for
THE INAUGURATION
...www.bushwatch.com
for
THE INAUGURATION
...www.bushwatch.com
inauguration protests
http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0103/ladd.shtml
http://www.countercoup.org/
http://www.democracymarch.org/
http://www.votermarch.org/
http://www.j20.org/
http://www.InaugurAuction.org/training.asp
http://www.dc.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=4567
http://www.dc.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=4695
http://www.dc.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=4720
Map of Inaugural Parade Route
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/nm/20010116/ts/bush_inauguration_route_graphic.html
Inauguration 2001 Schedule of Official Events
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/inauguration2001/schedule010501.htm
The eve of George W. Bush's inauguration will be marked as "Black Friday"
Black Friday 2001 - Wear Black on January 19 ... to mourn the death of democracy
As the majority of Americans prepare for a new president they did not choose, we will wear black as a reminder to our new president that the agenda of the Right is not the agenda of the American People. Many of us fear for the environment, while others are concerned with issues as diverse as affirmative action, civil rights, women's rights, the rights of gays and lesbians, culture and the arts, and new threats to the poor. Please join us in this historic action. Mark your calendars for January 19, 2001, when the American People send a clear message to George W. Bush
On Saturday, many groups are organizing peaceful democracy rallies across the nation. A great list of local events is available at: http://www.geocities.com/countercoup/alerts.htm
In DC various groups with various announced meeting points and times for anti-inaugural protests.
1) Voter March rally At 1000 AM, people will meet at Dupont Circle for the Voter March rally and protest (http://www.votermarch.org), which will culminate in a march to the Supreme Court. The organizers of this event, which has a moderate tone and good-government agenda, have received a permit from the D.C. police.
Thousands from all over the country will be meeting at Dupont Circle. They will have a professional stage and sound system set up at Dupont Circle where they will have various nationally acclaimed speakers and entertainers performing. They will then have an organized protest march from Dupont Circle to the western side of the Ellipse which will be their second permitted demonstration site.
2) International Action Center & Revolutionary Anti-Authoritarian Block Also at 1000 AM, folks of a more radical disposition will meet at Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, responding to calls put out by the socialist International Action Center (http://www.iacenter.org) and the Revolutionary Anti-Authoritarian Block (http://www.infoshop.org/coronation.html).
Presumably this march will also go to the Supreme Court, though there's been no public announcement of the route.
3) Rev. Al Sharpton & other African-American leaders At 12 noon, at Stanton Park, at 4th and Maryland Ave NE the Reverend Al Sharpton, with the support of other African-American leaders, has called for people to meet at Stanton Park, at 4th and Maryland. From there, there will be a march to the Supreme Court for a "Shadow Inauguration," in which Sharpton will administer a "Citizen's Oath" pledging action to safeguard voting rights.
But these are not the only protest plans. The Partnership for Civil Justice is strongly urging protesters to form into groups of no more than 25 people. The group's guide to the inauguration protests explains http://www.InaugurAuction.org/training.asp essential reading for anyone who will be out on the streets.
'Demonstrations in groups of 25 people or less may be held without a permit on Pennsylvania Avenue or other federal land subject to the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. See, 36 C.F.R. Section(s) 7.96(g)(2)(i). Based on this provision, the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Columbia has ruled that it is unlawful for the U.S. Government to fine or arrest Inaugural protesters in groups of 25 or less on the asserted grounds that such protesters are demonstrating without a permit. http://www.InaugurAuction.org/training.asp As it happens, this regulation dovetails perfectly with the way that direct action protests are organized these days.
There is much less coordination among direct actionists for the inauguration than there was in Seattle or during the April 2000 protests against the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in D.C.
The Justice Action Movement (JAM), http://www.j20.org is arranging nonviolence trainings, legal support, and other key matters to the extent it can, given the severe time constraints.
So the bottom line is, affinity groups are pretty much going to have to figure out for themselves what to do. Most will focus on finding creative, in-your-face ways of expressing their dissent, from street theater to colorful signs and banners (check the protest guide, http://www.InaugurAuction.org/training.asp for details about what size these must be according to federal regulations).
There are no plans for large-scale civil disobedience, at least as far as I know. There's some talk of people doing sit-ins in the path of the inaugural parade, but it's not clear whether that will even be physically possible, given the massive police presence that's expected.
Right wing Activists Then too, the parade route will also be lined with Republicans, including many of the budding right-wing street activists who staged their own in-your-face protests against the Florida recount.
In fact, January 20 will also witness a scary "Patriot's March on D.C. Celebrating Constitutional Victory," which begins in front of the Supreme Court at 9.00 AM http://www.loudcitizen.com/million/index.asp One organizer told The Washington Times, "I think we will present a real contrast from a bunch of kids all dressed in black who dislike America, what the country stands for, and are waving big puppets." http://www.washtimes.com/metro/default-20011422140.htm The D.C. police have been making menacing pronouncements about their preparations. http://www.commondreams.org/headlines/121300-02.htm
Pepper spray, etc. If the recent past is a guide, there will be a huge law enforcement presence, and the real possibility of police violence against protesters. Be aware that you run some risk of arrest if you attend any of these protests, except perhaps the permitted Voter March.
There's also a chance that you will encounter pepper spray or other chemical weapons; prepare yourself by reading an excellent guide on the subject from the current Earth First! Journal http://www.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=16539
Also Friday evening January 19th
The National Stonewall Democrats & The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force http://www.ngltf.org/events/appprog.htm
Cordially invite you to Applauding Progress
An evening to celebrate the Clinton/Gore administration and other friends of our community. The Washington Club #15 Dupont Circle Time: 8:00pm
Come celebrate the last official night of the Clinton/Gore years. http://www.ngltf.org/events/appprog.htm
and Saturday... Post-protest Partying There's also the SnapPop! Inaugural Losers Ball on Saturday January 20 at Galaxy Hut (lots of bands and free, email gina@snappopmag.com for more info);
the ADA Counter-Inaugural Gala on Saturday January 20 at The Mayflower Hotel in the State Room (on the first floor) featuring live music from the Oxymorons (7pm to Midnight, $35 per person); and of course just wearing a "Re-Elect Gore in 2004" t-shirt all weekend.
Let's Party Liberally! Party with Americans for Democratic Action Counter-Inaugural Gala Saturday, January 20, 2001 7 pm to midnight The Mayflower Hotel The State Room (on the first floor) 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036
Please RSVP to Natalie Shear at 202 833-4456
or
A Field Guide to Protests in Washington, D.C.
"Inauguration day should be a day of resistance," Black World Today (www.tbwt.com) columnist Ron Daniels declared on December 14, 2000. Indeed, January 20, 2001, may be remembered not just as the day George W. Bush was sw orn in, but as the day liberals awoke from a long, contented nap and took to the streets. The left is coming out in force: invigorated civil rights leaders (sans Jesse), melodramatic anarchists, pissed-on feminists, shocked parlor liberals, dismayed Gree n s, even outraged students. Don't miss out on the demonstrations; this'll be quite the circus.
The Awful Truth
Probably the largest organized inaugural protest will gather at 10 a.m. on January 20 at Dupont Circle, just north of downtow n W ashington (Dupont Circle metro stop). Speakers include N.O.W. President, Patricia Ireland and Granny D. Protesters will then take the subway from Dupont Circle to join Rev. Al Sharpton at the U.S. Supreme Court (see below). Org a niz ers have chartered buses from locations throughout the U.S. You can purchase confirmed round-trip tickets on the meticulously organized Web site (votermarch.org). Buses (with bathrooms and movies) leave New York fro m West 31st Street (between Seventh and Eighth avenues) at 5 a.m.
Hear Sharpton Swear (In)
With Jesse Jackson concentrating on a vigil in Tallahassee, Reverend Al Sharpton will lead the primary march to protest d isenf ranchisement of black voters. Protesters will gather at Stanton Park in northeast D.C. (near Union Station) at 10 a.m. and then march to the U.S. Supreme Court at noon. There Sharpton will conduct a "Shadow Inauguration" with voters taking a "Citiz en's Oath" to uphold and protect the Voting Rights Act of 1965. See: www.nationalactionnetwork.org. Call: 212-987-5020.
March, Learn, Party
The Justice Action Movement (www.j20.org and www.directactionnetwork.org), a multi-issue coalition of labor, environmental, human rights, and social justice groups, plans a week of protests, teach-ins, rallies, a nd count er-cel ebrations leading up to January 20. See www.InaugurAuction.org for frequent updates.
Crashing the Coronation
The Black Bloc, an international coalition of radical anarchist groups, i s gath ering a t 10 a.m. at Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street NW. The group has assembled legal counsel for protesters who get in trouble. See www.infoshop.org/ coronation.html.
Stop the Death Machine
Former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark's International Action Center (www.iacenter.org) is posting daily updates about protest activities and legal developments focusing on black disenfranchis eme nt and c riminal injustice. On the site you can find a list of organizing centers across the country and lots of cheap travel options. These folks will also join up at Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street NW, at 10 a.m. March details: 212-633-6646.
Keeping Up
Soft Skull Press is helping wire protesters together, using a Upoc.com community group. People with cell phones, Palms, Visors, and two-way pagers can sign up for "Resistance" alerts during the protests. Go to www.upoc.com/group.jsp?group= resistance.
Bush's Garbageman
Zack Exley, the infamous parodist of Dubya (www.gwbush.com), launched CounterC oup.org a full month before the election. Now the site is ground zero for anti-Bush action alerts this month and beyond in cities around the country. Subscribe to his voter-march listserv at ww w.egroups.co m/group/voter.
Feminists Clip the Shrub
The National Organization for Women protest is meeting at the Navy Memorial (Pennsylvania Avenue, between 8th and 9th streets NW) from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Patricia Irelan d will s peak at 12:45. Details: 202-628-8669 ext. 116 and www.now.org.
Weeklong Wake
The Independent Progressive Politics Network (www.ippn.org), endorsed by 50 environmen tal, civi l rights, and other prog ressive groups, is holding a "Pro-Democracy Week" of action from January 15 to 20. This Web site is an invaluable resource for various actions being held in Washington and around the country.
Drowning in S.U.D.S.
Look out, Dubya, more parody. Students for an Undemocratic Society (www.freespeech.org/suds-unite/) proclaim themselves the children of the "political, military, and business elite s of America" and ar e working to u ndermine demo cracy worldwide. "We march in support of the property-owning, white heterosexual male who rules by violence," the site says. The New York chapter will parade wearing black and olive drab, medals and milita ry-style patches, aviator sunglasses, gold epaulets, and matching sashes. These guys won't yet divulge the time or place of their action?or even if they will act?so you'll just have to check the Web site.
The Poor vs. Bush
The Kensington Welfare Ri ghts Union (www.kwru.org), a Philadelphia-based multiracial organization of the poor, is mobilizing an inaugural protest. Pointing to the 2.1 million families forced off welfare since 1996, the group calls Bush and Health and Human S ervices Secreta ry-designate T ommy Thompson "human rights violators." Buses are leaving the KWRU office in Philadelphia (2825 North 5th Street) at 6:30 a.m. on January 20. For details on catching a ride or just catching up with the group in Washington, call 215-203-1945.
An Inaugural Ball with Soul
Proving liberals are down but not out, the Oxymorons will provide the entertainment for the Americans for Democratic Action's Counter-Inaugural Gala at Washington's Mayflower Hotel after Dubya's coronation. Ti ckets $35; 7 p.m. to midnight. Details: 202-785-5980 and www.adaction.org.
Old Radical Lady Strikes
The Nation is hosting a Counter-Inauguration Calendar on her Web site (www.thenation.com). Here you can learn about January 20 events ranging from a march on the Austin, Texas, capitol (2 p.m., www.georgybush.com) to a rousing "Musical Ca ll for Justice in the Election P rocess" at the All Souls' Unitarian Church in Washington at 3 p.m. (16th and Harvard streets).
Liberty Bell Cracks Again
Groups including NOW and the NAACP are cosponsoring a "Death of Liberty" rally in Ph iladelphia at 10:30 a.m. This rally will draw at tention to the recent attacks on the equal protection clause's guarantee of voting rights for all. Meet at the Liberty Bell, Market Street, between 5th and 6th streets. Details: 215-365-2770 and www.pcan.org.
If You're Stuck in New York
Join Lower East Side performers and artists for a preprotest bash at C-Note, 157 Avenue C, at 10th Street, on Friday, January 19 at 7 p.m. Featuring performances by John Coletti, Tom Devan ey, Eliot Katz, Kri stin Prevallet, Mariana Ruiz Firmat, and Alan Sondheim. Music from Medicine Stick with Muzz Skillings, formerly of Living Colour, and Stephan Smith. Films and photographs by Greg Fuchs, Matt Kohn, and Ed San ders. Hosted by Booglit editor David A. K irschenbaum. Cov er: $5. Info: 206-8899 or booglit@theeastvillageeye.com.
If You're Holing Up in a Bunker
Watch the madness on CNN while you attack the G OP with your computer; just go to www.boycott-republicans.com and send a precomposed e-mail to congressional Republicans, vowing to boycott Republican donors and everything Florida as payback for the stolen election. The site's list of major Republican donors includes AT&T, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Shell Oil, American Express, JCPenney, and Wal-Mart. And, oh yes, don't forget all those Florida citrus growers, Space Mountain, and your favorite South Beach hideaway hotel. No one said this would be easy.
Unauguration Day 2001 (Village Voice)
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