LaSalle Tries to Scuttle Free Entertainment by IWW ufcw.net MFD
WINNIPEG MB, AUGUST 1st
The International Workers of the World (IWW) arrived on the LaSalle picket line Friday July 31st, 2004 to provide striking unionists at the LaSalle Hotel with free entertainment in a sort of sidewalk fest.
Networking also has brought the support of hellraiser and labour singer Anne Feeney.
Anne's email came with this message of support to all on the LaSalle line: 'Best of luck on your strike, I wish I could make it up and sing on your picket line. In Solidarity, Anne Feeney.'
Monday, August 02, 2004
Rogue Valley Independent Media Center
Skirts Up for Cheney!
Click above for a fabulous photo!
Congratulations to my pal Mori and her friend Linda who did a dazzlingly creative action to welcome Dick Cheney to Ashland, OR -- here's her account:
Well, much has happened in the last few days. Getting ready for Cheney to come to Oregon and thinking of ideas in which to surprise the vice president. It all started when Linda got a call from a republican friend that said we could possibly get tickets to see Cheney. So, early morning three of us went down to republican head quarters to pick up tickets. There was some interesting paraphernalia like Rhine stoned elephants and funky ties.
There were many great ideas for Cheney's arrival but the one which Linda and I stuck with was the "lift the skirts for Cheney" routine. Linda's great idea will likely become a great tool for inside jobs. All women can wear skirts and we can use them!
First I thought we should go with a soft approach right to the heart of republicans with a Dorothy 'feel' like "US troops, there's no place but home" when my husband reminded me that fundamental extreme is not heard. So, we decided on the bold approach with a message on Linda's skirt, "dick lies for $$$" and on mine, "war profiteer." Thank goodness of the left we did because we had about two seconds to make our move.
The day started off with figuring a good plan for our vehicle so we circled the area and wound up under a shady tree as far away from the entrance as possible. We walked over cordially while stopped at a few check points, and then we approached the long double line in front of the expo. The conversation in line was as deadening as the hot sun, and while waiting I realized we had left the cell phone in the car and my pocket knife in Linda's possession on my key chain.
My thoughts were already clouded and it was too hot and too late and too obvious to walk back to the car so I stuck my pocket knife into the flower bed and continued on towards the entrance. There was talk about vets in Iraq, new blood (people) at the reserve offices and new comers puking on officers in charges' shoes, etc....
When we finally got up to the front of the line we were checked in by name and number on our tickets, bag checked and metal detected. It was time to find the bathroom and just as we did we ran into our good friend Steve Gilmore, head of home land security in Greg Walden's Medford field office. I mean we practically ran right into him when all I could say was "Hi." Covers were blown immediately and five to six secret people were keeping a watch on us from five feet to 12 inches away.
The crowd was as scary if not more scarey than a slew of angered riot cops. We waited, and waited for what seemed for days. We sat through torturous so-called humor and very bad speeches. Meanwhile, the so called good-natured folks got scarier and scarier. Then Cheney made his way to the podium and when he was ready to mention Iraq, we signaled to each other that it was time. We signaled several times before we finally got the nerve up.
We jumped on the only chair we had and was seized on contact. Linda started to scream "liar" I forced myself to continue holding up my skirt while heavy strong armed secret police urged my hands down. I was able to turn toward the channel 10 camera full skirt in the air. And then I began to shout "war profiteer, Cheney lies."
During our escort, a red haired young republican in a suit ran over and punched Linda in the stomach, at the same time she was being choked by a secret servicewoman, however she did not drop her skirt!
I asked the police man now handling me to loosen up on my hands, that I was not interested in getting arrested, that I was not a criminal, that I did nothing illegal and that I was just scared for my children's future. I said that he was hurting my wrist and he replied, "I am not hurting you." I said, "look at my wrist" and he began to loosen his hold.
We sat on benches in the front of the exit while a journalist came by for some notes. He recognized Linda and did not even see me. We both tried to show him our skirts but the police did not let us. They brought us over to the prettiest paddy wagon I had ever seen.
Being from Chicago, I have only seen dirty, bloody wagons. They wanted me to get in and this very fancy wagon had built in stairs so I just sat down. I mentioned to all five police that I was not a criminal nor a terrorist and that I could sit right there while they checked my stats. It was definitely a safer feeling with the cops then in that wretched crowd.
We began to talk about our reason for doing what we did and the cops would not talk politics. I guess they are trained that way. One officer asked me how we got our tickets? I asked him how he got his ticket? He said he didn't need one. I said oh you didn't have to get one. We were asked to leave peacefully outside the premise and that if we did so we would not be arrested and Linda and I agreed that we did our peace and that we would do so.
Walking back, a car for disabled stopped and a man inside the car asked if we thought our message was received and we lifted our skirts and I said, "those who vote republican, will have to live with blood on their hands." We were received rather well from that man in the car.
As we walked a gang of riot officers and a few men in fatigues stopped us and said we would have to go over the ditch and through the parking lot (We later found out that Cheney was leaving the building in a matter of minutes down the same road). I told the army/important dude that he would have to give me his hand if he wanted me to go into the ditch and I reached out for him and he backed up. He would not let me touch him.
Finally he went down in front of me and gave me his arm. Then I waited for his buddy that accompanied Linda to help me up the other side. I guess I had to see how far I could go. As we made our way down to the next set of riot cops, Stew was there to meet us. I changed clothes and the riot line said we could not move the car, and that gave Linda the chance to flip her skirt directly at Cheney's get away car. What a topper.
I said come on Linda, lets go and we drove off out of the next exit with my skirt in the back window showing "war profiteer" proudly. And all that was left at the expo was a threatening pocket knife good for only dividing apples for my kids. Maybe the gardener will find it. The news reporter that night said that there were a small amount of protestors but what they did not make in numbers, they made up in creativity.
I guess we blew any chance of seeing the president inside for his next appearance.
Click above for a fabulous photo!
Congratulations to my pal Mori and her friend Linda who did a dazzlingly creative action to welcome Dick Cheney to Ashland, OR -- here's her account:
Well, much has happened in the last few days. Getting ready for Cheney to come to Oregon and thinking of ideas in which to surprise the vice president. It all started when Linda got a call from a republican friend that said we could possibly get tickets to see Cheney. So, early morning three of us went down to republican head quarters to pick up tickets. There was some interesting paraphernalia like Rhine stoned elephants and funky ties.
There were many great ideas for Cheney's arrival but the one which Linda and I stuck with was the "lift the skirts for Cheney" routine. Linda's great idea will likely become a great tool for inside jobs. All women can wear skirts and we can use them!
First I thought we should go with a soft approach right to the heart of republicans with a Dorothy 'feel' like "US troops, there's no place but home" when my husband reminded me that fundamental extreme is not heard. So, we decided on the bold approach with a message on Linda's skirt, "dick lies for $$$" and on mine, "war profiteer." Thank goodness of the left we did because we had about two seconds to make our move.
The day started off with figuring a good plan for our vehicle so we circled the area and wound up under a shady tree as far away from the entrance as possible. We walked over cordially while stopped at a few check points, and then we approached the long double line in front of the expo. The conversation in line was as deadening as the hot sun, and while waiting I realized we had left the cell phone in the car and my pocket knife in Linda's possession on my key chain.
My thoughts were already clouded and it was too hot and too late and too obvious to walk back to the car so I stuck my pocket knife into the flower bed and continued on towards the entrance. There was talk about vets in Iraq, new blood (people) at the reserve offices and new comers puking on officers in charges' shoes, etc....
When we finally got up to the front of the line we were checked in by name and number on our tickets, bag checked and metal detected. It was time to find the bathroom and just as we did we ran into our good friend Steve Gilmore, head of home land security in Greg Walden's Medford field office. I mean we practically ran right into him when all I could say was "Hi." Covers were blown immediately and five to six secret people were keeping a watch on us from five feet to 12 inches away.
The crowd was as scary if not more scarey than a slew of angered riot cops. We waited, and waited for what seemed for days. We sat through torturous so-called humor and very bad speeches. Meanwhile, the so called good-natured folks got scarier and scarier. Then Cheney made his way to the podium and when he was ready to mention Iraq, we signaled to each other that it was time. We signaled several times before we finally got the nerve up.
We jumped on the only chair we had and was seized on contact. Linda started to scream "liar" I forced myself to continue holding up my skirt while heavy strong armed secret police urged my hands down. I was able to turn toward the channel 10 camera full skirt in the air. And then I began to shout "war profiteer, Cheney lies."
During our escort, a red haired young republican in a suit ran over and punched Linda in the stomach, at the same time she was being choked by a secret servicewoman, however she did not drop her skirt!
I asked the police man now handling me to loosen up on my hands, that I was not interested in getting arrested, that I was not a criminal, that I did nothing illegal and that I was just scared for my children's future. I said that he was hurting my wrist and he replied, "I am not hurting you." I said, "look at my wrist" and he began to loosen his hold.
We sat on benches in the front of the exit while a journalist came by for some notes. He recognized Linda and did not even see me. We both tried to show him our skirts but the police did not let us. They brought us over to the prettiest paddy wagon I had ever seen.
Being from Chicago, I have only seen dirty, bloody wagons. They wanted me to get in and this very fancy wagon had built in stairs so I just sat down. I mentioned to all five police that I was not a criminal nor a terrorist and that I could sit right there while they checked my stats. It was definitely a safer feeling with the cops then in that wretched crowd.
We began to talk about our reason for doing what we did and the cops would not talk politics. I guess they are trained that way. One officer asked me how we got our tickets? I asked him how he got his ticket? He said he didn't need one. I said oh you didn't have to get one. We were asked to leave peacefully outside the premise and that if we did so we would not be arrested and Linda and I agreed that we did our peace and that we would do so.
Walking back, a car for disabled stopped and a man inside the car asked if we thought our message was received and we lifted our skirts and I said, "those who vote republican, will have to live with blood on their hands." We were received rather well from that man in the car.
As we walked a gang of riot officers and a few men in fatigues stopped us and said we would have to go over the ditch and through the parking lot (We later found out that Cheney was leaving the building in a matter of minutes down the same road). I told the army/important dude that he would have to give me his hand if he wanted me to go into the ditch and I reached out for him and he backed up. He would not let me touch him.
Finally he went down in front of me and gave me his arm. Then I waited for his buddy that accompanied Linda to help me up the other side. I guess I had to see how far I could go. As we made our way down to the next set of riot cops, Stew was there to meet us. I changed clothes and the riot line said we could not move the car, and that gave Linda the chance to flip her skirt directly at Cheney's get away car. What a topper.
I said come on Linda, lets go and we drove off out of the next exit with my skirt in the back window showing "war profiteer" proudly. And all that was left at the expo was a threatening pocket knife good for only dividing apples for my kids. Maybe the gardener will find it. The news reporter that night said that there were a small amount of protestors but what they did not make in numbers, they made up in creativity.
I guess we blew any chance of seeing the president inside for his next appearance.
Monday, July 26, 2004
WILD WIMMIN FOR PEACE: The Great Peace March
WILD WIMMIN FOR PEACE: The Great Peace March - hear and buy it at CD BABY
Getting involved in the Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament in 1986 was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I had two young children, and I was very concerned about the arms race. During the Reagan years it was pretty easy to drift into cynicism and helplessness. Enter Wild Wimmin for Peace. It was late September of 1986, and they were nearing the end of a 3700 mile journey that had begun almost six months before. I didn't have much in the way of expectations when I was asked to present this 20 womon ensemble of peace marchers. I figured they were activists, not artists, and that the show would be boring and preachy. NOT! I was so wrong! Their energy and optimism and tribalism and spiritualism and humor and talent just blew me away. I couldn't get their music out of my head.
By October 2, I had gotten our local peace and justice center, the Thomas Merton Center, and East Hills NOW to co-sponsor the project. I raised enough money from individual donors to the Merton Center and NOW to finance the project. I convinced Don Bell, one of the very few professional sound engineers in Pittsburgh, to dismantle his studio and take it to the Great Peace March campsite, which by then was 80 miles out of town in Bedford, PA. The marchers, facilitated by Liz Marek and others, consensed and consensed about the details of how this recording would be used. In the end, everyone waived all rights to any of the proceeds from the sale of the recording as long as no one was going to benefit except for peace and feminist groups worldwide. The Merton Center and NOW were to make copies available at cost to any non-profit peace or feminist organization. Wild Wimmin for Peace wanted any marcher who agreed to the concept to be able to participate, so there are several additional songs on the recording.
Since its hasty production on October 2, 1986 this recording has made its way all over the world, raising tens of thousands of dollars for peace and feminist groups from the Nevada Test Site to Greenham Common. The marchers touched the lives of many people in profound ways that we may never completely document or understand. I cherish the great times I had with Liz Marek, one of the moving forces in Wild Wimmin for Peace (as well as in the production of this recording). Liz perished on Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. And it's with sadness that I report the passing of Ginny Dean, whose sweet voice is heard on most of these tracks. When this recording was first released the US and Soviet Union were poised in a nuclear standoff. Global thermonuclear destruction seemed almost inevitable. The dangers are different today, but our work is more necessary than ever. The original cassette liner notes said "Take the positive energy from this recording and use it to teach peace." Still good advice.
and now, at long last, it's available on CD. All proceeds from the sale of this CD go to the Thomas Merton Center. It's also available at cost through the Merton Center to other groups working for peace and feminism.
Friday, July 23, 2004
Sleeping Single
Sleeping Single is the name of a column by Elizabeth Ross in "Philosophical Mother." This month's column features an interview with me.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Side Musicians Check It Out
Babies in the Mill
Hallelujah, I'm a Bum
Who’s the Criminal Here
Emma Goldman
My Feet Are Tired
Let Their Heads Roll
Lullaby
Preacher and the Slave
Defenders of Marriage
Theocracy
Ya Basta
Cops of the World -- this will be recorded in the key of G
Brave New Christmas -- this will actually be in the key of (Em)
Hallelujah, I'm a Bum
Who’s the Criminal Here
Emma Goldman
My Feet Are Tired
Let Their Heads Roll
Lullaby
Preacher and the Slave
Defenders of Marriage
Theocracy
Ya Basta
Cops of the World -- this will be recorded in the key of G
Brave New Christmas -- this will actually be in the key of (Em)
Monday, June 07, 2004
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
If you suspect your neighbor is a closet Republican check Fundrace.org and find out for sure! Another great site on campaign finance is Opensecrets.org--Money in politics data
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
If you're dying to see W out of office but can't quite bring yourself to wear a John Kerry Tee Shirt Northland Poster Collective has a fabulous collection of tee shirts, bumper-stickers and posters to help you say what's on your mind!
Monday, May 17, 2004
I'm really excited to let you know that The Great Peace March CD, featuring Wild Wimmin for Peace is going to be available from Goldenrod Distributing by the middle of July. We're putting the finishing touches on the CD liner notes now.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Were you in SEATTLE in 1999 at the WTO Protests?
Do you know someone who was?
Were you arrested?
Do you know someone who was???? Or someone who knows someone who....?
There has been a victory from a class action lawsuit and those involved need to take action now!!!! PLEASE READ the message below and use your networks to get this message out. AND join us in celebrating this victory!
Please help get information out to folks arrested in the afternoon of Dec 1 1999 at 1st & Broad during the WTO protests in Seattle.
As the attorneys explain below, the judge agreed to the settlement so now people must TURN IN THEIR PAPERWORK BY JUNE 22nd to be included in the class and receive the $$ they are due. It's no longer just a possibility, this is happening and the time frame is short so please help now.
Yes, NOW is the time to work those networks to get this information out to folks who might be out of the loop. This is no small task and the attorneys can only do so much:
We know folks.
We have websites on which we can post announcements that arrestees might see (hint hint)
We have the networks and, without them, many will never know that the city settled their case ...
LET'S USE THESE NETWORKS TO GET THE WORD OUT.
TELL FOLKS TO CONTACT the attorneys (info below) so they can send them forms to complete. NOW is the time to do it since they will only have until JUNE 22nd to return the forms.
Wouldn't it be great is we could get everyone arrested at 1st & Broad to participate!!!! What a great message that would send.
It would also be great if folks would cc me their information so I can reach them better next time, but my own request and isn't a part of the legal stuff directly ....it's up to them if they want to get my occasional emails about this stuff.
... AND anyone arrested during WTO but not at this location should also get their current info to me so we can reach them better if the other case ever gets resolved.
In solidarity,
Erica
Jane WTO #890
can@drizzle.com
206-568-7110
Were you arrested?
Do you know someone who was???? Or someone who knows someone who....?
There has been a victory from a class action lawsuit and those involved need to take action now!!!! PLEASE READ the message below and use your networks to get this message out. AND join us in celebrating this victory!
Please help get information out to folks arrested in the afternoon of Dec 1 1999 at 1st & Broad during the WTO protests in Seattle.
As the attorneys explain below, the judge agreed to the settlement so now people must TURN IN THEIR PAPERWORK BY JUNE 22nd to be included in the class and receive the $$ they are due. It's no longer just a possibility, this is happening and the time frame is short so please help now.
Yes, NOW is the time to work those networks to get this information out to folks who might be out of the loop. This is no small task and the attorneys can only do so much:
We know folks.
We have websites on which we can post announcements that arrestees might see (hint hint)
We have the networks and, without them, many will never know that the city settled their case ...
LET'S USE THESE NETWORKS TO GET THE WORD OUT.
TELL FOLKS TO CONTACT the attorneys (info below) so they can send them forms to complete. NOW is the time to do it since they will only have until JUNE 22nd to return the forms.
Wouldn't it be great is we could get everyone arrested at 1st & Broad to participate!!!! What a great message that would send.
It would also be great if folks would cc me their information so I can reach them better next time, but my own request and isn't a part of the legal stuff directly ....it's up to them if they want to get my occasional emails about this stuff.
... AND anyone arrested during WTO but not at this location should also get their current info to me so we can reach them better if the other case ever gets resolved.
In solidarity,
Erica
Jane WTO #890
can@drizzle.com
206-568-7110
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Anne's tour calendar feed