Writing a review of a march is and can be this boring
thing. We did this, we did that, they did this, they
did that. But just generally the breakaway marches
are really important, being visible outside of the
official protest area is very important. Disrupting
traffic and business is really important. Reclaiming
the streets is really important.
But also being creative and intelligent is also really
important. This breakaway march was at times
destructive and unintelligent. It missed the creative
energies of people, and the inspiration that brings
more people into the streets. There were people there
that were doing creative stuff, but there needs to be
more.
What this review is, is a call out for people who want
to change the polarity of the system and want to have
their art be in the streets and encourage dialogue,
for them to step up and be part of the renegade voices
of resistance.
On the police. The police were violent, that is what
they do, they traffic in violence as social control.
But that said, they are not the enemy. Politics need
to be way beyond, "fuck the police". I don't want to
see police getting hurt, the same way I don't want to
see protestors get hurt. If a cop gets hurt, way more
protestors will be hurt in retaliation. Police aren't the state. Also the police are looking to put people away, there are 5 people facing felony charges, and that is no
laughing matter. This kid in Eugene from 1995 or 1996 (Rob Thaxton) is still in jail, for throwing rocks at
police. I think people need some long term vision,
and that needs to be talked about.
Call out.
I hope people are planning to bring creative and
constructive energies out into the streets on the day
after the war starts. It is needed and it does change
the focus of how things are in the streets. Hopefully there will be a strong representation of the spirit that made Reclaim the Streets! so awesome in years' past.