Boo and I took the train to DC; his first trip on a “real” train. We hoofed it to the Capitol and then to the Mall. I didn’t think to look online to find out exactly where the anti-war protest march would be. I thought, hey, it’s DC. There’s the Mall. Where else would it be?
So we saw some folks gathered around a stage, flags flying…but there were only maybe 200 or so. THIS didn’t look like some grand protest march! My heart sank. Then I looked closer and saw the Harley jackets, the gnarly, mostly middle age white men milling about, and heard a faint whiff of country music, then I knew: it was a protest to protest the protest march!
We hightailed it from there to Lafayette Park, in front of the White House, where many more people had assembled, somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 altogether. I felt tingly—no kidding, I got goose bumps—when I saw the signs. It was electric. People of all ages, colors, religions, political leanings, galaxies, genders (two, possibly three), and species (dogs and children) had gathered to protest the war and the Bush administration. Spontaneous chants of “Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Bush and Cheney have got to go!” and “Impeach!” and “Shame!” filled the air.
If you can't read it, the Hitler button quote is: What good fortune for governments that the people do not think.
This is what it felt like when I was in DC for the Million Mom March several years ago. That electricity you feel when you’re part of a large group with a common bond. And you're all pissed.
We listened to Ralph Nader (who was actually quite good), Cindy Sheehan, and some Iraq war vets, who were, to me anyway, the most moving. These guys are not only courageous, but are taking a risk by speaking out. They’ve frigging been there; they KNOW what it’s like, unlike our Chimp-in-Chief. They led the way as we moved along Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol.
…to be continued. Maybe with video!
6 comments:
It looks like you had a great time. Just reading your post gave me goose bumps. I think it must have been such an incredible experience to be around all of that energy. I don't think Evan is too young. More importantly, he wanted to go and be a part of it. It is experiences like that that are going to help shape him...whether he agrees or not..that's his choice...I definitely think it was fabulous that you took him.
It was very cool, and incredible to think that there's only like, what, maybe 25% of voters--hardcore conservatives--are driving this doomed bus, with Bush at the wheel. Dems are like the tin cans strung up behind...making lots of noise, but not accomplishing anything.
You gotta illustrate that^ if it's a carey-original image. Get to your cartooning desk, and don't be afraid to break a few pencil points! -cjc
hey, that's an idea...
You are fucking awesome. Do I ever have anything else to say about your blogs? I don't think so. Especially nothing that's intelligent. Tell Evan I said to rock on.
Hey, Steph, I heard you were embarrassingly wasted in Vegas. What, hit too many O2 bars?
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