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I Was in D.C. This Weekend
BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
by
Maria
Allwine
I marched on Saturday in solidarity with the 4-500,000 who oppose war on Iraq - but - Sunday I participated in the civil resistance at Lafayette Park with the Baltimore Iraq Pledge of Resistance. I attempted to climb over the barricades in order to present a letter to "President" Bush (we had hoped to give it to the White House guard) from our group but was pushed back violently by one of the many police standing directly in front of us. Anyone who attempted to enter the park was pushed back in this manner. As you know some, including Kate Berrigan, were arrested. After that, a group of us made it into the street to conduct a "die-in" and I was able to crawl to the right lane of traffic where I was again stopped by police. When we realized the police were going to forcibly remove us, we linked arms but the police dragged me (and everyone else) by my pants and neck off the street and then tossed us into the curbs. An elderly woman a few feet away from me was knocked unconscious during this brutal action.
I am a 49-year-old woman and this is the first, but most definitely not the last, time I've ever done this. I have marched in 4 previous demonstrations, beginning on Bush's coronation day, but my eyes, which have been open for some time are wide open now. I have not had a TV for the past 5 years and I read everything I can. I know too much about our history and the history of other countries to not do everything I can to oppose this war and this administration's policies. I have never regarded the police as my enemy and do not do so now but let's just say your perspective changes when you are unarmed and completely non-violent, are trying to exercise your Constitutional rights and are violently repelled by fully-armed police in riot gear.
I was interviewed by a Canadian reporter from the National Post on Sunday(you can read it on the National Post website) and his reporting was fair. It's a crime that the media in this country ignores the growing anti-war movement while the foreign press regularly reports on it. Our media is so controlled by the corporate interests that I no longer recognize it. I am especially aghast at Bob Woodward, who has abandoned the very principles that enabled him to live the privileged life he lives today.
Maria Allwine
BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
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