Gore Vidal: "Bush, Step Down" (nationwide protest 9pm Jan 31)

One way that a majority of citizens can help open the road back to Crawford is by heeding the call of a group called the World Can't Wait (see their website, worldcantwait.org). They believe that the agenda for 2006 must not be set by the Bush gang but by the people taking independent mass political action.

On Jan. 31, the night of Bush's next State of the Union address, they have called for people in large cities and small towns all across the country to join in noisy rallies to make the demand that "Bush Step Down" the message of the day. At 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, just as Bush starts to speak, people can make a joyful noise and figuratively drown out his address. Then on the following Saturday, Feb. 4, converge in front of the White House with the same message: Please step down and take your program with you.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gore-vidal/president-jonah_b_14439.html

Another great historical essay and call to action from Gore Vidal.

Originally from here:

http://www.truthdig.com/dig/item/20060124_president_jonah/

Hear from Harold Pinter, Gore Vidal, Eve Ensler, Howard Zinn, and more

I respect the hell out of all those people, but I find Chairman Bob Avakian of the Revolutionary Communist Party of America to be a fly in the ointment. I don't want the MLM(Marxist Leninist Maoist) guys to take credit for rallying everyone.

I already have problems with United for Peace and Justice and the unconstitutional concessions they made during the RNC protest. I felt like they squandered our efforts by playing softball with Bloomberg.

I just don't want to cede the center of gravity of the anti-war movement to Bob Avakian of the RCP. Even though I'm a little bent with UFPJ, I'd rather rally on dates set by them or A.N.S.W.E.R.

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

in that! :patriot: :patriot:

Washington DC: West Side of the Capitol on the National Mall
In DC, we will gather as close as we can to the scene of the impending lies:
We will be on the west side of the Capitol, around and in front of the reflecting pool. The Press will be parked along 3rd Street and along the South Side of the Capitol (Independence). Cindy Sheehan and Ann Wright will speak to us (and them) at 8 pm; they will be followed by other speakers (the Rev. Yearwood and Doug Nelson, an Vietnam War vet) and then at 9, the main event will begin:

Picture a marching band/brass ensemble, a drum circle, a choir, tap dancers, a rock ensemble, hip-hop poetry, other spoken word, hootenany, African, Asian, Irish glorious soaring rhythmic, each beginning and doing a few minutes in sequence, followed by overlapping moments, followed by at least 30 minutes of jazz-like improv, call and response, followed by one fully stunning long-held harmonious wall of sound that rises to the heavens.

The whole main event lasts 50 minutes, from 9-9:50. It’s possible the media might be roused from their hypnotic stance to report on it.

If you are interested in either helping with logistics or performing, or can help us get great performers, please email Karen Bradley at Karen@democracycellproject.net or call 202-669-3927.

Breakdown of Speakers

8-9 PM:
Cindy Sheehan
Ann Wright
Doug Nelson, Vets for Peace
Rev. Lennox Yearwood, the HipHop Caucus
Rev. Deborah Lake

9-10 PM Performers:
Chris Chandler
Joe Jencks
Guerilla Poets
Rhythm Workers Union
Rabbi David Schneyer
rock bands, tap dancers, choirs drum, circles noisemakers, and YOU!

Sounds like it will be a great event. I still don't like Bob Avakian.

First they said we didn't need one, then they changed their minds. Any updates on this?

Protesters Sue for Speech Spot during State of the Union

Demonstrators have been told to confine their gathering to the gravel walkways on the Mall between Third and Fourth streets, farther from the Capitol. The grassy areas are fenced off because they are being resodded.

Travis Morales, one of the organizers of the demonstration, said the restrictions effectively deny the protesters a meaningful public space to gather as a group. The nearest place to meet together, he said, is Seventh Street, about a mile from the Capitol.

"We are being told that turf renovation and security trump our First Amendment right to protest," he said.

He called the change "politically motivated," adding that the Bush administration "is trying to push us so far away that we can't be seen or heard. . . . A protest not seen and a protest not heard is not a protest."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/25/AR2006012502261.html

Who is left?