Protest Fatigue

[graywarrior]

I attended a protest in Sarasota Fl yesterday and two speakers mentioned protest fatigue.

One speaker, Aidan Delgado, a former Iraq war soldier who has been speaking all over the country about his experience in Abu Graib, told me he is exhausted and frustrated. Here we are four years into a war, crimes being investigated and proven surrounding George Bush and his administration, no health care, a corporate media who will not cover protests or tell the truth and still, the oil companies are calling the shots.

Another speaker, Fred Atkins, black (I hate to differentiate here) mayor of Sarasota and anti-war protester from the 60's blasted us for being in the same situation 40 years later. He did not want our applause, he did not want our drumming. He wanted us to recognize our responsibility for the way the world is right now: Iraqi's being murdered, our soldiers being murdered, people going hungry, no health care. He said we all sat back after Viet Nam ended and became complacent because things that were happening weren't happening to us.

We all sat stunned. The truth hurt. We're all experiencing protest fatigue. . .nothing we do is changing. And yet, I can't give up. I know you all can't give up. But there is more to be done. It's time to get down and dirty. They think they can wear us out. Yesterday's coverage of the marches just pissed me off more.

And then I watched Patti Smith on VH1. Revolution.

Just sayin' what's on my mind today.

Peace, dudes.

[eleny]

1. I was thinking about scandal fatigue the other day

After 6+ years of this administration and its machinations, I can understand fatigue of all kinds. Can you imagine how the soldiers feel? All this rolling of rocks uphill.

:grouphug:

[dorktv]

2. well here is a problem I see about the protests...

this is not the 60s.

Having about 100-200,000 or even a million people show up in a protest does not get the media's attention because everyone does their own thing.

It does not look serious.

When the immigration protests were going on, they DID get the media's attention not only because it was topical but because more then once the protestors were wearing the exact same white shirt.

Perhaps it is time to show how serious we are in a silent way. No speeches, no loud music. Just a simple statement of hundreds to millions of people on the same day marching silently in protest with every person wearing either a red shirt to signify the deaths, a blue shirt for peace or something like that. And do that every month or every week. Whatever but a silent and serious protest like that would garner attention.

[mongo]

10. In the 60's

People rioted in front of draft HQ's, took siege in buildings, burnt down draft buildings, etc.

As long as all people are willing to do is get a fucking permit to stand in the street with a sign, not much is going to happen.

When the upper-middle class in subburbia is afraid to come out of their houses, change will come.

[peace13]

3. I hear you!

WE can't give up. Whenever I feel sorry for myself I simply think of those in Iraq who have no choice! We just have to find the right vehicle. Good thoughts your way. Kim

[Raven]

4. We thought that the problem had been solved and

we went on with our lives thinking that something like Vietnam or George Bush could never happen again. We finished school, got married, had children, pursued careers. We were busy, busy, busy and then we woke up. That's at least the way I see what happened. However, I do know people who never stopped worrying and watching and you will find many of those folks at the core of the anti-war movement today. On a very personal note, for all my preoccupation with getting on with life, I did manage to produce a child who has taken up the struggle with a vengence...Will Pitt...yes, for those of you who don't know, he's mine. The best thing I ever did for the Movement! :-)

[knowbody0]

6. Thanks!

[graywarrior]

8. Thank you for that.

I mean it...thanks...for all of it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Awesome!

You done good! I love Will!!!

:yourock:

[knowbody0]

5. he's so right

however, the Vietnam protests were far more intense due to the draft and heavy death toll. My last march shut down the Seattle freeway for 4 hours. Our lack of participation (aka apathy) rendered us GW and this horrific hell we exist in today. Lessons learned for sure. I'm remembering the prediction of the revolution no longer being televised. The St. Patty's stuff received mega coverage.

Ah, Patti. I'm plugged into her for the next 3 hours. Thanks for the inspiration.

Peace back

[BayCityProgressive]

7. I am tired too

it is so infuriating. The last 6 years have confirmed to us that in the end, our government will always listen to the big companies over the people. They are the ones who own the media, pay for the election campaigns, and create the jobs and wealth, so we are just not as important. Sad but true fact. That is why all services essential to people's lives and national security need to be taken out of the for profit system, and REAL campaign finance laws need to be passed.

[knowbody0]

11. but then just think of the dollars spent

on campaigning. and then look at the victims of Katrina. That's a smudge on our character as a nation. Our political system is such a waste and so pathetic, only the very rich even get a voice.

[EFerrari]

12. (Raises hand.)

I've got to get outta here in an hour. That's all right. One foot, other foot.

[Cerridwen]

13. And then again in the 90s

I'm too young to have actively participated in "the 60s" protests. I began my involvement 80s-ish with more intensity in the late 80s early 90s. What we experienced was an increase of interest in civil rights issues after all the damage many lived through during reagan/bush for 12 years. There was a beginning of a "groundswell" in activism and political awareness.

Clinton was elected. "Everyone" heaved a sigh of relief, donned their 3-piece suits, grabbed their briefcases and went back to business as usual. "The Democrats are in charge" (see my sig-line); forgetting that during 12 years of reagan/bush, both houses of congress were controlled by the Democrats. Memberships in activist organizations began to drop. Some organizations decided to paddle to the middle of the mainstream rather than be perceived as "too militant". We fought it; we watched it and some of us participated in it. We watched as the veil of legitimacy was embraced by some organizations as they discarded the "strident" voices of "dissent".

The following mid-terms, the repubs took over both houses. You know the rest.

[Stardust]

16. You're gifted writer, Cerridwen.

[Webster Green]

14. I'm so fatigued....I don't think I'm going to San Francisco today

I've never missed a major protest in my area, and I had made plans to go to San Francisco today, but I think I've finally lost the motivation.

I could go down to The City, and march from the Embarcadero to the Civic Center with my comrades, but what would it accomplish? The traitorous fascist media will downplay the event if they cover it at all. It's unlikely that anybody's opinion of the war will be changed by my participation in the march.

I watched the D.C. demonstration on C-Span, and tried to get fired up, but it wasn't working. As a young Vietnam Veteran, I took part in the 1967 "Confront The War-makers" demonstration at the Pentagon, was tear-gassed, attacked by pre-freepers, and eventually arrested for sitting down and blocking the steps of the Pentagon after the demonstration permit had expired.

I wish I could muster up some of the energy I had going on that weekend, but...man I'm tired!

I may miss the big one in SF today, but no doubt I'll probably go to a smaller, closer event tomorrow, on the actual date of "shock and awe" four years ago. I will feel pretty guilty if I don't attend some sort of protest to mark that horrible day in history.

[graywarrior]

15. I feel like such a slug myself.

I come here and post, I fool around in the lounge, I sign petitions, I show up at protests...but I really haven't done anything since getting gased in Harvard Square in the 60's. I've even succumbed to the cultural notion that getting old is disastrous...embarrassing...a sin.

And as I watched Patti Smith accept her Hall of Rock & Roll award, I saw a true revolutionary. No makeup, no face lift, no perfect white teeth. Gray hair on top of her head cascading into mousey brown, wild waves that looked uncombed, unconditioned. Half way through her first number, she spits onto the floor. During her acceptance speech, she willingly hands the torch over to the younger generation of musicians. But she's still there...doing something.

I gotta get busy.