Daily Demonstrations in Ann Arbor - JOIN US!!!

[meganmonkey]

A group of concerned citizens are protesting every Monday through Friday from 5-6pm at the corner of Liberty and Fifth. We have been doing this for about 2 months now.

Unless it is super rainy we are there religiously.

Please join us. Bring a sign, or hold one of our extras. We have some professionally made ones including IMPEACH BUSH yard signs (which you can buy, btw) and lots of hand-made signs. We range from 3 people to 33 people, depending on the weather and mood, I guess.

We are NOT an organized group, we are not affiliated with anyone. We are just people who have had enough.

The woman who started it is named Libby, I have been involved since the get-go, as have a few others. We are bringing more and more people into the fray every day.

This is what inspired it:

The Limits of the Internet or The Silence Of the Streets
by Brigitte Schön

While we're all sitting comfortably at some desk looking at our computer screens, reading articles by people whose opinion we cherish, celebrating the feeling that we might be able to change whatever we want to change by just writing the kind of highly opinionated piece I am about to write, I have lately been giving this complacent feeling of mine a thorough cleansing which led to the following musings:

What if the world, this world of TV images we know, still was pretty archaic at heart and what if it still primarily reacted to centuries-old images and trigger patterns after all? In other words: What do political campaigns and articles via the internet really manage to accomplish? And: Does this mean that I still ought to brave icy winds or pouring rain instead and hold up some banners in demonstrations in order to really achieve anything, and does this mean that all these thoughful articles on the net don't have as much influence as all of us couch revolutionaries would like to believe?

Let me lead you through a little time machine experiment. All I'd ask you to do is imagine that there was an internet around when any of the following occured (there are thousands of cases to choose from; I just randomly picked a few):

The British are occupying India. Instead of rallying hundreds of thousands of Indians in peaceful marches, Mahatma Ghandi launches an internet campaign against the Raj (=British rule of India). Your best bet: Do you think that the British would still be ruling India?


more... http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0305-29.htm

[progmom]

1. I've honked and waved a few times...

But I think I will try to join you out there sometime soon.

Thanks for doing this!!!!!!!

[meganmonkey]

2. I'd love to see you there!

And spread the word if you know anyone who may be interested. Especially unemployed/retired people - they show up most consistently LOL!

I am going 4 times a week in general, but I am in the midst of moving so the next week or two I won't be there as much. I will definitely be there tomorrow, though.

And even if I am not there, it is a friendly bunch and they will be thrilled to see a newbie!!!

:patriot:

[SharonRB]

3. I wish I lived closer, Megan

I'd be there at least occasionally.

Good for you!

Sorry I missed you in New York.

[meganmonkey]

4. What a beautiful day that was in NY!

I never made it to the DU events. I met up with some people and had a lot of fun though. I was too exhausted to get to the Saturday event, ended up just getting some dinner and walking around the city with mdmc (another DUer).

I did track down that bakery sometime Sat morning but I didn't see anyone out there.

:hi:

[SharonRB]

5. We were at City Bakery until about 11:00 or so, I think

We joined the march from the corner near the bakery.

The day couldn't have been better. We missed you at the meet-ups. Friday was a bust -- just DG, me, ThomCat and swag. We had a good time, though.

[jeanarrett]

6. Hey Meganmonkey!

I work at Liberty and Fifth and talk to you guys almost every night! My intent is to join you one of these days--I need to get my signs painted!

Keep up the good work!

[meganmonkey]

7. No way!

I'll be there today - introduce yourself, it's always great to meet DUers in 'real life'!!

:patriot:

[meganmonkey]

8. It was great to meet you this evening!!

See you again soon!

:hi:

[jeanarrett]

9. You too-- I'll be joining you guys soon!

[Pierre.Suave]

10. I will be there...

I have come a few times, but from now on, when I have time I plan on being there.

[meganmonkey]

12. Cool!

I have been in the process of moving, so I haven't been online or demonstrating in teh last week. But I am all done moving so I will be there most days this week.

Hope to see you there!!

:patriot:

[meganmonkey]

13. Hey Jason!!

It was nice to meet you yesterday! I think I was supposed to PM you about something but I forget what, so remind me.

See you again soon!

:patriot:

[AJE]

11. Ann Arbor, you ROCK!

I live about 2 hours away...or I would be right there with you; I think what you are doing is awesome; I do go to Ann Arbor on business sometimes, so when I do, I will definitely "honk" support, and if time permits, join in! Keep up the great work, we need more of this!
:yourock:

Go Johnny GO! EDWARDS/CLARK or CLARK/EDWARDS in 2008, can't wait!

""

[Pierre.Suave]

14. We have started a blog

about our protesting.

here is teh link, I "think" comments are open to everyone so feel free.

http://annarborprotest.blogspot.com/

[Scout]

15. I've stopped by and held a sign a few times....

I just started working downtown a couple weeks ago.

I stop several nights a week on my way to get the bus home.

Watch for me and say Hi!

[meganmonkey]

16. Yay!

I wasn't there yesterday (Tues) but I will be there today (Wed) and likely Thurs and Fri, too.

Make sure to introduce yourself - Jason (jasonc) and me (Megan aka meganmonkey) are there pretty regularly!

PEACE!!

Megan

[Pierre.Suave]

17. Hey

I think I know who you are, hello and look forward to seeing more of you.

All are welcome, the more the merrier!

[Scout]

18. you're probably right...

I recognized your name...
I didn't stop by yesterday, probably will today.

[meganmonkey]

19. It was great to meet you!!!

:hi:

Look forward to seeing you again soon. I am aiming for a consistent 3 nights a week now - working full time and going to the protest everyday is a little too much too fast.

:patriot:

[Scout]

20. I probably won't see you very soon.... :-(

I did get the new job, on the east side off Plymouth Road. So unless I have time between busses, I won't be able to come to the downtown protests. I'll try! I'll stay on the mailing list, and forward the info.

:hi:
:yourock:

[meganmonkey]

23. Congrats on the new job!

:hi:

[Scout]

21. hi Jason, this is what I was telling you about today....

here's a DU thread ... I saw it long enough to skim read.

Drivers take hit over pot smoking
Michigan drugged driving law

[Pierre.Suave]

22. Interesting

thanks for the link.

notice that in the article it says the police still need probable cause.

[meganmonkey]

24. Kick and update

We are still going strong - although not strong enough SO GET OUT HERE PEOPLE!!!! -

And we have extended our time to last from 5pm-6:30pm.

One of these days I'll get some pictures and post 'em.

:patriot:

[Misunderestimator]

25. Was great being part of it last week and meeting you and Jasonc!

:hi: We'll be there again soon!

[meganmonkey]

26. Thanks for coming by!

:hi:

Look forward to seeing you guys again sometime.

Have a good weekend!

:patriot:

[Siyahamba]

27. Kick with pics

Glad to see you didn't let the Art Fair interrupt you!

[Pierre.Suave]

30. Hey

thats me in the yellow shirt. holding the "silence is consent sign"

Does this mean I am famous?

[meganmonkey]

28. Kick - we're still going strong!

:patriot:

[progmom]

29. kick

hoping to make it out again next week

[Pierre.Suave]

31. KICK AGAIN

we are still out there, infront of the federal building on teh corner of 5th and E. Liberty in Ann Arbor, monday - friday, 5-6 pm protesting the Bush admin, and all are welcome to join us.

[Pierre.Suave]

32. shameless kick

I hear the protest is still going on, so I thought I wold give them a hand and kick it so peeps can see it.

[meganmonkey]

33. We're still out there

although the last couple weeks have been weird - lots of rain, Libby took a week off, so there have been a few nights with no one there.

Tonight we are doing a special one with candles and no signs - just one big banner about the 3,000 US troops milestone.

Thanks for kicking this thread! I seldom come to DU anymore but I peek in from time to time. It was nice to see this near the top :)

:patriot:

[meganmonkey]

34. The weather's getting better - come out and join us!

We're still out there Monday-Friday, 5-6pm (soon expanding to 6:30 now that the weather is nicer).

Unfortunately, this godforsaken imperialist occupation is still going on strong, with no end in sight.

If anyone has questions or wants to talk to me about the demonstrations please use PM because I seldom check here anymore. Although you can feel free to kick this one up periodically :)

Solidarity!