File spoon-archives/anarchy-list.archive/anarchy-list_1999/anarchy-list.9912, message 371


Date: Wed, 08 Dec 1999 21:58:54 -0500
From: Chuck0 <chuck-AT-tao.ca>
Subject: Anarchists help light National Christmas Tree


OK, it wasn't that dramatic, but the local Washington, DC -AT- scene turned
out tonight for our weekly holiday protest for Leonard Peltier. This
month we are having weekly candlelight vigils in front of the White
House on Leonard Peltier's behalf. Our goal is executive clemency for
Peltier.

Tonight we got together around 5 on the Ellipse for the National
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (tm), where we knew that Clinton would
be. We weren't really able to be close enough for him to see our signs
or hear us, but we did manage to get the message out to several thousand
people.

The folks working on the Brian MacKenzie Center were joined by student
activists from the University of Maryland and American University. We
only numbered about 25, but I think we were effective without being too
annoying. We fanned out in small groups, so that people would feel more
comfortable asking us who Leonard Peltier is. One of the big mistakes
that standard mass demos do is not having individuals on the perimeter
talking to people who feel uncomfortable approaching a large demo.

Our actions didn't go off without the standard amount of hassling by the
cops. Nick and some other guys (forget your names, sorry!) has brought
some black flags and bamboo poles. Secret Service intercepted them as
they walked across the Ellipse. They checked Dave's ID and consfiscated
the poles. They said something stupid about the poles beign too wide
around. I came up to this scene and started messing with the cop, making
fun of his orders to me. I eventually walked backwards from the scene to
become part of the "public." Dave told me later that the cop called me
an asshole.

Anyway, I think our presence made the SS very nervous. Nobody was
arrested over the poles, but one woman who was with us was later
escorted off the Ellipse by a cop.

For those of you who are out of town, you can't even hold a protest sign
up on Federal property without being hassled about having a permit.
There are lots of laws and rules governing free speech in this fascist
town.

After the Christmas tree lighting ceremony--which was pretty damn corny,
what with the opera singer, the choir, and Bill Clinton singing "Jingle
Bells"--we went around the White House to do our candleight demo. There
were around 15 of us for this action. I left after half an hour, so I
don't know what else happened.

If you are in the D.C. area, we welcome you to join us next Wednesday
night when we do another vigil.

BTW, I talked to Dave, who was in Seattle. He thinks that there were
around 4-6000 anarchists and anti-authoritarians in attendance during
the N30 actions. He has more stories to tell, which I hope that we can
hear along with Om's next week.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Peltier is still in jail...

-- 
Chuck0
http://flag.blackened.net/chuck0/home/

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