Dec. 12 You Stole My Vote March - Austin - Our Plans?

Will there be a march for this? I'll drive to Austin if necessary. I don't think I can do much to organize, being in Dallas, but I bet I can bring many people, even a caravan. Thoughts?

http://www.51capitalmarch.com/

I'm in SA, will drive to Austin and bring friends! Count me in!

I haven't seen anything on any of the local lists however. There were 6 of us that protested the Texas electorate in 2000, so even if it's just us Crispini I'll be there with you.

I checked the Austin Against War list and the Third Coast Activist list and the No War list and I don't see anyone planning anything in conjunction with this right now.

Sonia

who knows the activist community down there start planning something? I don't know ANYTHING about Austin. We need someone to find out if we need a permit, to set a time and a place to meet, maybe to get us a speaker?

I will bring as many people as I can from Dallas, but there is very little I can do to plan this since I'm not down there and don't know people.

On the A4K Yahoo list. I'll see if it gets any response.

I'll be there! *raises fist*

But I'll try to make the trek from Houston

We can make this happen in a very large way. Many friends in Austin and San Antonio. Many friends. Let's go, shall we all?

I will help as much as I can down here in Houston.

with some friends. PLEASE keep us posted, forgive the pun.

I emailed them today to see if anybody has stepped up to take the lead. I will let everybody here know of any information they give me.

I did let them know I was willing to lead the charge if nobody has decided to do it. I felt that Texas should not be left out on this and to send a message to B*, Delay and the rest of the Evil Empire that Texas is not sale and we Texans will take back this Great State of ours. DUers, on Nov. 2, 2004, the election was our Alamo, but on Dec 12th at 12 PM on the steps of the Capitol, lets make it our Battle of San Jacinto. On that day, lets send a Texas sized message to BushCo and the rest of the nation, we will not let BuShit and the Republican Axis of Evil claim TX anymore. I know we have people power and outrage lets try to make this happen.

If somebody has the time and people to make this happen, I have no problem letting them lead the charge. If not, I will be honored if everybody who wants to be in the planning stages be co-State Coordinators with me. I have always believed in unity. I am just wondering who wants to be involved in making this a historic event. For right, until I hear from the National office we can all come up with ideas on who we would like to see as a Keynote Speaker.

Has anyone in Austin heard anything yet? Any signs of protesters rallying? I think it's supposed to happen at noon, right? Isn't that what the flyer said? What time would we have to be there? How about accommodations? Or what part of town to stay in? I may come down on Friday.

As I promised, the minute I receive I will you all know what they told me. This is what they said:

Amaury,
Please take Texas. We simply don't have the time. We actually need nothing (just our signs). However, I do have a wish list:

1. A permit (to enable having:)
A PA system (or bull-horn in a pinch)
Guest Speakers (Sheila Lee Jackson, Jim Hightower, Willie Nelson, etc.)
2. A media team next week to send out press releases to organizations and news outlets across the state
(w/permit) 4 petition tables for signing the Voter Bill of Rights and a Petition to State Electors, volunteers, and signs to mark each table; or (w/out permit) 1-2 dozen clipboards and volunteers. We will bring the printed petitions and pens.
3.A state elected representative to deliver the petition to the electors on the morning of 12/13.
4.A logistics team to set up, tear down (assuming a permit, etc.) and to clean up the area.

So, who wants what task. I think I can try to get Sheila Jackson Lee. My dad is an adminstrator at UH where her husband works and I sort of know Dr. Lee when I went to UH. If somebody would like to get somebody else, go for it. I will constantly be checking in so we can move on this fast. I draft up a plan on how we can be successful for this event.

I can probably get someone.

I'm a brand new poster here on DU, so here goes...

I am one of a group of three activists here in Austin who would like to help with the Dec.12th protest/march here in Austin.

For many months before the election, we worked, as many did, to get Congress, as well as the American public, to wake up and smell the coffee that a national election disaster was about to happen and to do something to prevent it. For the most part, we collaborated directly with VotersUnite! and the National Ballot Integrity Project.

Two of my colleagues engineered a national press conference in Washington, D.C. in September before the election to get the "mainstream" media to cover the story of the worthless and fraudulent electronic voting machines. It was well attended by the national press, but less than a handful of Congressional offices cared to attend. Numerous articles were published afterward, but the other side's persistent counterattack that what we were doing was only scaring the voters away from the voting booth, and therefore, we were being SO "undemocratic", succeeded yet again to muffle the warning message.

I decided to team with VotersUnite! to help with their Congressional initiative. In addition to sending letters to all 535 members of Congress, we personally contacted those members who appeared most likely to "get it" and who could help by introducing emergency legislation that would make the upcoming election totally transparent, and therefore, believable to Americans and the world.

Our proposal stated that, for all federal races (President, VP, Senators, & Reps), every voter in the country would vote using a paper ballot and that ballot would then be hand counted in every precinct in full view of official AND citizen observers. The results of the precinct tallies would be immediately posted for all to see (and record) before the totals would move up the steps to the state or national level. This approach would ensure that, at the most basic level of the counting hierarchy, the precinct totals would be counted in an "observable" way in total accordance with our Constitutional Voting Rights.

We were obviously not successful. However, we came VERY close to getting Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) to start the ball rolling by introducing the "Federal Paper Ballot Emergency Act of 2004". Unfortunately, she stepped away from it at the last moment saying she realized she would not be able to give it her full attention which she always insists on. As usual, there were many House and Senate offices I visited that told me that if someone else introduced it, they would join to support it. (Remind you of a child's story about making a cake?)

I have shared all of the above for two reasons:

1. Quite a few of the Members who were willing to join in after someone else introduce the legislation were from Texas. They at least showed an acknowledgment that something rotten was about to happen. I will contact each of their Legislative Directors with whom I met and invite their bosses to speak at our protest. We'll see who is willing and able to come.

2. As we are seeing unfold before us, our Ukrainian friends have persevered and succeeded in getting a national re-vote. They will be using paper ballots and clear voting boxes (as are normally used), but this time, with much more oversight, even using international observers has been proposed. I hope that we are as brave to stand up to the rampant fraud and intimidation we experienced in our recent election, and, that we, too, demand a well-observed and transparent election this time, using only paper ballots, transparent voting boxes, and hand counting at the precinct level. NO machines whatsoever should be used for voting this time; only everyday accounting programs for adding together the hand-counted precinct tallies to achieve the statewide totals to determine the verifiable winners of the 3 (or 4) federal races.

In the words of Walter Anastazievsky, Shoreview, MN, commenting on the Ukrainian victory:

This is a great victory, not for "the West", but for the people in the streets of Kyiv. They are not radicals, they are not nationalists, they are simply decent people who want a decent government and decent lives for their children.

Since I have only posted once on DU, I am probably unable to contact you directly. Please contact me so that we can help you plan and execute the protest.

welcome aboard...:-)

David Van Os. Jeez, he's interested in this issue, and he'd tear up the town.

Who is taking the lead on this event, do we know? If you are, or if you know who is, please PM me. I still have Van Os's phone number and would be happy to call and ask if he'd be interested.

Since I have only two posts now to my name on DU, I am still not permitted to PM anyone yet. (BTW, how many posts does it take to receive this privilege?) I did send a message to Admin to ask for their help, but I haven't heard back.

So, I have been unable to contact ChicanoPwr to continue planning the Austin march/protest on the 12th.

Would you, or someone else who is permitted to PM others, contact ChicanoPwr and ask him to PM me ASAP with a way to reach him directly?

Thanks!!

Does anybody know anyone at the radio stations or indymedia--that would be a way to get the word out. Also flyers on 6th Street, and at UT.

You can contact me at amaurynora@msn.com

Let's hope he's available!

i might just drive up to austin this weekend to visit a friend & join in the protest before i drive home. :)

dg

OK here is what I know so far. Some of this did get discussed on a local Austin Against War e-mail list. There is no official permit being pulled but people will be show up. We are free to congregate on the sidewalk in front of the Capitol, outside the gates. You do not need a permit to be on the sidewalks. You can also march around the Capitol building using the sidewalks and anywhere around town including the Governor's mansion next door. You just can't stop on the grounds and rally without a permit or block traffic.

For future reference, here's the process on getting a Capitol permit.
The permit process for a rally at the Capitol takes a bit of time and more importantly money. It's a two step process. First you have to get an event approval from the State Preservation Board. That has to be done at least one week in advance. So we are past that point now.
http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/SPB/spb/events/events.html

The application doesn't give an amount but I remember that the anti-inaugural rally we had in 2000 was $125. It's really a deposit based on the number of people. You put money down to insure that you will be responsible for cleaning up for yourself. You find out what the amount is by faxing them your preliminary application, calling them with tentative approval for the date and then they tell you how much. You get the money back if they are satisfied with the conditions of the grounds. So you need to clean up your trash, signs etc.

If you need power and a microphone they charge extra for that or you can bring your own. You also have to get the signature of one House member to allow you do do this. This doesn't mean they sponsor it, only gives you permission. Travis Rep. Elliott Naishtat's office
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist49/naishtat.htm
or Ft. Worth Rep. Lon Burham's office
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist90/burnam.htm
will do these readily. Some one either has to go in person to their office or fax them one before you turn the application into the State Preservation Board. It helps if your sponsor organization is someone they know, like the Peace and Justice organization, ACLU etc. But even a single individual can do this.


Sonia

they most likely will be able to by-pass the one-week rule. If the amount is the same and give or take a few extra. I am willing to pay for it. Any Austin DUers know Rep Naishtat. I know Glen Maxey is no long a state rep, but I wonder if he still has pull.

Better, yet, I can call my uncle from Laredo who happens to be cousins with former Mayor Gus Garcia. Let me know if this is a good idea or not before I make the call to my uncle.

If not, we can go with plan B use the sidewalks.

IMO if we have to just use the sidewalks, there will be no way to have speakers.

They can not bypass the 7 day rule. Maybe the Governor call but they can't. His office says they are willing to sign the form for us to get permission but they have no pull at State Preservation Board. I put in a call to Mindy Eppler at State Preservation Board but I don't think she's going to let us bypass the rules. Rules are rules to them. I'll post her answer here later.

I agree that with no permit, you can't have speaker's at the Capitol. There is another possibility though. The ALF-CIO building is one block away from the Capitol at 11th and Lavaca. They have a nice big parking lot. Why don't we have the speaker's there and save us some bucks. WE can always march over to the Capitol around the sidewalks. I'll try to see what it takes to get the ALF-CIO to let us use their parking lot.

Sonia

It looks like you really know the ins and outs of Austin and how we could be very effective. Would you mind taking on the role of Logistics Coordinator?

I'll run it by Elliott's office. He's my state Rep. I don't think we can bypass the one week rule, but we'll see.

Sonia

Since we all know Texas is very large. I figure we can divide Texas in regions: South, Central, North, East and West. Within these regions.

San Antonio = will be the focal point for the South Texas;
Austin = For Central Texas;
Dallas/Ft Worth = for the North Texas;
Houston = East Texas; &
El Paso = West Texas

Who ever lives in these cities, lets flood every media, college and organizations. We can use the power of the internet and email every mailing list we belong. If some how we a lacking point people in a region we can share the responsibilty targeting that area.

I can be reached at amaurynora@msn.com

We could have several speakers and one Keynote.

Asked my father is Shelia Jackson Lee's husband still worked at UH. Yes he does, but he was promoted to Vice Chancellor. I was hoping he was still Vice President because it is easier to meet him in person and to pass along the message to his wife considering it is short notice. Since he is Vice Chancellor, I will have to go through the gatekeepers just like Rep Jackson-Lee and who knows when they receive the invitation.

So I leave it up to you, I can continue trying to get Rep. Jackson-Lee or we could try to get other speakers?

I know couple of you said you knew some potential speakers. Feel free to contact them.

A side note:
I did try by some small hope to get Eminem. Since the media did try to discredit the young first time voters, I wanted to let them know this is not true and not give up this fight. I also figured if he did agreed, we could use his PR people to really get this covered. I was really surprised that he reply quickly and was really interested in being in this march. But, he already was booked and he would be there if it was next year or only for a short time period the week after Dec. 12. I don't know about you guys, but I was really happy to know he cares about this issue and no just another artist want to exploit these issue just to make money.

much info on web site state coordinator etc
my daughter and friends have been passing out flyers in austin
the website is growing each day with new info
a nonstop effort by kip and all help is appreciated

to post all of our planning and coordinating messages on the 51capitalmarch site since there is so little time left. What does everyone think?

I was hoping to use this site for information, however, the emails I have been receiving are coming from the 51CapitalMarch website. I will continue to post updates on this thread, however the majority of the information will take place on the other website.

Here is the link:

http://www.51capitalmarch.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Texas

Here's the latest update. I did talk with Rep. Elliott Naishtat's office and they were willing to sign the form for us. They can not do anything about expediting the permission. That's up to the State Preservation Board. Maybe the Governor could get an exception, but you and me regular Texas citizens, no way. I also called Mindy Eppler at the State Preservation Board and she said no way to expedite, no matter who sponsors. Rules are rules.

What I'm trying to do now is contact the AFL-CIO here in Austin about using their parking lot on 11th Street that is catty-corner to the Governor's mansion and a block away from the Capitol building.

Sonia

You rock!

Ask to speak to Ed Sills or Emmitt Shephard...tell him a friend from the Transport Worker's Union Local 567 referred you...

I think ChicanoPwr pulled off getting a capitol grounds permit somehow but thanks for the tip and I will make note of that for future reference. I did get a good local contact and I'll just add both of these to my list.

"Unions - The people that brought you weekends"
One of my favorite bumper stickers.

Sonia

I'll keep an eye on this thread...hopefully I can make it down but not looking good right now. Give everyone a hug...!!!

:bounce:

How did you swing that? Is it at the Capitol Grounds?

Sonia

They've even provided a podium and a PA system, which is a dream come true!

...where are we meeting up before and after? :D

The plan is to show up at the protest site in front of the Capitol for the main event, petitions, and speakers. Then we'll march to the Austin-American Statesman for a post-protest rally and to draw attention to how mass media ignores the irregularities of this election and the will of citizens such as ourselves...

Welcome Underground. :hi:

If you are planning to attend or want more information regarding the march this weekend.

Click here.
http://www.51capitalmarch.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Texas

protest tentatively starting? My daughter & I (and whoever else we can talk into making the trip) are planning to drive in, about 5 hrs drive, and trying to find some specific info about time, parking, etc. I'm sure we'll have to stay over one night due to the long drive, so trying to figure out which night -- I wish it would've been Saturday instead of Sunday due to work/school schedules & possibly a better turnout, but sounds like it's shaping up pretty big anyway! I sure hope so -- my daughter said even if we're the only ones who show up, we'll still stand out there with our signs chanting! :)

I think you have a winner. David knows how to fire up the base. Now let's get that quick press release blurb so that we can get it out to the e-mail lists fast.

Sonia

I talked to him this morning and he asked what else he could do help get the word out. I suggested that if he issued a press release it might get some attention and he liked the idea. Has anyone given any thought to contacting the media?

and we are about to send it out today. KPFT News interviewed me and will be on at 5:30 today.

with my two daughters. We will leave early on Sunday and drive back that same night. I would love some help with the drive. If there is anyone who needs a ride, I can carry as many as four extra people (& stuff) - i will borrow my husbands van - will need help with gas though. If not, me & the monsters will drive up in my much smaller car.

Sunny, low to mid-70s. :thumbsup:

The protest is scheduled to begin at noon in front of the state capitol with the speakers starting shortly thereafter. There is a permit to protest at the Capitol, have a PA, and speakers. There is also a permit to march down Congress to the Austin American-Statesman. The important thing is to show up. Make a sign. Bring a friend. We all can agree that this election was afoul of democracy.

Keynote Speaker: David Van Os

Other speakers:
Kip Humphrey, 51CapitalMarch.com Founder
Alex Jones, Austin radio talk show host, author and film producer
Pokey Anderson, KPFT Pacifica radio (Houston, Texas) talk show host
Vickie Karp, Board Member, Black Box Voting and National Chair, Coalition for Visible Ballots
Sonia Santa, Populist Progressive Caucus

Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee is expected to issue a statement. There may be more or less, as this is coming down to the wire and not all is written in stone. The important thing, again, is to show up. Make a sign. Bring a friend.

Hopefully this will be the beginning to breaking through the media silence. The hearings have begun and now it's time to make our voices heard. If you can't show up, at least you can email the organizations that you're involved with. Most of them have probably already been contacted, but, strangely, a lot of them are remaining silent. Ask them to visit http://www.51capitalmarch.com and inform their members. There are press kits and other tools to make this easier.

I'll be there with my sign and my friends. I hope to see you there too.

Thank you,

-RYAN JOY
r at joyserve.net
Favorite sign: Is E-Voting really ME voting?

That Alex Jones will be speaking. He is a nut. A scumbag. A self-serving publicity junkie. A conspiracy theory addict. He is all of Bev Harris' bad features magnified a thousandfold with none of the good. He totally discredits any cause he pretends to support.

Yeah, I'm not exactly thrilled about that either. I'm afraid of his rants. He alienates WAY too many people and any good point he makes is immediately lost on potential listeners because he is a NUT. I didn't make that call, but like I said before, nothing is written in stone here. Things can be changed...

On a good note, did anyone catch Kip's discussion on the march tonight with Mike Malloy on Air America Radio?

As for Alex, we can put him on the front so he will be overlooked by the other speakers.

I agree that Alex can be abrasive, to say the least. You can use that time to take a bathroom break. He brings a lot of folks out to any event he's involved with and it was really up to the organizers to pull something together. I think considering how short a time they had to work with. They have done a great job. Let's cut them some slack.
David Van Os will more than make up for Alex.

I think we can still use the rally to take those action items we need to take, and to keep the people informed about voter fraud. This is a good opportunity to keep the ball rolling on those TX House seats being challenged.

Sonia

But my tent is just not big enough to include Alex Jones and the Black Helicopter Brigade.

I salute the hard work that you and all the other organizers of this event have done. Conjuring this thing up from nothing in a few days really seems miraculous.

But a lot of the e-voting controversy treads pretty close to tinfoil territory already. Giving a public platform for the poor man's Lyndon LaRouche does absolutely nothing to help the cause of free, fair and honest elections.

I'm only helping on the logistics front. NoPasaran, I agree that we may be too accommodating some times in our tent, but as we already know, life is not fair. We're dealt a lot of bad cards in our deck sometimes, and it's our measure to learn how to deal with them.

I still say there are some good actions you can take away from this. Take the good cards and ignore the bad. I'm not going to let Alex dictate my day, just like I'm not going to let bu$h tell me he has a mandate. You know every time that puker is on the radio or TV I just turn it off. Won't listen to him at all. I can only watch clips of him on The Daily Show.

Sonia

to get there.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amaury Nora, 832-216-2196
amaurynora@msn.com
Karen Renick, 512-496-7408
renswish@aol.com, karen.renick@sbcglobal.net

DECEMBER 10, 2004

MILLIONS OF VOTES WERE STOLEN! WE DEMAND THE TRUTH!

WHAT: 51 CAPITAL MARCH: Nationwide Protest Against the Stolen Election of Nov. 2nd

WHEN: Sunday, December 12, 2004, Noon –2pm

WHERE: Texas State Capitol (south steps), followed by a march on Congress to Riverside Dr.

WHO: Texas Citizens who are MAD AS HELL AND WON’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

As part of a national day of protest, rallies and marches will be held in dozens of capitals around the country, as well as the nation’s capital, to protest the November 2nd election and to demand the following actions by our:
1. State Electors: Delay casting your ballots for President and Vice President until state election officials provide a citizen supervised, complete, fair and accurate manual recount.
2. State Legislators: Launch an immediate public investigation into all reported acts of voter intimidation and disenfranchisement by election officials; restore true transparency to the voting process, because people vote, not machines; and enact a "Voters’ Bill of Rights" that represents the will of the people
3. Federal Legislators: Investigate all known cases of election fraud in the 2004 General Election, as well as the 2000 and 2002 General Elections; legislate severe punishment against any or entities commiting vote fraud; legislate equal voting protection for all Americans.

Invited speakers at the Capitol will include:

Kip Marshall, 51 Capital March national organizer and Houston activist
Alex Jones, Austin radio talk show host, author and film producer
Pokey Anderson, KPFT Pacifica radio (Houston, Texas) talk show host
Vickie Karp, Board Member, Black Box Voting and National Chair, Coalition for Visible Ballots
Debbie Russell, grassroots organizer and former State Coordinator for Nader for President 2004
David Von Os, Texas Supreme Court Justice candidate and co-founder of the Populist Progressive Caucus of the Texas Democratic Party
Deborah Vanko, Codepink activist – an Austin grassroots peace and social justice movement

The rally at the Capitol will be followed by a march that will head south on Congress Avenue and end at the office building of the Austin American Statesman at Riverside & Congress in order to protest the lack of coverage of the overwhelming election anomalies.

Over 56,000 complaints have been filed of highly suspect incidents at the polls, prompting a Congressional briefing on December 8th and an upcoming investigation of voting machines by the Government Accountability Office. On December 2, 2004 President Bush stated, "any election must reflect the will of the people". We agree. Our Democracy is at stake. We demand the truth!!!
---------------------

Be there!

Sonia

However, I'm coming into Austin this Saturday so I'll be bringing my family and many of my friends along.

Check with GOPisEvil, he's trying to organize a DU meet-up either before the event or after. Love to meet you. Weather will be nice this weekend.

Sonia

And I'll be there with bells on! Bringing as many folks as I can!

I've been levelled with back problems for the last two days, and am barely mobile today...No way I'm to a road trip and all that action. Please let me know how it goes...I'll be there with you, just not physically!

I'll hold up an extra sign just for you...

I'm considering trying to get the lump off my couch (my husband) to do the driving, then maybe I can make it, just have to figure out what I'm going to do with my kids...It will all seriously depend on the condition of my back muscles though...I scheduled a massage for Saturday morning...not pleasant for me, quite painful, but worth it in the long run. I want so badly to be there...I may force myself through the pain.

It would be nice to have the DU crowd all in one place. Let me know what y'all think.

This is a great time to meet some of your friends in person. No hiding on the DU board, come on. We don't bite. GOPisEvil and maybe NoPasaran and VelmaD can do the rounds of introductions. All you have to do is show up.

Since most people will be downtown anyway, you should try to meet at some of the downtown locations. We've had some good luck with the Paradise Cafe. That's right off 6th street.

I can't stay for long but I'd love to meet you for a bit.

Sonia

I suppose we could do a late brunch/early lunch before it starts somewhere downtown. And there's always the possibility for pub-crawlage after. :) Suggestions for time and place?

Just let me know when and where.

Edited to add: Although, knowing me, I am more likely to do something AFTER than BEFORE -- seeing as, if I wanna be there by noon, I'm going to have to get on the road by nine, which is about what time I usually get out of bed on the weekends.

So after would be better for me.

just keep in mind that I will have the rugrats with - so family friendly is preferred! (rats!)

but I'll need really specific directions.

I'm new to DU, but I'll be there and I look forward to meeting some of you. I'll be a contributing DUer from here on out...
-RYAN

...I've seen kids there before, so maybe that is an option.

Orrrrrr....we could go to Scholz'.

I'd like to find a meeting place before the rally, too. Any ideas?

Little City coffee is just two blocks from the capitol. Free wireless internet... good latte...

-RYAN

:thumbsup:

Do you know the actual address? Or intersection?

Pre-rally meet location:
Little City Coffee
916 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 476-2489

For after the rally, I think Scholtz probably has more parking space around their restaurant. Most folks are going to want to drive there from the rally, I think. Mother Egan's usually seems to have less nearby parking to me, but they have much better food. I vote for Mother Egans but I'll go to either one.

Someone just make a decision on which one we meet at afterward.

Scholz Garden
1607 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: 512-474-1958


Mother Egan's Irish Pub
715 West 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-7747


Sonia

Apparently because they allow smoking children are barred by order of Big Nanny.

They could very well start a fire in the place.
:evilgrin:

Just kidding, I know what you meant. It's a bar that allows adults to smoke. We won't smoke the kiddies or let the little tykes smoke ciggies either.

Well Scholtz does have the outdoor garden. And it is going to be a beautiful day outside. Why the heck not?

Sonia

I received an email today from Norma Atkinson

I am interested in participating in the Austin March on Sunday but need a ride to Austin from SA; I will be glad to pitch in for gasoline or whatever. I live on the Northwest side but will drive to a pick-up spot. Please e-mail response to me ASAP to natkinson@eisd.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 10, 2004

CONTACT:
Amaury Nora, 832-216-2196, amaurynora@msn.com
Karen Renick, 512-496-7408, renswish@aol.com
Website: http://www.51capitalmarch.com

MILLIONS OF VOTES WERE STOLEN!
WE DEMAND THE TRUTH!

WHAT: 51 CAPITAL MARCH: Nationwide Protest Against Stolen U.S. Election
WHEN: Sunday, December 12, 2004, Noon –2pm
WHERE: Texas State Capitol (south steps), followed by march on Congress to Riverside
WHO: Texas Citizens who are MAD AS HELL AND WON’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

As part of a national day of protest, rallies and marches will be held in dozens of capitals around the country, as well as the nation’s capital, to protest the November 2nd election and to demand the following actions by:
1. State Electors: Delay casting your ballots for President and Vice President until state election officials provide a citizen supervised, complee, fair and accurate manual recount.
2. State Legislators: Launch an immediate public investigation into all reported acts of voter intimidation and disenfranchisement by election officials; restore true transparency to the voting process, because people vote, not machines; and enact a “Voters’ Bill of Rights” that represents the will of the people
3. Federal Legislators: Investigate all known cases of election fraud in the 2004 General Election, as well as the 2000 and 2002 General Elections; legislate severe punishment against any or entities committing vote fraud; legislate equal voting protection for all Americans.

Invited speakers at the Capitol will include:

Kip Marshall, 51 Capital March national organizer and Houston activist
Alex Jones, Austin radio talk show host, author and film producer
Pokey Anderson, KPFT Pacifica radio (Houston, Texas) talk show host
Vickie Karp, Board Member, Black Box Voting and National Chair, Coalition for Visible Ballots
Debbie Russell, grassroots organizer and former State Coordinator for Nader for President 2004
David Van Os, Texas Supreme Court Justice candidate and cofounder of the Populist Progressive Caucus of the Texas Democratic Party
Deborah Vanko, Codepink activist – an Austin grassroots peace and social justice movement

The rally at the Capitol will be followed by a march that will head south on Congress Avenue and end at the office building of the Austin American Statesman at Riverside & Congress in order to protest the lack of coverage of the overwhelming number of election anomalies.

Over 56,000 complaints have been filed of highly suspect incidents at the polls, prompting a Congressional briefing on December 8th and an upcoming investigation of voting machines by the Government Accountability Office. On December 2, 2004 President Bush stated, “ any election must reflect the will of the people”. We agree. Our Democracy is at stake. We demand the truth!!!

New Protest Flyer:
http://www.joyserve.net/Protest_Flyer1.doc

Print it out and post it, especially around Austin, if you can!

Thanks,
-RYAN JOY
r at joyserve.net

I am looking for someone who can help capture the moment, by video taping, interviewing some of the protesters. All state coordinators have been asked if we could help record this event so we can further push our message forward, this will be done by make a documentary about the event. Is there anybody who will be able to do this? Please PM me.

As for the state, all multi-media designers, help make this event historical. I would like to build a Flash presentation about our rally. I feel it would be helpful in lobbying for House Bill 166 to pass.

State Capitol
1100 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701

Directions:
From Houston NW:
Take HWY 290 West to Austin, exit IH-35 South, take the 12th street exit, turn left on Red River, right on 11th St., left on Congress Ave. in front of the capitol (*HONK*), find a parking space along Congress and join us!
From Houston W:
Take I-10 W to Columbus, exit Hwy 71 to Austin, exit IH-35 North, take the 12th street exit, turn left on Red River, right on 11th St., left on Congress Ave. in front of the capitol (*HONK*), find a parking space along Congress and join us!
Dallas:
Take IH-35 South to Austin, take the 12th street exit, turn left on Red River, right on 11th St., left on Congress Ave. in front of the capitol (*HONK*), find a parking space along Congress and join us!
From San Antonio:
Take IH-35 North to Austin, take the 12th street exit, turn left on Red River, right on 11th St., left on Congress Ave. in front of the capitol (*HONK*), find a parking space along Congress and join us!

Parking:
All parking meters are free on weekends. I would recommend using parking meters along Congress and the side streets. In addition, there are various state lots and garages that are free.
Capitol Complex Parking:
http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/SPB/Plan/floorplan/pdf/CapitolComplexEmployeeParking.pdf

See you there!

;)

Sound good for everyone for a pre-march meetup?

I've caught a damned cold, so I'm not sure I'll be there, but it looks like a good place to meet!

I'll be downtown by 9 or 10am working on last minute logistics, but I'll make sure to stop by Little City for a coffee break. GOPisEvil, I hope to see you there! Don't let a little cold hold you back!

I've gotten worse throughout the day today. :-(

Get some rest and take some zinc and/or Emergen-C. If you still feel crappy tomorrow then maybe you shouldn't spread it around.

Either way take care of yourself. Tis the stress of the holidays.

Sonia

I'm eating zinc like tic tacs. When Mike gets back from Costa Rica, I'm going to hit him for giving me this cold! x(

The cold itself lasts about a week if it is what I had, but I got a sinus infection which extended things for another two weeks.