To be honest, I was not sure which RNC-related events I was going to attend and if I wanted to put myself in harm's way. I have a lecture coming up that is part of my graduate exams that I need to pass. My first day back at teaching is on Tuesday. And quite frankly, I just don't always have the stomach for dealing with Republicans. I once made eye contact with Pat Buchanan and I felt that I had been psychically slimed. Even tonight, walking around downtown Minneapolis, looking at all these grimmacing Republicans, many of whom look either angry or afraid, I felt nauseous and angry myself.
But now that the police have decided to participate in tactics of intimidation and fear with their constant raids of activist homes throughout Minneapolis (and St. Paul, but largely over here), I HAVE to go. We all do. We HAVE to stand up to this and show that we will not stay home out of fear. For every activist that is hauled off to jail with no charges filed until Tuesday or Wednesday, like the Cerebus, five more need to spring up and attend the marches. An even greater show of strength must be brought about. And besides, they can't arrest tens of thousands of us at once. I encourage anyone who was unsure before about whether or not to attend the Monday event at the Capitol, anyone who cares about free speech, regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, to come to the Capitol at 11 am on Monday and say NO to intimidation and brutality.
Love and Peace
Fluffy
