Update: I'm Out of Jail and Proud As Ever to be Progressive

[readmoreoften]

This is an update on my previous post, which outlined a small stand I was about to take against a Bush Administration policy.

Late Wednesday night I wrote a post telling everyone that I was about to go to jail. I am a teacher at NYU and I've been on strike for six months now. My earlier post explaining the strike is here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1035893&mesg_id=1035893

At noon on Thursday, I delivered a speech alongside the secretary-treasurer of the UAW, John Wilhelm of UNITE Here, the president of the American Association of University Professors, and pillars of the Religious Left. A letter of support from Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer was read. My speech went really well. When I was done, I looked up and saw the room rise in a standing ovation and most of my colleagues in tears. I was happy that my words had moved people. But the real gratification came from the fact that I knew I had moved people--not just by slick rhetoric-- but by speaking the truth and helping people feel empowered to take positive action.

After the rally, we marched through Washington Square Park and engaged in a civil disobedience. I sat in the middle of the street, my arms linked with fellow strikers, members of the clergy, and union members from other universities. About 60 people were arrested.

We didn't have to sleep in jail and the police treated us very fairly. I didn't suffer that much other than the boredom of sitting in a jail cell, the embarrassment of having to use the toilet with other people two feet away from me, the discomfort of being in handcuffs for two hours (I have a blister on one wrist), and eating nothing but the godawful bread and peanut butter they gave us for dinner. But considering what the prisoners in Abu Graib and Gitmo are experiencing, it was nothing. Absolutely nothing.

The experience of striking has changed me. I am no longer afraid to suffer a little for justice. Suffering a little is a reminder that there are people who are suffering greatly due to the greed and stupidity of this Administration. One of the things I said in my speech yesterday was that sometimes you have to take personal risks in the struggle for social justice. That's why it's called the STRUGGLE for social justice and not "the dance party for social justice" or "the minor inconvience for social justice."

"The tree of liberty from time to time must be watered by the blood of patriots."
Heads up. You and I may be asked to be those very patriots.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. NEXT WEEK, I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH MORE WAYS TO HELP. LET'S DRIVE THE BUSH AGENDA OUT OF EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES!!!!

[Terran1212]

1. Congrats on getting out!

[xultar]

2. I admire you!

[wtmusic]

3. Thanks for your efforts and sacrifice

:headbang: :yourock: :headbang:

[B Calm]

4. Kicked and recommended

[DemoTex]

5. Solidarity!

Thank you, Readmore! From one who has fought that fight, but never gone to jail.

Mac - Air Line Pilots Association (AFL-CIO)


Schedule with Safety

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Great post.

[Jigarotta]

7. you are Magnificent, you are the heroes we need.

big huggies and respect to you.

[Neil Lisst]

8. I wished you good luck, and I'm glad to see you had it.

[ThomCat]

9. You are very awesome!

I'm sorry that I am here in NYC and i didn't know about this.

I know that there is a big dispute going on about how Grad Students are treated, whether or not they are employees, and whether they can unionize. Are you a Grad Student involved in this?

Please post about what's happening, and why. Or if you already have, then when you have a moment please post a new thread with some links to the old ones. This should be kicked to the top.

:toast:

[NotGivingUp]

10. Takes guts! You are an inspiration.

[Beam Me Up]

11. the blood of patriots & tyrants

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it's natural manure"
Thomas Jefferson, letter (November 13, 1787)

[file83]

12. You are truly an inspiration!

I'm glad you are safe now and proud that you made a stand (lol - or rather a "sit")!!!
:patriot:

[oxbow]

13. Courage is doing the right thing regardless of fear, not without it

In that way, it is something we can all strive for. It's good to see you back readmore. You know that you have many fans here, including yours truly.

:patriot:

[Geek_Girl]

14. Very Inspiring!

Very inspirational post. Thank you for sharing your experience.

:patriot:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

15. K&R and thank you for for your stand n/t

[Jack Rabbit]

16. Hear, hear!!

:toast:

[AndreaCG]

17. Damn, i was hoping the strike was over

so I could take a class there this summer with one particular teacher.

guess I will have to wait till fall.

[Hissyspit]

18. Has there been any media coverage beyond New York?

Was there any media coverage in New York?!

Glad to hear you are o.k., readnomore. Have been following your threads since the beginning.

[Hissyspit]

21. Just saw the tease for the Channel 2 - CBS 11 p.m. news. Nothing.

Showed the protests/gatherings of the Orthodox Jews as the lead.

[readmoreoften]

29. There was an article & photo in the NYT, so I've heard.

But, of course, no MSM. We can barely get the war protests covered.

Thanks for your support!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

19. Everyday- more and more of us are doing the same thing!

YOU are a hero.

I called it losing my virginity.

It ain't so bad, especially when you know
what you are doing is for peace, truth and justice.
And the more people who see us testing the waters,the better.
The masses will be joining us.

We ARE going to defeat this fascist takeover!

Peace!

[Generic Other]

20. Linking arms in solidarity with you!

Adjunct faculty are treated like migrant labor force in academia. It sucks.

[Cha]

22. I'm so proud

of you! That is quite a moving story of struggle for social justice!

Once again, thank you for standing up for what you believe in.

[WillyT]

23. K & R !!!

You are awesome!

Power to the people!

:yourock:

[dsc]

24. I am glad you are out.

Good luck man. Your union is setting a precident that is deeply needed.

[JeffR]

25. ..

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

and one more for the District of Columbia!

:patriot:

[LeahD]

26. It would be great if you could post the text of your speech! n/t

[clixtox]

27. Sincerely..

My thanks, and I have complete respect for you for making a real difference. It is an inspiring posting. Thank you. Thank you...

[leveymg]

28. "I am no longer afraid to suffer a little for justice."

That phrase really stands out for me. It neatly encapsulates the spirit of Gandhi and MLK, and explains the power of non-violent resistance. A little suffering and discomfort for a good cause is a life-changing experience.

Thanks for pointing that out. You are a hero, and there is one in all of us. :thumbsup:

[readmoreoften]

30. Thank you for the support everyone! Solidarity forever!

Your support means the world to me. You're right that's why we are The Underground. We help transport one another to freedom.

I'm not sure if I should post my speech here. I don't know how well it would translate, since it was an "inner-community" directed speech. There will be clips of it on our website soon.

Meanwhile, there is another video about our struggle on our website. It's a lot of fun and gives a quick summation of the history of our struggle.

http://www.2110uaw.org/gsoc/video1.htm