Stand Up For The Law!

[paineinthearse]

An email from Brian Bogart

Future lawyers to be proud of
... and Alberto Gonzales.

On January 24, 2006, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales spoke at Georgetown University's law school and attempted to defend the Administration's position that warrantless wiretaps authorized by President Bush do not violate the Constitution or federal law.

At 10:30 a.m. Gonzales entered the room and Dean T. Alexander Aleinikoff introduced him. While people were applauding and Gonzales took the podium, two women in the second row got up and turned their backs on Gonzales. Both women had the words "Tap This!" on their butts, and one had a "I (heart) the Bill of Rights" sign stuck to her back. The words could be read from the stage, so Gonzales got the message.



Gonzales began speaking. As he spoke, other students stood and turned their backs. Then a group in the back row stood up with black hoods on and held the banner with "Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither" up to the cameras. It was beautiful.



Every few minutes more students stood and turned their backs, including some who had not known any protest would be taking place, but chose to stand in solidarity with us and to stand up against Gonzales. It was strong and beautiful resistance. Over 30 students stood and turned their backs on Gonzales as he tried to justify spying on Americans.

Several students walked out on him before the end of his speech.

During the panel discussion after the speech, Georgetown University Law Professor David Cole said, "When you're a law student, they tell you if say that if you can't argue the law, argue the facts. They also tell you if you can't argue the facts, argue the law. If you can't argue either, apparently, the solution is to go on a public relations offensive and make it a political issue... to say over and over again "it's lawful", and to think that the American people will somehow come to believe this if we say it often enough.

In light of this, I'm proud of the very civil civil disobedience that was shown here today."

All in all, it was a good day for dissent.

The organizers of the event are putting together a website - http://standupforthelaw.org/ - where they're hoping to build a grassroots coalition of law students, professors, and citizens to counter the Administration's campaign of empty legal claims.

Stand Up For The Law!

[marmar]

1. That's SOOOO Cool!

Rock on, my freedom loving brothers and sisters. That's the only way we'll bring down this despotic administration!

:yourock:

[Greeby]

2. "Both women had the words "Tap This!" on their butts..."

Umm, oh my :rofl:

They better hope someone doesn't take them up on that offer ;)

[hwmnbn]

3. These kids keep making me feel proud....

and encouraged about the future. :yourock:

[mom cat]

4. Great pics of the event! These students are alive and well! K&R

[Robb]

5. Perfectly done

...and here I'd abandoned hope for the next generation. :patriot:

[autorank]

6. This is a great event. Georgetown stands tall.

After all, Georgetown stands for something, namely the force of intellect of the Jesuit Order. And these students are exercising intellectual and moral honesty. Lets see more of this when these bastards show up. Gonzales is the epitome of evil...he knows what he's doing and has known it all along. He's made a stunningly stupid calculation; namely that the proximity to power provides protection. It doesn't. He'll do time!

[paineinthearse]

7. Media question - I learned of this by email. Has anyone seen any coverage

...of this in the korporate media?

The Georgetown student newspaper?
The WaPo?
The Wa Times?

Time for a DU letter campaign to the editor/ombudsmen of the WaPo and Wa Times?

[paineinthearse]

8. Still seeking answer

Has this had korporate media coverage?

Prior DU coverage?