March for Leonard Peltier

Monday, January 18, 2010 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Concerned citizen activists rallied at the Washington State Capitol to call for racial and economic justice, and for solutions to the State Revenue Shortfall that will not target, and unfairly prey upon, those who are already vulnerable and disadvantaged by the system.

Racial justice report cards were delivered to legislators.

Some of the messages of the day included:

• Yes to racial and economic justice!

• No to exploitative and abusive economic policies and practices!

• In a time of economic hardship, it makes sense to take care of all people in society. Poor people do not deserve to suffer, and social supports ought to be not only maintained, but increased, in order to help people get out of poverty.

• End the war on the poor - fight poverty and not poor people! End Poverty once and for all!

There were a lot of other journalists there, including two or three TV news cameras at the rally. So keep on the look out for other reports.

UPDATE: video from Elliot Stoller: March on Olympia, and Martin Luther King Day

Here's a list of some sponsoring organizations, followed by photos:

[report back from the event: here]

This Monday!

March on Washington State for Jobs and Justice!

9am Summit, 11:30am March to Capitol
Visit Legislators and attend afternoon workshops

Demand Accountability -- meet with your lawmakers, share your story, make ending poverty a priority.

Key Issues :
•Racial and Economic Justice
•Progressive Revenue
•Health Care
•Opportunity for All
•Foreclosure Protection and Affordable Housing

*Transportation, childcare, food and Spanish interpretation are provided.

Registration is FREE and required for lunch and childcare. Please contact POWER - Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights 701 Franklin St SE Olympia, WA 98501 360-352-9716 or toll free 866-343-9716 welfarerights@riseup.net www.oly-wa.us/power/

POWER is an organization of low-income parents and allies advocating for a strong social safety net while working toward a world where children and care giving are truly valued, and the devastation of poverty has been eradicated.

Meet at 11 AM at Olive Way and Melrose Avenue, Seattle, for bannering over I-5. Then, at Noon, march to Westlake Park for a Vigil until 2 PM. Demonstrate solidarity with Gazans and allies detained by Egyptian authorities. Sponsored by Voices of Palestine.

More information about the Gaza Freedom March: www.gazafreedommarch.org/

25 Olympians went on the Blue Green Machine Solidarity Bus to the Portland D-5 WTO Protest March. For more information about taking the bus to large events contact latinamericansolidarity@gmail.com

Today is the anniversary of eight years of war in Afghanistan. The war started up few short weeks after the events of September 11, 2001 (which, all in all, was a curiously "catastrophic and catalyzing event––like a new Pearl Harbor" cite Wikipedia: PNAC Rebuilding America's Defenses.)

It is good to live in a town where people protest policies of global dominance, and corporate power, and wars. I thought the war protest rally and march went really well. I thought it was fun. The weather was beautiful, and there was a great spirit and cheer about the event. There were about 300 people who participated. There were several speakers, and a performance by the Olympia Free Choir -- and the Olympia Marching Band provided show stoppingly and foot stompingly excellent sounds along the march route.

Here's a link to a photoset: Protest: Eight Years of War in Afghanistan

Peace Gator

Healthcare NOT Warfare!

Don't Forget! ...a friendly reminder that today is the eight year anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan.

There will be a rally TODAY (Oct. 7) at 3:30 PM at Woodruff Park. There will be speakers, and also music by the Olympia Free Choir and the Olympia Marching Band.

At 4:30, participants will march on a legally permitted route through West Olympia.

It ought to be fun, and it's a beautiful day! Hope to see you there!

Protestors considered recent Israeli miliatary attacks against the Palestinian territory of Gaza to be acts of Aggression. These protestors, advocates of a Free Gaza, gathered at Westlake Plaza in downtown Seattle for an afternoon of rallying and marching. An estimated 800 to 1,000 people participated.

Here's a link to photos from yesterday's Free Gaza demonstration in Seattle, Washington:

End the Siege of Gaza, Seattle, Washington, January 2009