Come Walk Through The Crowd

My own little video footage from the protest today here in NYC:

I Don't Know Who Will Stop The Rain But The Rain Won't Stop Us

I had to leave before the protest got down to Foley Square, but I must say that despite the rainy weather, hundreds if not thousands came out to support UFPJ's fight against the Bush regime and the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and possibly in Iran. Most people met up on the north side of Union Square where the band was playing alongside the shoppers at the Farmer's market. Other groups met on Broadway between 17th and 23rd.

It was good to see so many people get together to oppose this terrible war and it helps prove that the American people want this mess to end. See the pictures below:


The cops were there early and waiting


The main stage at 17th and B'way


Protesters even came in chains


Code Pink was out in the rain and showed strong support


Who better to quote protest songs from than Bob Dylan

Put On Your Rainboots And March To End The War!

Yes, it is a little wet out in the NYC area this morning, as it probably is down in D.C. as well. But that is no reason to stop you from dressing up for the weather and coming out to protest our President and his misbegotten war. This may not be the 60s and we aren't facing a draft (yet) but civilians in Iraq and our troops are dying, it is still serious business. For those of you that are blasé about walking the streets and chanting "hey hey, ho ho, George Bush has got to go," read this excellent post by Meteor Blades over at DailyKos.

There are plenty of groups meeting at 11am in the Union Square area and will start to march at noon from 23rd and B'Way down to Foley Square. After much internal debate I'm going to leave the suit and tie off and put on some more comfortable gear to march with the Democracy For New York City group. They're all ex-Deaniacs (like myself) and if you want to check them out, see more here.

Last time, don't be lazy people. Get outside and do something about this war. Protesting will not end the war tomorrow, but as Meteor Blades said, it is an important tool in our arsenal against the dictatorial George Bush.

Suit Up To Change Things Up In Iraq

If you are like most Americans and myself personally, you are against the occupation/war/crusade that George Bush decided to start in Iraq. With no planning or care for the consequences, he failed miserably at being a Commander in Chief and our President in general. Now what are you going to do about it? Does sitting in your armchair yelling at the TV make you feel uncomfortable deep down inside? Well then come out to protest this Saturday and don't forget to dress up.

Once again, United for Peace and Justice is organizing the events. Now you are completely free to take out your old hippie attire or Ramones t-shirt and come down to the south side of Union Square at 11am on Saturday. Plenty of people will be wearing all sorts of costumes to show their displeasure of George Bush and his war. Now some of you have looked at the sea of liberal oddities in protests past and shook your head. Some people even detest hippies (though I have no idea why) but they hate the war more. Well, now there is something out there for the well-dressed among us.

From The Seminal:

This Saturday, October 27th, United for Peace and Justice will be holding simultaneous protests against the Iraq war in 11 US cities. Serious Change supporters will be attending protests in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Orlando, and Chattanooga, Tennessee dressed in professional attire. We stand in full solidarity with all other antiwar activists, but we believe that a professional appearance projects seriousness and determination to the Bush administration as well as the American public.

Our protest action on October 27th will build on our success at the antiwar march on September 15th, where even our small numbers provoked a large and positive response from other protesters, media, online communities at websites such as reddit.com, and the public. As we dramatically expand our numbers for this Saturday’s protest, we will once again demonstrate the power that online organizing has to bring about change at the street level.

Serious Change demands the same results as everyone out there protesting against a war that should not have been started in the first place. So if you want to look nice and speak out at the same time, check out their site here and prepare to show up with me in NYC or in several other cities across the country.

New York City Protests Against War

Our fair city is full of Democrats, somewhere in the range of four to one. So it shouldn't be suprising that there is overwhelming support to leave Iraq and stop the endless cycle of violence that our troops endure on a daily basis. Of course there is widespread dissatisfaction against Bush's war across the country, but hey, this is NYC.

Gothamist covered the protests yesterday:

In the wake of President Bush's Wednesday night address to the country, when he announced that he will send thousands of more soldiers to Iraq, hundreds of people protested the plan. They convened at the tiny island in the middle of Times Square in front of the U.S. Armed Forces recruiting station, with signs like "Stop the funding, stop the war" and "When government lies, Democracy dies" with drivers passing by honking their horns. Some protesters were dressed as Guantanamo prisoners. Of course, there were counter-protesters; one sign said, "Warning: Leftist protesters trying to demoralize our troops." No arrests were reported.

The protest was organized by United for Peace and Justice, which coordinated others across the country yesterday. There will be another, big rally on Saturday, January 27 in Washington, D.C.

New Yorkers will not stand silent while Bush continues to torture and keep us trapped in an unjust war. The passion of the activists exceeds the desire to stay away from the tourist trap that is Times Square. We will do whatever is necessary to stop this President ruthless dictator. So if you couldn't make it yesterday, consider going down to Washington on Jan. 27th for the massive protest United for Peace and Justice is organizing. It is time to stop this madness!