April 17 & 18 activism events

Fresh off yesterday's rally on Boston Common, I am planning two days of activism on Patriots' Day (and eve).

Planning is in the "secret" stages not (so we do not get freeped).

To learn more, go to the site in my signature line.

I'll keep an eye on it to see how it progresses.

Received from Carol Dwyer of Concord Grassroots Actions for Peace. I will be joining the vets' contingent, hope you can come and march and/or hold a sign.

Grassroots Actions for Peace. 245 Main St Concord, MA 01742 (978) 369-7146 or 8480.

Register for this and other events at the greater Boston DU met-up group (see my signature line)

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In 2004 we (Grassroots Actions for Peace) cheered on the Veterans for Peace group, who were allowed to march in the Patriots Day Parade for the first time, thanks to the excellent advocacy of Al Armenti.

But in 2003, twenty nine people from Concord, Lincoln, Acton, Westford and Carlisle held signs about infringements to civil liberties, and handed out information, and 276 people signed petitions against the Patriot Act. (This was on a weekend day, close to the 19th, but not at the parade). We went in small groups walking around Town with signs with quotes and pictures of such notables as

Ben Franklin: "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve either liberty nor safety". Dwight

Eisenhower: " May we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion" FD. Roosevelt "We must scrupulously guard the civil liberties of all citizens whatever their background."

Theodore Roosevelt "Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does Not mean to stand by the President or any other public official."

I have a good number of these signs, and if you want to use them in a demonstration in Bolton, or organize a similar event anywhere else, you are very welcome to borrow the signs. We'd be glad to encourage others to join in.