That's so amazing that you got to go. I went to the March for Women's Lives in D.C. (that's where my family lives) a couple of years ago, and that was unbelievable. I couldn't believe how many people were there, I swear it was at least a million (even though news stations reported a couple hundred thousand less). I was so proud to be a part of it, and afterwards, I was thoroughly convinced Bush would be voted out of office.
A friend of mine was a part of Operation Ceasefire back in the fall. I really wish I could have gone - alas, I had just moved to California and couldn't swing it.
The media always reports numbers a lot lower than they actually are, but then again my experience has been that the protest organizers fuzz the numbers too. Its usually somewhere in the middle.
The organizers at WCW shot themselves in the foot by claiming we would have 30,000 people show up. Its really frustrating.
Well part of it was the fact that TWCW was founded by a communist. There was a lot of negative press about that and its true so I think that put some people off.
Also, there were quite a few people I talked to that weren't very happy with the message. The message was simple "Bush step down and take your program with you." It was intended to be very, very general, thus encompassing all walks of life, all parties, etc. But a lot of people wanted more of a focus on one core issue.
And beyond that - there just wasn't much advertising, no celebrities signed on - unless you count Al Sharpton and even *he* didn't show up.
I was hopping that what you meant to say was "25,000 or so." I just checked the DC indymedia and they don't seem to think it was any more than two or three thousand people, that's really disapointing... But thanks for going. If I had a little more notice, I myself may have gone.
Yeah, it sucked even more because WCW sent out press releases prior to the protest anticipating 30,000. They look kind of stupid now..
Also - there were a lot of socialists there handing out literature and several people with WCW made negative comments about it. I made an attempt to question why, but generally it was laughable to them.
I'm fairly dead to sectarianism, though it used to eat me up. Especially when people would get chants going like, "The People, united, will never be defeated!" is a great chant, but rang hollow when I persoanly knew how factionalist people were who were shouting.
hey, was just browsing through your journal on the ani page...found this particualar entry very interesting..that's awesome that you marched for women's rights. you set an awesome example.
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A friend of mine was a part of Operation Ceasefire back in the fall. I really wish I could have gone - alas, I had just moved to California and couldn't swing it.
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The media always reports numbers a lot lower than they actually are, but then again my experience has been that the protest organizers fuzz the numbers too. Its usually somewhere in the middle.
The organizers at WCW shot themselves in the foot by claiming we would have 30,000 people show up. Its really frustrating.
Reply
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Also, there were quite a few people I talked to that weren't very happy with the message. The message was simple "Bush step down and take your program with you." It was intended to be very, very general, thus encompassing all walks of life, all parties, etc. But a lot of people wanted more of a focus on one core issue.
And beyond that - there just wasn't much advertising, no celebrities signed on - unless you count Al Sharpton and even *he* didn't show up.
Reply
I was hopping that what you meant to say was "25,000 or so." I just checked the DC indymedia and they don't seem to think it was any more than two or three thousand people, that's really disapointing... But thanks for going. If I had a little more notice, I myself may have gone.
Reply
Also - there were a lot of socialists there handing out literature and several people with WCW made negative comments about it. I made an attempt to question why, but generally it was laughable to them.
Very sad.
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add me back please
:)
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And this journal is no longer active. I'm at m267 now. I'll add you there!
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