Effective vs. Ineffective Protesting
I've mentioned here before that I have been a long-time participant (off and on) in the peace vigil that takes place in front of the Benton County Courthouse every night from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. I participated in larger events in San Francisco and Portland as the momentum for the Iraq invasion increased, and helped block access to the Federal Building in Eugene the day the war began.
I've been politically active since I was a teenager, and have always believed in standing up for what I feel is right, or standing against what is wrong. It started when I was 15, living in a small town where religion was oppressive, and Operation Rescue came to town. I donned an orange vest and started volunteering as an escort at the local abortion clinic, escorting young women through the picket lines every weekend.
I only mention this to show that I wholeheartedly support the act of protest. Thomas Jefferson may never have actually said that dissent is the highest form of patriotism, but I do believe it is a celebration of our constitutional rights and, indeed, an act of patriotism. This country might not exist if it weren't for the unwashed masses standing up against their long distance king.
So, it may seem a bit odd to those who know me that I am completely disgusted with the vigil that was recently held in front of the National Guard armory on Kings Blvd. Originally, it sounded like a good idea: a march in the spirit of the original Mothers' Day, ending at the armory with a vigil intended to show support for veterans returning from the war, who haven't been particularly well-supported by their government for their service. Instead, the organizers decided to turn it into a confrontation, targeting the Guardsmen with accusations about local recruiting practices, marking up the armory memorial with sidewalk chalk, and littering the sidewalk with flag-draped coffins.
This basically proves the knee-jerk, flag-waving, "Support our troops!" folks right. By targeting the military personnel who do all the actual work, living through an unpleasantness few others can imagine, these protestors are sadly misguided. The government makes these decisions... they are fair game. But this protest brings to mind the pathetic mistreatment of troops returning from Vietnam. Way to go, guys.
Meanwhile, there was a silent bike ride yesterday to raise awareness for bike safety issues, also serving as a memorial to Robin Jensen, the teenager who was killed on her way home from work in 2004. It was a poignant tribute and an effective way to send a message.
(A final note: Local bloggers who post political messages but then refuse to publish any comments that show disagreement are really doing a disservice. If you don't actually want comments, maybe you should disable the option.)
I've been politically active since I was a teenager, and have always believed in standing up for what I feel is right, or standing against what is wrong. It started when I was 15, living in a small town where religion was oppressive, and Operation Rescue came to town. I donned an orange vest and started volunteering as an escort at the local abortion clinic, escorting young women through the picket lines every weekend.
I only mention this to show that I wholeheartedly support the act of protest. Thomas Jefferson may never have actually said that dissent is the highest form of patriotism, but I do believe it is a celebration of our constitutional rights and, indeed, an act of patriotism. This country might not exist if it weren't for the unwashed masses standing up against their long distance king.
So, it may seem a bit odd to those who know me that I am completely disgusted with the vigil that was recently held in front of the National Guard armory on Kings Blvd. Originally, it sounded like a good idea: a march in the spirit of the original Mothers' Day, ending at the armory with a vigil intended to show support for veterans returning from the war, who haven't been particularly well-supported by their government for their service. Instead, the organizers decided to turn it into a confrontation, targeting the Guardsmen with accusations about local recruiting practices, marking up the armory memorial with sidewalk chalk, and littering the sidewalk with flag-draped coffins.
This basically proves the knee-jerk, flag-waving, "Support our troops!" folks right. By targeting the military personnel who do all the actual work, living through an unpleasantness few others can imagine, these protestors are sadly misguided. The government makes these decisions... they are fair game. But this protest brings to mind the pathetic mistreatment of troops returning from Vietnam. Way to go, guys.
Meanwhile, there was a silent bike ride yesterday to raise awareness for bike safety issues, also serving as a memorial to Robin Jensen, the teenager who was killed on her way home from work in 2004. It was a poignant tribute and an effective way to send a message.
(A final note: Local bloggers who post political messages but then refuse to publish any comments that show disagreement are really doing a disservice. If you don't actually want comments, maybe you should disable the option.)
posted by Corvallist at
10:49 PM
6 Comments:
"By targeting the military personnel who do all the actual work, living through an unpleasantness few others can imagine, these protestors are sadly misguided. The government makes these decisions... they are fair game. But this protest brings to mind the pathetic mistreatment of troops returning from Vietnam."
Excellent point. Too often, the protesters rail against the very people who defend their right to be protesting in the first place. It's not the soldiers'/sailors'/marines'/airmen's fault the government is messed up.
By
MikeyPDX, at 9:00 AM
I, like many others wish we were not at war and I am saddened at how our government has handled the situation we are in.
I honk and wave at the activists in front of the courthouse. BUT, taking this to the armory is an embarrassment and a disservice to the peace cause.
Many military personnel are there, simply because the military was their best option. Either they could not afford to go to college right away, they wanted to seek out a new discipline, or they carry with them a true desire to help their country...of course there are many other reasons why one would seek military service.
Military service would not have been a good fit for me (still isn't), but we have people willing to put their lives on the line for our good.
Showing up on their front lawn with child sized caskets and shoes to signify the lives lost is hurtful to those that serve our country.
How peaceful is that?
~ch
By
Unknown, at 11:26 AM
They did get rid of the coffins and shoes, which were kind of distasteful, I agree. I kind of think, the more protests the better. It was at the armory, which might seem to indicate it was anti-soldier, but if you haven't even been over there, how would you know?
I wouldn't say I don't have any misgivings about the whole thing, but in general, it's good to be out protesting the war.
chris farrell
By
Anonymous, at 1:31 PM
Well, Chris, I haven't been there to participate, but I have reason to drive by on a daily basis. I agree with the idea of more protests, but there are protests that send an actual message and there are protests for the sake of publicity or confrontation. Leah Bolger wants nothing more than to make a local name for herself, in my opinion.
By
Corvallist, at 6:46 PM
I don't know who leah bolger is. I agree the shoes and coffins were in bad taste and the courthouse would be a better location. I was basically against the whole thing, which is why I wasn't there.
By
Christopher Farrell, at 10:47 PM
Corvallist,
I have to disagree here. The vigil was to get the guard to change the sign, because, plain and simple, it was misleading. For the Guard to lie gullible young men and women to get them to end up fighting an illegitimate and shameful war, it had to be addressed. This is not the war to fight if your interest is to "serve your country" ...this war is serving the Bush family and friends, and is shaming our country. That being said, they LIED on their sign.
I disagree that Leah is out to make a name for herself. She is not at all some pompous self-glorifier... she is (to use the cliche) thinking globally, acting locally, as is her husband and many others in our community. I can tell the self-glorifiers when I meet them, and trust me, she is not one of them. For instance, when the resolution to bring them troops home was passed, she and her husband were humble and weren't seeking any kind of pats on the back. They played a vital role in making that happen.
Local decisions can be made as to what goes on the sign, as far as I know. The sign was changed, but not satisfactory to everyone. If it were up to me, the sign would say something simple like, "Consider the Guard." and not something misleading... That's the bottom line, and as for the littering with shoes and flags- that was cleaned up when people said they were offended by the shoes. Some teenagers threw a bunch in the street.
The vigil was otherwise respectful and according to people that were at the vigil, grossly misrepresented by the Gazette.. no surprise there.
By
crallspace, at 5:37 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home