Seriously pissed? How about serious change? Decades from now, no one will accuse our generation of
not protesting enough, but you'll probably be making excuses for
how we did it. No offense to those who
have protested this way- your heart's in the right place and you've probably given lots of time and money to doing the right thing- but what if you're not helping? What if hundreds of thousands of people turned out in their very best, most serious clothes, with no puppets, no "clever" home-made signs, and no instruments?
It's worked before. As
Matt Taibbi put it in AdBusters (previously on MeFi), "Next thing you know, you’ve got guys on stilts wearing mime makeup and Cat-in-the-Hat striped top-hats leading a half-million people at an anti-war rally. Why is that guy there? Because no one told him that war is a matter of life and death and that he should leave his fucking stilts at home." These things always
start small, but who knows? This is serious- let's act like it. If you wouldn't bring it or wear it to your grandmother's funeral,
leave it at home.
posted by paul_smatatoes
on Sep 30, 2007 -
168 comments
So Much Fire To Roast Human Flesh from
Arthur Magazine--
an 18-track, multi-artist compilation CD curated by Foster featuring exclusive contributions from some of the more outspoken members of the nation's burgeoning psychedelic folk scene, ... All profits will be distributed to specific counter-military recruitment and pacifist organizations and programs who effectively advise high school students and other Americans at risk of being taken advantage of ... (and you can listen
here). Some might remember
Arthur vs. Godsmack--their music is heavily featured in recruiting ads.
posted by amberglow
on Sep 1, 2006 -
8 comments
Grandmas protest the war in Iraq and get the cuffs Funny, great story.
We tried to ring the bell at the booth, but no one answered," Wile said. "I saw a head poke up from behind the counter every once in a while and then duck back down. I don't know what they were afraid of. Maybe they don't know how to deal with a bunch of grannies."
posted by mountainmambo
on Oct 19, 2005 -
84 comments
Pre-emptive protest: Iranians for peace "No war can contribute to the establishment of liberty and democracy in our country. 'Iranians for Peace' welcomes the opinions of Iranian people around the globe who are in opposition to war."
posted by hoder
on Feb 2, 2005 -
17 comments
If you've participated in an anti-war rally, or helped organize a demonstration, the
FBI may have a file on you. The FBI claims that they are only weeding out anarchists and other "extremists." But the ACLU and some legal scholars are warning of a return of
Hooverism. Attention pinkos: You can run, but you can't hide, because you're probably on the
no-fly list.
posted by PrinceValium
on Nov 23, 2003 -
39 comments
Jeff Webster threw water on women who were silently and legally protesting the U.S. invasion of Iraq in my hometown of Soldotna, Alaska. He has been charged with harassment, a misdemeanor. The Anchorage Daily news
reports with photos of both parties involved. Video of the incident
here (window media format). Aside from the support
for and
against Webster's actions, does throwing water on people constitute a right of free speech?
posted by ericrolph
on Apr 25, 2003 -
50 comments
How to make a protest sign
This past weekend thousands of Americans took to the street to protest or support the war - many with protest posters. Making a protest poster isn't that difficult but the web makes it even easier with sites on the web that offer protest posters for every angle on the issue.
Another Poster for Peace has a collection of posters from some of the top names in graphic design available royality free.
Insta-protest offers a collection of 80 posters printable on your laser or inkjet printer from their Flash interface.
Mike Flugennock has cartoon posters critical of the war and a number of other topics.
The Propaganda Remix Project has been mentioned here before for their WWII remixed posters. Finally
Anti-War offers a gallery of posters in color and black and white.
For those of us who are supporting the President in this war you might want to
print out one of these. There's got to be others in support of the war - but where are they?
Designing protest posters can also be part of your high school history class with this
Art as Political Protest lesson plan. So, what sign are you?
posted by DragonBoy
on Mar 24, 2003 -
10 comments
Wake America from Its Bloodless Trance "Unfortunately, most of you will never see my anti-war commercial. Why? Because the major network news outlets refused to accept it, claiming that the imagery was too graphic... linking death to war seems to be taboo at a time when the connection should be on the top of our minds. Few in the major media are talking about casualties in the Iraq war, and it seems our nation does not want to confront the reality that the war will result in casualties, anywhere from a few thousand dead and wounded (itself a horrific number) to tens of thousands, according to international experts. Let's be clear – that's thousands of dead or wounded people, at a minimum. "
Six anti-war commercials , featuring, among others,
Mos Def,
Russell Simmons,
Susan Sarandon and
Ben and Jerry.
posted by Espoo2
on Mar 9, 2003 -
85 comments
Listen to what some anti-war protesters had to say this weekend about possible war with Iraq. Quicktime required.
posted by Ron
on Feb 19, 2003 -
41 comments
On September 30th, there was a peace protest in Washington D.C. I'm surprised no one else linked to this -- about 50 students from
my college attended and joined the crowd of a few thousand. I would have gone, but I'm dubious about the efficacy of public protest despite the fact that I'm an affirmed pacifist. What do you folks think? Will a totally non-military action be an appropriate response? (And is there any possiblity of the US acting in such a way?) Is the loss of a single additional human life in this new war justifiable?
posted by tweebiscuit
on Oct 3, 2001 -
109 comments
9-11peace.org
Working for peace in the wake of September 11.
For those who have wondered just what exactly they can do besides flying the US flag or posting on MeFi (myself included in the latter).
This comprehensive site offers all sorts of concrete actions for those who believe that war is not the answer. You can email your elected officials; sign petitions; browse a list of suggested actions (from donating supplies for rescue dogs to flying the UN flag); and find out about upcoming events.
posted by mapalm
on Sep 18, 2001 -
49 comments
