Post in Update: peacemakers vs brick throwers

2008 Feb 07 18:41 UTC

I am raising a red flag about the "RNC Protest 2008"  asking for respect for
diversity of tactics and secrecy. I ask all community groups to think very
carefully before supporting this group in any way.

While nearly every peacemaker group has focused on elections, one small group,
"Protest RNC 2008" has been focussed on protesting the Republican National
Convention(RNC), which is normally a good activity except this time. I wrote of
the importance of nonviolence and peace pledge previously. Now all groups who
are participating with this group are being asked to commit to a unity pledge

* respect the diversity of tactics (ignore the people who state on public email
lists that violence to property like throwing bricks through windows is ok)

* separate activities (please don't stand next the person throwing bricks or
you too will probably get arrested)

* don't criticize publicly (like I am doing right now, no free speech, no
request for peace pledge, no request for a standard of non-violence, no
openness, no transparency)

* don't cooperate with police (like my pledge to point at the person throwing
bricks)

Well I looked at this unity pledge and I thought, all that Bush has to do to
shut down protests is join the groups protesting as "George Bush, Tactic - Iraq
War and Group - US Government" and to live by the unity pledge, the protests
could say nothing. There just is something inherently wrong with violence used
to stop violence. Peace grows from goodwill and community spirit.

More at
http://www.mnblue.com/node/1107

Grace Kelly nicknamed Kelly
Peacemaker Curmudgeon in Merriam Park