Moving Closer to the Tipping Point

The Saturday afternoon No War with Syria Rally-Santa Cruz was notable in many respects but, perhaps, not more so than the number and diversity of the participants. Santa Cruz can always be relied upon to attract the "usual suspects" to any activist rally or event. These happy few come because they remain continuously committed to working for social and economic justice and stand opposed the national war machine at every opportunity. But Saturday's event, even on admittedly short notice, drew not only a surprisingly large crowd, but a diverse one as well. I am encouraged by this. When I see families and friends and neighbors and activists of every stripe, young and old, gathering to voice their opposition to the invasion of yet another Middle Eastern country, it occurs to me that we may be reaching that "tipping point" that we have been talking about and anticipating for so long. Whether it is a confluence of recent events such as the revelations of NSA domestic spying or simply a signal that we have collectively had enough of war mongering in the name of national security, the intensity and frequency of recent political activism is a clarion call for action.

And, perhaps best of all, it is a call that is being answered.