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This Regime Does Not Represent Us! And We Will Drive It Out!
Imagine people in 250 cities and towns across the U.S. marching through the streets and chanting: "JOIN US! JOIN US! THE WORLD CAN'T WAIT! DRIVE OUT THE BUSH REGIME! JOIN US! JOIN US!" And imagine people answering this call from the sidewalks, office buildings and stores! And word of this new movement spreading around the world (it was covered in Mexico's LaJornada today). Be part of making these marches as enthusiastic, as determined, and as magnetic as we possibly can, inviting everyone who agrees with our sentiment - regardless of age, ethnicity, religion or beliefs - to join us! Join any march that suits you -- a short one or a longer one, a more youth oriented one or a more anti-war or science oriented one. Everyone is invited to join any of them! All of them are on the sidewalks. They are legal, and no permits are required. Organizers at each spot will have a limited amount of signs for people to hold, and there will be some blank poster boards and pens to write your own. You're encouraged to bring your own, speaking to any of the Bush Regime's war crimes and crimes against humanity! Noisemakers (drums, bells, pots, etc.) are encouraged. Dress up.
UH Manoa: UH activists are calling on people to gather at Campus Center Courtyard lawn anytime after 9 am to spread the energy of the day throughout campus. At people will gather for a spirited march through campus to call on students to walk out of classes and join them, and will end up at Campus Center for a short rally at 2 and then the march to Thomas Square beginning at 2:30 pm. Anyone can join them -- at any time! High school students -- JOIN UP! The march will go down University Avenue to King Street, and then on King Street to Thomas Square. You can pick it up anywhere along the way! Church of the Crossroads is a great pick-up point! Chaminade, KCC, HCC students and faculty - figure out a way to get to UH-Manoa to join them!
In front of Honolulu Convention Center: Gather at 2:30. Begin marching by 3pm. This march is being led by Not In Our Name supporters and Code Pink, so will have more of an anti-war flavor -- with a lot of support for Lt. Ehren Watada and other GI resisters. But signs are welcome that address any issue. The route is along Kapiolani Blvd. to Ward, and then up Ward to Thomas square. There's lots of parking at Ala Moana Shopping Center.
HPU/Downtown: Gather at 2:30 pm. Begin marching by 3pm. This march is being led by a few HPU students, with the hope of picking up some of the downtown office workers. The starting point is at HPU (Fort Street Mall and Beretania). The march will go down Fort Street Mall to King Street, turn left on King and then to Thomas Square. A good pick-up point will be at Tamarind Park (be there by 3:15).
Kaka`ako: Research scientists, environmentalists! (and anyone else who wants to join up here). Gather at UH Medical School in Kakaako (Ilalo Street) from 2:30 (under the tree across from the taro sculpture). The march will begin at about 3 pm and will go up Ward to the park. There's lots of parking on the streets, and at Kaka`ako Park.
Punahou School: Punahou students will begin marching from the corner of Punahou and Wilder at 3:30 pm. Other high school students -- join up with them!
Bike to Thomas Square! Gather at Stadium Park before 3 pm for the ride. Decorate your bike and yourself. Attach a bell or noisemaker.
When the marchers arrive at Thomas Square they'll be greeted with the sounds of Jammerek -- so be ready to dance!
The Rally: Jammerek will begin playing at 3:30 as marchers begin to arrive at the park. So if you want to catch this high-energy band, get to the park by 3:30 and help greet the marchers in as they arrive. Parking is available at Blaisdell Center (for a fee); there's a little parking along Beretania, Victoria, and Young. Speakers at the rally will include: Annelle Amaral (Planned Parenthood), Keli`i Collier (DMZ-Hawai`i), Joshua Dawson (Iraq Veterans Against the War) & other Iraq and afgan Veterans, Michael Hadfield, Ph.D. (Defend Science Initiative; Professor, UH-Manoa); Ruth Hsu, Ph.D. (Tuff Talk Producer; Professor, UH-Manoa); Laura Lyons, Ph.D. (Professor, UH-Manoa) Rev. Neil McPherson (Pastor, Church of the Crossroads); Daya Mortel (Spokesperson, AnakBayan), Eric Seitz, Esq. (counsel for Lt. Ehren Watada; civil rights attorney), Haunani-Kay Trask (Author and Poet; Professor, Center for Hawaiian Studies, UH-Manoa), along with spokespersons from World Can't Wait-Hawai`i. Poets include: Darren Cambra, Brenda Kwon, Gary Pak, TravisT, UniversAl, and Jesse Lippman. Musicians include include: Jammerek, James McCarthy, Kahuli, Jon Osorio, Mass Dissent, Keiko Bonk and Kazan, and Black Square will close it down.
What about food? There will not be food booths (permits too difficult; insurance too high). We'll have water and the usual peanut butter/jelly sandwiches makings. There are a number of food places within a block (like Kim Chee III), a convenience store across the street. You're welcome to bring your own food or food to share.
Let's come together for an afternoon and evening unlike anything that's been seen before in Hawai`i. Let's channel our outrage and energy into something that can really begin to change things for real. And let's begin a dialogue, on the spot, as to how this change is going to happen. The World Really Can't Wait!
Remember to check the national website regularly: World Can't Wait
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