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Thursday March 20th Call To Action!
by POG Member
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 8:28 AM
Call to action for resistance against impending war in Iraq for March 20th 2003.
?This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be
both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing
without a demand. It never has and it never will.?
-- Frederick Douglass, Orator and Abolitionist
The United States Government clearly states that public opinion,
international and domestic, is irrelevant. The warmongering elites of this
country will continue to push for a war that will benefit a few and murder
countless thousands of Iraqis as a rain of fire falls from their skies. This
will all be done by a few in the name of millions. People all over the
country and the world have been actively organizing against a war in Iraq, a
war our illegitimate leaders talk about as if it were inevitable.
Students walked out of school by the thousands, manifestations of oppressive
government have been smashed by protestors, and on the streets of
Pittsburgh, hundreds hailing from all walks of life have taken to the
streets in an effort to cry out against state-run mass-murder.
Still, an un-elected leader marches to war.
This Thursday March 20, 2003 the Pittsburgh Organizing Group is calling for
people to meet at 5pm at the Federal Building at the corner of Liberty Ave
and Grant St in downtown Pittsburgh. Coordinated with the Thomas Merton
Center, we will stand up once again against the use of force in Iraq and
elsewhere. There will be both law abiding acts of resistance on the sidewalk
along with non-violent civil disobedience elsewhere. A human chain will be
formed on the sidewalk around the Federal building. The extent of further
actions will depend on the situation in Iraq at the time. If the bombing has
begun our resistance will obviously be escalated as the Pittsburgh
Organizing Group is calling for a snake march through downtown Pittsburgh to
halt business as usual? in response to any escalation of the aggression
against Iraq. The decision of which tactics to use will be made on the spot,
so your numbers are appreciated.
We, as freedom loving and peace loving people have only one choice: The day
the bombing starts, America Stops. This will happen in the streets of
countless cities across the nation as people take direct action to stop war
and save lives. It is our responsibility to strike non-violently at all
government institutions and the moneyed interests behind them. We must begin
to strike at the war machine here so that people everywhere may live another
day! When the out-of-control administration has realized it cannot conduct
this war without its people, thousands of lives will be saved.
Join us in expressing our resistance to the killing perpetuated overseas in
our name!
Remember: Come prepared! No one can predict what the response may be to
resistance once the bombing has begun. If we all look out for one another,
we can all go home safely.
Countdown til the end of the deadline...
by Troy Shelley
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 11:00 AM
axelfear@yahoo.com
We were only going to march if Bush declares War on Iraq. At least that's what people are saying.
Face it. Saddam and his sons will not leave Iraq willingly. So, as unfortunate as it is, we are going to war. And my friends we are going into battle as well.
-Troy
www.geocities.com/axelfear/axel_fear
being prepared
by v
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 11:49 AM
having never gone to a protest in a hostile environment, what would being "prepared" entitle? i take it a bandana in case tear gas is used, a layer of clothing in case billy clubs are busted out, water. anything else?
see you there
SVC activist
by Jason
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 12:04 PM
Try to wear clothes that blend in with everyone else. It will symbolize solidarity, and also not give anyone particular attention.
Being prepared...
by POG Member
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 1:13 PM
Being prepared is different for everyone. If you are planning on doing any civil disobedience either come in an affinity gorup or hook upwith one at the Federal Building. Basically, watch out for your friends. Some people will be wearing bandana's to avoid the video cameras of the authorities. Some will be carrying swimming goggles and bandana's soaked in lemon juice or vinegar in case pepper spray or tear gas is used. Some will be carrying video cameras to document any violence that occurs against the demonstrators.
Preparation is knowing your limits of what you wish to get involved in before you get to the Federal Building. This way adrenalin won't move you to participate in an activity that otherwsie you wouldn't take part in.
Just remember: We all want to go home safely at the end of the day and will do everything in our powr to make sure everyone else can also.
Yeah
by Evan N
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 4:34 PM
if things get nasty stick with the group, dont wander off where police could easily cut you off from the group - your safety depends on solidarity with the crowd. I'd also recommend a bandanna cause im sure as hell, that it being the federal building, they will be videotaping more than usual. I'm phone banking at the TMC tonight to get the word out and i encourage all of you to spread the word as well
--
by --
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 5:17 PM
We will most likely be marching-
remember the basics-
Bring water, a bandanna, a pair of goggles, and more. Some of us are bringing medical guides for radical protests that have a lot of info in them. If you want to read them etc then come early.
If you want to be able to blend into a group wear plain black clothes.
plain black clothes..
by serrano
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 5:43 PM
...however keep in mind that wearing black clothes will identify you with the black bloc or other anarchist groups--and whether or not you consider yourself an anarchist, there's a great probability that the police will be targeting/keeping their eyes on folks in black..
in general, I tend to dress like I just got off work (and usually I have), which I think helps lend credibility to the protest (i.e. it's not just political "radicals" and/or students who're against the war, but ordinary people too). primarily, be sure you're dressed comfortably, and wearing good shoes!
..
by ..
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 6:02 PM
It's also a good idea to wear black because it shows solidarity with others who have been watching everyones back at recent events. It's mostly the case that the people in black have been the ones allowing us to take the streets and discouraging the police from intervening. When they tried to arrest someone (for marching without a permit) on march 2nd it was people in black who un-arrested (grabbed the person away from the cops) them and the police haven't attempted arrests since then. The idea that people will show solidarity with one another is the most powerful deterent we have against police violence.
hiding one's self
by ///
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 8:19 PM
hello all, i have not taken part in an illegal march before, and am seriously considering taking part in this one. i have a few questions. first, i dont see why we must cover our faces with bandannas, why does it matter if they see it on the cameras, will they really chase us down? second, i live right in the heart of UPitt, where is the closest place for me to stock up on goggles, bandanna,etc. i hear there is a dollar store nearby,lol.
okay, well, im not gonna get totally sentimental or whatever, but i just want to say how i am proud to be part of this global movement for peace, justice, and freedom. thanks much.
bandannas
by rowdy student
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 8:28 PM
i too live in the heart of U Pitt, and got bandannas at the True Value on Forbes. they've got your favorite color, if your favorite color is blue.
as goggles go, the word is that swimming goggles are best since they form a seal around the eyes- i believe you can get these at rite aid or eckerd. if you wear glasses like myself and can't do swimming goggles, you can get lab goggles at the university bookstore. they're a couple dollars.
as far as WHY to do this, im sure other people can comment as well, but yes, to an extent there's a possiblity that some agencies will use photos and videotape to surveille (?) "radical" groups. it's been done in the past. but more than anything these things are important in the case that the police decide to use pepper spray or tear gas. this hasn't happened in pittsburgh lately, but you should always be prepared, especially with the tension that has been building this week.
hope that helps, and hope to see you at student strike and the downtown march tomorrow!
right on
by ///
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 9:09 PM
cool. are you involved with some of the UPitt groups and whatnot? if you wanna drop me a line to talk bout whatever, which i think would be cool, you can just email me at alk3fishbone@yahoo.com. rockin.
goggles and vinegar
by ben
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 10:22 PM
i was wondering do lab goggles really work? i heard you can buy perscription swimming goggles-does anyone know from where? does regular vinegar work or just the apple cidar shizzle? thanks for the help.
goggles
by -
Thursday, Mar. 20, 2003 at 1:26 AM
Prescription swim goggles can be ordered from waterworld.com, I think or else just search on google for prescription swim goggles. Lab goggles work pretty well for pepper spray - they're designed to keep splashing liquid off of your eyes. They won't do much for gas (which won't be used tomorrow, in nearly all likelihood).
Best of Luck
by Maureen
Thursday, Mar. 20, 2003 at 10:28 AM
Unfortunately I cannot attend the protest downtown today, but I would like to extend my greatest support to all who do. Good luck, and change the world!
get a grip
by Patriot
Thursday, Mar. 20, 2003 at 4:04 PM
How many of you are going to use your 1st amendment rights to protest against those who give you that right? These men and women are there to liberate Iraq. Do YOU agree with the murderous Saddam? Shame on you!!!
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