WIP News Service covered May Day 2008 on extremely tight deadline, but the story which was published in May’s WIP seriously departed from the mission statement of Works in Progress, from human values, and from advocacy for justice.

The piece was published without an individual byline, but clearly argues in favor of the act of throwing rocks at events such as May Day. I quote: “Some will rightly point out that tactics need to be escalated…” “Anybody who is swayed against our cause by seeing people fight back was … never on our side in the first place.” These quotes are from an imaginary discussion with 20 imagined “anti-imperialists.” They are laid out in argument, counter-argument style in a common form of propaganda called false equivalence. The arguments are presented side by side as if they are equally valid, and the piece does not openly state that one or the other view is correct, except in its choice of the phrase “…rightly point out..” and “…our side,” as if we the readers are on the side of those who threw these rocks. The good intentions of those who threw rocks are also assumed by the author, opening the question of whether the author participated in this act.

The public defender blog Arbitrary and Capricious has a new post with updates on Olympia May Day, plus a great point is made, go forth and read: The activist's passive voice: 'rocks were thrown'

(comments closed here so as to encourage comments there)

Update: read Emmett's What's with the quote marks comrade?

Check out what we've already gathered at Oly May Day: Justice for All [2008]. Anything further on this theme will eventually also be added in. Look through what has happened in past years in Oly May Day.

I encourage everyone to tell us their experiences, there is no deadline, and all civil discussions are welcome. Got photos, video, stories to tell? Please join in.

CNN:

The Olympian:

The Olympian (3 May 2008): Troopers review Capitol security measures

The Olympian (3 May 2008): Olympia's patience wears thin with protests

The Olympian: Damage reported downtown at councilmembers' businesses

The Olympian (3 May 2008): Six face felony charges after rally

King 5 (2 May 2008): Olympia May Day protestors appear in court

The Olympian (2 May 2008): A rally, then violence in Olympia

The Olympian (1 May 2008): 6 arrested as protesters throw rocks through windows at 3 Olympia banks

Komo 4: May Day rally briefly turns ugly in Olympia

Most, if not all, of the links to television stations have video with the story.

Feel free to add stories you find. I know Sarah usually does this but I thought I'd try compiling a starter list.

A fair amount of stuff posted about Oly May Day at the Seattle Indymedia site, most of it is pretty angry stuff.

I found this post particularly interesting.

EDIT: Oops, wrong one, this is the post I was talking about.