Friday, August 01, 2008

THE LAWSON FILE: PORT OF TACOMA ACTIVIST WANTS TO KNOW, "WHERE WAS EVERYONE?"


I'll probably get shit from some of you for saying this but it appears to me that not too many people have shown up the last couple of nights at the Port of Tacoma to protest the return a Fort Lewis Stryker Brigade from Iraq and the militarization of the port.

When the equipment was shipped out in March of 2007, anti-war protests led to the arrests of 37 people while police agencies spent $1 million for security.

The News Tribune of Tacoma reports a handful of protesters from the Port Militarization Resistance group showed up Wednesday night and one was arrested for obstructing a police officer and two others were given trespassing warnings.

Two more activists, K-Tee-O (Katherine Olejnik) and Kelly Beckham, managed to get arrested for crossing a police line at the Port of Tacoma late Thursday night.

Indymedia from Seattle had one post from some guy lamenting the poor turnout, "Where was everyone? Where were all the brave posters from Tacoma and Olympia? Why was it left to Jeff and Wally to lead a cold, wet, hungry group of Olympia SDS on a log and difficult trek through the vastness of Tacoma?"

Oh well.

Don't feel bad guy, I've helped organization some demonstrations in the past where you could say the turnout was less than optimal (to say the least).

Sometimes even the people united are defeated...sometimes the State goes unsmashed...sometimes the bad folks who got to go, don't. Sometimes THE REVOLUTION isn't won...

Step back, figure out what went wrong (more than likely its something y'all did, although sometimes the "people" just don't care...sometimes they got something better to do), try to correct it (accept your responsibility) and try, try again.

Anyway, for you folks up there in Washington state here is the schedule for the days ahead:

Friday, August 1st

4-6 PM, Port Militarization Resistance Rally and Protest
(Family friendly event. Come & hook-in for later actions)
Federal Courthouse--1713 Pacific Ave

8 PM, Port Action Meeting Point
At Puyallup Avenue & East D St. (5 minute walk from courthouse)

Saturday, August 2nd

12-3 PM, No War on Iraq! No War on Iran Demo!
(A family-friendly demo and overpass rally)
At I-5's Exit 119, outside Fort Lewis
Brought to you by IVAW, G.I. Voice, and Olympia SDS
Olympia carpool will meet at the corner of Harrison and Division @ 11 am

(If military equipment remains in the port, then...)

4-6 PM, Port Militarization Resistance Rally and Protest
(Family friendly event. Come & hook-in for later actions)
Federal Courthouse--1713 Pacific Ave

8 PM, Port Action Meeting Point
At Puyallup Avenue & East D St. (5 minute walk from courthouse)

Sunday, August 3rd (If military equipment remains in the port)

4-6 PM, Port Militarization Resistance Rally and Protest
(Family friendly event. Come & hook-in for later actions)
Federal Courthouse--1713 Pacific Ave

8 PM, Port Action Meeting Point
At Puyallup Avenue & East D St. (5 minute walk from courthouse)

Sounds like a lot planned.

What do y'all think? Will anyone show up?

The following is from KOMO Seattle.

Protestors target port war shipments

Protestors hit the streets near the Port of Tacoma Thursday night, protesting the return of a Fort Lewis Stryker Brigade from Iraq.

More than 900 vehicles and hundreds of cargo containers are being returned to the fort for the 4-2 Brigade, the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. The ship, the Brittin, arrived Tuesday at the port.

When the equipment was shipped out in March of 2007, anti-war protests led to the arrests of 37 people while police agencies spent $1 million for security.

This year, it was a different story. One reason there were so few protestors here was a strong police presence waiting for them.

Tacoma police lined the route, even cutting-off roads leading into the port.

Still, the small group had a message.

"We want to stop this cycle, anytime there is militarism in our community," said Jeff Berryhill.

One person was arrested during a similar protest Wednesday night. There were no reported arrests Thursday night.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope all the shipments go through Tacoma. You idiots have had it too good in Oly. The reason there is no one is Evergreen minions are out of school! Duh

Tacoma jails are a little different than Oly if you haven't noticed. Not as clean, and they have gang rapes pretty often for fresh white meat like you. I hope you enjoy your stay there.

You on your own Spartacus !!
.

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