(no subject)

[42itous]

Yesterday I went to the rally in Copley Square protesting the ban on Muslims entering the US. I didn't get to hear any of the speakers, but I heard (and participated in) the chanting -- "Love, not hate: that's what makes America great!" and "Love, not fear; refugees are welcome here!" What impressed me about this crowd was that although we were all packed in tightly, there was no pushing, just polite "can I squeeze through?"s and strangers boosting each other into trees. When a guy climbed the tree next to me, I passed him my phone and he took this photo for me -- as soon as I got my phone back, another stranger asked me to email it to him.


Here's another from later, when I eventually managed to get up onto the steps of the brownstone building (I don't actually know what the building is -- a church?). The diversity in the crowd was impressive -- someone's sign described him as a descendant of immigrants (who came over on the Mayflower); I saw Jews carrying signs saying "We've seen this before;" I saw lots of different skin colors, I saw headscarves, I saw people of all ages.


It was energizing. I'm ready for action (and next time I'm bringing my own sign). But for now, back to making phone calls.

Comments

[42itous.livejournal.com]

I think it's easiest to get critical mass of protesters if there's a tangible and immediate situation in the news. Bannon and the rest of the nightmare is less tangible and less immediate. Maybe the time to protest would have been when he was appointed. :(

But there will be other protests -- predictably enough that I could make the signs for some of them now. I'll make lots of signs, and then if obligations prevent me from going to the protests I'll give the signs to people who can.

[ron_newman]

This Saturday there's an official city-sponsored Sanctuary City Rally in front of Somerville High School, 10 am to noon.