Details: "Counter Inauguration: A Peoples' Speak Out" On Monument Circle

Please join in solidarity with nationwide protests at the "Indiana Counter Inauguration 2005: A People's Platform & Speak-Out to End the War in Iraq," scheduled rain or shine on Monument Circle (Meridian & Market Streets, Indianapolis) from 11:30 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m. Speakers are asked to register at the literature table upon arrival.

Represented at the Counter Inauguration & Speak-Out will be a diverse assortment of Central Indiana residents: antiwar activists, US military veterans, civil libertarians, peace and justice workers, high school and college students, teachers from all levels, women's rights activists, labor organizers and union members, and a wide array of ministers and religious organizations, including members of the peace churches and peace colleges in the Hoosier state.

Some will speak against the war in Iraq, some will talk about the attack on civil liberties and human rights by the Bush administration, others will speak about ongoing violence in Israel/Palestine, and many will pay witness to how social services and federally funded programs are facing dire cuts that further an unjust and unconscionable war.

Starting at 11:30 there will be an "Open Mike" for all those who want to let their voices be heard both against the war in Iraq and on other issues related directly to President George Bush and the policies of his administration during the past four years. Please sign up to speak at the literature table.

The keynote speaker for the event, Marine Corporal Andrew VanDenBergh, is scheduled to address the crowde at noon. VanDenBergh, an Indiana combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a member of Iraq Veterans Against The War, will speak about his six-month tour of duty in Iraq.

Following VanDenBergh's address, the "Open Mike" will resume. Speakers will be interspersed with musicians, singers, dancers, poets -- and perhaps a bit of street theater.

Participating organizations include The Indianapolis Peace & Justice Center, Indiana Peace & Justice Network, (A)rt is a Hammer, Indiana Iraq Pledge of Resistance, Democratic Socialists of America, Students for Peace in Iraq (IUPUI), National Organization for Women, Common Bonds, and many other Indiana groups.

I am planning to be there tomorrow with Jokerman. Will be dressed on in black, as I am in mourning for our country.

All dressed in black. Just like the last inaugural.

It might be too warm tomorrow for me to wear my red Arctic coat.

...my picture is in the Gallery, in case you want to know what I look like. I'm a little hairier since that picture was taken in, I think, late October.

It was a good crowd at the Circle today. A couple hundred of us braved the cold and snow flurries to hear some great speeches and share our concern over what's going on in this country. I did take some photos, but am unable to share, as I don't have enough posts yet.
Jokerman and I attended. It was good to see Voltaire and IndianaGreen there, and I wore my sticker from Kephra's service last week to the event. I like to think that he was there with us in spirit.
Thanks to everyone who braved the cold to take back our country!
P.S. - The only news media I saw in attendance was WISH-TV, who was there with a camera crew. Once again, they appear to be the only media in town who really cares that "our vote counts." Thanks, WISH.

...The video will be a BitTorrent link because I want to share it unedited, uncompressed, and straight from the DV camcorder. It will be about 16GB, and I will try and post a smaller version later on. I won't edit it; I'll just compress it more.

Also, feel free to spread this around if you want, use it in any way you want, whether it be for artistic or commercial purposes. I really don't mind either way. All that matters to me is that I hope to see my video in a music video, movie, documentary, or on TV, whether I make money or get recognition from it matters very little to me.