say amen!

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. AMEN!

:yourock:

[Swamp Rat]

2. But will 'white' America suffer fire hoses, tear gas, and police dogs?

I hope so.

[wli]

5. c.f. anti- WTO/FTAA demonstrations

Also google "Guantanamo on the Hudson." The black community definitely lead, but there is now strong white participation in the appropriate places. And they are getting peppersprayed and teargassed in the process.

Frankly, given the effectiveness of the demonstration smashing, I suspect some serious consideration needs to be given to other methods of protest.

[Swamp Rat]

9. You are right

It's just that I have vivid memories (watching TV when I was a child) of black folks getting stomped by thugs and vicious dogs.

We need a national strike - a PEACEFUL strike.

[wli]

10. there is another important aspect

And that is that forcing Bushler's stormtroopers to go house-to-house renders the affair far more expensive, vastly distributed and diffuse, and far riskier.

[G_j]

14. many images not seen today,

Such as the FTAA protests, Miami









FTAA Protests: Amnesty Says Miami Police May Have Broken UN Laws
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1219-08.htm

Reuters
FTAA Protests: Amnesty Says Miami Police May Have Broken UN Laws

MIAMI - Police in Miami may have violated various international laws and covenants on civil rights and use of force when they crushed protests against a free trade meeting last month, rights group Amnesty International said.

In a letter to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, dated Dec. 16 and made public on Thursday, the human rights watchdog repeated a call for an independent inquiry into police actions that led to more than 200 arrests and dozens of injuries.

"Concerns include reports of the indiscriminate and inappropriate use of nonlethal weapons on nonviolent protesters resulting in scores of injuries, the obstruction of those providing medical treatment, multiple and random arrests ... and the denial of the right to freedom of expression and association," Americas program director Susan Lee wrote.

Amnesty said preliminary investigations suggested police violated the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, among other covenants.
...more...

[Swamp Rat]

15. Yeah, I thought about it.

But the images of the water hoses and biting dogs cloud my mind. Btw, I was in Miami on Nov. 19th, 2003. When I got home (New Orleans), NOBODY knew a damn thing about what happened there. Not a single mention of it on TV. :mad:

[G_j]

16. yes, I remember the images of dogs and water hoses etc.

it left a great impression on me. Up to then we were not told in school that blacks couldn't vote, were lynched. etc. Those images and news of Dr King forced discussion in the schoolroom, a very important milestone! Those images opened the doors of awareness for many of us little white kids.

Yea, the FTAA "Miami Model" of repression was completely blacked out by the media. Even here at DU most were clueless about it.

[shadowknows69]

3. Amen to that mopaul

and I'm ready. I'm 300 pounds of angry (but non-violent) patriot for them to drag away, and if I go limp they'd better bring about 3 stormtroopers to do it.

[Skidmore]

4. Amen.

with the caveat that once America's soul is found, this party also continues to follow their leadership. We need more people of color in leadership roles in this party and this party also needs to be diligent in including concerns of all Americans in it's platform.

On with the civil disobedience and in memory of MLK and those who went before him and came after him who fought for freedom, truth, and justice.

[merbex]

6. Here is a big THANK YOU to all those who were willing to take a stand

when others wouldn't

mopaul is right,your legacy guides us now

[anarchy1999]

7. Have you ever run into Jackson Thoreau? Now might be your time.

You need to hook up with him. Especially if Civil Rights Movement interests you.

[gee double you bee]

8. hey mopaul

you should check out the thread I just posted. We definitely seem to be doing a decent job (although nothing compared to the example that has been set) of picking up where a generation of black folks left off. But for some reason, at least from the anecdotal evidence from recent vigils like the one that just happened, a new generation of african-americans don't seem to be coming along for the ride.

[KarenS]

11. Amen, mopaul, Amen!!!

I think there's alot of work to been done!!!

As a matter of fact, I am planning to attend a workshop soon !!

[H2O Man]

12. Right on!

I've learned a little about it by studying Gandhi's experiment in India, too. But I agree that it is time to follow in the steps of the Civil Rights movement, with nonviolent protests.

[G_j]

13. another Amen n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. You should read the NAACP lawsuits. Brilliant work.

I confess, though, that I relied on black Americans to do all the liberal vigilance for us. yep. When I started to work in the 80s, and later in the 90s when I lost myself in baby diapers, I always thought that black Americans had our backs for us. I figured, if their rights were safe in this country, so would the rights of all minorities and women. I never saw the fracturing of our country, not even during the Reagan years. Never saw it coming. It was only during the Clinton years during Newt Gingrich's welfare reform era that I began to realize the gravity of the issue. That's when I realized that bigotry and prejudice had found a voice in the Republican party and that they were winning by dividing the country.

I don't think I've felt hopeful since, well, until this last month or so.

[stepnw1f]

18. I Have To Agree As Well

And if Conyers ran for President, I do everything in my power to help him succeed.

[Jade Fox]

19. Watch "Eyes on the Prize".....

For those too young to know much about the Civil Rights Movement, this
1980's documentary is a must see. I guarantee you will not be bored.
The Civil Rights Movement was one of this country's finest hours, and
the people who participated are true heros.

Check out you local library for copies of the Documentary.