Reflections on the Crawford Protest - It was a Beautiful Day!

[anarchy1999]

More than 1,000 protesters arrived in Crawford Saturday to join with millions around the world, demanding to bring our servicemen and servicewomen home.

Ten of the protesters cycled from Austin, as they crossed the country. Other protesters drove from Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Denton, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, and other states.

The PantsOnFire Mobile was there, just in from Jacksonville, Florida, by way of Austin. (Ben Cohen was in Austin on Tuesday for its arrival.) Code Pink helped to get PantsOnFire to Waco.

This was a strong showing for Crawford, which is many miles from civilization (no, I didn’t forget Waco), and is the smallest Texas town many of us have seen for a while. To get to this out-there town, the effort required was larger than normal. It’s much easier to protest locally, but what a road trip.

I talked with a gentleman from Kentucky, whose main attraction was Nader.

An older woman who wanted water approached me. She turned out to be from Colorado Springs, Colorado, staying with her ailing brother from Beaumont. This elderly woman, who had survived a bout with polio, got on a 6-hour bus ride from Beaumont to take part in the protest.

There was a journalist from Spain (!Viva Espana!) who met up with activists she’d worked with 7 years ago! She was so surprised and thrilled to meet up with people she’d worked with so long ago.

Several bands were outstanding, most remarkably, Spoonfed Tribe (www.spoonfedtribe.com).

Also, the singer who intro’s Will Pitt’s audio commentaries, David Rovics, was there (www.davidrovics.com).

There were MANY vets from different organizations, including former Army Captain, Shannon Sharrock, representing Military Families Speak Out. Later in the day, I walked with her through the crowd. Many individuals stopped us and thanked her for what she said in her speech, and how moved they had felt when they heard what she had to say. It was amazing.

Our emcee, Prof. Robert Jensen (http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~rjensen/home.htm), kept everyone posted throughout the day on global protests.

Many DU’ers were in attendance.

The town of Crawford was amenable to us if not outright friendly.

Media coverage was lame as usual but I am hopeful. Barely.

I have to say, I believe we all did our nation proud on Saturday, 3-20-04.

The World Still Says NO To War!

[loftycity]

1. Great Story Thanks for telling us about what is was like in Crawford

[anarchy1999]

2. Just got this thank you from the organizing team- Kudos to all!

I have to send this message out to everyone who was so helpful in putting together the Crawford event on Saturday. I received so many positive responses from the people attending that I want to express that this event was the culmination of the efforts of many dedicated people throughout the State and I am so thankful for being able to connect with everyone. We all should be proud of what we accomplished. Many people have been so great and generous with their praise to me that I have to take this time to recognize all the people who worked hard to put the event together. This may turn out to be a long e-mail, but please bare with me as everyone needs to realize that this event could not have happened without the efforts of many people. The list is in no particular order of importance, only as actions and responsibilities come to mind.

Kay Lucas and Skip Londos. These two wonderful people from Waco worked tirelessly and should receive medals (or something) for their efforts. The Peace House and gardens looked beautiful and all the signage that directed people to the event were due mainly to Kay's handiwork. And Skip, well he made sure that the facilities were taken care of, from getting the park permit, making sure it was cleaned up after that storm, securing the all important porta potties, putting together the great meditation area and getting food vendors.

Alyssa Burgin was very instrumental in contacting and bringing in supporting members from around the State. She was also helpful to me in providing guidance from the beginning and was especially helpful during the "rough" spots.

Rusty Tomlinson worked hard to contact and obtain sponsors for the event. He and his partner, Sandy, were always available to provide support and assistance with anything that was needed to be done, even traveling to Crawford on several occasions to insure the event was well organized and ran smoothly.

Owen, Carol and Heather Ware. The Ware family has to be recognized as they gave up a lot of time and put in a lot of car mileage to attend many of the planning and working meetings for the event. Owen played an instrumental part in organizing and negotiations as well as taking responsibility as lead Peacekeeper. Because of the Peacekeepers, the event flowed smoothly and without incident.

Cindy and Ally Daly. Cindy took the lead for the Children's area which was a great addition to the event and Ally made it even more special with her face painting. They were also at all the planning and working meetings and Cindy took a very active role in Peacekeeping helping to keep a watch on both the counter protesters as well as keeping some of the participants in the parade focused.

Jim Caddell and Micah Boswell, our web team. The event could not have been such a great success without the awesome website. Micah Boswell designed the site and Jim Caddell worked tirelessly keeping it updated and adding all the links so that people knew what was going on and how to find it. It was also a great asset as a reference for potential sponsors and media.

Cesar Maxit. Cesar put together the original flyer and then "condensed" it for the event T-shirt design. He also acted as moderator on several occassions between me and the coordinator for the second event, which, by the way, was not an easy task! His spray painting artwork also added individuality to T-shirts at the event.

Sherry Bollenbacher. Sherry was definitely a Godsend as she approached me to help out just as we were needing a media contact. This turned out to be a very intense and time-consumeing endeavor and Sherry handled it like a true professional.

Dick Underhill. Dick provided a great deal of experience and significance to the event. He brought a lot of great visuals that added relevance to the issue of lost lives and aided immensely to the overall success of the parade. He also made himself available to help with problem solving and media. It was Dick's compassion and understanding that helped me keep my sanity on several occastions.

Abbe Delozier. Abbe provided experience and great suggestions relative to media. It was her idea to put the ministers in as speakers as well as obtaining a Republican to speak about how he would not vote for Bush this year. Both these additions were very relevant to speaking to and getting the attention of an alternative audience to hear and listen to our message. She was instrumental in obtaining a variety of media coverage for the event.

Mac McKaskle and Doug Foxvog of Austin Agains the War. These two individuals worked hard to get the word out in Austin and organized the caravan event there. Mac helped to coordinate with the bicyclists that rode up from Austin and with the all-important Bush PantsonFire mobile. Both were very gracious in assisting us with the timing of the stage events by giving up some of their allotted time in order to keep everything running smoothly.

Ken Freeland worked hard to get a busload of people from the Houston area to the event, obtained Greta Berlin as a speaker and set up the TUAW meeting. He also was very patient with me as I tried to get organized for the event by providing the same information to me on several different occasions.

Debbie Russell - Debbie worked in Austin to advertise the event and was very instrumental in getting Ralph Nader, who drew people and media. She and her Code Pink representatives added a lot of "color" and energy to the day. She is also the person who contacted and obtained our MC, Robert Jensen.

Mary Ann Blue was another Godsend for me as she stepped in at the last minute as Stage Manager. She made sure that all the entertainers and speakers were accounted for, were on deck at their allotted times and that it all ran on time. She also obtained the help of Carl Generes at the last minute as timekeeper - an all important position for the overall success of the stageflow.

Hadi Jawad and Robert Jensen - not only were they both great speakers with important messages on stage, they assisted in making last minute decisions about the schedule and kept the program flowing. Bob was especially helpful in the last hour with improvising and keeping the audience engaged as Mr. Nader ran late. Hadi was very supportive when I realized I needed a second host for the event and with putting together a luncheon at the Peace House for the officers and other visitors.

Dave Collins and Shannon Sharrock, not only gave moving speaches on the plight of Veterans and the military but worked to have representation from those groups at Crawford.

Rachel Clary and Walid Ajaj. Always tireless workers, these two assisted immensely with the all important item of food. Rachel was our Hospitality Hostess for the media and provided a nice set up for them at the event. Walid provided hummus and babaganouj for the Peace House spread and was always available to help during set up and take down.

Stephanie Frizzell. Despite a personal loss, Stephanie worked hard to get the word out for the event and was always ready to lend a helping hand. She was especially helpful at our last planning meeting in keeping the focus and maintaining order so that we could finalize our plans for the big day.

Farid Farahmand who agreed to work up a presentation as a last minute speaker and then gave a very rousing presentation of the plight of the Iraqi's. He and Pari Emamjomeh were also helpful in obtaining support for the event from the Iranian community.

Joy Glatz who worked hard to obtain speakers and entertainers for the event. We would not have had Spoonfed Tribe there without her - and we all know what a great addition they were!

Kerol Harrod. Kerol not only provided great entertainment near the beginning of the event, he was instrumental in getting the event T-shirts made on short notice.

John Wolf. Although not able to be present at the event. John provided the stage and sound system. He also provide his warehouse and the supplies for making banners and posters and for peacekeeper training. And, of course, he is the owner and founder of the Peace House and it was his idea to have the event in Crawford.

Rick Charles, Gene Lantz and Delia Castillo all worked hard to put together the Dallas event and caravan.

Chief Tidmore. I have to commend the Chief for working with us on this event. He and his men were very courteous and professional. He was always available to talk by phone or meet with us in person to discuss our concerns and even worked with TXDOT to get the permit for shutting down highways 185 and 317 for the parade.

There were many others who were instrumental in the success of this occassion, including all the speakers, entertainers and different groups that set up information tables at the event. It was a great day created by a coalition of great people. Thank you all!!

Marian

[sonias]

6. Thank you all participants and organizers

You all did such a wonderful job with the organization. It went off beautifully and peacefully. Hope everyone who went had a great time. I did and I was happy to see such a nice turn out from throughout the state.

I know quite a few of those people from Austin you mentioned and I'll pass your message along to them.

Here are a few more pics from the rally

Pink Slip Bush from Code Pink


BFEE head evil master


Sonia

[anarchy1999]

3. Documentarians were the most important attendees

New Spark Productions (www.newsparkproductions.org) were filming for a documentary about grassroots activism, to be broadcast at some later time on Demcracy Now! They will increase the distribution of the message to all who could not attend or have never attended.

[derby378]

4. I met some of you out there

Velma, Sherry, PDiddy, BlueCollar, and anyone else I might have forgotten - hi there!

We need to share photos! I'll upload some of mine shortly.

Too bad that too many media outlets spun this as a Nader rally instead of a peace rally...still, we got some exposure.

[sonias]

5. Hi derby378

We met too. Glad to see your handle here again since I have trouble remembering them. SoniaS here from Austin.

Sonia

[derby378]

9. Hey SoniaS

I knew I probably forgot someone - good to meet ya!

Check out the group shot of Code Pink (ginbarn's on the right):

[keithyboy]

7. Hats off to you and the Crawford protest participants!

We are proud and thankful!

[anarchy1999]

8. We just wish everyone could have been there.

n/t
Bush and his administration have to go. I don't like criminals, especially those convicted and pardoned from prior administrations. This country needs "regime change".

[Lisa0825]

10. Yes, it was a great day!

I bought chili and a sandwich over at the little festival next to our rally, and the folks there were pretty nice. There was one thing that leaves me wondering though... I was on the bus from Houston. It was the only bus I saw there. On our way home, we got pulled over by troopers. They said our taillights were out. Sure enough they were. The driver got out and fixed it. They kept him outside about 15 minutes, going over all his paperwork, and asked "what kind of charter this was." Now, why would it matter who we were, huh? I also kind of wonder if someone might have "helped" our tail lights go out... pulled a wire or something, just to mess with us... or maybe I'm just paranoid, after chatting with Alex Jones before we left!LOL.

[anarchy1999]

11. kick to the top - Bring out everyone you can.

this was a great day, around the world.

[anarchy1999]

13. My husband bought a bowl of Chili and the people he bought it from

suggested he go jump in the nearby creek. The Locals were not very friendly. So sad...........................

[Lisa0825]

14. that's a shame! I bought chili from an elderly lady near the front of

the tent. I was wearing my anti-bush shirt and carrying my side under my arm, so there was no NOT noticing which group I was with. She was nice to me, but it was early... maybe they got sick of it after a while?LOL

[Lisa]

12. wonderful!

I told some of the local protest organizers up here in B.C., Canada, that there was a big demonstration scheduled for Crawford. They were delighted, and very impressed! Way to go, everyone!

[G_j]

15. nice report

Sounds like people came from all over to attend.
It's good to see folks willing to go the "extra mile" to make a showing in Crawford. I'm sure you made a good impression. David Rovicks is quite good also, he sure gets around. Thanks for sharing this.