ARCHIVES: Scalia Protests at Princeton University (2001)

University Welcomes Scalia amidst Student Protests, The Daily Princetonian, By MOLLY GULLAND, Feb. 23. 2001

When Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia comes to the University to speak this afternoon, he will not be well received by every member of the community. A group calling themselves the F23 Ad Hoc Committee — F23 stands for Feb. 23 — will be staging a protest at 7:30 p.m. outside McCosh Hall.

"Basically, we wanted to make people realize we don't think it's ok for [Scalia] to be invited to campus to speak on our behalf," said Traci Schlesinger GS, who helped organize the event.

Originally, the committee — made up mostly of members of the Democratic Left — expected a small turnout, but received a large response to its e-mail announcing the event, according to Schlesinger.

Despite enthusiastic replies to the e-mail, the group has no estimate of expected participation because organizations that responded did not say how many members they would send. Yesterday's snowfall also may limit attendance.

"We're really unsure how big it will be . . . we think there will be a lot more support than we had originally expected," Schlesinger said.

Scalia — known as one of the most conservative members of the Court — has sparked controversy with many of his views on current political issues. Traditionally, Scalia has ruled against abortion and affirmative action. He also sat on the court during this year's election crisis.

Ian Rozdilsky, a post-doctorate fellow in ecology who is also involved in the event, said the 2000 election was the greatest motivating factor for the protest.

"We believe Scalia's decision over the election was a deathblow to democracy," he said.

According to Schlesinger, the College Democrats, Princeton Pro-Choice and Black Graduate Caucus were just a few of the campus organizations planning to send members to the protest.

Outside groups, including the New Jersey National Organization for Women and Democratic March, also plan to attend, Rozdilsky said. He added that the committee has received encouragement from groups as far away as Florida and Texas, and said there is "widespread support [for the protest] outside the Princeton campus."

The committee plans to hand out flyers with pointed questions to people attending the talk, hoping some audience members will make the justice answer them.

Protesters will also carry picket signs and chant protests throughout Scalia's appearance.

The committee has no other events planned after today's protest — it wants to send a specific message to the University about its decision to invite Scalia to speak here.

"We believe that Princeton shouldn't welcome someone who has acted as Scalia, against democracy," Rozdilsky said.

Voter Registration in Supreme Court

Voter Registration in Supreme Court Spotlight, By Jake Grovum, Staff Writer, March 15, 2013

A key provision of the two-decade-old National Voter Registration Act hangs in the balance as the Supreme Court on Monday hears a challenge that, if successful, could make registering to vote more complicated.

The justices will once again weigh states’ rights against voting rights as the court hears the challenge, brought by the state of Arizona, against a provision of the voter registration law that is credited with streamlining the country’s voter registration process.

The case centers on a dispute over Arizona’s voter-approved Proposition 200, which was enacted in 2004 and requires voters to prove their U.S. citizenship before registering to vote. The law contradicts the federal measure, and the clash has grown to incorporate the broader arguments over state control of elections featured prominently in recent court battles over voter ID requirements and a challenge to the Voting Rights Act.

Unions, good government groups to file ethics complaint against Romney for failing to disclose his big auto rescue profit | UAW

Unions, good government groups to file ethics complaint against Romney for failing to disclose his big auto rescue profit | UAW

Sarah Silverman Mocks Voter ID Laws With 2012 Election PSA

Sarah Silverman Mocks Voter ID Laws With 2012 Election PSA




Voter ID laws aim to prevent in-person voter fraud. In person voter fraud basically never happens. So why are so many states passing these laws?


Five things you should know about voter ID laws:

1. These are not bipartisan efforts. They are initiated by Republicans, passed by Republicans, and signed into law by Republicans. The State House Majority Leader in PA asserted that these voter restrictions would allow Mitt Romney to win the state.

2. The voters most likely to be burdened by these new voting restrictions are Democrats. Consider which voters don't have ID. Among seniors and young voters, 18% don't have valid ID. Among African Americans, 25% don't have valid ID.

3. Restrictions on voting, like poll taxes and "literacy" tests, have a long history. They are used by one party to prevent supporters of another party from voting.

4. If someone were trying to steal an election, in person voter fraud, where a voter pretends to be someone they are not at the polls, is the last method anyone would chose. Absentee ballot stuffing is much easier. But more Republicans vote by absentee ballot. So no new restrictions on absentee voting.

5. The Brennan Center has estimated that as many as 3.2 million citizens could find it harder to vote because of new voter ID laws.

Website: Let My People Vote

ARCHIVES: In order to Preserve Our Democracy, We Believe Florida's Electors Should be Challenged, 1/1/2001

Story from the indymedia newswire. Checkout independent media coverage of politics, protest, and life at: http://www.indymedia.org, This message was sent to you by: Harel Barzilai, Comments: http://www.indymedia.org/email_display.php3?article_id=16406
Article by: Louis Posner, Chairman@VoterMarch.org, Monday 01 Jan 2001
Summary: In order to preserve our Democracy, we believe Florida's Electors should be challenged in 2001.
Article: On January 6 at 1 pm, Congress will meet in Joint Session to count the Electoral College votes.
Electors have been challenged twice in our history - 1877 and 1969.

In order to preserve our Democracy, we believe Florida\'s Electors should be challenged in 2001. We may not win, but we believe it is essential to make the effort for the following reasons:

1. A massive political crime was committed - the Presidency of the United States was stolen. For the sake of history, the record needs to show that members of Congress were willing to stand up and denounce the crime.

2. We also need the record to show that a lot of Members of Congress - perhaps even a majority - were willing to allow the Presidency to be stolen. In 2 years, we can use this vote against these Members.

3. We need to turn the Democratic Congressional minority into a fighting opposition party. If they fight this historic and just battle, they will find it infinitely easier to fight all of the battles to come - starting with the nomination of John Ashcroft, and eventually all of the substantive battles on the issues we care about.

It only takes 1 Senator and 1 Representative to file a challenge. After that, the Senate and House must debate the challenge for 2 hours and then vote.

Democrats.com have lined up several Representatives who are willing to file the challenge. They expect to have a Senator by Tuesday.

Democrats.com have organized all of the information - including a letter to Congress - at the www.TrustThePeople.com.

Voter March is making an urgent appeal to all of our supporters to visit the www.TrustThePeople.com site and show support for this important project!

Thanks so much for your help!!!

Louis Posner, Esq.
Chairman@VoterMarch.org
www.VoterMarch.org

ARCHIVES: VOTER MARCH TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY and VOTER RIGHTS, Wash. DC, 5/19/2001

5/19: FIVE THOUSAND PROTEST Bogus-President BUSH In DC, 34 posts by 17 authors in alt.politics.democrats.d

5/20/01, VOTERMARCH.ORG, VOTER MARCH TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY and VOTER RIGHTS, Saturday, May 19 2001 http://VOTERMARCH.ORG/May19/May19rr.html

Five thousand who believe democracy is worth the struggle rallied and marched from Lafayette Park, facing the White House, to the West Capitol steps in Washington on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 19, 2001.

The Voter Rights March to Restore Democracy - East Coast sponsored by VoterMarch.org and co-sponsored by over 50 different pro-democracy groups, gathered activists from as far as Connecticut, Florida, Illinois and of course, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware.

Organized by Louis Posner, a New York attorney and leader of the group of volunteers, Voter Rights March produced the successful Anti-Inauguration Rally, and, via an internet call, created this Rally and its West coast twin that contemporaneously took place in San Francisco.

Led by an American flag, the March--peppered by protest banners ranging from the satirical through the clever to almost reverent statements of Democracy--moved past the Justice Dept. and the Supreme Court on its way to the West Capitol steps.

At the Court it was met by the Delaware Valley, Pennsylvania contingent. It had bussed in to first protest against the five who had sullied the Court by ignoring the law and the will of the voters and by appointing the Governor of Texas to sit in the White House.

Forming a round rosy single-file picket line in front of the Court building, the 50 Southeast Pennsylvanians chanted and raised their banners until they were met by and joined the March on its way to the Capitol.

Posner led off the speakers at the Capitol. Hundreds of tourists who had come just to visit the building stood and listened to electrifying statements of the meaning of Democracy.

Frequently applauding the speakers they heard what our "public servants" who we elected and pay to occupy the Building are failing to do.

Other well known progressive leaders speaking included Robert Borosage, Washington labor movement veteran and Co-founder of the Campaign for America's Future; Ted Glick, National Coordinator of the Independent Progressive Politics Network; Ronnie Dugger, Founder of the Alliance for Democracy, Michael Rectenwald, Founder and Chair of Citizens for Legitimate Government;. Phil Berg, the attorney who filed the Florida class action to overturn the Presidential Election, and the Rev. Sekou, on behalf of the Democracy Summer Coalition (NAACP, IPS, IPPN, Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Global Exchange, etc.)

Tears were brought to the eyes of many participants with the appearance of a group of WW2 veterans. Ranging in age from 76 to 92 they came from as far as Texarkanna, Texas to remind us, on this Armed Forces Day, that 14 million young Americans had fought, and many died, to protect what the Supreme Court, the amoral Florida and Texas twin governors and the Republican Party are destroying.

The day was just a day. But it was a rejuvenating and inspiring day:

* A day in which we promised to refer to the occupant in the White House by his only legitimate elected title, "Governor"

* A day in which we promised to continue the struggle for progressive causes.

* And a day in which we promised to work to elect a President of the United States at the end of this four- year hiatus.

---=Hal Rosenthal
_______________________________________________

The next action comes in the voting booth, beginning 2002.

Then comes 2004, when the boil on the butt of DEMOCRACY is finally excised and sent back to Texas.

If he isn't impeached before then .

C_S

=================================================

http://www.PresidentMoron.com

http://www.SmirkingChimp.com

http://www.LegitGov.org/

================================================

Voter March Supports Greg Palast's Billionaires & Ballot Bandits

Billionaires & Ballot Bandits – Greg Palast Investigates the Election Games

Investigative reporter Greg Palast, who busted the story of the purge of Black voters in Florida in 2000, is coming out with Billionaires & Ballot Bandits – Election Games 2012 – The Comic Book and voter guide.

Greg Palast -Billionaires and Ballot Bandits



Billionaires and Ballot Bandits - RFK Jr: "The Four Billion Dollar Election"

ARCHIVES: VOTER MARCH PROTESTS SCALIA AT HOFSTRA U. ETHICS CONFERENCE, 9/9/2001

SCALIA PROTEST

VOTER MARCH PROTESTS SCALIA AT HOFSTRA U. ETHICS CONFERENCE

Antonin Scalia, one of the five ultra-conservative U.S. Supreme Court Judges who stopped the legal hand count of votes in Florida in Election 2000, appeared at Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island, NY on Sunday, September 9th. To add insult to injury, Scalia was the keynote speaker and was honored at this Hofstra Law School Ethics Conference.

There were hundreds of protestors just outside the Conference, including a contingent from Voter March New York that came up by Charter bus. Inside the Conference, Voter March Chairman Louis Posner, Esq. introduced himself as a New York attorney and asked Scalia "Your Honor, you have discussed the ethics of lawyers, while little or nothing has been said about the ethics of Judges. There has been much controversy over your decision in Bush v. Gore including accusations that you acted unethically. Could you please respond to these accusations?" Justice Scalia responded "Yes, I didn't" in a smug and cavalier manner. Posner then responded "No further questions" to remind Scalia that he should be on trial for his crimes. Chris Acosta, Voter March National Steering Committee, never made it to the question and answer session as he was ejected from the Conference for exercising his First Amendment rights when he exclaimed "Ethics - Ha, Ha, Ha."

The protests and Acosta's encounter with Scalia were mentioned in News Day:

Question of Ethics for Scalia Election ruling sparks protest at Hofstra talk
By Bart Jones STAFF WRITER
September 10, 2001

Outside, nearly 100 people yesterday protested the appearance of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at a conference at Hofstra University, saying the justice helped President George W. Bush "steal" last November's election.

But inside, he was warmly received by legal scholars and attorneys who came to hear him, and he later received a standing ovation.

Inviting Scalia to discuss judicial ethics is "like asking Idi Amin to talk about human rights," said Nancy Solomon, 44, of Roslyn.

But Hofstra officials defended Scalia, saying he has ccumulated an impressive record on the bench and has led a rilliant career.

"Someone who carefully looks at his career ... would find he's a highly principled judge," said David Yellen, dean of Hofstra University School of Law. He called the protest "severely misguided."

Scalia did not directly address the protesters during his 40-minute keynote speech. The protesters said Scalia let his conservative ideology dictate his support of the high court's majority opinion that stopped the presidential vote recount in Florida and effectively handed the presidency to Bush.

A heckler in the audience, Christopher Acosta, 50, of Manhattan, was asked to leave by Hofstra authorities after emitting several loud ha, ha, ha's in response to comments by Scalia. After one of the outbursts, Scalia stopped speaking. Staring at Acosta he said, "there is a lawyer joke right there." The audience broke out in laughter.

Scalia did not discuss in depth the court's vote on the November election in the close contest between Bush and former vice president Al Gore, saying it would be "inappropriate."

But generally, Scalia defended the court's decision to end the recounts, and said critics were divided on the issue depending on political persuasion.

In other areas, he argued that imposing a mandatory attorney ethics code could be problematic, but he said ethics are a critical part of the profession.

He also said too many lawyers work absurdly long hours, short-changing their responsibilities as parents, community leaders and members of churches and synagogues.

Lawyers, he said, have gotten the idea that if they're not working long hours seven days a week they're "not really big-time ... that's just silly."

Copyright © 2001, Newsday, Inc.

PETITION: Petition to the Dean of Hofstra Law School protesting Scalia at its Ethics Conference was personally delivered to Dean Yellin by Lou Posner at the Ethics Conference, along with over 700 signatures.

Jacob Appelbaum Speaks at Occupy Wall Street Forum on Security Research

Jacob Appelbaum, an independent computer security researcher, currently employed by the University of Washington, speaks at a forum on security research sponsored by Occupy Wall Street.

Jacob Appelbaum argues the measures included in the proposed Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) would essentially legalize military surveillance of U.S. citizens. He is a developer and advocate for the Tor Project, a network enabling its users to communicate anonymously on the internet.

Live unedited video footage from April 26, 2012 from 56 Walker Street in Tribeca, New York.

Jacob Appelbaum Speaks at Occupy Wall Street on Security Research, Part 1 of 3



Jacob Appelbaum Speaks at Occupy Wall Street on Security Research, Part 2 of 3



Jacob Appelbaum Speaks at Occupy Wall Street on Security Research, Part 3 of 3

Screening of Academy Award-Nominated Documentary Film on Radical Environmental Group on Sat. Feb. 25

"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front"
Nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary Film (2012)
Saturday, February 25, 2011, @ 7:00 p.m.
Epifaneo Collective
56 Walker Street, Tribeca, Manhattan 10013
(1 block below Canal St. between Broadway & Church Street)

See the Trailer for the film on YouTube at:



“IF a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front” tells the remarkable story of the rise and fall of this ELF cell, by focusing on the transformation and radicalization of one of its members. And along the way it asks hard questions about environmentalism, activism, and the way we define terrorism. Drawing from striking archival footage — much of it never before seen — of dramatic arsons, and intimate interviews with ELF members and the prosecutor, “If a Tree Falls” explores the tumultuous period from 1995 until 2001 when environmentalists were clashing with timber companies and law enforcement.

Director/Producer Marshall Curry in the New York Times, Jan. 24, says: “It’s been amazing to me how much overlap there is between the unfolding story of the OWS movement and the story of the environmental movement in the 90s. This summer, when the film was first released, it was a historical film, but suddenly the issues it deals with are urgent and on the front pages of newspapers every day.”

A Q&A and discusion will follow the film.

Hollywood Reporter, FEINBERG FORECAST: Scott's Final Projections for the 84th Academy Awards, Feb. 19, 2012, Prediction for BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM (FEATURE): 1. If A Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front: "This wide-open race ... will go to Marshall Curry’s polished, even-handed look at “eco-terrorism,” a subject of the same social scope and significance as most previous winners."

Voter March blog, Academy Award for Best Documentary: Our Pick: If A Tree Falls,, Feb. 19, 2012, "Time Magazine chose "The Protester" as Time Person of The Year. We believe that this year's winner of Best Documentary will be the film that has as its central focus, The Protester...These environmental protesters, like many of the Occupy Wall Street protesters, are pepper sprayed while they are engaging in nonviolent direct actions. Similar to how law enforcement destroyed the Occupy Wall Street encampments, we see how the Park Rangers destroyed the barricades and tents of the environmental protesters who were tree sitters protecting the ancient forests in Oregon... "If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front" is our choice and prediction for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for 2012, because it is a social justice film that documents the lessons of history, as we grapple with the current developments of The Protester."

A donation of $5 is suggested.

Epifaneo Collective is affiliated with I.N.N. World Report, a not-for-profit alternative media organization. For over 10 years, we have been supporting the activist community through broadcasts, film screenings, speaker events, and special events.

Academy Award for Best Documentary: Our Pick: If A Tree Falls

Time Magazine chose "The Protester" as Time Person of The Year. A historical perspective of the protester was given, up to the more current developments in Egypt and Tunisia, to the Indignados in Spain to the Occupy Wall Street movement that spread from New York City to every city in the United States and throughout the world.

We believe that this year's winner of Best Documentary will be the film that has as its central focus, The Protester: "If A Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front," by Director Marshall Curry and Co-Director, Sam Cullman.

The title "IF A Tree Falls" has a double meaning. On the one hand, we see the pictures of beautiful trees from ancient forests being cut down by lumber companies. On the other hand, we also see how environmental protesters experience the adage "if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

These environmental protesters, like many of the Occupy Wall Street protesters, are pepper sprayed while they are engaging in nonviolent direct actions. Similar to how law enforcement destroyed the Occupy Wall Street encampments, we see how the Park Rangers destroyed the barricades and tents of the environmental protesters who were tree sitters protecting the ancient forests in Oregon.

We see how the protester's despair and disillusionment with their nonviolent direct action lead to the Earth Liberation Front, a radical splinter group from Earth First. The film depicts the human side of the protesters as they evolve from idealistic environmentalists to skilled arsonists causing millions of dollars of property damage. We are reminded of the aphorism "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.”

At the same time, the film achieves its purpose as a well balanced documentary by giving equal time to the viewpoints of the owners of the lumber companies who were targeted by the environmental activists, as well as law enforcement who vigorously pursued the arsonists. We gained firsthand insight into the methods that law enforcement uses to turn criminals into informants and to coerce plea deals.

Finally, we see how the environmental protesters are branded "Eco-terrorists" and subjected to enhanced prison sentences. While they undeniably committed criminal acts of arson and tremendous property damage, we are left wondering whether these protesters are really "terrorists."

"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front" is our choice and prediction for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for 2012, because it is a social justice film that documents the lessons of history, as we grapple with the current developments of The Protester.

16 Protestors Arrested in Front of Goldman Sachs New York Headquarters

Occupy Wall Street - Police Arrests of Protestors in Front of Goldman Sachs Headquarters

Occupy Wall Street at Liberty Plaza on Nov. 3, 2011.
Unedited, live film of march from Liberty Square to Goldman Sachs headquarters in Manhattan
Police arrests of 16 protesters including Reverend Billy Talen and author Chris Edges.

Occupy Wall Street Delivers Indictment to Goldman Sachs and Police Arrest 16 Peaceful Protesters

Occupy Wall Street at Liberty Plaza on Nov. 3, 2011.
Unedited, live film of march from Liberty Square to Goldman Sachs headquarters at 200 West Street in Manhattan. Professor Cornel West joins the protesters from Liberty Square.
The protesters were chanting "banks got bailed out and we got sold out."
The crowd then read the Indictment against Goldman Sachs for looting billions of dollars from the American people:
"Goldman Sachs is found by the People's Hearing on November 3, 2011 to be guilty of felony crimes of violating the securities laws, perjury before a Senate Commission, looting of $78 billion dollars of taxpayer money, and caused irreparable financial harm and deep distress to millions of American People.
At the People's Hearing, Goldman Sachs must return the $78 billion they took from the American taxpayers.
Its senior officials, including its CEO Lloyd Blankfein who it elected, must receive prison time for fraud and burglary.
The Senior Executive of Goldman Sachs must be barred forever from the world of investment banking.
Goldman Sachs must also be prohibited and barred from commodities speculation, from fraudulent manipulation of financial markets, from lying to investors and financial regulators, and must be barred from using its company funds to manipulate the political process for lobbying to influence legislation.
We the People, since no governmental authority from the judiciary to the Congress, is willing to seek justice will march today to the doors of Goldman Sachs, and as part of our verdict, demand the immediate return of the $78 billion dollars that was looted without consent from the U.S. Treasury.
And once this money is turned over to us, we will, we will, we will, return it to the American people."
A crowd of about 16 people, including the Reverend Billy Talen and author Chris Hedges, then sat down in front of the entrance to the Goldman Sachs headquarters under threat of arrest.

ARCHIVES: No Blood For Oil.org - Voter March Affiliate

Voter March organized the first protest against the pending Iraq War on September 12, 2002 at the United Nations in NYC, and formed affiliate No Blood for Oil.org

In October 2002, No Blood for Oil.org helped organize bus tours to Washington, DC to protest the pending War in Iraq.  No Blood for Oil.org was very active during the height of the Antiwar movement from October 2002 to 2005.

See archives from No Blood for Oil.org on Oct. 19, 2002:

NO BLOOD FOR OIL

NO BLOOD FOR OIL VOTER MARCH ACTION ALERTS PEACE LINKS NEWS LINKS PROTESTS BANNERS DONATIONS

NoBloodForOil.org is an affiliate of Voter March that fully supports the peace and anti-war movements and is adamantly opposed to the unelected, illegitimate, unmandated President Bush and his  Administration's plans to wage unilateral war against Iraq. The initial National Steering Committee members are: Louis Posner, New York metro - ny@nobloodforoil.org   Jonathan Inskeep, Washington DC metro   dc@nobloodforoil.org Jamie Murray, West Coast la@nobloodforoil.org   BUSES from Grand Central Station, New York City: Buses for the National March at Washington DC are leaving from  East 42nd Street, between Third Avenue and Lexington Avenue  (near Grand Central Station). Buses are departing at 6:00 AM sharp, so please arrive at least 15 minutes early for boarding and ticketing. Bring drinks and snack food with you as we will not stop on the way. Buses are Deluxe Coaches with bathrooms, recliner seats and movies. The buses are scheduled to arrive in Washington DC by 11:00 AM and will depart from Wash DC at 5:00 PM sharp and will arrive back in New York City (same location) at 10:00 PM. Tickets are not refundable, but may be exchanged, i.e. you may sell or transfer the tickets to another person, but you must provide us with the name of the person you sold or transferred the tickets to.  All tickets are "electronic tickets" which are your PayPal receipts or  receipt by email confirmation. If you do not have an email address, please provide a fax number. There are a limited number of bus  tickets, and tickets are expected to sell out. Round trip bus tickets are $32.00 each. There is also a suggested tip of $2 to $3 per person for the bus driver. Group discounts are available for purchases of 15 or more tickets,

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Archives from No Blood for Oil.org on Feb. 19, 2003

We support the pro-peace and anti-war movement and are adamantly opposed to the illegitimate Bush Administration's plans to wage unilateral war against Iraq to increase economic, political and military influence over the Middle East and its oil resources.    

                                                              To The Victors, Go the Oil.  Credit:  Winston Smith  
Click on Protests Calendar for the latest info. on the Feb. 15th and 16th major anti-war protests in New York City, San Francisco and around the globe.

NoBloodForOil.org is an affiliate of Voter March. 
 

For "No Blood For Oil," the anti-authoritarian coalition of New York-based activists
(not related to Voter March NoBloodForOil.org), click on NBFO.net

10 Million Join World Protest, Rallies From Africa to Antarctica, People Prepare to March for Peace, Common Dreams, February 13, 2003, by John Vidal

Up to 10 million people on five continents are expected to demonstrate against the probable war in Iraq on Saturday, in some of the largest peace marches ever known.  link

The President Must Have Congressional War Resolution Before Starting War, by Jesse Jackson, Jr., Congressman, February 13, 2003.
Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., today said "U.S. soldiers, parents of U.S. soldiers, and other congressional colleagues filed a lawsuit in a Boston Federal Court arguing that, according to the U.S. Constitution, President George W. Bush only has the authority to go to war in Iraq if Congress passes an official declaration of war - and Congress has not passed such a declaration. Congress cannot willingly or voluntarily relinquish its constitutional authority and responsibility in this critical area."  link

Reckless Administration May Reap Disastrous Consequences 
by US Senator Robert Byrd
Senate Floor Speech - Wednesday, February 12, 2003 
To contemplate war is to think about the most horrible of human experiences. On this February day, as this nation stands at the brink of battle, every American on some level must be contemplating the horrors of war.
Yet, this Chamber is, for the most part, silent -- ominously, dreadfully silent. There is no debate, no discussion, no attempt to lay out for the nation the pros and cons of this particular war. There is nothing.   more 

ChickenHawks   Symbolman.com  Humor and animation

Nothin' from Nothin'  Blah3.com.  Humor and animation

The Dirty Dozen,  Blah3.com.  Humor and animation

Make Your Own Bush Speech    UK.  Humor, animation and audio.

Bush's Oil War on Iraq  -   Democracy Means You.  Humor and animation.

Why We Must Invade Iraq,  Mark Fiore, Humor and animation.  

Occupy Wall Street, Liberty Plaza, Oct. 15, 2011 -- Peace Flags

Occupy Wall Street, Liberty Plaza, Oct. 15, 2011 -- Peace Flags

<a href="http://www.hypersmash.com/hostgator/" id="cU928">Hostgator Promos</a>

Occupy Wall Street, Liberty Plaza, Oct.15, 2011 - Unemployed PhD

Occupy Wall Street, Liberty Plaza, Oct. 15, 2011 -- Medic Group

ARCHIVES: Inauguration Protests in Wash., DC, Jan 21, 2001, Largest Since Nixon

Published on Sunday, January 21, 2001 in the Philadelphia Inquirer
Inauguration Protests Largest Since Nixon in 1973, Common Dreams, by Angela Couloumbis

WASHINGTON - Thousands of activists from across the country marched down the rain-slick streets of the capital yesterday, waving signs, chanting slogans, and maneuvering for spots at key inaugural ceremonies for a chance to denounce President Bush.

Organizers of permitted demonstrations along the inaugural parade route said more than 20,000 protesters had gathered in downtown Washington for mostly orderly rallies; police declined to give crowd estimates.

Hail to the Thief
Demonstrators protest against the election results as the inaugural parade passes by Freedom Plaza in Washington, January 20, 2001. Thousands of demonstrators booed the inauguration of President George W. Bush which took place amid the tightest security measures ever. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

The protests were the largest for an inauguration since that of Richard Nixon in 1973 during the Vietnam War. Those drew about 60,000.

By late afternoon, police had arrested about a dozen protesters, charging most with disorderly conduct or other misdemeanors. One was charged with assault with a deadly weapon after slashing tires and trying to assault an officer, police said.

Some protesters said they were clubbed by police, but police denied the allegations. A few officers were hurt after protesters threw bottles at them, but none of the injuries required hospitalization, Deputy Police Chief Terry Gainer said.

Protesters clashed briefly with police at a few flash points, while Bush remained inside his car for most of the parade up a soggy, cold Pennsylvania Avenue. The motorcade sped up as it reached some protests, causing Secret Service agents to break into a run alongside the vehicles. At one point, police stopped the motorcade for five minutes because of the protests.

A couple of protesters threw bottles before Bush's limousine arrived, and one hurled an egg that landed near the new Cadillac, which featured puncture-proof tires and six-inch-thick bulletproof glass.

The President left the car to walk only after he reached a secure zone near the White House that held inauguration ticket-holders.

For the most part, activists called yesterday's protests a success, saying they had managed to get their message across despite some of the most stringent security measures taken by police at a presidential inauguration. More than 10,000 officers from 16 law-enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service, the U.S. Park Police, and the District of Columbia's police force lined the streets beginning at dawn.

"Bush may be president, but I know that when he goes to sit in the Oval Office for the first time, he's going to look out the window, and see and hear us," said Bob Rogers, a founder and organizer of yesterday's Voter March, a nonpartisan group protesting voter disenfranchisement and championing reforms to the Electoral College.

"I don't want to personalize this," Rogers said of Bush. "I'm not going to scream 'Hail to the thief,' as others may do. But I will say, 'Respect the presidency,' because during this election, it was not respected."

Others were not so diplomatic. At Freedom Plaza, a protest space along the parade route at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, thousands of protesters held up signs calling Bush such epithets as "thief" and "pig." When Bush's motorcade passed, they booed and jeered and yelled obscenities. Some held up middle fingers.

And before the motorcade sped by, some activists upset over the lines at security checkpoints turned toward Bush's supporters in bleachers about 20 feet away, yelling "shame," and "ignorance is bliss," and making obscene gestures.

"It bothers me a little bit that they're screaming at us," said David Yiu, a Bush supporter from New York City who had a bleacher seat at Freedom Plaza. "I believe that everyone has the right to express a point of view. But you can express your point of view by calling your senator or your congressman. This is America. If you don't like something, you can change it."

Laura Brightman of Brooklyn, N.Y., did not share that sentiment.

Brightman, who joined about 2,000 people for a "Shadow Convention" led by the Rev. Al Sharpton, said the legal wrangling that followed the election proved that any honest attempt at change would be quashed by politics.

"We were sold out," she said, as others around her chanted, "No justice, no peace." "And when we tried to get justice [from the Supreme Court] we were sold again. The election was stolen."

At the Supreme Court building, Rudy Arredondo of Takoma Park, Md., put it this way: "Bush is a Supreme Court appointee. In my eyes, and in my children's eyes, he will never be a legitimate president."

Hundreds of Bush supporters had gathered earlier at the building to sing "God Bless America."

"Bush is a legitimate president," said Kevin Conner of the National Patriots March, a pro-Bush group that wanted to provide a counterpoint to yesterday's protests. "We want to send that message loud and clear. We are not going to sit by and fume and get mad when we read stories about left-wing radicals. We are going to stand up to it and be active."

Though the Christian Defense Coalition rallied for Bush along Pennsylvania Avenue yesterday, Conner's group of about 300 people was in the minority.

Cheri Honkala, director of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, a Philadelphia advocacy group, traveled to Washington to march to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to protest what she said were injustices against the poor. Although her group did not have a permit to march, their action was successful and her group's message was heard, she said.

"People will go back to their states and continue to be homeless, but they feel rejuvenated," Honkala said, adding that her group had set up a tent made out of American flags and blankets in front of the Health and Human Services Department. "Being here today was very important for them."

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The protests were the largest since those during Nixon's 1973 Inauguration at the height of the Vietnam War.  Those protests drew about 60,000;  organizers of the Bush protests anticipated 20,000.

Though protesters had many disparate causes, most said they were motivated by the Florida election controversy.

 Bob Rogers, one of the organizers of the "Voter March" said the fact that Bush captured the White House even though Al Gore won the popular vote by 500,000 guarantied busloads of demonstrators.

 "These are moderate, working people, motivated by anger, embarrassment, that kind of sentiment," he said.  "They are wondering, "we put a man on the moon, why can't we count the vote?'"

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Read more at:

Thousands Take to Street to Protest, Daily News, Bowling Green, AP, Jan. 2001 

Inauguration Protests Largest Since Nixon, The Victoria Advocate, January 21, 2001 

Thousands Take to Street in Protest of Inauguration, The Southeast Missourian, January 21, 2001

Gore Returns to Private Life, The Tuscaloosa News, AP, January 21, 2001

ARCHIVES: Press Release on Voter March Grassroots Group, April 15, 2001

PRESS RELEASE    

Contacts:

Louis Posner, Esq.    New York Headquarters 212-492-5175 chairman@votermarch.org

Bob Rogers             Wash DC Metro 703-620-0625 dc@votermarch.org

Anne Keith  Media – East Coast 804-760-0296 Media@votermarch.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

The Internet’s Fastest Growing Grassroots Group 

New York, NY-- Voter March, a grassroots group formed in the response to the debacle of the 2000 election has logged over one million hits to its Website (http://web.archive.org/web/20070917115303/http://www.votermarch.org/).  Part of the growing Pro-Democracy movement, Voter March has built an online community of activist members. There are more than 60 state and local chapters of Voter March, many of which are several hundred strong.  Membership in Voter March email lists and egroups is currently over 10,000 individuals, with more people joining every day.  Linked to thousands of websites throughout the Internet, Voter March is the fastest-growing grassroots group in the country.

Voter March is the organization that staged the very successful Inaugural Day Voter March in DC’s Dupont Circle on January 20 of this year and is the organizer of the Voter Rights March to Restore Democracy planned for May 19, 2001 in Washington D.C. and San Francisco. Information about both events can be found at the Voter March website, http://web.archive.org/web/20070917115303/http://www.votermarch.org/ and for the West Coast at http://web.archive.org/web/20070917115303/http://www.voterwest.org/.

An Internet-based advocacy group founded in November of 2000, Voter March is not funded or controlled by any other organization. Voter March organizers are all volunteers, donating their time and skills to the cause.  The Voter March platform calls for critically needed voting and electoral reforms.  The chairman and founder is Louis Posner, a New York City attorney listed in "Who's Who in America."  Robert Rogers of Virginia, a retired aviation test pilot, is Vice Chairman and a founding member.

ARCHIVES: Press Release for Voter Rights March, May 19, 2001

PRESS RELEASE    

Contacts:

Louis Posner, Esq.    New York Headquarters 212-492-5175 chairman@votermarch.org

Bob Rogers             Wash DC Metro 703-620-0625 dc@votermarch.org

Anne Keith  Media – East Coast 804-760-0296 Media@votermarch.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Grassroots Group to Demand Voting Reform at Bi-Coastal Event

New York, NY and San Francisco, CA -- On Saturday, May 19, 2001, individuals from coast to coast will gather for the Voter Rights March to Restore Democracy.  There will be an East Coast march/rally in Washington, DC and a West Coast in San Francisco, California. The DC event will be held at the West Capitol steps and adjacent area of the National Mall including First to Third Streets from 12:00 noon to 5:30 pm (ET).  At 12:00 noon there will be a circular march past from the West Capital steps past the U.S. Supreme Court, followed by speakers and entertainers at 1:00 pm.  West Coast marchers will gather at Justin Hermann Plaza at 10am and march to the Civic Center Plaza for a rally from noon until 4:00pm (PT).  The purpose of the march is to demand critically needed voting reforms, to call for a full investigation of the irregularities in the 2000 election, and to protest the illegitimate President's service to the right wing agenda during his first 120 days in office.  Political commentators will share the stage with prominent activists and entertainers voicing their outrage over the latest presidential election.  The event is sponsored by Voter March, a grassroots group formed in the response to the debacle of the last presidential election. Part of the growing Pro-Democracy movement, Voter March is an entirely volunteer organization that staged the very successful Inaugural Day Voter March in DC’s Dupont Circle on January 20 of this year.   Information about both events can be found at the Voter March website, www.votermarch.org. 

     “We expect the crowd on May 19 to be as diverse as the one at the inaugural protest—male, female, old, young, gay, straight, black, white-- many of them ‘first-time’ protesters,” says Voter March Chairman Louis Posner.  “The indignation over the Supreme Court's highly partisan decisions is wide-spread and cuts across all social lines.  Voter March continues to grow as more and more people commit to ensuring that the rights of voters can never again be trampled on.” 

     As with the January protest, there will be bus convoys to the DC event from New York, Philadelphia, Houston, Cincinnati, Minneapolis and many other cities.  The San Francisco event will have large groups traveling from Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix, Nevada and many other Western cities. 

     As part of the May 19 events, Voter March will present a platform calling for a Voters' Bill of Rights that includes: 

1)      Strict enforcement and extension of the Voting Rights Act, to prevent the disenfranchisement of voters, and full investigation and prosecution of offenders; 

2)      User- friendly voting, requiring funding to replace old and unreliable machines to ensure that every vote is counted fairly and accurately;

3)      Establishment of real campaign finance reform and restrict the use of "soft" money campaign contributions;

4)      Abolishment of the Electoral College and its replacement with a majority rule election, or substantial reform of the electoral system to allow for proportional representation;

5)      Increasing voter participation in elections by eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, registering citizens to vote and reducing the voter apathy that results in half of the eligible population not voting. 

     The Voter Rights March will also be protesting Bush's right wing agenda that is drastically turning back gains in environmental protection, separation of church and state, world peace initiatives and other civil rights and social issues. 

     An internet-based grassroots advocacy group founded in November of 2000, Voter March is not funded or controlled by any other organization. Voter March organizers are all volunteers.