Peace Plane flies to the Oscars!

[Tuesday_Morning]

Finally - the weather's cooperating. If you spot the Peace Plane, please let us know...

Democracy for America Miami and Miami Veterans for Peace Take to the Air to End the Iraq Occupation




Democracy for America Miami (DFAM) and Miami Veterans for Peace have come up with a novel approach to broadcasting a message to end the occupation of Iraq: an aerial banner that reads. “Bring Our Troops Home Now”. These two groups decided to first try their idea at this year’s Super Bowl in Miami and again at the Grammy Music Awards, but inclement weather forced the event to be postponed. Now the organizers have turned their attention to this Sunday’s Oscars in Hollywood, California.

"Though Iraq is the number one issue in America, and though the vast majority of Americans want our troops home as expeditiously as possible, the Senate has decided not to even debate the occupation of Iraq," said Sam Feldman of Miami Veterans for Peace. "Therefore, we must broadcast the message over the rooftops of America until members of the Senate show some of the same courage that our young men and women, who are fighting in Iraq, show every day."

Outside the Academy Awards, Military Families Speak Out is hosting an "Oscar for Peace" anti-war vigil and awards ceremony beginning at 12 noon at the corner of Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood, California. They are presenting "Oscars" to members of the PEACE community who have shown continued support in ending the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home NOW!


For more information on DFAM, please visit the Democracy for America Link at: http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/19852

[DesertRat]

1. k&r!

[babylonsister]

2. BIG K&R! Great news-thanks! nt

[Tuesday_Morning]

18. just got this...

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=local&id=5066176

Dennis Kucinich got a Peace "Oscar" from Military Families Speak Out in LA. He said:

"The military families are so deserving of support, I think of what it must be like to have a son or daughter in Iraq, knowing they're in harm's way, know that there is not a military victory to be won, and to me it's an obligation to support them and an honor to support them," Kucinich, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, said after the ceremony at Hollywood and Vine.

<snip>

Among those who will receive the "Oscars for Peace" mini statuettes at the "Bring Our Troops Home Rally" are: "Born on the Fourth Of July" author Ron Kovic; Fernando Suarez del Solar, a Gold Star dad whose son died in Iraq; and Helga Aguayo, the wife of Augustin Aguayo, who is currently imprisoned for refusing to serve in what he called an "immoral" war. The rally is expected to draw about 50 anti-war protesters, Pat Alviso said.

As part of the effort, the group will erect an eight-foot Oscar amputee dressed in camouflage less than a mile from the Kodak Theatre, where the Oscar ceremonies will take place.

The "Code Pink Police," named for the antiwar group Code Pink, will arrest a mock President Bush, as the well-heeled, but fake, "Billionaires for Bush" mount a mock counter-protest.

"While everybody's talking about glamour in Hollywood, our kids are dying everyday," Pat Alviso said.

[WillyT]

3. K & R !!!

:kick:

[EFerrari]

4. Yeah, baby! That's excellent!

Thank you, DFAM! :applause:

[Rosemary2205]

5. Is it OK to burn up oil for that?

Last I read around here we were supposed to be forcing everyone onto bicycles. Maybe we need Peace Bicycles instead of planes?

I dunno. It seems a little strange to use up oil telling people to quit using up oil so we can stop meddling in the Middle East......

[MADem]

7. Peace balloons, maybe???

I suppose everyone protests in their own way, but I doubt some pro-war bastards would be moved by a plane with a banner.

They might be moved by a million people on the mall in DC....or many thousands at colleges and universities across the nation.

But they don't do that so much anymore in this country.

I also find the venue curious. It isn't those "Hollywood liberals" who are keeping the troops overseas...the whole thing seems like preaching to the choir.

Hell, give the money for that effort to the Paralyzed Veterans of America....they will sure as hell need it in the years ahead.

[Tuesday_Morning]

9. I don't think anybody thinks

this will change some pro-war bastards mind.

But there are tons of media folks from around the world just sitting outside all afternoon.

And I think a lot of people - who don't go on DU, etc - feel heartened and, hopefully, inspired by it. I mean, when I go out and do a honk and wave, I doubt I change anyone's mind...but a lot of people look thrilled to see me there and a couple of 'em even join in.

About Democracy for America Miami and Miami Vets for Peace - they're doing some amazing, kick-ass stuff. Have you seen Arlington Miami? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR5hYBzXzTc

[MADem]

11. Well, your mileage varies, I guess. I think the venue is totally wrong.

Here's what I think about the media on the red carpet--they're there to ask "WHO are you WEARING??" and bleat "Oh, look, there's BRANGELINA!!!!!!!!!" They aren't there to talk about a peace plane, that, if it gets too close and is too loud, will piss off people doing the TV coverage.

The only way the Peace Plane will get any serious coverage (beyond "Jesus, that thing is LOUD--any way you can attenuate this mic so it doesn't drown me out?") is if it crashes into the red carpet and kills a couple of nominees, or if Homeland Security forces it to land at LAX because it is violating city airspace without a permit. Maybe that fat gay kid who does those funny bits for Leno will find a way to work it into his video, for laughs, if he's covering the events this year...who knows?

Like I said, if it makes them happy, fine. It isn't hurting anyone. But I agree with the upthread poster that it's a waste of oil, it contributes to global warming (just a bit, but it does) and in my opinion, they're directing their message at the wrong people and the wrong media. Why not buy a billboard or twenty in RED states, instead???

IMHO, there's no substitute for a critical mass of pissed off people massed in the street saying OUT NOW. But that's old fashioned...no one wants to get off the couch, I guess. No draft, no worries. The primary ones giving a shit, on the rare occasions when a protest is organized, are those aging boomers with long memories, and a few youngsters to round out the crowd.

[Quetzalro]

10. In defense of the Peace Plane

I'm one of the organizers of the Peace Plane. While I appreciate your suggestion of peace balloons (crossed my mind, but can't get a permit for this location), and I'm a strong advocate of bicycles for all things, including protests, what we're trying to accomplish here is create some synergy and visibility.

Military Families Speak Out is holding an event down the street from the Oscars, at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine. They will be presenting their own awards to people who have made strides this year in the struggle for peace. This MFSO group is based in Orange County, California...a conservative, republican stronghold. We are based in Miami -- not a bastion of peace activism either. So...as we have planned this event together, the obvious underlying theme is this: if people from these two places are coming together, donating their time and money to make this happen - their must be untold tens of millions across the country who are thinking the same way, but haven't yet figured out how to get out there and do something about it.

I would love to get a million people on the mall in DC. I participated in one of the large protests around the White House not long ago. Police and other local officials downplayed how many of us were there. It didn't get widely reported in the media. I'm not dissapointed in the outcome, however. A lot of us were invigorated as we rode the train into DC from Maryland and realized we were all there from different points across the country. Two elderly ladies had been on a bus from Michigan all night. For those of us who participated, the protest strengthened our resolve. We continue now in a constant search for a way to communicate that resolve and enthusiasm to others.

The Academy Awards event venue is curious. We struggled with it. What it offers is plenty of media. You can only shoot so many red carpet sightings. We're hoping someone will look up into the air and film our airplane. We're hoping that one of the stars will comment on it, think about it...enter the event and maybe say something about how Americans everywhere are increasingly frustrated by this illegal war.

We're very concerned about the fate of Veterans. However, if we simply donate the money to a Vets organization as you suggest, it may be enough for one minor treatment for one Vet. We're doing our best to reach out to as many Americans as we can. While I regret burning oil to do that, I realize that we are ensconsced in a system that burns oil in its sleep. I do many things in my life to decrease my dependency on it. Today, my colleagues and I are taking a couple of steps back on that front, hopefully to take a few more forward. As you know, this struggle is a work in progress, and your suggestions are much appreciated.

[MADem]

12. Well, what's done is done, I guess. There's no real harm, but I can't help but

notice that way too much protesting nowadays is "easy." Preaching to the choir is a piece of cake, trying to convert the unconvinced is hard. This is an easy venue. Even if the people are pissed that their interview, which allows them to tout the designer dress and get more loaners later for future appearances, and gives them face time with the public to increase their visibility, and affects their bottom line, is totally RUINED by a buzzing plane, they're not going to say anything negative about it. But if it's you in that spot, it's your payday that is impacted.

I think it would be way cooler to see the peace plane flying behind the likes of Minority Leader Boehner, or John McCain while they were giving an address at an outdoor venue, rather than disrupting the Awards ceremony for the people who already support the cause. After all, this IS their bread and butter. It's not as bad as disrupting their wedding, but it is, in essence, their 'corporate annual meeting and awards ceremony' where they pick the best from amongst their own lot, and as a result of the publicity that they get for winning (which the Peace Plane wants to siphon off) they get better gigs and more money, if all goes well.

I dunno...it just doesn't sit right as a concept with me. It's not really a protest at all, it's a disruption. It's a bit of theft of publicity, I think. I guess that's my problem with it. It's entirely likely to be perceived as rude, and unkind, too, if the plane is loud....especially when the bulk of Hollywood is already behind the cause.

Hell, buzz Dennis Miller's outdoor comedy show, or Bo Derek's garden party...or Ron Silver's picnic!!!

Like I said, though, what's done is done. Hopefully the thing won't make too much noise, and won't ruin the fifteen seconds of some up and comer who is counting on the exposure.

[arikara]

13. Sheesh

"Rude or unkind"? War is a lot worse than a disruption. Some of us think peace is more important than any stupid overblown commercialized awards show. I hope the plane gets more exposure than all the up and comers put together.

[MADem]

15. Sheesh, yourself. I was talking about the protest and the VENUE, not the war

What a cheesy tactic. Basically, you are telling me that if I DARE to look askance at the METHODOLOGY used to protest, that somehow I am pro-war or am not sufficiently "peacenik credentialled" to suit you.

Shame on YOU. Cheapass, lousy argument. It's pisspoor logic of that nature that provides fodder to the South Park "let's make fun of the flaky left" crowd.

I happen to think that being rude or unkind in public venues, especially sympathetic venues, doesn't work. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, is what I've been taught. And you certainly don't shit where you eat--all over some of the best donors to the cause.

If there's any shitting to do, do it on the GOP lawn.

[Quetzalro]

17. Disruption

It's worth noting that the Oscars are a very regular venue for banner-toting planes. Aerial banner companies do it every year, and no real disruption has been reported.

Also, I have a very different view of what we're trying to accomplish here. We're not trying to change the minds of the hard-liners. I'm not sure that can be done at this time. Their views are in a rut because of their own limited capacity to envision a better way to run the country. We're trying to get that huge percentage of people who disagree with them to get out there and make their feelings known. That's our objective.

[MADem]

21. Yep, all that fuel, and no coverage of it at all...at least not yet.

My opinion won't be moved, I guess yours won't either. I do think it is disruption. I think it's rude to foist your agenda onto the celebrations of people who are already on your side and friends to your cause, but hey, that's just me and probably has something to do with the manners I was taught as a child.

As for the plane, no one mentioned it, the show is almost over, and no one has said a thing yet about the war, either. The thing people are talking about on the stage of the Kodak Theatre is the ENVIRONMENT.

That's the theme that won, along with Al's film.

Like I said, put the point in the face of those who support the war, not those who already oppose it. That makes sense to me.

[Tuesday_Morning]

16. Thanks

for your good wishes, arikara.

[noamnety]

20. Thank you for doing this!

Normally we organize giant marches, bus people in from all over, the ones who don't take the bus drive separately or fly, then try to coerce the media to come to where we are, and cover the story. That's got a larger footprint than the Peace Plane, by far.

It makes more sense to me, from an organizing standpoint and an environmental one, to look at events that are already organized, events that already have media coverage, and infiltrate those.

[WiseButAngrySara]

6. Great! KNR! ....n/t

[EFerrari]

8. kick

[spanone]

14. YES!!!

and r

[SalmonChantedEvening]

19. Flying kick and R!!

:kick: O8)