During the demonstration in the park a student was arrested for climbing a tree and attempting to hang a banner. Reports indicate that more were arrested as the afternoon progressed. Previously unnoted, 6 women were arrested outside of Union Station yesterday.

MORE: Details of first arrest | Another Photo: Photo of first arrest, initial report of "dozens" more | More photos.

On the Hill: This morning about 20 young peace activists covered with fake blood walked into Nancy Pelosi's office (CA), to demand that she do something to stop the war. Pelosi said it was too late. They told her it wasn't. They avoided arrest. They had digital cameras and uploaded photos to cell phone.

Meanwhile, a report to the newswire says that approximately 40 students occupied the offices of the student paper at the University of Maryland this afternoon. Eye-witnesses say she was purposefully run over - murdered (Common Dreams/Independent UK). Eye-witnesses say she was purposefully run over - murdered (Common Dreams/Independent UK).

At five in the evening, a Code Pink led demonstration gathered in Dupont Circle. They marched up Connecticut Avenue towards Donald Rumsfeld's house, which is in a neighborhood north of Dupont Circle at 23rd and Kalorama, across from the French Embassy in Adams Morgan. Phoned in reports to DC Indymedia volunteers told of at least one arrest along the route and another demonstrator shoved to the ground by police, and later sent to the hospital. Video

I laid on the ground in Dupont Circle and was ogled at by a lot of folks. A lot of people would walk by and say "Well Done" "Keep it Up" "You are right, War is Terrorism" After about 30 minutes here, I shuffled over to the North entrance of the Dupont Circle Metro. I only stayed here about 15 minutes, but as I was leaving an elderly street merchant with a full beard and a cane, gave me some bread and said thank you. His grandson said he was from Afghanistan and had many of his friends die in much the same way. This same person also shouted at a pedestrian that grinned as they walked by me- he said "ITS NOT FUNNY!"

the lady who kissed me came back, and she announced that she was going to sit with me and that she had brought a friend to keep us company. It turns out that they were both English teachers at local universities. They brought a small, "$$$ for Schools" sign, which I liked. Around this time, the homeless man came back and gave me some food, which I thanked him for. After I ate, I had a woman hover over me and tell me she was from Jordan, and she has family and friends in Iraq. She went on to thank me for speaking for them. Shortly afterwards, as I was looking to the sky, I could see a rainbow had formed above me More | Photos

REMEMBERING

Mar 19 2003

Vigil Mourns Killing of Rachel Corrie
Today, over 300 people held a candlelight vigil outside of the Israeli Embassy to protest the killing of Rachel Corrie. Rachel, a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement died on March 16th after she was run over by a bulldozer that was being used by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) to demolish a Palestinian home in the Gaza Strip. The somber vigil brought together a diverse group of people, from Jews worried about was Israel is doing, Palestinians worried about family members, and Americans concerned that their tax dollars paid contributed to Rachel's death, as well as Rachel's parents, who attended the vigil for their daughter.

SUSTAIN (Stop US Aid to Israel Now) and Al-Awda, DC will also be sponsoring a protest at 12:30 PM tomorrow at the offices of Caterpillar (818 Connecticut Ave, NW), which supplied the D-9 bulldozer that was used to kill Rachel. Photos: 1 2

ORGANIZING BROADLY

Mar 19 2003

Throughout the March 15th protest march, there were small groups talking and listening to each other on the streets. Most found common ground, a few didn’t. Stories beyond the "official event," especially actual dialogue within our communities, are an important part of reporting, in these tense historic times. Publish, share your story on the newswire. - DC IMC Editorial group

Fierce Arguments at the DC demonstration
At the corner of 15th & Pennsylvania, Anti War and Pro War Protesters clash verbally
by Daniesha L.

Dirk and a few other pro war demonstrators were next to a junction, where the anti war marchers could come close enough to engage in actual dialogue with their antagonists. Police did not cover that spot.

I watched and listened at this point, where marchers and pro war demonstrators talked to one another. One anti war high school girl asked another young girl, dressed in red, on the conservative side of the line, “What is your position? Do you support war?”
“No, I don’t want a war. I just think we should support the troops.”
“Well, we support the troops too. And we want them to come home. What would you say if Bush decided not to go to war?
“I would support that decision. Whatever Bush decides is OK. We should stand behind the President.”

One anti war marcher stopped briefly and yelled out to one of the veterans, “You guys are baby killers. Fuck you.”
The high school girl said to the young Republican, “Even though I disagree with you, I can respect your position.” While the two girls spoke amiably to one another, people continued to shout at each other across the barrier. More

HOMELESS ACTIVISM

Mar 18 2003

Hung jury for Direct Action at Franklin School
The trial of two members, Jamie Loughner and Thomas Gomez, of Mayday DC, ended Tuesday with a hung jury and a mistrial. Citywide, homeless advocates claimed victory after the seven-day battle in Superior Court, resulting from the occupation of a city building. Several jury members stated they were unable to convict on charges of unlawful entry, due to the work the two activists have been doing for the homeless. The two activists represented themselves in court.

The charges stemmed from the August 9 takeover of the Franklin School, a historic landmark building in downtown Washington, vacant for almost two decades. Protesting the lack of affordable housing, shelter, and Spanish-language services in Washington, they demanded that the building, which is in the process of being sold to developers, be placed in a land trust and that the city revive its long dormant homesteading program. Their direct action led to the city opening the Franklin School this winter as an emergency hypothermia shelter for homeless families.

MayDay DC is a chapter of the nationwide organization Homes Not Jails. Story 1 Story 2
[ Aug 9 Photos | Aug 9 '02 Story ]

PEACE AND JUSTICE

Mar 17 2003

Non-violent Civil Disobedience at Capitol to Stop the War
Around 200 concerned citizens marched from the Church of the Brethren to the West Lawn of the Capitol to bring the message that "war is not inevitable" to their lawmakers monday morning. This marked a stepped up effort to stop the the looming war against Iraq.

52 people were arrested, when they crossed the police line in an act of civil disobediance to bring their message to, and "reclaim" the Capitol. The crowed cheered in support of those being arrested, as police tied the plastic handcuffs. Among the first of those arrested were individuals who lost familiy members on September 11th. Earlier that morning Kelly Campbell of 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows had said that they of all people, "understood the meaning of shock and awe," a reference to the "shock and awe" tactics the Bush Administration plans to use against Iraqis.

This event, organized by United for Peace and Justice , brought together people from Code Pink , 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, and members of clergy, as well as many individuals not involved with any of those groups, and was the kickoff event for what is supposed to be a week of "sustain action for peace and justice." Photos: 1 2 3 4 "Video

PEACE PROFOUND

Mar 16 2003

Prayers for Peace, the Night Before War
by matthew bradley
Thousands congregated at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial tonight for a concert and peace vigil featuring a local church choir and the folk singers Peter, Paul and Mary. Many had just spent the day being trained in the tactics of non-violent civil disobediance or lobbying. Tomorrow a group, organized by the coalition United For Peace will go to the Capitol to protest and lobby, and in some cases perhaps break the law to disrupt normal operations in opposition to a war many feel is immoral, and many independent scholars of international law have concluded would be illegal.

Tonight they joined with many others in Washington, and in solidarity with vigils happening around the world. They sang classic anti-war songs like "Where Have All The Children Gone", and the Woody Guthrie song "If I Had A Hammer," as well as gospel songs. A moment of silence was had in memorial to Rachel Corey, who was killed today by an Isreali Defense Force bulldozer - which was "clearing the land of firing positions" according to the IDF, but was in reality bulldozing the home of a Palestinian family which had International Solidarity Movement volunteers staying with them. Photos: 1 2