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Greetings:
____ and I made it safely home from New York City. It was absolutely incredible, everything I had ever imagined and more. Whoever said New Yorkers are rude has never been. They were so welcoming, I can't tell you how many hugs and handshakes we received when people found out that we were there to protest and that we were from Texas. Everyone wanted to take our picture, we heard a resounding "Welcome, Thank you for coming." Crowds of people went crazy and cheered as we marched from Washington Square to join the main march on 7th Ave. We chanted "I say Texas, you say 'Hell ya,' ...Texas...Hell ya, Texas...Hell ya. I say George Bush, you say 'Hell no,'...George Bush...Hell no, George Bush...Hell no!" New Yorkers were furious at the GOP for coming there with their convention, exploiting the city after 9/11. Everywhere we went were signs that read "Go Home Bush," and "F*#* Bush" or the really popular one, which we saw on thousands of New Yorker t-shirts and signs was "Buck Fush." Store owners hung signs in their windows, advertising discounts for anyone wearing Kerry buttons.
The march took over six hours from beginning to end (40 blocks). I was overwhelmed by the heat after standing still for over an hour and half. I had to cheat and take a shortcut down 16th St. to Union Square and sit in the shade. ____ and _____ made the full 40 blocks, ___ stayed by my side. I can't believe, me, a Texan was overcome by the New York heat. I tell you, New Orleans has nothing on the New York humidity. I began to hyperventilate and went down like a sack of bricks. New Yorkers ran to my aid, pouring water on me, and carrying me into an air conditioned store, where I recovered and was very embarrassed.
____ and I sat in Union Square Park while waiting for _____ and _____, talking with all the people. One woman, who lives within one mile of Ground Zero, told me of her experience on 9/11; tears filled her eyes as she spoke. I began to cry with her, it was incredible.
I met my dear online friend Netty from New York. She so graciously came into the city from Long Island and met us at a fabulous Spanish restaurant. We only had a few minute to chat as we had theater tickets and had to rush off, but it was so nice to finally meet her. She was exactly as I had pictured her, beautiful with that wonderful accent. We took pictures, I'll post later after our film is developed.
We saw all the sights, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, Time Square, etc., we didn't make it to any museums which was a disappointment. We just didn't have time. Hopefully we'll go back soon and do a museum trip.
Talk about a small world, we're standing on the street corner, waiting for our tour bus after just getting off the Statue of Liberty Ferry, who do we run into but ______ and his wife from Dallas (fellow activists, www.texaspopfestival.com). Friday morning, August 27, the New York Times article was published on the protesters who hung the banner from the Plaza Hotel and scaled the outside wall, who is it that's arrested, but our friend from Dallas...Cesar.
We loved New York, what can I say.
Talk with you all later, after some serious rest.
Love and Peace,
The blanks are for names removed because I asked if I could share her message with others if I removed their names and e-mails, this was her response:
Please share wildly, the message must be known that NYC doesn't want the GOP.
Thanks, _____
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