Comments on 10074

DC Meetup at the Freedom Walk? Anyone want to join me in crashing the Freedom Walk in DC on Sunday, September 11? We'll need to decide on a suitable t-shirt or other identifying markers to make our point -- I assume that they'll be banning picket signs etc. Those interested must register in advance.
posted by footnote to MetaFilter gatherings at 1:19 PM (29 comments total)

I recommend owillis's 'Truman and the bomb' shirt.
posted by mischief at 1:23 PM on September 1, 2005

a suitable t-shirt or other identifying markers to make our point

And what is our point anyway? I'm all for DC meetups, but not sure this is the best venue. If your point is what I think it is, I'd rather gather during this event.
posted by If I Had An Anus at 1:36 PM on September 1, 2005

Xenu hates Thetans!

Surely there is something appropriately absurd for this absurd event?
posted by Pollomacho at 1:37 PM on September 1, 2005

Surely those who show outward signs of not supporting Dear Leader will be removed from the protests like the security risks that they are and placed in a free-speech zone.
posted by grouse at 2:07 PM on September 1, 2005

IIHAA - For me, personally, the main point is to stop the cynical exploitation of 9/11. The Sept 24 protest is fine and well, but this is a government sponsored propaganda march. I want to be there expressing my discontent with the form and the substance.
posted by footnote at 2:25 PM on September 1, 2005

[I apologize if it's inappropriate to propose a politically-oriented meetup.]
posted by footnote at 2:27 PM on September 1, 2005

I don't think there's anything wrong with proposing such a thing, provided you're prepared to get negative reactions. And one could argue that protesting the march is as exploitative as the object of the protest itself.
posted by crunchland at 2:29 PM on September 1, 2005

And one could argue that protesting the march is as exploitative as the object of the protest itself.

How so?
posted by footnote at 2:31 PM on September 1, 2005

And one could argue that protesting the march is as exploitative as the object of the protest itself.
posted by crunchland at 2:29 PM PST on September 1 [!]

Who would protest marchers be exploiting? The pro-Bush crowd? Help us out here.
posted by Rothko at 2:35 PM on September 1, 2005

No, thanks, sounds fun, but I'll be spending my September 11th, as has been my tradition for the past few years, huddled in a fetal position and screaming. Maybe next year.
posted by hackly_fracture at 2:39 PM on September 1, 2005

Well, while probably not to the same degree as the Freedom Marchers, one political protest on 9/11 is still capable of exploiting the events of 9/11/2001 for political means as another, don't you think?
posted by crunchland at 2:45 PM on September 1, 2005

Crunchland's right. We should do some sort of protest activity to call attention to his point.
posted by fleacircus at 2:47 PM on September 1, 2005

Crunchland's right. We should do some sort of protest activity to call attention to his point.
posted by fleacircus at 2:47 PM PST on September 1 [!]

I wouldn't want to exploit Crunchland. He's got enough on his plate to deal with, evidently.
posted by Rothko at 2:52 PM on September 1, 2005

Is anyone else more than slightly concerned that even being in such a crowd on that particular day would be, well, dangerous?
posted by odinsdream at 3:18 PM on September 1, 2005

Is anyone else more than slightly concerned that even being in such a crowd on that particular day would be, well, dangerous?

Why? Is thoughtless jingoism and misdirected sorrow contagious?
posted by RJ Reynolds at 3:24 PM on September 1, 2005

Who would protest marchers be exploiting? The pro-Bush crowd? Help us out here.

Well, Rumsfeld & co. are already exploiting and degrading the memory of the 9/11 dead and the bravery of the NYPD, NYFD and others with this farce. Maybe we shouldn't add to it. Sometimes simply maintaining dignity is the best course of action. But I could be wrong.
posted by jonmc at 3:56 PM on September 1, 2005

Maintaing Dignity sure won't get your face splashed up on CNN, Fox et al. Show up! Without your 'voice' of disapproval, all that will be shown (with editing/photoshoped photos) is what a wonderful success it was, and how everybody must be all for this shit.
posted by Balisong at 5:19 PM on September 1, 2005

Maintaing Dignity sure won't get your face splashed up on CNN, Fox et al.

Exactly.
posted by jonmc at 5:23 PM on September 1, 2005

RJ Reynolds, I was more thinking along the lines that one shouldn't go out of their way to put themselves right in a crowd of the most-hated people in the world. Since, you know, some people may wish harm on such a crowd.
posted by odinsdream at 5:27 PM on September 1, 2005

I'm not that interested in getting on CNN. I'm just so disgusted that I want to be there. It's personal, at this point.
posted by footnote at 5:42 PM on September 1, 2005

or to imagine the spin the news media would put on it: "Look at those America-hating anti-war people desecrating the memory of the 9/11 dead!" I realize that that's blatant spin, but let's not hand 'em raw material on a platter what do you say?
posted by jonmc at 5:25 PM PST on September 1 [!]

That's why we need the perfect slogan, which makes clear we hate what's happened to our country. Any suggestions?
posted by footnote at 5:44 PM on September 1, 2005

Maintaining dignity is something that is simply not done in this country any more. That is just so 20th century.
posted by leftcoastbob at 6:35 PM on September 1, 2005

That's why we need the perfect slogan, which makes clear we hate what's happened to our country. Any suggestions?

"This Freedom Walk dishonors the 9/11 dead and America."
posted by jonmc at 6:43 PM on September 1, 2005

Poifect!

It looks like I'm going alone, though...so look for me on CNN with my t-shirt on.
posted by footnote at 7:10 PM on September 1, 2005

good luck, and say hi to realcountrymusic for me.
posted by jonmc at 7:40 PM on September 1, 2005

Pesronally I think "WHERE'S OSAMA!?" is a question that needs to be brought anew to the current administration—something that I would like to scream while shaking them by their lapels. My attitude towards all these bleatings about freedom and honoring memories blah blah should just be met by bored nodding, a rolling of the eyes, then interrupting with "yeah yeah, so it's been 4 years and where the fuck is Osama?"

A picture of Osama, next to a picture of Bush looking under the table for WMDs, with "4 more years?" text underneath would be the same thing. Or the WMD picture and "'Nope, no bin Laden there, either'".
posted by fleacircus at 3:00 AM on September 2, 2005

Just an Osama pic would get the thing a little closer to the point. They seem so interested in Iraq that they forget Osama, so just help them remember. Oh, and make it clear you are on the side of catching Bin Laden, of course. A poster of him may be misinterpreted.
posted by Acey at 1:54 PM on September 2, 2005

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