top
California
California
Indybay
Indybay
Indybay
Regions
Indybay Regions North Coast Central Valley North Bay East Bay South Bay San Francisco Peninsula Santa Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay Area North Coast Central Valley North Bay East Bay South Bay San Francisco Peninsula Santa Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay Area California United States International Americas Haiti Iraq Palestine Afghanistan
Topics
Newswire
Features
From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature

Schwarzenegger's Supper of Shame

by Sandra Butler
The governor who claims he "kicks butt" never showed his outside his exclusive soiree at the Ritz carlton
side_entrance_0299.jpg
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Tuesday fundraiser at the Ritz Carlton was a supper of shame. Surrounded by angry protesters, the front door block off by police barricades, diners entered through the side entrance, many with heads bowed in humiliation. Der Gropenfuehrer himself, so bold on television, snuck in and out of the event to avoid the masses of firefighters, teachers, nurses, union workers and more. Shutting down firehouses, borrowing $2 billion from our schools and not paying it back while trying to spend $70 million on a special election for no other reason than to force his will on us, abuse of nurses, charges pending in Europe for molesting a female reporter, many issues besides his attack on government workers' pensions were aired at this demonstration.
§at the beginning
by Sandra Butler
firefighters_0244.jpg
It was another beautiful San Francisco afternoon as demonstrators began to assemble in front of the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Stockton. First on the line were firefighters, angry at the fact that we’ve been losing a firehouse a week. Arnold's plan to privatize government workers' pension funds are not well thought of by our first responders. Of course, Arnold broke all his promises to them.
§nurses and more with something to say
by Sandra Butler
kick_a.s_butt_0251.jpg
Teachers and nurses are incensed about Arnold’s desire to sacrifice patient care and play fast and loose with patients’ lives by increasing patient/staff ratios using smear tactics and actors pretending to be nurses in his TV ads. Never forget, you or one of your loved ones could be the patient that dies because of government sanctioned understaffing.
§ordinary people as special interest groups
by Sandra Butler
school_family_0282.jpg
Families came out to protest the Gubernator's lack of concern for our schools. The California public school system continues to slide downward under his leadership.
§don't see red, see pink
by Sandra Butler
banner_0264.jpg
Women in Pink flew a banner from a room at the Ritz as demonstrators began to crowd the streets.
§heartfelt sentiment
by Sandra Butler
fuck_arnold_0277.jpg
A stage was set in front of the main entrance where musicians played and a rally was held as demonstrators surrounded the hotel on California, Stockton and Pine.
§so special
by Sandra Butler
workers_0269.jpg
The people of California, according to Arnold, are a “special interest” group. The only ones who aren’t are the ultra rich and big corporations with whom he’s in bed, selling out our state to for his own "special interests."
§learn from the past
by Sandra Butler
hitler_on_steriods_0346.jpg
Gays, nurses, Native Americans, workers who want to eat lunch have all been targets of the ridicule der gropenfuehrer dishes out in the same way Hitler ridiculed the Jews, trade unionists and more before committing genocide. Do we really need a governor who's prone to 'roid rages?
§running the gauntlet
by Sandra Butler
diner_0313.jpg
Attendees exited their limos and made their way to the side entrance, many with their heads bowed --- in shame, I'd presume.
§times two
by Sandra Butler
diners_0308.jpg
Many seemed to be experiencing acid indigestion before dinner.
§traffic jam
by Sandra Butler
pinest_blocked_0324.jpg
Tired of the seemingly endless streams of limos on Pine, the crowd moved into the street, blocking traffic. A chant rose from the crowd: “Where’s Arnold? Where’s Arnold?” Afraid to confront the demonstrators? Bereft of concern about the people of California, he could not be found. After all, what is there to say after you broken all your promises to the people whose votes who put you in office?
§arrestee?
by Sandra Butler
scuffle_0369.jpg
Police were mostly supportive, but this demonstrator did get roughed up. Why? I don't know. Arrested? Couldn’t say. There were a few such incidents.
§optically blind but ethically sighted
by Sandra Butler
blind_demonstrators_0382.jpg
It’s a wonder Arnold didn’t assault these demonstrators. . .
§People drove, strolled and rolled to be heard
by Sandra Butler
chairbound_0392.jpg
. . . or this gentle woman in a wheelchair. Does he call the disabled "gimps" or "dummies" or any other snide or vicious name when he's with his private in-crowd?
§hotel security loses his cool
by Sandra Butler
hotel_worker_0374.jpg
This Ritz Carlton employee appeared to be reprimanded after attempting to strike at the demonstrators.
§California St. stopped
by Sandra Butler
calst_0407.jpg
California Street was blocked off, with a clear area in front of the loading dock, where most politicians enter and exit hotels to avoid the crowds. A group of seniors pushed the line forward, frightening a sergeant, who called for riot gear.
§suiting up
by Sandra Butler
riot_gear_0411.jpg
Most of the officers present were a little embarrassed to wear it. A few, realizing there was no real danger, actually apologized.
§end of day
by Sandra Butler
wrapping_up_0421.jpg
As twilight fell, the crowd, most of whom had to work the next day and had families that needed attention, dwindled. Still no sign of the Arnold, a bully on screen and a coward in the face of opposition.
Add Your Comments
Listed below are the latest comments about this post.
These comments are submitted anonymously by website visitors.
TITLE
AUTHOR
DATE
shutter speed
Thu, Apr 7, 2005 12:47AM
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!

Donate

$170.00 donated
in the past month

Get Involved

If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.

Publish

Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.

IMC Network