May 21 Protest at Calvin College

[Democracy White]

On Saturday, May 21 2005 I had the opportunity to speak my voice about Bush.

As some of you may know, Bush came to Grand Rapids to speak at the commencement ceremony. Well on that day I joined up with 700 other protesters (the news said it was 700 but I say it was more like 200) and we marched down East Beltline to the college's entrance on Burton street.

The sun was shining and the temperature was a nice 75 degrees. We marched onto the campus grounds and stopped at a closed in area. A group of kids played drums and one with a saxophone kicked up a jazzy tune. We shouted slogans such as "Hey Hey Ho Ho Bush & Cheny gotta go!"

We then proceeded back to the Beltline where we lined both sides of the street and held our signs and shouted, Most motorists passing by us were supportive. Honking their horns and giving us the "rock on" sign with their hands. Some pumped their fists out of their windows and some gave us the peace sign.
Some of the motorists even shouted out things like, "Down with Bush" and "Rock on!"
Of course there were the jeerers. People that didn't support us cursed us and gave us obscene gestures. One woman even held up traffic to shout obscenities at us. I couldn't hear what she said but it was clear that she was upset. Her face was as red as her car.

There were people that even parked somewhere and joined in on the protesting. One man kept going up and down the Beltline handing out magnets fashioned in the manual peace symbol, printed with the American flag as its design.

There also was a bunch of creative protesters. One was a trio who fashioned themselves as the picture of the Iraqi prisoner hooded and dressed in black and attached to wires. Very creative in my opinion. Also there were some creative signs. One was a man who had drawn Bush as Hitler riding a pig, the sign saying "Unwelcome der Furher" Another was a sign that read "GWB is a WMD" There were tons of others but I can't remember them all. My sign read "Conservative my ass! Bush is a Nazi! It wasn't mine originally. I got it from the Bush on the Pig guy. ( Didn't catch his name but he was a nice fellow.)

This was the very first major demonstration that I went to in my life and I must say that it was a very positive and uplifting experience for me. Meeting people that came from different parts of the US just express their dislike for Bush and his administration. Alumni from the school came out in numbers and voiced their dissent.

The positive feedback from the majority of the motorists made such a positive impact on me. I cannot really express my words on this event. All in all I really felt democracy being around us. I was genuinely suprised to see that a majority of people in GR agreed with us, even though it was a small number.

It certainly has made me feel good about humanity in all, that we can unite to work on a thing that we all agree on that needs to be worked. I have met some very interesting and like minded people and I wish them all well as they continue their journey.

I know that some people out there that have been to demonstrations before will probably think that this is trivial.

I wish I had some pictures to show you but alas, I forgot to bring my digital camera. I would like to continue more but I have very limited time and need to get off soon.

Dee

[Hardrada]

1. Hurray for You folks! You did a good job.

Have any pictures of the scene?

[knitter4democracy]

2. Wow. We heard it was only a couple of dozen protestors.

Of course, the media around here is freakin' conservative, so I figured their numbers were wrong. If my health were better and we weren't moving next week, I would've been up there with you guys. I know the K'Zoo Gazette had a huge article on the Calvin letter with all the alum and prof signatures against Bush. That was a good thing to read.

Hey, if Bush is having trouble in West Michigan, he's in trouble. Period.

[Dr Ron]

3. More on LUTD

Post at:

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=934

includes link to post with two letters placed in the Grand Rapids Press protesting Bush by students, alumni, and one third of the faculty.

TV coverage from WOOD TV in Grand Rapids showed "God is Not a Democrat or a Republican" badges and stickers on both some members of the faculty and student caps.

Background information on Calvin and the conservativism of West Michigan is also included in the LUTD post.

[babylonsister]

4. Your experience is not trivial at all! I was cheering

while reading; a movement really takes a village, and every village voicing their opinion helps enormously. I'm glad you enjoyed and hope you participate in many more!:toast:
I haven't heard a lot about the protesters, but it has been mentioned on the news today.

[cobaindrain]

5. bring Hobbes