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Report: antiwar action, 1/18 in Tucson
by Sonya & Hidro, AZ IMC
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003 at 10:14 AM
summary of the day's events.
| In Tucson today, thousands demonstrated against war
in Iraq. |

By ten AM, approximately 2500 people had gathered at the Old Main building
on the University of Arizona Campus.
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After speakers and singing - including Peg Millett singing "Women Come Forth" and a mock wedding
of polygamist George Bush to his special interests (War, the NRA, Big
Oil, and Corporate Farms) - marchers proceeded North on Park Avenue,
taking the street in a negotiated deal with the police.
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The march turned West on Speedway, and stretched over
two city blocks, nearly a mile long. Along Speedway as well, marchers
occupied the far right lane of Eastbound traffic, walking against the
flow of cars.
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At about 11:15 AM, the march reached De Anza park, an
official count putting the number upon arrival at 3500. People rallied
here, listening to music, exchanging information, and enjoying the beautiful
day. Speakers and music included newly elected Southern Arizona Representative
Raul Grijalva, and the Raging Grannies performing songs with clever, original
lyrics.
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A small crowd gathered around a silver bus parked on an adjacent road,
with a drumset, bass player, and freestyle hip-hop inside.
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Many demonstrators engaged in autonomous creative, theatrical
effects.
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Two counter-demonstrators were present, one wore a shirt that read "Support
Bush." That of the other said "I Love Bush." Anarchists engaged
them in a conversation of US foreign policy. The discussion remained calm.
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The final count at the park was 5000. People from all over
the state participated, including at least 100 from Phoenix and 50 from
Prescott.
Five arrests were made this day, three men and two women.
Early in the march, the following statement was clearly overheard on the
police radio: "Watch the people dressed in black, they are the trouble-makers.
That's where the arrests will be made." From the beginning, police
closely tailed the black bloc, some 50 people strong. Between Park and
Euclid, one of the black blocers walked near the cones, and was snatched
by three bicycle police. This began an intense verbal confrontation with
the black bloc shouting, "Let him go!" At some point between
Euclid and Sixth Ave, police closed in and pointed out another male of
this group - as he turned down a side alley, riot cops chased and tackled
him. Two female observers were also arrested as they stood nearby. A third
male was arrested at some point in between these incidents. All were cited
and released, two are confirmed to have been charged with obstructing
traffic and interfering with a traffic officer, and it is likely that
the other three were charged likewise. Police continued to shadow the
black bloc, even forming a semi-circle around the group as they sat in
the park.
When asked, Sargeant Woolridge denied that anyone was targeted
based on their appearance or dress. He did comment that it was "a
nice day, and a nice crowd."
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LATEST COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE
Listed below are the 10 latest comments of 16 posted about this article.
These comments are anonymously submitted by the website visitors.
| TITLE |
AUTHOR |
DATE |
| Truth and Freedom |
Corey |
Monday, Mar. 31, 2003 at 5:20 AM |
| The Governments of the US and UK don't care about Iraqis |
compilation |
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 at 1:21 PM |
| Patriot |
Big Al |
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 at 9:02 AM |
| Fuck Bush's Racast War!! |
Brent R. Widener III |
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003 at 10:50 PM |
| Fuck Bush's Racast War!! |
Brent R. Widener III |
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003 at 10:49 PM |
| Arguement leaving out key facts |
Daniel Brockert |
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003 at 11:32 AM |
| to the troll(s) |
American |
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003 at 12:35 PM |
| Protesters Hypocrites |
American |
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003 at 2:10 AM |
| rt |
js |
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003 at 12:44 AM |
| 2003 Year Of The Sheep |
c |
Monday, Jan. 20, 2003 at 9:25 AM |
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