M20 march Tucson, AZ pics : AZ IMC

The March 20 rally in Tucson came off smoothly and uneventfully. Over 500 people met at the University of Arizona mall and walked down Speedway to De Anza Park in protest on the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Particularly strong was the message that the Bush administration must be stopped from continuing their war-mongering. For a peaceful march which stayed on the sidewalks, police presence was far overkill, including a helicoptor hovering overhead (our tax dollars at work). Volunteers in orange vests affiliated with the march facilitated the police by stopping the string of people at each crosswalk when the "no walking" light began to flash. At the park, white crosses were placed in the ground to commemorate those who have died. A rally with speakers & music concluded the action.

This demonstration was held in conjunction with hundreds of actions around the world. Tucson citizens joined with millions in saying "no!" to the continued occupation of Iraq. Demonstrations of this scale will continue as long as U.S. foreign policy is geared towards domination of the world.

the display of crosses created an emotional/spiritual experience for some

being interviewed for KXCI

Finally,good Photo Journalism posted at Arizona Indymedia..Look sick of only photos of just signs...This gives good Photo story!!

...think outside the box we're confined in during the next "march" and get of the frickin' sidewalk.

if i was looking at our march as an objective observer recently back from a stint in the wilderness, i'd laugh at supposed "free" people who allow themselves to be corralled down sidewalks by frickin' cops (the domestic control apparatus of the government) as a sign of solidarity with the Iraqi people.

It's a shame that we show such weakness and then proclaim victory, declaring that every little bit helps. i am very skeptical that we did a thing to aid Iraq or convince anyone against the war. we were preaching to the choir and feeling good 'bout ourselves.

Not only did we do little or nothing to directly or even indirectly confront the illegal iraqi occupation, we did nothing to liberate ourselves from servility to the government was supposedly critical of if not outright opposed to. at least we could have taken the streets, or deviated from the preplanned stroll down speedway, perhaps tasting self-determination, empowerment and freedom for but a brief instance -- but no.

of course one might criticize me as in: "well, if you wanted to take the streets why didn't you do it?" well, for one, i don't want to be a martyr for a bunch of folks i am sure wouldn't follow me. for two, i think that as soon as folks relegate themselves to the sidewalk they have already sold themselves to obedience. another nail in the coffin for the supposed freedom we all "take for granted" in the US.

better luck next time.

I think the whole frickin' sidewalks vs streets debate is still thinking inside the same old box. Rallies and marches alone do not effect social change, nor are they designed to. They can draw attention to a situation, maybe, but that's about it. Look to Miami to see how the "streets/sidewalks" thing *really* plays out when the domestic control folks decide to kick ass. What should be happening every day between those marches & rallies is what will create change.