Our Anti-War/Anti-Patriot Act Protest Shares Front Page with Bush

[deutsey]

I helped organize a protest yesterday against the war in Iraq and the Patriot Act in my hometown. Above is today's paper: I love the way they laid it out with King George on the right and one of our protesters on the left with his sign reading: "Our Country Love It! Challenge It! Improve It!"

What made this protest particularly meaningful was that we were standing at the spot where, on May 24, 1774, local residents had gathered to protest King George. In the spirit of that protest, we had a silent peace vigil followed by the reading of our resolution that we'll be presenting to our county council requesting that they join other communities around America that officially oppose the Patriot Act and Homeland Security Act.

About 40 people showed up and signed our resolution. We'll be collecting signatures until July 4, 2004, after which we'll present the resolution and signatures to the Council. We've tried to get the Council to come out against the Iraq invasion and the League of Women Voters tried before to get them to come out against the Patriot Act. The Council, however, refused even to discuss these resolutions and, because they were submitted directly to the Council with no publicity, the resolutions died silent deaths.

This time, we took out a huge ad in the paper with our resolution in it, held this public declaration, and are now going to gain public support through petitions. The Council may still refuse to accept the resolution, but this time they're going to have to do it in full sight of the public.

[NMDemDist2]

1. who where? link to paper ----- give us some details please

and congratulations on your successful vigil

[deutsey]

5. Here's the online (expurgated) version

This is the online version of a longer print article...the print version contains more info on the Patriot Act aspect of the protest and reprints, verbatim, our resolution. I don't have a copy of the Talbot Resolves 2004 (although I co-wrote it) with me, or I'd reprint it here.

EASTON - In the spirit of American colonists who peacefully protested against their British rulers in the 18th century, about 35 people gathered in front of the Talbot County Court House Monday to urge the Talbot County Council to take a stand against "the erosion of civil liberties and open government processes."

Following a 30-minute silent vigil, Patrick Tovatt read the proposed civil liberties resolution, "Talbot Resolves 2004: A New Call to Action."

The event was organized by a group known as P.E.A.C.E. (peace, education and community effort), which has held silent vigils at the courthouse since April 2002.

Many of the participants held signs saying things such as "War begets war," "The Patriot Act is un-patriotic," and "Seek unilateral solutions," during the vigil. Some flashed peace signs to passersby, some of whom honked their car horns or stopped for more information.

After the vigil and the reading, the assembly moved to Chez Lafitte for a toast to the United States and the long tradition of civil protest.

[Coventina]

2. You are a true patriot

Good for you!

[jay-3d]

3. Dallas

struck down the Patriot Act. Dallas Texas!

[Hotler]

4. Good for you!

:toast:

[proud patriot]

6. I love the sign in the picture

:D

[deutsey]

7. A column by one of my co-organizers

One of my fellow organizers wrote this and had it published in our local paper last week.


Mom, apple pie and Talbot County

By: GEORGE R. MERRILL , Special to The Star Democrat 05/20/2004

Those who have opposed entering a unilateral war with Iraq, who decry the encroachments to our civil liberties in the Patriot Act, and who are advocating for peaceful resolutions to international conflict are being criticized regularly in letters to the editor. They are trivialized as "peaceniks", charged with being "unpatriotic" and accused of jeopardizing the lives of our Americans in arms. Speaking up, it seems, is unAmerican.

SNIP

In 1765 the British levied a stamp tax on all legal documents in the colonies. The colonists, loyal subjects, and at the time faithful to George III, were infuriated. Why? They believed their government, either King George III or his advisors - they weren't certain which - were levying taxes without representation.


Some Talbot County citizens recognized the tax as arbitrary, an abuse of political power and an encroachment on their civil rights. I suppose, in one way, they behaved badly by burning in effigy one of the king's tax collectors but happily no one was hurt and eventually the sovereign, George III, and his advisors got the point.

Later, when tea also was taxed, Talbot County citizens, in a more prudent dissent, an instructive one for our purposes today, wrote a series of resolutions, some of which would be reflected in the later Talbot Resolves, an excerpt of which appears today on our Courthouse grounds in Easton.

SNIP

The principles remain the same for us today: when our government acts unjustly and arbitrarily and dismisses our liberties, it is our duty, in appropriate ways, to protest and just say no.

[diamond14]

8. GREAT work.....thanks for STANDING UP and speaking for America

if we only had more people willing to STAND UP...


:cry:

[bobthedrummer]

9. Right on!

:hi:

[deutsey]

10. kick

To inspire others to organize protests locally.