Mother's (and Others) Say No to War! - 5/12

Today, I attended the Mothers Day solidarity demonstation at the recruiter station in Capitola towards the end of the day. Arround 5pm as I was leaving and the demo was basically over I see this Army recruiter walk out from the central courtyard inside the recruiter building. He was talking with a sherriff or CPD officer (it was hard to tell which he was under all the riot gear he was wearing) as he walked into the parking lot of the building. Then, what he did shocked me. Man, I wish I had a photo of this dipshit handing his camera to two pre-teen girls and telling them to go and take photos of the demonstrators on 41st ave this afternoon. I couldn't believe my eyes. Here is this stocky, tattoed, burly looking dude getting two little girls to go take photos of the demonstators! I had to at least do something about this, so I did what every good nonviolent protestor would do, I heckled him!

First I was fairly polite about it by shouting across the parking lot "Why are you having those girls take photos of the demostrators?" He acted like he didn't hear me so I repeated myself louder. He basically said what business of mine was it. To that I asked him why he was too scared to take the photos of the protestors himself. He responed by saying that this way he didn't have to deal with "those assholes" indicating towards the protestors and also implying a bit towards myself as well. I responded that the feeling was mutual and I still thought he was a coward. This seemed to agrivate him a bit and he responed by saying in a threating manner "Why don't you come up into my office and say that?" I said, "Oooh, big man! Thanks anyway but I don't think so" He repeated his offer and I realized that if nothing else I had made him a little uncomfortable with what he was doing and reminded him the people were watching him ( just like the govt. is watching us) As I had places to see and people to do this afternoon I ended our little encounter by flashing the peace sign to him and in my best sarcastic voice said "Peace out 'bro'". He hung in the parking lot for a minute until his little spies came back and then walked back into the courtyard looking pretty smug with himself.

I guess my question to you military/police people who most likely will read this post (We know you read this suckas) is this : Is it standard operating procedures to utilize underage little girls in the gathering of intelligence and information about demonstrators? Too scared to do it yourself tatooed army dude. I guess I'll finish on this note.... BAWWWK BAWWWWK BAWWWWK BAAAK BAAAK BAAAAK!

Feel free to respond army dude,
A concened citizen

Concerned Citizen, I am truly amazed by your level of maturity. Atleast if your going to tell a story let's make it truthful. Quoting me as using the word "assholes" in reference to the peaceful protestors, when I said nothing of the sort. And then saying I was a coward for letting the girls take pictures of the protesters, when the fact is they asked me if they could take some because I had already been taking them, and maybe had you asked the woman next to me their Mother why they were taking pictures. Hmmmm, maybe you should know what you are talking about before publishing it here. As far telling you come to my office, well it is more adult of someone to speak normally than shouting across a parking lot. But, you must have been the coward to not walked over and confront me instead of running home to your computer and writing such a propagandist statement.

how tiring these brianwashed idiots get...

Tatooed army dude and concerned citizen are both invited to discuss the issue (with or without expletives on Free Radio Santa Cruz on Thursday night) 6-8 PM. Either of them can also call me separately and leave any additional comments on my voicemail (423-4833) which has a message time of 5 minutes.

Sounds like you two have contrasting views. So let's share them with the community on the specifics and on the broader issues.

so what exactly happened at the protest?

And it's nice to see that local military recruiters love SC Indymedia...

first, the action itself was great - about 50-60 participants came, including kids and some new faces - very supportive response from folks driving by, and right in the middle of Capitola, no less - and the Raging Grannies sang their wonderful songs!

I think that kind of response, in mid county, is a good indicator of how things have shifted, and that a great majority of folks want our troops back home, and this illegal and lied about war and occupation brought to an end, NOW!

I wondered why the police were there, but now I know! - this is how they find out what we are up to! - by watching Indymedia!!

there WERE two young girls taking photos, popping out from behind one of the pillars, toward the end of the vigil

Maureen Smith noticed and asked them why, because they seemed to be trying to hide what they were doing? - they saw her and said it was for a report!

to me, it really seems like a non-issue - we ARE in public space - they can take photos and videos if they want, just like we can

my only problem is when law enforcement personnel get involved and our tax dollars are used that way! - wonder how much it cost to have 3 Capitola police officers there for 4 hours?

the original announcement did say that some folks might decide to risk arrest, so that probably got them motivated!

let's stay with our message - End the War and Occupation Now, Bring the Troops Home, No Attack on Iran!!

peace
sherry

To see some pictures, go here:

http://www.pagesincolor.com/MothersDayProtest5-12-06.html