Fun In Boston

by Jesse and Bork
28 Jul 2004

We are having fun in Boston. It doesn't take masses to make a protest and to directly challenge power, just imagination and determination. Just two determined protesters with a couple of add-on friends have humiliated, harrassed and challenged thousands. While most were party suckers or Democratic Party delegates or congress people, there was also a wharf full of Democratic governors and their families and funders. While there is a fine line between inspiring and boasting, here is what we've been up to.

We did more than four independent actions with a few [only once more then 6] people and a lot of people saw us. Blew off the ANSWER march.

Did a two person demo in Cambridge where thousands loved us. There was an immense street party and we decided to do massive outreach. Most of the responses to our message were positive--especially to the idea that there were no good alternatives. We responded that we need to change the system.

Wandering down the streets with our signs, we found the Massachusetts delegation in the library and held signs and had lively conversations with delegates and security personnel. A legal observer was sent and people on their way to the Convervence center stopped, made signs with some stuff we had gotten from a CVS and helped us. There was great outreach to passersby and lots of interest in our signs. Janet Reno was intercepted and chased down the street, which was kind of cool.

Many of the high level Democratic Party Committee members were willing to have conversations as they left the library. When some of the more friendly were hit up for infomation, they helped. [Probably out of guilt--they hated that they were reduced to the "lesser of two evils" argument].

We then went to a big Clinton party and six of us had held signs and had highly animated conversations with thousands of Clinton supporters and media idiots. Lots of hostility. Some of the debate proved thoughtprovoking and somewhat fruitful, as one of the most fervent Democrat supporters was willing to have a great long discussion with actual exchange of ideas the next day. He even apoligized for getting in our face and threatening us. While we were there we made sure that Jerry Spinger and Rock the Vote people were duly harrassed. Terry McAuliffe was loudly interrupted every time he tried to grant an interview with the corporate media.

In the morning we protested with about 40 people at the so- called free speech zone (under the tracks and surrounded by fence and razor wire). We put on Abu Ghraib-style hoods and our "guards" made us get on our knees and hop on one foot and variously humiliated us. We were in shorts--Jesse's knees still hurt from the pavement. The protest got some national attention.

We had a very large free speech argument with some people from Washington, D.C. We protested Mayor Williams and the undue political influence of Federal City Council We had a fun back-and-forth with security, who kept kicking us out, then we would come back. D.C.City Council member Fenty actually was privately friendly to our little protest.

We went to a Hotel on the Wharf where the Governors Ball was being held. Security pretty much trusted us after a few hours. Bork gave Jerry Springer a hard time for a while. We finally got past into the dance floor and unfurled out banners. Bork's banner said, "Kerry = Bush" and they both worked for the rich. Mine said, "we don't need a president" and had a large Anarchy sign. Our initial shout was "WE DON'T NEED A PRESIDENT, BOTH PARTIES WORK FOR THE RICH." Immediately, two people next to us, clinked their glasses and said, "Honey, we are the rich". We shouted, argued and discussed till we were finally pushed out by security. It took them a little bit.

Public transportation was now closed so we slept on Boston Common.

While we were at the Governors Ball, we managed to scoop up tickets for another party. We just now came back from that party. It was full of senators and congressmen and people we've seen on TV and can't remember their names. Bob Kerry and several senators were presant; a couple of Kennedys, a few from the House of Representatives, plus lots of campaign financiers.

Bork pretended to be my wife and a young woman was our daughter. After about an hour of schmoozing with the rich and famous, eating their food and drinking their wine, Bork and I went down on our knees, put on hoods and hand bindings, and then Rose (our "daughter") shouted at everyone about Democratic support for the war and how they needed to "pull out now!" She did an articulate, loud, and fabulous job.

We were then forced to our feet by security and pushed out. We then unfurled our banners just outside and started arguing and discussing with rich politiciens. I looked behind me and a large, shaven-head, fearsome-looking cop smiled slightly, and nodded his approval to what we were saying. On the other hand, an asshole hotel manager told us we stunk--because we drank their wine and ate their canapes. An ironic comment for Bork, who has dedicated her life to feeding the homeless.

We went to the Common, then returned after the "rich people" left and met the hotel waitstaff in the street. We apologized for any embarassment and passed out Black Tea Society flyers and the Indypendent. We thanked them for the way they had served us and for all the work they had done that night. They seemed to like us. One stated that she would stop by the convergance.

One more party to crash tonight on yet another tip from someone we just met...

We found the tucked away var where most of the big guys are going. We are now on our way....

It was Tuesday, and we have only been in Boston for 60 hours.