PERSONAL NEWS - Part IX
Yesterday was the big event ... Global Day of Action here in NYC, throughout the US and the world. [Happily the weather cooperated to give us sunshine, tho it was breezy cool.] Naturally many of the right-wing spin newscasts on tv down played the number of people [ie: amongst other things] who attended the events. We in the march heard differently from non-corporate, alternative radio stations, as well as those who made speeches throughout the day. Plus throughout the day from my different vantage points we encountered no hostility from the police force. Why should there be hostility when we protesters conveyed our passionate angst towards Bush Empire in a peaceful, orderly manner. But I'm getting ahead of myself and should start from the beginning.
Left my apartment [took my camera] at 9:45am to head into Manhattan [via three subways] and hookup with designated Kucitizen meeting spot. Got to the Community Church on East 35th Street at 10:25am. Due to a few conflicting emails the Kucitizens showed up between 10am and 11:30am. Ran into several folk [ie: Mary, Laurie, Bud, Mike, Paul (sweet man), Stephanie, etc] I know from past meetups et al, plus someone had provided vegan breakfast goodies. Chatted with some Kucitizens, read the different banners/posters, helped pass out Kucinich items, etc. Before heading out after 11:15am, I took some pix of the whole scene, we then headed to the march route in three different groups.
[Duchess, Laurie & Mary - Getting Ready With Other Kucitizens Before Peace Rally At Communittee Church On East 35th Street In Manhattan]
For the first quarter of the march I mostly hungout with Paul, Laurie, Mary, Cielito, Carl & a few others who's names I don't recall. [My bad....] We were walking with many other marchers and protesters down Madison Avenue to where the "speakers" were assembled on 24th Street, next to Madison Square Park. [Near the famous Flatiron Building.] After we heard the many speakers, one of which was our own dear Kucinich, we commenced with marching again and ran into Jessica and some of her group. Down to 23rd Street we marched, then west to 6th Avenue and north on that throughfare. At one point we got separated from Paul and Jessica, but I managed to stay with Mary, Laurie, Cielito, Carl and two other delightful ladies. Occasionally we'd see other folk with Kucinich posters and buttons. I also saw a sign that said ... "John Kerry, Why Aren't YOU here?!?" [Maybe he was participating in another city, thats if his corporate sponsors would let him. Ha!] Along the sidewalks, on other side of the police barricades, were New Yorkers watching us march and cheering us on. People would be leaning out of windows waving white kerchiefs and flashing the peace sign. All the while we marchers would be chanting slogans like ... "hey hey ho ho George Bush has got to go" ... others would be playing bongos, tamborines, etc. All so inspiring, peaceful, exciting and energizing.
At 6th Avenue and 40th Street we turned right and walked back to Madison Avenue, then right again back down to 25th Street. All the while I'm taking the occasional pix of the crowds or a particular banner. Along the way we spotted many Kucitizens, one of which was Thom [such a hottie] with his parents and we waved back in comradery. At 25th Street and Madison Avenue the marchers came to a halt, but that didn't deter Mary, Laurie, Cielito, Thom and I. We snaked thru the crowds until we got to 24th Street and could just make out the stage were the speakers were again addressing the crowds. [We also saw Paul, Jessica and several other Kucitizens. Did we see any signs or buttons for other Democrat candidates? No, nada, zippo!! Some folk had buttons that said "War is Terrorism".] By this time it was going on 3:30pm and we were losing the glory of sunshine behind scattered clouds. Finally, just after 4pm, Dennis Kucinich was announced and received a huge cheer from the crowds. His speech was greatly received by those in attendance. [Also, Amy Goodman from WBAI was there to speak.] At this point our little group was cold, tired & hungry. We slowly snaked our way out of the enclosure and onto side street. After awhile Mary, Laurie, Cielito and I decided to find a restaurant for food, drink and bathroom break. We ended up at TOSSED on 23rd Street and Madison Avenue [near #6 subway]. Felt so good to be indoors where it was warm and give our aching backs/legs a rest. I ordered a delicious roasted corn soup with croutons. We talked about numerous topics and before saying our "goodbyes" said we'd see each other again at March 24th general meeting. Overall it was a truly fantastic, inspiring day.
NEWS ARTICLES REGARDING "Global Day of Action"
Global Protests Mark Iraq War Anniversary
REUTERS
by Andrew Cawthorne
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0302-12.htm
Protesters Scale Big Ben Ahead Of London Rally Against Iraq War
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0320-09.htm
Messages From DJK on U.S. Invasion & Occupation of Iraq
On March 19, 2003 Congressman Kucinich pulled no punches in assailing the president for starting the war. He urged Bush to bring the troops home and focus on problems in America's cities. "This is a sad day for America, the world community and the people of Iraq,'" Kucinich said. "These are offensive, not defensive attacks, and they are in violation of international law." Friday, March 20th, on the one-year anniversary of the U.S. invasion, Dennis will be one of the keynote speakers in New York City [received huge cheers from crowd of 90,000+], the site of one of the largest events on a Global Day of Action to protest against the invasion, occupation and corporate control of Iraq. Check out: http://www.kucinich.us/video now for video of March 20th New York City event.
KUCINICH MARCH 20, 2003 ADDRESS
On March 20, 2003, Dennis Kucinich spoke to the National Newspaper Assocation about the U.S. invasion of Iraq that was being launched that day. Here's what he told the Association:
"For the past year I have led the effort in the House of Representatives to challenge the Administration's march to war in Iraq. I have used my voice and my vote to try to help avert the tragedy of this immense diplomatic failure and this departure from morality in world affairs. I have used every legal and legislative resource available to me to challenge this war. This culminated in 126 Democrats, nearly two thirds of the Democratic caucus, voting against the Iraq resolution last October. Yet the war begins. This a sad day for America, the world community and the people of Iraq. Today we hope and pray for the safe return of our troops and the end to this unjustified war. I support the brave young men and women who are following orders that have placed them in harm's way. While I support the troops, I cannot support this mission. President Bush has launched an unprovoked attack against another country. Iraq does not pose an imminent threat to the United States or any of its neighboring nations.
Dark clouds have gathered over the political horizon. This Administration has assumed an aggressive, ideological policy approach which calls for America to be the first to attack. These are offensive not defensive attacks and are in contempt of international law. This is a radical and extreme policy which departs from a national security policy which has helped America guide its way through the nuclear age and the cold war. Containment and deterrence have worked well throughout the last 50 years. They have helped America to negotiate a balancing of power in a world were 16 nations have or are trying to acquire nuclear technologies, 19 nations have or are trying to acquire biological weapons, 25 chemical weapons and 16 with missile technologies to deliver the weapons. In such a complex and even dangerous world, strategies for preemption carry with it the risk of unleashing war around the world. A preference for confrontation instead of cooperation can lead only to disaster. Yet the Administration's National Security strategy, of which this attack on the Iraq is the auspicious beginning, spawns unilateral military action, preemption, cancellation of treaties, refusal to participate in treaties, using force to initiate regime change, assassination policies, and seizure of resources (such as oil) of conquered nations. This approach to international relations will not eliminate threats to the United States. It will increase anger and hostility towards our nation. The policies imply that only the United States knows what is best for the world and the United States will act without consideration of our friends and allies and international law. As we go it alone in the world, we will be left alone in the world, to pay the price of security alone and suffer the insecurities alone.
America is losing its way at home and in the world. We have no money to rebuild America's cities, but we have money to blow up cities in Iraq. No money to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to shelter the homeless in America, but money to rain death, destruction, and starvation on Iraq. No money to build bridges over the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, but money to blow up the bridges over the Tigris and the Euphrates. We have a right to defend ourselves, but America is launching a pre-emptive, unilateral attack on a nation which has not attacked us and does not represent an imminent threat. Iraq was not responsible for 911. Iraq has not been credibly linked to Al Queda and 911. The question is not whether Saddam Hussein is moral. We know the answer to that. The question we face is whether our own nation will lose its moral authority in the world. We stand ready to send thousands of rockets into Iraq to destroy lives, families, houses, buildings, water systems, electric systems, to light fires to force populations to move, to engage in house to house combat. All in the name of fighting terrorism. In the name of removing weapons of mass destruction.
"Somehow this madness must cease" said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. thirty five years ago as he spoke out against the war in Vietnam. "I speak for those whose land is being laid waste, whose homes are being destroyed, whose culture is being subverted. I speak for the poor of America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home, and death and corruption in Vietnam." Once again the hopes of people of two nations are being smashed by weapons in the name of eliminating weapons. Let us abolish weapons of mass destruction at home. I am from the inner city. I have inspected these weapons. Joblessness is a weapon of mass destruction. Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction. Hunger is a weapon of mass destruction. Poor health care is a weapon of mass destruction. Poor education is a weapon of mass destruction. Discrimination is a weapon of mass destruction.
Let us abolish such weapons of mass destruction here at home. Eight and a half million Americans are unemployed. Bankruptcies are up. The number of uninsured without health care is up. The price of prescription drugs is up. Poverty is up. Crime is up. Homelessness is up. Hopelessness is up. Fear is up. Let us use the trillion dollars which some would cast upon Iraq in bombs and warring troops, instead for the restoration of the American dream, to rebuild our economy, to rebuild our cities and to expand opportunities for all. Those who say we can have guns and butter do not know the cost of guns and do not know the bread you would put your butter on is being stolen. America may spend over a trillion dollars for war in Iraq. America can give a trillion dollar tax cut to the rich, spend a trillion dollars to put weapons in space, but not a dime more for temporary assistance to needy families. It is time to say stop this war. It is time to recognize that the terror we visit on the people of Iraq will bring terror to our own people. Bring our troops home. Come home America. Come home and fix your broken streets and mend your broken dreams. Come home and rebuild your cities and create full employment, put millions who are unemployed back to work. Come home and establish a living wage, let workers' share the wealth they create. Come home and provide affordable housing. Come home and provide single payer, guaranteed health care for the forty one million Americans who suffer illness with no relief. Come home America. Come home and provide free public college for all who aspire to attend.
Come home and act affirmatively to make sure that all opportunities are afforded to all Americans. Twenty five percent of the opportunities to serve in the Army are afforded to African Americans. Our civilian life should offer opportunities as well. America! Come home and provide guaranteed social security for generations to come without privatization and without extending the retirement age which would be devastating for minorities. Come home, America and end racial profiling. Come home and fix your voting machines, restore both voting rights and your democracy. Come home and replace those civil rights lost to the Patriot Act. Come home and make non-violence an organizing principle within our society through the creation of a Department of Peace. America!
America! Stay the hand that would drop the bomb and extend the hand that grants mercy to innocent people abroad and to your own people here at home. "Come my friends, 'tis not too late to seek a newer world," said the poet. If America is to remain a leader and promoter of democracy in the world, we must lead the rest of the world to find diplomatic solutions to our problems. We cannot set a doctrine of preemption for our country and then expect other countries will not do the same. We must work to protect Americans, and our way of life, and work with people around the world without going to war. It is not too late. It is time to rally Americans to the cause of peace. "We must see that peace represents a sweeter music, a cosmic melody, that is far superior to the discords of war," said Dr. King. We must not be the first to attack others. The United States can be first in peace through international cooperation. Working for peace in a complex time requires strength, wisdom and courage. I believe the American people are people of strength, wisdom and courage. They have a right to expect their government to be truly representative! "It is not too late. It is time to rally Americans to the cause of peace." Let us rally all Americans to the cause of peace and justice. It is time to make the peace movement and the movement for social and economic justice one. It is time to move away from war as an instrument of policy and move toward a higher plane where peace is inevitable because we will it, want it, and work for it with our hearts and with our souls.
AMERICA, ARE WE RULED BY FEAR?
Dennis spoke in Juneau at the University of Alaska this past week about the U.S. role in the global community, and about peace in Iraq. In this video/audio/text clip, Dennis explains the trend toward ruling by fear in this country. Dennis Talks about Fear in America: http://www.kucinich.us/fearinamerica-talksabout.php
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