ANSWER coalition press conference today

[Chalco]

Did anyone hear ANSWER's press conference today. They said that they applied for permits for demonstrations on Jan 20th in DC for the inauguration, but haven't received permission yet.

Anyone else hear what they were saying? I'm sorry if this is a repeat, I couldn't find another thread.

They said the streets are being controlled by the inaugural committe which is run by bush's business buddies and that they will not let protesters near the inauguration this year.

I was there the last time and there were thousands of us. According to ANSWER the bush administration doesn't want the same kind of scene this time and is controlling access to our streets.

They were really pissed. As am I.

[Laughing Mirror]

1. They wouldn't let us near Bush the last time

So there's no reason to think demonstrators will have better access to our great unelected one this time around. Last time, we couldn't even use the steps of the Supreme Court to stage a shadow inaugural, we could only march on the sidewalk around it and were not allowed to move to other side of Capitol building, keeping us at a far remove from the fraudulent swearing-in ceremony on the other side.

And I can remember when Nixon received tomatoes and eggs during his second inaugural, waving frantically the piece sign in his motorcade down Pennsylvania Avenue. Those days are but happy memories anymore. We shall not see them again with the mob squatting the big white house at 1600 Penn now.

[Chalco]

3. I have a video from the last time...

my husband's a videographer. We have footage from up and down Pennsylvania Avenue. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO LET US ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. They are completely controlling the event. This is blasphemous. Pennsylvania is OUR street.

[bvar22]

2. I am pissed too.

And am planning on being in Washington DC on Jan 20th.

Another thread here:

Thread on ANSWER CSPAN Press Conference

For those planning on a trip to DC, stay the weekend and catch this event:

Progressive Democratic Summit

[Chalco]

4. The link to the press conference isn't working

[Beam Me Up]

5. try this link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2838109

[AnnInLa]

6. Yes, I watched the entire press conference

The Parks Commission there in DC is not allowing ANSWER to use any spots near the parade route for a protest, and is not allowing them to put up bleachers, telling them that the b/c inaugural committee has reserved all the parade route for bleachers. Naturally, these bleacher seats will be sold to the rich fatcat contributors only. The b/c inaugural committee hopes to raise $40 mil by selling bleacher seats, entries into the balls and other events. There will be checkpoints. The ANSWER spokespeople said the Parks Commission is using the threat of terrorist activity to control the protests and present a sanitized, supportive crowd to the TV viewers of the world. ANSWER emphasized that Pennsylvania Ave is a public street and everyone has the right to be there, but they urged the protestors to come much earlier than 9:00 a.m. They are expecting a huge protest crowd, but expecting that the crowd may not have a central place to gather, but be dispersed along Penn Ave.

If you have saved money this holiday season by not participating in the corporatization of Christmas, then please go to their website at www.answercoalition.org to donate...the donations help the mobilization effort. Best way of spending holiday money that I can think of, so I donated....please consider helping their effort.