Photos from Saturday's rally against the Iraq War : Cleveland IMC (((i)))

Despite the cold we had a good crowd of about 150 that came out to protest the war in Iraq.The crowd was very spirited and the level of resistance was very good. The youth turnout was good and a lot of new faces were mixed with the usual suspects.The die-in on Superior was good and we chanted loudly thruout the march. When we got to Public Square a Vet for peace spoke out about his experiences in Iraq . At this point a decent crowd decided to do some peaceful dissent by going into Tower City. We had signs on us that said NO! to U.S. Empire. When we got inside we chanted loudly "No justice ,No peace U.S. out of the Middle East! and made it into the middle section of the place before security came down on us. It was interesting to note that when the police tried to harass us that security for the building yelled at the police to "Just get them the Hell out of here!". I believe the fact that we were tottally shattering the illusion of shopping as if nothing is going on while people's bones are being turned to dust in Fallujah and elsewhere may have had something to do with that. I felt glad to be a part of such spirited resistance . When we returned to Public Square a woman whose son is in Iraq in the reserves spoke out and thanked everyone for being there. Also some peole followed us out of Tower City when they heard us to see what was going on. I later found out that an elderly man was arrested and then let go.I encourage everyone to go to D.C. on Jan.20th to speak out against the crowning of King George, if you cannot make it then devote some time thruout the day to make sure it isn't bussiness as usual . The people of the world are depending on us to make sure that Bush and his gang do not have the mandate they claim. Buses will be leaving from Cleveland to go to D.C. for inaugaration day. Go to ww.nioncleveland.org to get on the bus and join the resistance.

Despite the cold we had a good crowd of about 150 that came out to protest the war in Iraq.The crowd was very spirited and the level of resistance was very good. The youth turnout was good and a lot of new faces were mixed with the usual suspects.The die-in on Superior was good and we chanted loudly thruout the march. When we got to Public Square a Vet for peace spoke out about his experiences in Iraq . At this point a decent crowd decided to do some peaceful dissent by going into Tower City. We had signs on us that said NO! to U.S. Empire. When we got inside we chanted loudly "No justice ,No peace U.S. out of the Middle East! and made it into the middle section of the place before security came down on us. It was interesting to note that when the police tried to harass us that security for the building yelled at the police to "Just get them the Hell out of here!". I believe the fact that we were tottally shattering the illusion of shopping as if nothing is going on while people's bones are being turned to dust in Fallujah and elsewhere may have had something to do with that. I felt glad to be a part of such spirited resistance . When we returned to Public Square a woman whose son is in Iraq in the reserves spoke out and thanked everyone for being there. Also some peole followed us out of Tower City when they heard us to see what was going on. I later found out that an elderly man was arrested and then let go.I encourage everyone to go to D.C. on Jan.20th to speak out against the crowning of King George, if you cannot make it then devote some time thruout the day to make sure it isn't bussiness as usual . The people of the world are depending on us to make sure that Bush and his gang do not have the mandate they claim. Buses will be leaving from Cleveland to go to D.C. for inaugaration day. Go to http://www.nioncleveland.org to get on the bus and join the resistance.

No blood for Oil!
Who would Jesus Bomb?
Peace
Not in our Name

Actions speak louder than words folks. It's time to start flipping police cars over. Burning barricades. They're talking about having National ID's now. It won't stop till we make it. 2005 is going to be off the hook; it's time we change our ways of coping into changing. Ha ha ha of course I'm not serious.

on inauguration day, we should not ( however much we may desire it) throw objects and such at the presidential motorcade, or flip police cars. it only makes us look bad, irrational even. protest in a peaceful manner, when GW rolls through, turn your backs. this is simple, yet effective. no need to even waste effort ( or good eggs) on a fool. simply turn your backs on him and everything he stands for.
I'll be in DC on inaugauration day, you should be too.

Im afraid I have come to feel that just marching in protest, though inspiring and well intentioned does not get results. In fact it seems to only help psycologically to give people something to do when they dont know what to do and to give others the false assurance that something is being done, when really nothing much is.

Im not much for flipping police cars. My favorite "protest action" was the one taken by the Argentinan middle class when they all walked out of their houses and right on their own streets (not some specifically designated site with pre-constructed pens to hold anyone who stepped out of prescribed paths or at some far off place that one has to travel to spending money, burning fossil fuels, etc),
and started burning big piles of tires and banging on pots.. Just by chance I was listening to Public Radio late at night while it was happening and a reporter who was up in a plane over a city was describing how one by one fires were flaring up in one neighborhood after another. What a sight!

Im from Akron and I think we have alot of tires around here. Ha Ha

Just a Thought

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