Good Good Good!
I am so proud of you guys!
I would love to be able to say I wish I could have been there, but closer to the truth...not sure I could of handled the cold. I can just see myself bundeled in swaddeling clothing, covered in blankets and anything else to keep my warm with a sign sticking out from it. I could hear a mufled screaming voice emminating from it, like a screaming Kenny from South Park. Now how effective would that have been? How funny would that have been?
There was a time, not to awful long ago, I swore I would never, ever, public protest or demonstrate for any reason. Then I attended my first gathering, with the sole intention of geting together with folks from the past and with folk I had never met, but clearly had much in common with.
It was not long before I was filled with emotion. I had not been persuaded by any other person, with the exception of my own experience. I soon found a sign in one hand and a fist full of phamplets in another. I walked the boundary lines. I kept an eye out for my fellow protesters....and an eye on the cops, that were keeping an eye on us...keeping an eye on them...redundent I know, but that was the situation.
I am not one to call attention to myself publicly, I perfer my hermitage and privacy...I suspect I am not alone in this. However, when emotion strikes as it often does in events like these events, it's good to have a calm demeanor, but a persistant approach.
My last event brought several groups of adults with thier adolescent(sp) children in toe. They were curious. I was honest and forthcoming. At first I was hollering...but they were 50 yards away. As they drew closer one said there was no need for hollering, I quickly lowered my voice to a normal modulation.
I admited, I had smoked pot, I admited that I skipped school. I asked them all if that justified my incarceration for three years. Before they could answer, I asked them (the parents) if they would lock up, or warehouse thier own children for three years for such typical behaviour? Before they responded, I focused a similar question to the adolescent children present..."Would you expect your parents to have you locked up or warehoused for smoking some pot and skipping school?"
The astonishment was palpible (sp). The parents looking at thier children doe eyed and the children looking suspiciously back at thier parents.
From that moment, I knew if at all possible, logistically, weather permitting and if at all legal, I would protest again. I would reserve my right to assemble (sp...coffee/caffine has yet to reach the finer capilliares of my brain as well as my finger tips) For myself it was an empowering experience as I am sure it ws for the folks that braved the elements in Cincy.
Namaste
woof
