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Santa Cruz Demonstration Against War in Iraq
On March 19th, somewhere between 150 and 200 people rallied at the clock tower in Santa Cruz before marching down Pacific Avenue and up Front Street. Demonstrators called for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq, the removal of George Bush from the White House and for government money to be spent on education instead of warfare.
After a rally at the clock tower, people began marching down Pacific Avenue.
Although some people wanted demonstrators to walk on the sidewalk of Pacific Avenue, everyone ended up walking down the street. Many shoppers and people in cars showed their support by giving the thumbs up, cheering or honking their horn.
The demonstration reached Laurel Street and people then hooked back towards the clock tower by marching ON THE SIDEWALK of Front Street. A few people refused to march on the sidewalk, but unfortunately they were so few that they had to settle for marching in the bike lane against on-coming traffic.
By the time the demonstration reached Front and Cooper Streets, people decided they were not going to continue remaining out-of-view by walking on the sidewalk and headed back to Pacific Avenue before finally reaching the clock tower. Once people made it back to the clock tower, they held signs and rallied for a little bit longer before calling it a day.
-------------
Protests also took place in cities throughout California, the United States and across the world.
Actions Against the War
http://www.indybay.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=4126&category_id=18
Weekend demonstrations draw thousands as Bush's approval ratings hit all-time low
http://indymedia.us/en/2006/03/15115.shtml
Although some people wanted demonstrators to walk on the sidewalk of Pacific Avenue, everyone ended up walking down the street. Many shoppers and people in cars showed their support by giving the thumbs up, cheering or honking their horn.
The demonstration reached Laurel Street and people then hooked back towards the clock tower by marching ON THE SIDEWALK of Front Street. A few people refused to march on the sidewalk, but unfortunately they were so few that they had to settle for marching in the bike lane against on-coming traffic.
By the time the demonstration reached Front and Cooper Streets, people decided they were not going to continue remaining out-of-view by walking on the sidewalk and headed back to Pacific Avenue before finally reaching the clock tower. Once people made it back to the clock tower, they held signs and rallied for a little bit longer before calling it a day.
-------------
Protests also took place in cities throughout California, the United States and across the world.
Actions Against the War
http://www.indybay.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=4126&category_id=18
Weekend demonstrations draw thousands as Bush's approval ratings hit all-time low
http://indymedia.us/en/2006/03/15115.shtml
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So what do you suggest, that they launch an armed insurrection in the streets of Santa Cruz? Ok, so taking the street would make a bigger statement, but that is still "pacifism." Why the need to criticize their decision to march on the sidewalk with the alternative being armed insurrection? Somehow, I dont think that will inspire people to take to the streets.
"So what do you suggest, that they launch an armed insurrection in the streets of Santa Cruz?"
No, I don't think that last Sunday would have been a good day for an armed insurrection in the streets of Santa Cruz.
"Ok, so taking the street would make a bigger statement, but that is still "pacifism."
The critique is not pacifism as a tactic. Pacifism is indeed an important tactic. The critique is pacifism as your pathology. You should read Churchill's book with that name, or at least listen to him speak about it.
"Why the need to criticize their decision to march on the sidewalk with the alternative being armed insurrection?"
The alternative to marching on the sidewalks of Pacific Avenue and Front Street is to simply march as a group in the streets. This would not require an armed insurrection.
"Somehow, I dont think that will inspire people to take to the streets."
Deaths in Iraq Since March 2003 (Last Updated 3/18/2006)
US: 2318 Iraqi Civilians: 100,000+ in 2003 and 2004 alone.
http://indybay.org/antiwar
Here's text from the protest announcement:
"The U.S. Invasion of Iraq - 3 Years On
An update:
*U.S. families have lost over 2,200 loved ones - sent to Iraq as an occupying force.
*Iraqi families have lost over 100,000 loved ones - victims of the war and occupation
*U.S. taxpayers have spent over $242 Billion - soon to rise to $400 Billion - on this war.
The weekend of March 18th, Anti-War demonstrations are being held worldwide to mark the third anniversary of the U.S. War on Iraq. With mass protests planned in major U.S. cities on Saturday the 18th, local actions are scheduled for Sunday the 19th."
Why post that "local actions are scheduled for Sunday the 19th" if people are expected to walk on the sidewalk?
Pacifism as Pathology: Reflections on the Role of Armed Struggle in North America
http://santacruz.indymedia.org/newswire/display/8215/index.php
"Argues that while the ideology of nonviolent political action promises that the harsh realities of State power can be transcended through good feelings and purity of purpose, it is in fact a counter-revolutionary movement that defends and reinforces the same status-quo it claims to oppose. Churchill debunks the claims of historical pacifist victories, and proposes ways to diminish much of the delusion, aroma of racism, and sense of privilege which mark the covert self-defeatism of mainstream dissident politics. An important intervention, intended to generate badly-needed debate about the issue in the progressive community."
An Open Letter to the SC Activist Community
http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/03/1809310.php
comment: strategy
by: saw member
http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/03/1809310_comment.php#1809631
No, I don't think that last Sunday would have been a good day for an armed insurrection in the streets of Santa Cruz.
"Ok, so taking the street would make a bigger statement, but that is still "pacifism."
The critique is not pacifism as a tactic. Pacifism is indeed an important tactic. The critique is pacifism as your pathology. You should read Churchill's book with that name, or at least listen to him speak about it.
"Why the need to criticize their decision to march on the sidewalk with the alternative being armed insurrection?"
The alternative to marching on the sidewalks of Pacific Avenue and Front Street is to simply march as a group in the streets. This would not require an armed insurrection.
"Somehow, I dont think that will inspire people to take to the streets."
Deaths in Iraq Since March 2003 (Last Updated 3/18/2006)
US: 2318 Iraqi Civilians: 100,000+ in 2003 and 2004 alone.
http://indybay.org/antiwar
Here's text from the protest announcement:
"The U.S. Invasion of Iraq - 3 Years On
An update:
*U.S. families have lost over 2,200 loved ones - sent to Iraq as an occupying force.
*Iraqi families have lost over 100,000 loved ones - victims of the war and occupation
*U.S. taxpayers have spent over $242 Billion - soon to rise to $400 Billion - on this war.
The weekend of March 18th, Anti-War demonstrations are being held worldwide to mark the third anniversary of the U.S. War on Iraq. With mass protests planned in major U.S. cities on Saturday the 18th, local actions are scheduled for Sunday the 19th."
Why post that "local actions are scheduled for Sunday the 19th" if people are expected to walk on the sidewalk?
Pacifism as Pathology: Reflections on the Role of Armed Struggle in North America
http://santacruz.indymedia.org/newswire/display/8215/index.php
"Argues that while the ideology of nonviolent political action promises that the harsh realities of State power can be transcended through good feelings and purity of purpose, it is in fact a counter-revolutionary movement that defends and reinforces the same status-quo it claims to oppose. Churchill debunks the claims of historical pacifist victories, and proposes ways to diminish much of the delusion, aroma of racism, and sense of privilege which mark the covert self-defeatism of mainstream dissident politics. An important intervention, intended to generate badly-needed debate about the issue in the progressive community."
An Open Letter to the SC Activist Community
http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/03/1809310.php
comment: strategy
by: saw member
http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/03/1809310_comment.php#1809631
"The critique is pacifism as your pathology."
First, Im not a pacifist, so its not MY pathology. Im simply making a statement about strategy. Look at how it was set up by you or whoever posted the picture:
A must read for anyone marching on the sidewalk:
Pacifism as Pathology: Reflections on the Role of Armed Struggle in North America
http://santacruz.indymedia.org/newswire/display/8215/index.php
"Churchill's main argument is that philosophical non-violence/pacifism..."
Following this, let us assume person X walked on the sidewalk on Sunday. If person X reads this statement, they will most likely think "I need to read Pacifism as Pathology: Reflections on the Role of Armed Struggle in North America" because I walked on the sidewalk? Well, what does walking in the street have to do with armed struggle and pacifism?"
That is, why not advize those walking on the sidewalk to read something about tactica civil disobiedience or nonviolent direct action; which is what "taking the streets" is. What good does it do for person X to read about the pathology of pacifism (which walk in or out of the street is part of)?
"The alternative to marching on the sidewalks of Pacific Avenue and Front Street is to simply march as a group in the streets."
Right, and Im all for that. But as I said, what does marching as a group in the street have to do with Churchill? It makes more sense, if you want to see people in the street, to offer them something to read that is in line with reclaiming space as a tactic of change.
Finally, you dont need to remind me of our horrors in Iraq, Im well aware of that.
First, Im not a pacifist, so its not MY pathology. Im simply making a statement about strategy. Look at how it was set up by you or whoever posted the picture:
A must read for anyone marching on the sidewalk:
Pacifism as Pathology: Reflections on the Role of Armed Struggle in North America
http://santacruz.indymedia.org/newswire/display/8215/index.php
"Churchill's main argument is that philosophical non-violence/pacifism..."
Following this, let us assume person X walked on the sidewalk on Sunday. If person X reads this statement, they will most likely think "I need to read Pacifism as Pathology: Reflections on the Role of Armed Struggle in North America" because I walked on the sidewalk? Well, what does walking in the street have to do with armed struggle and pacifism?"
That is, why not advize those walking on the sidewalk to read something about tactica civil disobiedience or nonviolent direct action; which is what "taking the streets" is. What good does it do for person X to read about the pathology of pacifism (which walk in or out of the street is part of)?
"The alternative to marching on the sidewalks of Pacific Avenue and Front Street is to simply march as a group in the streets."
Right, and Im all for that. But as I said, what does marching as a group in the street have to do with Churchill? It makes more sense, if you want to see people in the street, to offer them something to read that is in line with reclaiming space as a tactic of change.
Finally, you dont need to remind me of our horrors in Iraq, Im well aware of that.
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