Minneapolis MoveOn Rally Recap:

[katinmn]

It rained, it snowed, it hailed (!), the wind blew and the sun peeked out for a few moments, all in the course of the hour-long rally to stop the RW's takeover of the Judiciary.

It was a great event. I'd estimate 500 people.

The only media I talked with on site were Kare 11 TV and Indy Media. I was interviewed by Kare 11. Not sure when/if I'll be on. Maybe on the 10 o'clock.

Nick Coleman of Air America interviewed the host, another MoveOn volunteer, this morning.

The program was a little disorganized at first because we were organized into regional groups. Thankfully, the crowd was really upbeat and patient. One person was nominated to speak for each of about six groups and say why the issue was important to them.

This concept REALLY works! Needs a little fine-tuning but it's time individual citizens' voices were heard at these kinds of demonstrations.

Ric Studer of DFL Progressive Caucus rocked the crowd with a very inspriring talk about how our rights are melting away, and Prudence Johnson and Dan ? performed a couple songs. The last one at the end was a short medley of older protest songs. (You can imagine that went over quite well with those over 40).

I'll post some pictures in a bit. The signs were great. Saw some "cry baby option" slogans -- a take-off on the "nuclear option."

If anyone else on DU attended, I hope you'll post your impressions.

[seg4527]

1. i was there, in the U of M/Marcy group

when i first heard we were going into groups, i was like "great, i wasted my night on this" because i thought it was going to be really lame. but it turned out to actually be okay. we were in the group that had the german lady talk, and she was pretty good. it was nice getting to talk to some people too.

[katinmn]

2. KARE 11 said "more than 100" people were there

yeah -- a lot more! I was being conservative when I said 500.

They had a little blip of a story and they didn't show any of the interviews. At least they showed up. (sigh.)

I keep thinking the protests we've been having are "warm-ups" for when people really get angry and worried and see their qaulity of life and freedom melting away.

[seg4527]

3. i'm in your second picture there.

i'm the fellow who is two people to the left of the chair in the center of the pic. dark blue winter coat, blue jeans, and brown boots with yellow laces.

i'm always on the lookout for evidcence of DUers, but I have yet to meet one.

[katinmn]

4. I think we need DU lapel pins so we can recognize each other

Seg - we always get pictures of your back!