Help me convince my mom to let me protest Jan. 20!!

[kamqute]

My mom is terrified that some bushtapo will accost me and lock me up. Please help me convince her to let me go! We have money ready for bail and I don't care if I'm arrested for a day or two.

[bobbieinok]

1. how old are you??? male or female???? answers would affect

my attitude as a mother

from my experience of being arrested for taking part in a sit-in in the early 60s........be with a group you know....DON'T go by yourself

[kamqute]

3. 15/Male-I look like a girl though :)

[janx]

6. Give it some time.

Your mom might be right about this. I made the mistake of taking my daughter to an Iraq War protest when she was around your age, and we missed pepper spray bombs and fire truck hoses by just a few minutes. Some young people got out of control (not by much) and went against the rules of the protest as defined by the Peace and Justice Center and the police. They started blocking traffic, and that's when the pepper spray bombs and fire truck hoses came out. It took a long time for me and my daughter to get out of there. All kinds of streets were blocked, and there were helicopters flying overhead.

I am not assuming you would do such a thing, but I am sympathetic when it comes to your mom.

[ElectroPrincess]

16. For what it's worth, I'm a 40+ Mother

who would love to protest on 20 Jan 05. However, being a fiery broad I'd probably be arrested.

Having a young child in elementary school. I have to first and foremost take care of my daughter. My husband would promptly work for my release and my brother knows good lawyers, but to go protest in D.C. would be very selfish of me to personally put myself on the line and risk proper care of those dear to me.

You're "very young" and don't need an arrest on your record.

There are other ways to dissent - I just bought a black hooded sweatshirt at our local Goodwill.

Organize something like that (dress etc.) with your friends and family for Inauguration day.

The above is my best suggestion.

EP

[coffeenap]

29. thanks--mom's thoughts exactly (and he knows it) n/t

[H2O Man]

33. Dick Gregory told me a story .....

... and I don't know if you know -- or if your Mom knows -- Dick Gregory. But you should; in fact, before you even think of protesting,you should know your Dick Gregory.

But there were four beautiful black girls that were killed in a church in the United States in the mid-1960s. Blown-up by people filled with hatred as they were preparing to sing in their church choir.

And after their funerals, one spoke to Dick Gregory. He told Dick that his daughter asked him if she could go to one of the Civil Rights marches? And he said no, because it was no place for a child. His daughter looked him in the eye, and said, "Then you do it, Daddy."

If we do not march where we are supposed to, or if we refuse to allow our children to, or if we come up with any other silly or cowardly excuse ("I don't want a record;" "my job;" "too dangerous") to avoid meeting our responsibility, the disease of hatred that is eatting at America like a cancer .... it will spread. It will spread, and it will be far more dangerous and deadly.

I hope you march.

[mother earth]

35. 40+ Mother too, and I agree with ElectroPrincess,

you're 15? Can't help you, but you get A+ for heart! Mother knows best, you've got other ways to protest that won't get you arrested.

[blondeatlast]

17. Some information should NOT be available for our knowledge,

info you just posted. That's a pretty good case there for not allowing you to go.

I'm a mom, and if my son had posted the info you just did on a message board, he'd never see a computer again in my home.

And then some.

[kamqute]

24. You don't know where I live, and you don't know where I go.

Unless you think you can suck me into the computer, or that doing a background check to find my address will be a productive way of accosting me, I see no reason I cannot put that out.

[mother earth]

36. And blondeatlast makes one powerful point, take heed.

[Karenina]

19. Sweetiekins...

(from an ol' fart mom across the big pond) PLEASE respect your mom's wishes this time. You'll have MANY opportunities to show her what YOU want to do TRUMPS what she wants you to do as you get older. Mamakins just be lookin' to make sure you get to that point without her going batshit with worry first. ;-)

[wtmusic]

2. Mom, listen

This is important to kamqute. He/she believes very strongly that what she is doing is right. He/she will have thousands of supporters with him/her and nothing will happen to him/her.

Sincerely,

wtmusic

[coffeenap]

4. thanks for the input--believe me, I support the protest--from his mom

and if we could, we'd come together. He has been advised by people who know not to go. he's too small for the lock up.

[wtmusic]

5. How old? n/t

[janx]

8. Good for you, Mom!

There are other things he can do, more productive things. See my post #6.

I'm with you.

[AngryAmish]

7. Our enemies must be crushed

We need folks to do this. Let him go.

[genius]

9. Some of the best speakers and protestors are kids.

It's their future that we're fighting for. They have a right to be there.

[d_b]

10. What genius said

[kamqute]

11. Thanks Everybody!

:)

[coffeenap]

30. he IS one of the best speakers-

He's been on radio talk shows about 6 times as an accepted and known caller. I just want him to live to see the future. Our world needs him.
(so does his family)

[MADem]

12. Bring Mom with you...seriously. n/t

[orpupilofnature57]

13. What a coool scrapbook subject, plus its the right thing to do, or boycott.

[sbj405]

14. I talked w/ my friend who is a cop in DC

He said that they're should be no problems with people protesting. It is our right (his words, not mine).

[Stinky The Clown]

15. I have a very bad feeling about this inauguration

First there is the ongoing reporting that "security will be unprecedented" for the event. You recall the egging Chimpus Khan got the last time. They know people got close enough to him last time and they won't allow that this time. There will be big men with big guns on every rooftop along the way, such that the entire parade route and all close-by side streets will be in someone's line of fire. Every agency with guns will be there ... local cops, Capitol police, Secret Service, FBI, HRT sharpshooters and assaulters, US Park Police, Army, Marines, etc. All personnel assigned will have had their senses of humor surgically removed.

Next we have the King Khan induced state of paranoia with respect to the public. No one will be allowed to approach Great Leader without having been cleared. Anyone there to protest will not be cleared. So you either have to fart into the wind or try to get through. If you get through, you're under scrutiny of the rooftop guys.

Further, the helicopters will be everywhere overhead. More of the same with guys with guns.

I drove through DC Thursday. Right down 7th St, across Pennsylvania Ave. The preparations have changed the very face of the city in that area. I suspect before it is over, they will have barricades up that force anyone "casually' going to see the parade locked into little pens to prevent the crowd from moving. That's either a good thing (no stampedes) or not so good (think fish in a barrel).

You say you're young. My advice is to stay home and watch it on TeeVee. Save your zeal to protest for some other event where King Khan will not be present. That's the real issue here. They will tolerate NO threats or appearance of threats, no matter how innocent, to the King.

This is not going to be a fun event. I really fear some problems. As for the DC police, I heard Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chief Ramsey and Mayor Williams on WTOP. All were saying it will be safe and to the extent possible, no inconvenience for DC residents. At the same time, they were saying that the Feds had planned a dress rehearsal for Sunday and no one knew about it. They were trying to ensure that people could get to church Sunday morning, but they hadn't heard from the Feds how that might happen. The Feds and the Metro PD have never coordinated that well. The District administration may mean well, but they're largely out of the loop on this one.

Yeah, I know this sounds like a paranoid rant, but its how I feel ...... and I am not prone to tin foil head dresses. I'm a sane, realist grownup who just has a bad feeling about this .......

[The Gigmeister]

18. Listen to your mother. You're only 15.

[AirAmFan]

20. Have you thought about possible lifetime consquences of conviction of a

crime, or about extreme danger to personal safety during a few long nights in the custody of DC Youth Services?

Do college applications ask about criminal convictions, or even about arrests? Is it likely you will be separated from your friends if you are arrested, because of differences in age, for example?

Make up your own mind, but please gather all the facts first. We all admire your guts and political savvy, and want to see you protect your potential to contribute to the cause for many years into the future.

[KingoftheJungle]

21. fuck her and just do it

Its a once in a lifetime opportunity to join with millions in protesting the most corrupt, facist regime the united states has ever seen after a fraudulant election. Just go and pick up the pieces when you're done.

[Oversea Visitor]

22. Hello

You are way out of line to teach a 15 years old to go again his mother in this tone.

[kamqute]

23. Thanks but I don't have an Oedipal complex :)

[coffeenap]

31. thanks kingof--are you 15 too? Mom n/t

[Skittles]

25. MAMA KAMQUTE

FEAR IS WHAT THESE FASICST THUGS COUNT ON!!!!!!!!!!!! GET OUT THERE WITH YOUR KID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :hi:

[elehhhhna]

26. Find another local protest OR go to Jazz Funeral for Democracy

in New Orleans together...if ya can afford it.

[tsuki]

27. We'll be at the Jazz Funeral.

[funkybutt]

28. Mom, Your son is of noble character

He knows right from wrong and wants to stand up for what is right. You have raised him well apparently. When I was his age, if I believed my parents wouldn't support my decision, I would just do it anyway giving them no warning of my plans. By communicating with you, your son had done the right thing. He wants and needs you to support him.

Could you lay down some ground rules of what is acceptable levels of participation in this historic event? Also have a plan for a variety of scenarios. He probably won't be arrested but if he is, i suspect your son is more able to handle this than you may think.

Its an opportunity of a life-time. These types of protests are catalists for change. As a nurturant parent you must instil a value system in him and a knowledgebase to use to make the right decisions. Then you must let him go out into the world and hope that the way you raised him will allow him to be healthy, happy and successful.

I understand your concern and respect your decision either way although I hope you will let him attend.

If not, why don't y'all pack up things and come down to a N'awlins protest. http://www.jazzfuneralfordemocracy.com

Make a family trip out of it. :)

[coffeenap]

32. nice response, thanks. mom n/t

[pdxmom]

34. It's a tough question for any mom

Here in Portland, protests are a fairly common thing, in one form or another. All of us have been in protests...sometimes on purpose, and other times quite by accident. For the most part, they are a fun event which leave you feeling like you've done something for what you believe in.

But there are times that they're not so fun, and can actually be somewhat scary. My son, who at the time was 17 and 6'5", was in one in downtown and due to where he happened to be, and who was around, was fairly concerned for his own safety. He wasn't doing anything, but there was a group not far from him that really were a concerning element (who seem to show up to create havoc instead of truly protest). The police had a hair-trigger response and the situation really got dicey.

So you have to let your mom gauge, to the best of her ability, what the situation would be. I grew up in the D.C. area, and was there during the riots of the early 70's. Very scary place when D.C. gets out of hand. So I'd have to come down on her side on this one. At least for a while, it might be best for you to come up with an alternate protest. Maybe work with friends (and teachers) to organize something at your school.

[MADem]

37. If you go

...as I said, bring Mom. Dress like REPUBLICANS (swallow your bile, and DO IT). Find a couple of Bush buttons and a fold up American flag or maybe some sort of inauguration yeehaw placard. Stash them in your backpack or Mom's purse, if you get arrested, you can claim, with that evidence, that you were wrongfully accused, that you were there as a supporter who favored "uniting not dividing" and that they rounded you up with a heavy, fascist hand. Then, sue them for a bundle for false arrest. Then, you can go on national TV for a hefty appearance fee (3 networks, 3 cables, hell, that's a year of college right there!), and tell the talking heads that while you were willing to give the chimp a chance, your arrest tells you that we now live in a fascist state. Prepare properly, play it right, and you'll be in a good position to contribute to progressive causes for many years to come!!! And, if you do not get arrested, you will have the EXPERIENCE, and you'll have it with your beloved Mom, and you will treasure that in your old age.

We need to get past triangulation, and move towards a chameleon offense. It's what the insurgents in Iraq are doing, and all too successfully. Infiltrate, and overtake. It's the only strategy that will play in this perverse, wicked, oppresive environment.