www.newsandletters.org
|
|
NEWS & LETTERS, December 2007 - January 2008Other Memphis protests Bush visitMemphis, Tenn.--Opposition to President George Bush was loud and clear when he blew into town on Oct. 15 for a $1,000-a-plate fundraiser close to the Memphis Country Club. Although it was a rainy workday afternoon, about 100 of us rallied along Central Ave., where he would have been driven if not for a last-minute detour to side streets, made, no doubt, to protect the media from having to cover the protest. Called by the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, the rally brought together a varied crowd of people angry with the administration's actions, aiming to represent the vast majority who don't approve of the president's actions. Young, middle-aged, and old protesters--from punk/anarchist and Marxist radicals wearing shirts with slogans about class war and revolution, to others in business attire--stood with signs demanding universal health care, continued Social Security, and an end to the war in Iraq. Black, white, Asian, and Latino protesters, and even a few Hillary supporters and the odd Republican, received support from those driving by (until the police cut off the street to traffic). Chants contrasted the billions Bush spends on war and the tens of thousands collected at his fundraiser with the neglect of the poor and education. Many signs were against the war and occupation in Iraq and the threatened attack on Iran. When a heckler on the other side of the police barricades yelled that we need oil for our cars, the crowd roared back, "No Blood for Oil!" (Some of us think that slogan is too simplistic.) Press coverage depicted us as "hoping for a glimpse of the presidential caravan." They conveniently forgot all the information in the press release, which stated in part: "While President Bush attends a $1,000-per-plate fundraiser for Senator Lamar Alexander, protesters will draw attention to the escalating cost of the Bush administration's war in Iraq, in terms of human life as well as tax dollars, while highlighting the need for funding of vital services here at home. Jacob Flowers, director of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, states, 'During the four hours that the President will wine and dine his supporters, we will have spent $12,000,000 on the war in Iraq. This is especially alarming given the president's recent veto of SCHIP.'" Reporters kept asking the rally's organizer, "Do you really think you'll see the president? Do you think he'll see you?" She kept explaining it wasn't really all that important, that we didn't think we were actually going to change his mind, but that it was essential that the people in the city, both driving by and reading or watching the news, would know that the opposition to Bush is still vibrant and active, even in the city of Memphis. While the media tried to bury news of the protest, we will use every avenue we can find to make it known that there are two worlds in Memphis, and Bush will not be welcome outside the fat-cat enclaves he sneaks into. --Participant |
|
Home l News & Letters Newspaper l Back issues l News and Letters Committees l Dialogues l Raya Dunayevskaya l Contact us l Search Published by News and Letters Committees |
