Use Them or Lose Them
I attended a local community meeting at our church meant to address some of the issues surrounding the NATO protests. I walked away from the event bummed out and demoralized. About 50 people attended the event, majority were definitely older folks, veterans of protest.
After guest speakers presented their views on the effects of war on the economy and austerity measures, the meeting broke into a solemn sort of AA meeting, where all participants were to share their feelings about protesting. Some rambled on senselessly. Others were clueless as to what to say. Yet, everyone basically said they were not going down to partake in any protest.
Everyone feared the police. They were afraid how militarized the event became, believing that violence was to be expected. Alderman Pawar, 47th Ward, spoke up at his turn and basically said, "If they treat you like the enemy, people will act like the enemy."
When I was called, unlike others, I stood up so everyone could see me. I identified myself as one who served in the military. I was programmed to believe that we were fighting the good fight for democracy and human rights. That peace was preserved through strength. But I eventually learned these were lies and that the only way to preserve democracy was to exercise your rights. Yes, you do not have to go downtown and hold a sign. I told people stand on the street corner, go to the gazebo in the park, go to the school yard, hold a sign, display a sign in their window, but speak out and speak up. This is how you save your democratic values.
I sense that what this crowd is feeling is all part of the plan. Portray the protestors as violent. Show the public that the police are geared, prepared and ready to rumble if needed. Keep playing up the violence scenarios. The hope is that enough people will be scared that they won't go to protest. The hope is that people won't go to work. The hope is that people won't go to shop, visit or play tourist. This would certainly make the police efforts easier when the only ones in the streets are the few, the bold, the protestor.
The protest organizers have consistently said that this is meant to be a nonviolent protest. We cannot control the provocateur. Surely, they will attempt to disrupt the event, but I think enough people who are coming to protest intend on keeping it nonviolent, even if that means getting into scuffles with these elements. We have a responsibility since children, elderly and people with disabilities will be part of this grand event.
So, don't let the media scare. Don't let the mayor scare you. Don't let the police scare you. Fear is their best weapon. Get out there, where ever. Exercise your rights. As one of my students stated in an assignment, "One voice can bring change. Many voices can bring revolution." She sees the big picture as NATO and bombs made in the USA wreck havoc on her people throughout the Middle East.
How long will your fear keep you silent from doing what is right?