Medea Benjamin (CommonDreams): Let’s Be Prepared for a Stolen Election

[Jack Rabbit]

From Common Dreams
Dated Monday October 25

Stolen Election? This Time Around, Let`s Be Prepared
by Medea Benjamin

After months of traveling from swing state to swing state, I have been astounded by the number of people who are furious with the “war president” George Bush, and have dedicated enormous energy to registering, educating, cajoling, and exhorting people to vote. Californians have invaded Nevada, New Yorkers have flooded into Pennsylvania, folks from Massachusetts have adopted New Hampshire, and here in Florida, there is a deluge of activists from all over the country. These anti-Bush organizers, many of whom have no formal connection with the Democratic Party, will be out in full force on November 2, knocking on doors, chauffeuring voters to the polls and guarding polling places. It is likely that a massive turnout among young people, single women, African Americans, and newly registered and infrequent voters will make Kerry the winner.

The real question is: Will the election be free and fair or will we see a replay of 2000, with voting in key swing states like Florida and Ohio marred by significant fraud? Unfortunately, too many signs are pointing towards a replay of 2000. But this time, there’s a big difference: We’ll be ready . . . .

A new coalition, made up of peace, women, labor, civil rights, religious and environmental groups, has set up an Urgent Response Network to be activated in event of a stolen election. On the group’s website, www.nov3.us, tens of thousands of people have already signed a pledge saying that they remember the fraud-ridden presidential election of 2000 and that if the election is stolen again, they will join nationwide protests starting on November 3rd--either in their local communities, in the states where the fraud occurred, or in Washington DC. The pledge signers include personalities such as Michael Moore, Jesse Jackson, and Dolores Huerta, as well as representatives from groups such as the AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, United for Peace and Justice, Global Exchange, CodePink, and the Feminist Majority.

On election night, after getting feedback from electoral experts throughout the country, the coalition will decide whether to activate the network. If so, protests, including non-violent civil disobedience, will be organized at local election offices, polling places, government buildings, or political party headquarters. And the protests will not last for one day or two days, but until every vote is counted. If it takes camping out at government offices for several weeks, so be it. It’s a small price to pay compared to those who fought and died to bequeath us the right to vote.

Read more.

It is good that somebody will be ready to resist Bush and his gang of thugs if they should try to solidify their illegitimate hold on power next week.

[Trailrider1951]

1. What can we in the red states do?

Quote: ".....tens of thousands of people have already signed a pledge saying that they remember the fraud-ridden presidential election of 2000 and that if the election is stolen again, they will join nationwide protests starting on November 3rd--either in their local communities, in the states where the fraud occurred, or in Washington DC."

How can we in the red states help? I live in Houston, TX, and while Houston usually goes Democratic, there doesn't seem to be much in my neighborhood of activist organization willing to protest anything. How can we help support the protest effort in other areas? Any ideas?

[salib]

2. Get Rid of Tom Delay

For one. Also, work hard to get out the vote and upset the re-districting fraud that we in TX have to suffer with. If it stolen, I will certainly turn to protest, of whatever nature is necessary. However, let's not worry about that until we have done all we can to turn this country around through the political system.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I believe, will be to get rid of this red-state/blue-state system of winner takes all. If we want to see the candidates campaign in this state we HAVE to go to a proportional electoral college result.

[Trailrider1951]

4. No problemo!

I have already contributed to his opponent, Richard Morrison, even though I do not live in that district. If you can help, please contribute at: http://www.morrisonfor22.com

I would love to stand on the street corner with a "stolen election" sign, but I would be a target for the freepers out there alone. Maybe I could just put up signs everywhere?

[crispini]

3. Sign up at the website and be prepared to get in the car.

We are up here! (Dallas). Wanna carpool? :D I got 10 vacation days I'm saving for this.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Bump

:bounce: