strongly second kirk’s recomendation on the national lawyer’s guild. i volunteered with them for a week in 2003 (miami for the ftaa protests) and for a week in 2004 (nyc for the rnc). coordination with them is key.

also recommend nonviolence training with an organization like the afsc (american friends service committee) or for (fellowship of reconciliation). learn practical stuff about working in affinity groups, violence descalation, legal support, jail solidarity and, imo, prior exercises in role playing is critically important (even though it sounds stupid – i attribute the fact that i didn’t pee in pants when the shooting started and even kept my head in a suddenly really dangerous situation to the nonviolence training i’d just had).

email me via the link at my name if you would like more on any of this. (i’m sure kirk would love to assist as well)

neurophius @ 23

People contemplating such action should be advised beforehand regarding law enforcement and civil liberties issues. What do we do if the police (with or without lawful authorization) order us to disperse? Some people may wish to be arrested but many others undoubtedly will not. “Don’t taze me, bro!” does not appear to offer adequate protection.

This is why the Goddess created:

the National Lawyers Guild

Carl Messineo and Mara Verheyden-Hilliard and the Partnership for Civil Justice

and Katya Komisaruk

If we protest it (lawfully) the NLG or someone they know will most likely coome – if we call them in advance.

There is a whole nation worth of infrastucture for mass protests – medical care, food, legal services, logistics, media – some of the smartest and most capable people I know.

Most of them (us) are voluntarily under-employed so as to be available…

And have been so since Seattle in ‘99 – or before.

We’ve got too much time on our hands.

And we’ve been waiting for you – all of you – to keep us busy.

Come out onto the streets – we’ll be there for you.

Your local indymedia site will help you get the word out.

Come out and play – it’s fun, and we have your backs.

Together, we can take back our Republic.

And most of the time, we’ll have fun doing it.

Please join us.

May I add these links to http://www.sitdownfortheconstitution.org?

FYI: Just got you book in the mail today. Can’t wait to read it.

I think it is a good idea to “run-up” until 10/10/08 and then we all come out and play until we stop this illegal/immoral Congress and Administration.

kate @ 207

Where is Fenwick Park? I’ve lived here in Chicago my entire life and I’ve never heard of it.

Boston.

it’s FENWAY park, jeez

The idea is not to recreate Chicago ‘68 but MLK at the Lincoln Memorial.

I’ve beeen saying this for weeks to not much response. Glad everyone’s behind it now. It reaaly is urgent. out last chance. well, i’m off to boston, folks. gonna carry a huge american flag and wear my pearls cause my momma gave em to me. my sig other who has never spoken a political word in his life is going with me, so’s my daughter. We’re all pissed, and so proud to carry the idea forward. It’s a privilege to be this free for as long as it lasts. wish us luck. i know there are an awful lot of folks from maine goin down to beantown. with love

Friends,

I have been advised by a fellow organizer/activist to pick up a copy of “Doing Democracy”, a guide to community organizing. Don’t be confused as I was. The Bill Moyer who is the principal author here is not the same person as the wonderful Bill Moyers on PBS.

Some Links:

My activist buddy: http://thewhiterose.wordpress……en-topics/

“Doing Democracy”: http://tinyurl.com/2oraqg

My question is whether anyone here in the community has read this book? If so if you could speak to its applicability and usefulness to those of us who aspire to take up Naomi Wolf’s challenge to continue our determined opposition to the criminals in the White House at a new level, a more French version of protest including the venerable national strike.

i read it (twice!) after it was recommended to me by someone at a afsc meeting in RI. even organized a sorta “book club” discussion on it and have given away copies to encourage others to read it. i should reread it – it’s been a few years.

also recommend to you gene sharp’s “politics of nonviolence” and “waging nonviolent struggle: 20th century practice and 21st century potential”

selise @ 245

you gotta lets us know when you do this… so we can give you the recommends your post deserves.

Didn’t I just do that? :)

let me be more specific… a comment in the current active thread would be gratefully appreciated. *g*

seriously excellent diary. thanks.

Don’t forget the American Flag lapel pins!

Wear them upside-down, in the universal sign of a nation in distress.