Final plans for DU's gathering the weekend of Oct. 25 in Washington, D.C.

[prolesunited]

Here's the plan:

Saturday, Oct. 25
• 10 to 10:30 a.m. — Meet at Constitution and 17th.
This will put us about 400 yards from the rally site and the buses usually drop people off on Constitution, although this hasn't been finalized.

Thanks to amen1234, we'll have several signs announcing Democratic Underground so you won't be able to miss us.

• 10:30 a.m. — Move to front of stage area
The initial group will move to rally site and secure a good spot. Someone will stay behind to meet up with anyone running late and we'll hook up with the others.

• 11 a.m. — Rally/march
Here's the march route:


• Late afternoon to ?
Party in our hotel suite
Oaf of Office and I have a room fairly close to the rally site and we'll have music, pizza and liquid refreshments. There's a liquor store conveniently located next door to the hotel to stock up, but don't feel like you have to drink to enjoy this event. People can pitch in what they can and we'll do a pizza run. Youngred has provided some good recommendations on the pizza options. Even if you can't stay long, I'm hoping everyone will stop by.

For those on the buses, please at least come by our location and say hello. I know some will be with other groups, but try to stop by and introduce yourselves. And if you do decide to stay with us, you can always break off a little early to make sure you get back to your bus on time.

A number of people already have confirmed so we're going to have quite a showing! The more the merrier though!

Friday, Oct. 24
• 6:30 p.m. DU dinner
For anyone coming into town early or living in the area, you're invited to join us for dinner. We'll meet in the lobby or our hotel and then go to a restaurant in the area, nothing too fancy or too expensive.

I've had about seven people confirm for dinner, but we always can add more to the list!

I will be providing cell phone numbers and our hotel location privately. The cell phone numbers will ensure that if you get lost or delayed that you will still be able to find us. If you haven't PMed me already, please do so I can get you the information. I'll be sending everyone the information this weekend.

So, what have I missed? What can we add to make this even better?

Just think! This time next week, we'll be in D.C. making our voices heard. I am so psyched. I can't wait to meet all of you!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Here's the initial thread in activism:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=2946&mesg_id=2946

[janekat]

1. Wish I could be there....

Hopefully, you will all keep us filled in....

[prolesunited]

20. I'll be taking a TON

of pictures and posting them. I couldn't make it last year. This time just worked out better. We'll give a shout out for you.

[jonnyblitz]

2. thanks prolesunited!

I guess it was decided to keep that location as the meeting place after all! I appreciate you and Oaf of Office and AMEN getting this together. I will be in further touch via email with pics of what my sign will look like so you can spot me. :hi:

[prolesunited]

3. I think it will work

We'll be in back of the stage area and the crowd will stretch out toward the monument. It may be a little congested, but I think it will be easy to find and very convenient by those arriving by bus.

BTW, I really don't think I'll be able to miss you. Judging by the pics you already sent, you kinda stand out in a crowd. LOL :hi:

[Oilwellian]

4. Actually....

I think the rally will be on the other side of the Washington Monument towards Independence Ave, if it's in the same place it was last year. Therefore, it's not so congested at 17th and Constitution as you may be envisioning. Also, it's a drugstore next to the hotel and I think you can buy wine and beer there, but not any hard liquor. Maybe LynneSin can confirm this for us, just to be sure.

I look forward to meeting all of you.

On edit: I just realized the map you posted was from ANSWER's website so the rally will be in a different place this year. I still don't think we'll have a problem meeting up with everyone at 17th & Constitution, especially if we'll have a big DU sign that will identify us.

[prolesunited]

5. I was looking at the map

that I snagged from the ANSWER Web site. You can see the stage marked closer to Constitution this year. Youngred, who lives in the area, scoped out the hotel location and said there was both a CVS pharmacy and a liquor store nearby. :shrug:

In any case, I think we have enough of the basics nailed down to make it all work out.

Many thanks for all your help and input! :hi:

[JohnKleeb]

6. Ok cool thanks

Me and Youngred are meeting at the metro station last I hear, and meeting up with the rest of you all from there. I am gonna have to wake up early it seems damnit,

[prolesunited]

7. Glad you saw this thread!

And if you want to talk about waking up early, I have to be ON a plane at 7:05 a.m. Friday. See you then. :hi:

I have to leave for a couple of hours. I would appreciate a few kicks for this thread while I'm gone.

[newyawker99]

8. kick

[tlcandie]

9. My husband and I will be riding Amtrak from noon Friday till early Saturda

John! Then we leave out again Saturday night. I'm not sure of specifics yet, but we it will be w/o berth(sp?) cars :shock:

We will be looking at the train station for lockers to put a change of clothes (old, smellies into)and other personals until we can get back!

Look forward to this!!! My husband and I are near the 50 mark and this will be MY first march ever! I'm so excited I can't tell you because I've always wanted to do this and I didn't find DU until AFTER the pre-war protest :(

:hug: :bounce:

[prolesunited]

10. You're going to have a great adventure!

I'm glad you and your husband will be able to make it. I'll PM you some info later.

I gotta run to work now. Please keep this kicked so that everyone has a chance to see it. :hi:

[jonnyblitz]

11. kick

:kick:

[JohnKleeb]

12. This will be my 2nd

[diamond14]

16. congradulations...you should really enjoy this adventure in Patriotism

if you are up for it...it's a great walk to the Washington Monument (wear some warm clothes for early morning chilliness, and bring good walking shoes)...but I consider it one of the GREAT walks in our country (rivaled only by some of the BIG mountains)....walk from Union Station (which is a great tour all by itself, especially the older part)....then by the U.S. Capital and then right along the MALL to the Washington Monument...what a GREAT morning walk (if you are not up for this LONG walk which is likely over a mile, catch the Metro Train right at Union Station and go to the Smithsonian exit...which will save you time and distance)....

bring the map on ANSWERS web page, so you don't get lost, it can be confusing even to regulars....I have lived here for three years and I am stilled awed and thrilled to walk along the Mall with the U.S. Capital on one end and the Washington Monument on the other...it is just one of those breathe-taking scenic walks...enjoy...glad you are joining us....


DC Union Station - worth a walk through the OLD section, which has been historically restored, look up at the ceiling/statues...the coffee shops are open early, but there are over 100 shops that don't open until about 10 AM....there's lockers too, or you can leave your bags with Amtrack...all for a fee...

(OMG...are all of us here over 50?, like me and you....will no young draftees protest this bush* disaster??? where are they ???? here in DC, we have been doing college reach-out for weeks....)

[DancingBear]

17. Comrades in age!!

My wife and I are at the 50 mark as well - hope to meet you!

I'll bring a sign along if I can get it on to the Metro (D.C. equivalent of the subway) - "Another Focus Group Against Bush".

[diamond14]

18. yes, MetroTrains allow signs....and DC allows masks....so bring

it on....we've check with Metro and they are mostly concerned about people bringing giant poles that can be used as weapons (smaller poles are OK, like reasonable sized wooden sticks for real estate sized signs)...they are also concerned that people be careful not to knock others with their signs while walking on platforms and on the trains...so be polite and careful...

my own experience carrying signs on the Metro has been good...for the most part, the tourist and locals are upbeat about protests (with only a few nasty reTHUGlicans, but they usually don't ride the Metro but prefer gas guzzling SUV's and lack of contact with the 'normal' people you find on Metro)

last time I carried a banner, people gave me the thumbs up, some cheered on the Metro, and others asked if they could join, and how to get there, etc.....DC actually despises bush*, DC has over 650,000 Americans with no representation in Congress and shrub treats them like dirt...

bring your signs, masks, American Flags, smiles and good will....it'll be lots of Patriotic fun....


DC residents serving bush*, displayed on White House web page!!!
(reminders that there is NO representation and DC simply serves the shrub under orders, and another collosal waste of taxpayers money, just so shrub can put in some gawdy tex-ass drapes)

[screembloodymurder]

29. Last year I watched the DC "swat team"

terrorize several people with signs as they were getting on the Metro. I think they objected to the wooden stakes on which the signs were stapled, but as they sprinted down the steps it was the signs that were mentioned over the walkie-talkie.

[goddess40]

34. "Signs" What will your's say

Instead of just kicking this to the top I thought we could do something a little constructive.
I've made three so far (I was told they never have enough)
Bush Lied People died / UN Needed At Guantanamo

U.S. Out U.N. In / BUSH Is A Divider

One Nation Under Surveillance / We've Been AMBU$HED

I have 3 more boards (two sides each, of course)and can't think of anything else.

edit:

What about?

Being A Warmonger Is Not Patriotic

Protest Is Patriotic

Regime Change Begins At Home

I like - Bush Is A War Criminal but My hubby thinks I will get beat up for that one.

Regime Change In 2004

[Kolesar]

49. Who's to Blame for Outing Plame?

Cheney Energy Policy = WAR
War is NOT Pro-Life

[JohnKleeb]

13. kick

:kick:

[jonnyblitz]

14. hey johnkleeb...

:kick: :hi:

[JohnKleeb]

15. I thought it was comrade

:D lol
:hi:

[prolesunited]

19. Thanks for helping keep this kicked you two!

I ended up with two new responses in my inbox.

[JohnKleeb]

25. great and anytime

btw I got my plans set out. I am gonna go to dinner afterwards I think, will bring my own money and I dont need no stinkin booze.

[goddess40]

21. DC march

Does anyone know how many miles the march is? My mom is in her 60's and not a good walker but would like to walk it if it is not too far.

[prolesunited]

23. I'm not sure how many miles it is

but if you look at the map route above, you'll get some idea. If it proves to be too much, it looks like you could cut across Pennsylvania Avenue and slice the route in half. I'm not sure if that street will be blocked off, but perhaps a nice police officer would show some compassion.

[veganwitch]

26. the last march had a transport..

for folks who would not be able to walk all the way. and atleast march is a circle. the january march was a one way and dumped everyone near a metro station that could not hold all those people and was a hike from the original site.

[diamond14]

28. the March is one and half miles (1.5 mi)...if you are tired, just wait for

the next van...there are 15 passenger vans to assist tired people...there are also restaurants, Museums (American History Museum and Natural History Museum), the National Art Gallery outdoor sculpture garden, the U.S. Navy Memorial fountains, and some Smithsonian gardens along the route....lots of gorgeous places to rest as the slow-moving Patriots go by in colors, music, street theatre, banners...all with the U.S. Capital prominently displayed all the way along Pennsylvania Avenue...YES!!! come join us....

(you can view the BIG chain link fence with barbed-wire on the top all around the U.S. Justice Department (john asscrofts contibution to the D.C. Scenery, and chit-chat with the homeless Veterans that sleep on the heating grates along the Justice Dept. boundaries...it's all so shameful)


PLEASE, PLEASE....stay on the route....it's very important due to permits and logistics....

[diamond14]

27. Welcome MOM !!! we got you covered....there will be 15 vans

along the route if good ol' MOM gets tired (the whole March is one and half miles, and you could stop at restaurants or museums (walking past the National History Museum and American History Museum, or rest at the Smithsonian gardens benches, or the National Gallery of Arts outdoor sculpture gardens), please do not leave the route, if you are tired, wait for the next van....there will also be 90 medical personnel, doctors, nurses, paramedics, EMTs (all these people are VOLUNTEERS...our love to them all)....I've been making signs for the passenger vans, and 'red crosses' for the medical personnel (small patchs, white with red crosses)...

in addition, there are many volunteer 'co-ordinators' along the route with cell phones who will assist in any way...(these people also assure that the police behave themselves, and that MOM is safe from police abuse....)....OUR Veterans, who lost their legs to wars, will also be walking and rolling along...so MOM will be fine...it's a slow-moving event and you can stop and rest anytime and watch the street theatre go by, while enjoying DC's spectacular scenery...you can see the U.S. Capital all the way along Pennsylvania Avenue and what more beauty than to bask at the U.S. Navy Memorial Fountains or the National Art Museum Sculpture Gardens ??? All MOMS should be here...BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW....

here's the route ( a beautiful March route around the White House...and down Pennsylvania Avenue...this took lots of work from volunteer attorneys to get this permit....bush* hates people around OUR PEOPLE'S HOUSE and has denied permits repetitively..., but this time, we got it!!! we can't be stopped now...STAND UP....come join us....)




and here's all the details....
http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/o25/logistics.html#dc9

DISABILITY ACCESS /
VEHICLES FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT MARCH:

The area of the rally site will be wheelchair accessible. There will be wheelchair accessible bathrooms.

Sign language interpreters will be on stage, and there will be a section roped off in front of the stage so that they can be viewed from close up.

For those who are unable to walk for any or all of the march, there will be 15 passenger vans available. Those vans will be parked near on the north curb lane of Constitution Ave. between 17th and 16th Sts. They will be clearly labeled. If you are unable to march, proceed to one of these vehicles when the march begins to line up. The vehicles will be in the back of the march, so if you are marching and find yourself unable to continue, wait on the side of the march for the vehicles.

[youngred]

22. Kick to the top

for a great event

[Terwilliger]

24. kick it all week!

[bluedeminredstate]

30. This sounds great!

With our long power outage (11 days) and then being out of town for a while I missed out on all the details. How many DU'ers will be coming? I'd love to do this - it'll be my first. I'd be coming from Richmond so I could make it a day trip and be back by Saturday Night Live!
Would it be OK to bring a couple of pissed off 13 y.o.'s? I know my daughter and her friend would love a good ole protest.

[youngred]

38. Bring em!

more the merrier, we'll have some teenage DUers there too so they won't be atall out of place.

[JohnKleeb]

39. here am I lol

Wait am I gonna be the only teen there. Too bad some of the others arent coming.

[On the Road]

31. Unfortunately, I Won't be Able to Go Friday

I'm not sure about Saturday. I may be able to drop by with my daughter. I would really like to meet you and other DU'ers. Could you let me know where you're staying?

It sounds like you have this very well organized. It takes a lot of work.

I also have the emails of some other DUer's from last year's meeting. I would be glad to provide them or pass them on to you. Please let me know. Hope to see you next week.

[prolesunited]

32. I'm leaving now for the afternoon

It's a gorgeous day and I'm going to get some miles in on my bicycle along the Chicago lakefront. I'll catch up with this thread and everyone who PMs me when I get home.

So far, it seems like we're going to have an AWESOME turnout. About 10 to 15 for dinner and about 25 to 30 so far for the protest. It is definitely shaping up to be THE event of the protest season. ;-)

More are welcome. Don't miss the fun! Just PM me.

Until later. :hi:

[rasputin1952]

33. It is with a heavy heart that I must say I cannot be there...

I find it really depressing being in Nebraska sometimes. This is like a whole different planet, things go on around me, yet I cannot reach and touch them. this really sucks.:grr:

But, if I do wind up relocating during this layoff, I will certainly be to the next one.

I have a passion to meet those that are here at DU. I've never met anyone from this board, and it's starting to piss me off. Perhaps this is what I need to get me out of NE, and back to the world of the living. Then again, theree is a lot of work that needs to be done here to bring these people to the light.:evilgrin:

In any case, I will be there with you in Spirit, and will be watching for things on C-SPAN and other sights. Take a zillion pic's and post them ASAP!

:grouphug: :kick: :bounce:

[qanda]

35. Kick

Hopefully, I'll be there. Will know better later on in the week.

[prolesunited]

37. PM me as soon as you find out

I'm leaving at daybreak Friday morning and I have to work the night before so my time's going to be limited. Hope you can make it!

[LibertyorDeath]

36. On October 25 my ass will be in Vancouver but my heart will be in DC

Have a great Rally everyone be Loud, be safe & don't take any crap.

[veganwitch]

40. can we sticky this??

like with the "Gen. Discuss. faq post"?

[prolesunited]

43. I think only admins

can pin something to the top of the page and I'm already stretching it because I already have a thread in activism. This is getting A LOT better play, though, and I've had a bunch of PMs this weekend.

[shirlden]

41. Wish I could be there

My heart will be, though my bod has to be somewhere else.

Big kick for all the Duers

:kick:

[spooky3]

42. did you see this WPost article?

"Antiwar Activists To Revisit District

By Manny Fernandez
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 19, 2003; Page C01


Protesters from more than 135 cities in 38 states are expected to converge on Washington on Saturday, as busloads of antiwar demonstrators return to the capital for the first time since the fall of Baghdad in April.


Organizers said the rally and march will draw tens of thousands from across the United States and Canada. It is the first event of its kind co-sponsored by two major antiwar coalitions, International ANSWER and United for Peace and Justice, both of which coordinated some of the country's biggest peace marches this year. The demonstration will coincide with a rally and march in downtown San Francisco. .."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47080-2003Oct18.html

[diamond14]

44. pretty good article...that'll generate some more DC interest....

a little rough at the end, since I do not consider Detroit Catholic Archbishop to be radical communist or other mainstream groups that support ANSWER and are listed on the web site...but mostly the article is good...

come and join us!!!! every grab ONE MORE PERSON, your neighbor, your teenager, your friend, your neighbor and bring that ONE MORE PERSON to the March....it'll be one of those real memorial marches...one of the BIG ones...it's time NOW to shut down bush*s follies in Iraq and Afganistan and BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW.....

a big turn-out could really scare Congress...campaigns upcoming and all...

[0rganism]

45. Remember Sen. Wellstone on your march!

Among other things, it's the first anniversary of one of the saddest days in the 21st century. Don't let the District forget about him, remind the world that the Senate once had a conscience.

[libertad]

46. We'll be driving straight up from Florida Friday evening

after work (if we can find someone to babysit the new puppy for us). We'll probably get there early in the morning hours. If anyone has a hotel with parking or knows of a place we can park during the rally, please let me know. I'd really appreciate it. We will be driving home Saturday night, so we aren't going to get a room this time, we just need a safe place to leave the car during the rally.

[prolesunited]

47. Don't know about parking

But PM me and I'll give you cell phone numbers so you can be sure to hook up with us. Are you going to be able to join us afterward?

[diamond14]

50. here's what to do about parking...thanks for coming !!!!

TWO Parking options...

1. Park in DC
2. Park outside DC, and ride the MetroTrain into the main city.

Option 1

Parking options and prices are covered on the ANSWER logistics page link, here...scroll down "What You'll Need to Know while you're in DC" and then to van/car parking....this lists lots and prices in DC, ranges from $6 to over $15....the closer to the March, the more full the lots will be....
http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/o25/logistics.html


Option 2

here's the MetroTrain map, showing the stations. As you get farther from the center of DC (the Smithsonian stop is where you go for the March)...on the MAP, you'll see the outlying stations have 'little car' symbols...that means there is parking available at those stations (none at close in stations, more parking the farther out you go)...

on this link, there is a MAP, and also a link to the list of stations (street locations), so find your station, then look at the list, then find the station on your road map....(I don't know how you are entering the DC Metro area)...

http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm



Parking is FREE on weekends only (Sat., Sun.), so just drive into any lot and hop onto the low-priced MetroTrain (maybe 2 dollars to get into DC), and you'll get into DC in comfort.



show MetroTrain above, station, and Metro buses

Main link to Metro system (busses and the MetroTrain)
http://www.wmata.com/

[diamond14]

51. coming up on I-95 from Florida,,,,,here's your MetroTrain stop

traffic gets much more hectic as you come into the DC area, so pay attention and watch for "tiny little black and white M signs" (for Metro) on the freeway....you might miss the M signs, so here's a map too....if you are rolling up I-95 and you get to the BELTWAY (at I-495), you already missed Franconia-Springfield station, so keep going (it's so busy, there is no where to stop anyhow)..and at the beltway, you'll want to be going east to Alexandria/Washington DC (the signs say 'I-95 NORTH/I-495" which is just designed to add to the confusion, but you are mainly staying on I-95 and leaning east), it's several more miles on I-95/I-495 to HUNTINGTON Metro Stop, as shown below....(watch for 'little tiny M signs')....if you miss the HUNTINGTON stop, it's too late for anymore parking at Metro's...you are coming into DC whether you like it or not and soon after Huntington stop, you'll cross the Potomac River....


Location: Franconia-Springfield Parkway at Frontier Dr.
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/Stations/station.cfm?station=95


Franconia-Springfield Station

MetroTrain on far left....

neighborhood map


link to bigger yahoo map
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=LuJL3up_0Tpw54ClsRQzQlFfAYktxhheskUqaMSrLQEh7UNpMwhEXtfCeXvxEIuXs1H4TJMdVA--&csz=Springfield%2C+VA+22150&country=us&mag=

Arriving from the South

(Fredericksburg via I-95)

To: Franconia-Springfield
From south of Washington via I-95, take Franconia Road (Rt. 644) east to the second traffic light, Frontier Drive. Turn right on Frontier Drive and continue on Frontier Drive, under the Franconia-Springfield Parkway, to Franconia-Springfield station.

OR

To: Huntington
Proceed north on I-95 to intersection of I-95 and I-495 (Capital Beltway). Follow I-95 north (Outer Loop) to Exit 2A-Telegraph Road South. At end of exit ramp continue straight onto Huntington Avenue. Station is approximately a half mile on right.




Huntington Station (it's underground)

link to bigger yahoo map...
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=89.o3.p_0Tr88TrhW6KfMeDtPiIBzyv2Hcq9_206iAe7IB0y5t5oHirB90osMW7U4JN3BVzbrMVsJA--&csz=Alexandria%2C+VA+22303-1403&country=us&mag=9

these MetroTrain stations have several entrances and exits, sometimes from difference sides (different street) of the station...so carefully study maps....and drive safely, we're so glad you are making this long journey....


note: the "Kiss and Ride" lots are just drop-off points and DO NOT PARK THERE...follow all parking sign directions/signs and park in the main lots FREE on Sat/Sun....I'm not sure if the the big commuter trains (Virginia Railroad- VRE) coming in to DC run on weekends, but it's all on the MetroTrain main web page....these BIG trains are different from the MetroTrain, the MetroTrains run everyday, every 10 minutes on weekends, up to about 11 PM or maybe 2 AM...it's all on the main Metro web link...

the BIG picture (showing the Beltway around the city and the Potomac River

[JohnKleeb]

56. Thanks for the metro map now its confirmed how I am gonna go about

Get on the orange line at Vienna/Fairfax and meet my "contact" lol at Foggybottom/GWU.

[Atlant]

48. Kick...

I have no idea whether Jan or I will run into any of you, but
we're certainly going to try to be in town.

Atlant

[TNOE]

52. A big Thank YOU

and a big :kick:

[diamond14]

53. freepers calling us 'bastion of communists and anti-Semites' (WP)

otherwise, a nice article in the Washington Post, linked here on ANSWER site....

http://internationalanswer.org/news/update/101903washpost.html

link to endorsers of 'BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW' March....
http://internationalanswer.org/campaigns/o25/endorsers.html

[prolesunited]

54. Great weather forecast for Saturday!

Checked weather.com and it's looking good.

Sat
Oct 25
Partly Cloudy
62°/48°
10 % chance of precip

A few clouds will keep the sun from being too intense and it looks like we'll just need a sweatshirt or light jacket. Hope this holds!

Beats the heck out of some of the weather I marched in in Chicago.

[JohnKleeb]

57. Will be wearing a denim jacket likely with Jeans

That I will heh. I may put on a Kucinich button as well not sure.

[veganwitch]

58. excellent!!

i was wearing nylons and four pairs of pants in new york.

[thebigidea]

55. kaplow! this time I'm there!

along with a gang of gangly film freak friends, lots of stupid Cheney/Rummy/Bush masks, multiple cameras, insane ideas, and a jonesin' to get kicked out of places in pursuit of prankery!

[diamond14]

59. the freepers are always good for laughs...they're quite far from us

over on the steps of the Capital, way on the other side of the Mall...those 'angry white guys' have lots of money, but few actual people...sometimes, in an attempt to show diversity (or even just to show anyone in attendance), they PAY some DC Homeless People to come over ....this is, of course, a big boost for DC Homeless People, they get some cash, and a little food...I always think it's interesting to talk to DC Homeless People, and whenever I get a chance, I do chat with the DC homeless people (afterall, there but for the grace of God, go I)...you could interview a few for your film....it's such a stark contrast to the freeper people, who actually HATE the homeless and want them to DIE...DC Homeless People can be both educated and intelligent, but it's pretty useless to try to carry on a conversation with a freeper...


the freeper protest will be both humorous, and make you cry for the stupidity of it....a real study in insanity...I can't even figure out why they are so opposed to our BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW ! March...I guess the freeper theme is SUPPORT OUR TROOPS....and who knows what that means...maybe they want our troops to stay in Iraq as sitting ducks, so we can read about their deaths everyday in the newspapers and add many many more to our hospitals and disability programs...


on edit: the WP article states that the freepers protest is also encompassing the NEW 'happy Iraqi...everything is just fine in Iraq' theme...

-snip about the freepers' from the WP

The D.C. chapter of a grass-roots conservative group, Free Republic, is holding an 11 a.m. counter-demonstration at the West Front of the Capitol, near the reflecting pool on Third Street. about 1,000 people are expected.

Kristinn Taylor, 41, local co-leader of the group, said the rally will show support for troops overseas. "The biggest thing we want to do is give voice to the good things that have been happening over in Iraq, which we think are not getting out," Taylor said.

Among the many antiwar groups, ANSWER, which stands for Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, is one of the most controversial, enraging critics such as Taylor, who say it is a bastion of communists and anti-Semites.

http://internationalanswer.org/news/update/101903washpost.html

[prolesunited]

62. I hope you stop by

and say hello. I would love to meet the mastermind behind such insanity. ;-)

[diamond14]

60. New York Union 1199 SEIU providing FREE buses to DC for

their members and families....

-snip-

New York's union representing 200,000 health and human services employees, 1199 SEIU, is providing free bus transportation to Washington for its members and their families. And ANSWER has reserved 65 buses for the New York area alone.

http://internationalanswer.org/news/update/101903washpost.html

[youngred]

61. Kick Kick Kick

:-)

[rbnyc]

63. I SOOOOO wish I could be there.

I'll be thinking of you. And I'll be thinking of all the DUers who were in DC last October.

:loveya:

[diamond14]

64. link to the DC Independent Media web page...which will cover the

March from upcoming video/photo/journalistic young people....this is a great alternate-media site...anyone can post here....also on the side bar are links to Independent Media sites all over America...it's amazing too, mainstream stories actually get pick-up occasionally off the Independent Media...create your career....what you'll find on this site is REAL people reporting from the streets, without being forced to 'spin' their stories by corporate media thugs...this is the real media....you can post here too, in cities across America...

http://www.dc.indymedia.org/

[youngred]

65. Back to the top wit ya

:-)

[rasputin1952]

66. Take a trip to the top...

for the night shift!

:kick:

[Terwilliger]

67. kick

Kick!

[prolesunited]

68. For those of you unable to make it

be sure to tune into the Guy James show on Saturday. I have made arrangements with him to do a live call-in from the march, so you can all be with us in spirit.

I'm not sure exactly what time it will be. It all depends on what's going on and the noise levels. Just be sure to tune in!

[demnan]

69. Kick!

I'm taking the metro in - I'll see you there! :kick:

[prolesunited]

70. Glad to hear you can make it!

So far I have about 40 people on the list, although a few are still tentative. About half the group is coming in on ANSWER buses. We'll still have a nice group for the after party at the hotel. Only four more days!!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[nostamj]

71. nostamj WILL be there!

just booked the tickets. only for the day...

will be with my (long-time) writing partner (and DU luker)

arriving from NYC at 10:40 and will TRY to meet-up with the DU contingent before 11AM

very excited about this!!!

nost

[nostamj]

72. anybody bringing a cell phone ?

we should DU a live call to Guy James btw 3-6 pm eastern.

(I don't own a cell phone, hell, I still have dial-up!)

[youngred]

73. I am

that would be a fun thing to do

[nostamj]

75. write this down...

just in case...

The Guy James Show 239-530-1660

[youngred]

76. saved to my phone book

:-)

[nostamj]

77. great! look for the TALL guy with the DU cap

with LOTS of ? buttons and short grey beard...

that will be me!

I will talk to Guy about a call-in time...

[prolesunited]

78. Already arranged it with him.

:D

[nostamj]

79. great!

SO looking forward to meeting you!

(now I have to let him know that I WON'T make my usual call!)

[prolesunited]

82. We can always BOTH call!

:hi:

[youngred]

81. excellent

can't wait. and can't wait to meet nostamj (always love your posts and your cartoon threads)

[Terwilliger]

74. KEEUK!!!

[prolesunited]

80. OK before everybody kills me

I just got home from work. I'm going to eat really quick then I will be PMing everybody with cell phone numbers and getting back to those who are having dinner together on Friday.

I'll also post the list I have so far to make sure I didn't leave anyone out. The turn out is going to be phenomenal!!!

[Blue_Tires]

83. no one's PMed me about dinner!!!

someone please send me the info!!

[prolesunited]

84. Sorry!

Have no idea who you are. :shrug: