Port of Tacoma Protests

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Comments

  • jeffbrjeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    gue_barium wrote:
    You have a small brain. I'm sorry.

    Priceless from the guy who talks to himself on this board.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    jeffbr wrote:
    Priceless from the guy who talks to himself on this board.
    heehee.

    Okay, maybe that was uncalled for. I know you're not dumb.

    Let me put it this way: you've chosen a limited perspective on the topic.

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  • El_KabongEl_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    jeffbr wrote:
    Ha. I actually thought the same thing. I wanted to call the Cult Awareness Network watching all of the slow kids step up with their hands behind their backs to get cuffed and arrested.

    I'm no fan of gov't in any form. I'm opposed to the war. But I sure wouldn't want to be associated with the anti-war movement with that sort of representation. I'm sure they're delusional enough to think that they've done something heroic and noble.

    i think the reality of it is sometimes ppl are faced w/ the loss of their consitutional rights...some may choose to go home meek and obedient, while others choose to stand up for their rights, which they voiced by saying their rights were more important than being arrested. i guess it is symbolic to do, but it's still important and certianly more heroic and noble than giving in
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    El_Kabong wrote:
    i think the reality of it is sometimes ppl are faced w/ the loss of their consitutional rights...some may choose to go home meek and obedient, while others choose to stand up for their rights, which they voiced by saying their rights were more important than being arrested. i guess it is symbolic to do, but it's still important and certianly more heroic and noble than giving in

    Not to mention these people still have to go in front of a judge to face possible fines and more jail time. I heard many of those arrested over this past week will be arraigned on Thursday.

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  • spiral outspiral out Posts: 1,052
    El_Kabong wrote:
    i think the reality of it is sometimes ppl are faced w/ the loss of their consitutional rights...some may choose to go home meek and obedient, while others choose to stand up for their rights, which they voiced by saying their rights were more important than being arrested. i guess it is symbolic to do, but it's still important and certianly more heroic and noble than giving in

    Couldn't of put it better myself.

    It's a shame more people don't stand up for what they believe in, instead of staying quiet and letting it happen.
    Keep on rockin in the free world!!!!

    The economy has polarized to the point where the wealthiest 10% now own 85% of the nation’s wealth. Never before have the bottom 90% been so highly indebted, so dependent on the wealthy.
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    Here is a good read that gives a lot of detail to what's going on with this story. Good news, too: charges were dropped for those arrested early Tuesday morning.

    http://shiftshapers.gnn.tv/articles/2967/Port_Militarization_Resistance

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  • gue_barium wrote:
    Here is a good read that gives a lot of detail to what's going on with this story. Good news, too: charges were dropped for those arrested early Tuesday morning.

    http://shiftshapers.gnn.tv/articles/2967/Port_Militarization_Resistance


    That's great news!
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    Port of Tacoma anti-war protesters unbowed
    Ship sailed, but fight goes on, they say

    By AMY ROLPH
    P-I REPORTER

    Local anti-war protesters weren't able to stop a military ship from sailing to Iraq, but they still believe that almost two weeks of demonstrations at the Port of Tacoma served a purpose.

    After all, if Western Washington residents tuned into the media at all during the past week, the protesters probably managed to get their message out.

    "It was definitely worth it," said Mark Jensen, who helped coordinate the demonstrations, which included at least 100 people.

    Tacoma police arrested 37 people in conjunction with the protests, including TJ Johnson, an Olympia city councilman. The protesters wanted to stop or delay the shipping to Iraq of Stryker brigade military vehicles from Fort Lewis.

    "I have no other choice," Johnson said in a statement. "I have done everything else I can think of as a citizen, a city councilman and as a parent. This is for my son. This is for all the children and grandchildren."

    Despite the protesters' efforts to interrupt the loading process, the 950-foot USNS Soderman departed with the equipment for the Middle East on Tuesday, port spokesman Mike Wasem said.

    No other Stryker brigade loadings were expected in the immediate future, he said.

    But the protesters were full of plans for the immediate future.

    Wednesday evening, they held a vigil at the port, and today they plan to gather as mourners in conjunction with a port commissioners' meeting, Jensen said.



    Monday is the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war, and many of the port protesters plan to participate in demonstrations in Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia this weekend.

    "Many of us believe this recent protest will energize the movement," Jensen said.

    But he and others dislike the treatment they received from police during their recent activism.

    Police were constantly present at the port before the ship sailed. Earlier this week, they used tear gas and non-lethal bullets to control crowds. So far, protesters' verbal complaints of excessive force haven't been looked into.

    "I don't know that there have been any formal complaints made yet," said Tacoma police Detective Brad Graham.

    If that changes, the allegations would be investigated, he said.

    Nadine Gulit, co-founder of the local group Operation Support Our Troops, said she's glad the ship sailed. She said she hopes the next time protesters want to make a political statement, they'll demonstrate in a way that won't jeopardize the safety of soldiers overseas.

    "You're not going to stop them, and you're not going to bring them home, so why are you trying to stop the equipment they need to stay alive?" she asked.

    The protesters contend the war is illegal because it violates Article Six of the Constitution, which binds the nation to abide by treaties.

    "Many of us believe the war is illegal, even more believe the war is immoral, and still more believe the war is a disaster," Jensen said.

    During the protest, Fort Lewis' newest Stryker brigade, the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, loaded vehicles on the ship in preparation for the April departure of 4,000 soldiers for Iraq. The brigade is being sent to Iraq several months earlier than normal under President Bush's "surge" plan to escalate the war by more than 20,000 troops.


    http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/307520_protest15.html

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  • moeaholicmoeaholic Posts: 535
    gue_barium wrote:
    Port of Tacoma anti-war protesters unbowed
    Ship sailed, but fight goes on, they say

    By AMY ROLPH
    P-I REPORTER

    Local anti-war protesters weren't able to stop a military ship from sailing to Iraq, but they still believe that almost two weeks of demonstrations at the Port of Tacoma served a purpose.

    After all, if Western Washington residents tuned into the media at all during the past week, the protesters probably managed to get their message out.

    "It was definitely worth it," said Mark Jensen, who helped coordinate the demonstrations, which included at least 100 people.

    Tacoma police arrested 37 people in conjunction with the protests, including TJ Johnson, an Olympia city councilman. The protesters wanted to stop or delay the shipping to Iraq of Stryker brigade military vehicles from Fort Lewis.

    "I have no other choice," Johnson said in a statement. "I have done everything else I can think of as a citizen, a city councilman and as a parent. This is for my son. This is for all the children and grandchildren."

    Despite the protesters' efforts to interrupt the loading process, the 950-foot USNS Soderman departed with the equipment for the Middle East on Tuesday, port spokesman Mike Wasem said.

    No other Stryker brigade loadings were expected in the immediate future, he said.

    But the protesters were full of plans for the immediate future.

    Wednesday evening, they held a vigil at the port, and today they plan to gather as mourners in conjunction with a port commissioners' meeting, Jensen said.



    Monday is the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war, and many of the port protesters plan to participate in demonstrations in Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia this weekend.

    "Many of us believe this recent protest will energize the movement," Jensen said.

    But he and others dislike the treatment they received from police during their recent activism.

    Police were constantly present at the port before the ship sailed. Earlier this week, they used tear gas and non-lethal bullets to control crowds. So far, protesters' verbal complaints of excessive force haven't been looked into.

    "I don't know that there have been any formal complaints made yet," said Tacoma police Detective Brad Graham.

    If that changes, the allegations would be investigated, he said.

    Nadine Gulit, co-founder of the local group Operation Support Our Troops, said she's glad the ship sailed. She said she hopes the next time protesters want to make a political statement, they'll demonstrate in a way that won't jeopardize the safety of soldiers overseas.

    "You're not going to stop them, and you're not going to bring them home, so why are you trying to stop the equipment they need to stay alive?" she asked.

    The protesters contend the war is illegal because it violates Article Six of the Constitution, which binds the nation to abide by treaties.

    "Many of us believe the war is illegal, even more believe the war is immoral, and still more believe the war is a disaster," Jensen said.

    During the protest, Fort Lewis' newest Stryker brigade, the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, loaded vehicles on the ship in preparation for the April departure of 4,000 soldiers for Iraq. The brigade is being sent to Iraq several months earlier than normal under President Bush's "surge" plan to escalate the war by more than 20,000 troops.


    http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/307520_protest15.html

    why couldn't they just protest to bring all the troops home instead of trying to stop equipment going to those troops?
    "PC Load Letter?! What the fuck does that mean?"
    ~Michael Bolton
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    moeaholic wrote:
    why couldn't they just protest to bring all the troops home instead of trying to stop equipment going to those troops?

    They did, and they continue to.
    Realistically, it wasn't about stopping the shipment, at least not unless 50,000 protesters showed up. It was simply a good staging point to get the message out about the amorality of the Iraq war, and Bush's greed and insanity.

    Edit: This probably explains things better:

    http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=51&ItemID=12322

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  • moeaholicmoeaholic Posts: 535
    gue_barium wrote:
    They did, and they continue to.
    Realistically, it wasn't about stopping the shipment, at least not unless 50,000 protesters showed up. It was simply a good staging point to get the message out about the amorality of the Iraq war, and Bush's greed and insanity.

    Edit: This probably explains things better:

    http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=51&ItemID=12322

    i'll read that later, when i get home. don't really have a lot of time right now. thanks for answering, though.
    "PC Load Letter?! What the fuck does that mean?"
    ~Michael Bolton
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