A Presidents Day to Remember: Photos from San Francisco

San Francisco
February 19, 2008


For most Americans, the third Monday in February is observed as a chance to enjoy a three-day weekend. For historians, the day might officially be called Washington's birthday in honor of the first president of the Revolutionary Republic: George Washington the great general that led the colonies to independence. But Washington was born February 22. Go figure.

Yesterday in San Francisco, many people gathered at the historic cable car turnaround at the corner of Powell and Market Streets to demonstrate that the day meant more to them than a chance to skip work or to take advantage of the numerous "Presidents Day" shopping sales.

For them, the day was a chance for them to publicly proclaim their disapproval of congressional representatives who have taken "impeachment off the table" and are allowing the George W. Bush administration to wind down its eight criminal years of office without ever being held to account.

Attending the demonstration were some illustrious San Francisco Bay Area peace activists, including Cindy Sheehan, the mother whose loss of her son (killed in Iraq) propelled her to challenge first Bush who lied our country into war, and now Nancy Pelosi who failed to stand up to him.

Cynthia McKinney (a favorite for the Green Party's nomination to run for president), CodePink's Medea Benjamin, and Dennis Bernstein of KPFA were not present as expected-- but others turned out-- including Carol Brouillet (the famed 9/11 truth activist), Shirley Golub (a Democrat challenging Pelosi in the Democratic Party primary election), CodePink ladies and their gentlemen supporters and also many Green Party activists... and others too numerous for me to keep up with. (I hope people reading this will contribute helpful references in the comments section below).

Here are some of my snapshots of the day's event.

Many locals and tourists from all lands who were waiting for the famous Powell Street cable car, or just passing by amidst their busy day of shopping expressed their warm support and encouragement to the demonstrators, as did local entrepreneurs who work in the area.

On my way home in the evening, I encountered a nondescript woman on the bus who asked me what the orange button I was wearing on my coat said.

"Impeach The war Criminals!" I replied.

"Who? she asked.

"Bush and Cheney!" I said.

Suddenly, with her heavy backpack slung behind her, she exited through the front door because the bus had reached her stop. Calling out behind her she yelled: "Yeah! They stole two elections!"

After a moment, the driver pulled out to continue his route, and I couldn't help exclaiming aloud: "The whole world knows it! But we won't read it in the newspapers!"

The strangers sitting around me nodded in agreement.

Informative Links:

All about "Presidents Day":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidents_day
http://www.csmonitor.com/1998/0213/021398.us.us.6.html

Cindy Sheehan for Congress
http://www.cindyforcongress.org/

Shirley Golub for Congress
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk5vOC4P0CE

Carol Brouillet needs signatures because she is considering a congressional run against Anna Eshoo
http://www.communitycurrency.org/index.html

Sign your name to impeach Cheney
http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com/

CodePink
http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?list=type&type=3

Green Party
http://www.gp.org/index.php

Fasting for Impeachment
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/fasting

San Francisco cable cars
http://www.sfcablecar.com/

The City That Knows How
http://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/FLAGS/us-ca-sf.html