[Imc-tech] DC events

[Molly Stentz]

Hello everyone,
Tech people:
Will someone PLEASE put an update up on our website (front panel) about
the DC events? Check the global site for updates or pics. Thanks.
*****
So now the estimates for Saturday's marches are between 75,000 and
100,000.
The Columbia Mobilization march to the capitol this morning was estimated
at several thousand. It was peaceful with no major confrontations.
The idea was to block the 3 open entrances to the capitol but there
weren't quite enough people to do that. Two groups of people did
civil disobedience at entrances and were arrested. One group of Catholic
Workers and Christian Peacemaker Team members knelt in a line on the
street in front of the capitol and sang songs and were peacably
arrested. Total arrests were about 30 I believe.
The march ended up in a park across the street from one of the senate
buildings. Police then cordoned it off and trapped people inside so the
march then went across the street to the permitted rally at upper senate
park. After some updates and songs, a group with drums marched with
puppets to the nearby jail to do a vigil for the people who were
arrested.

There's clip of local news coverage here up on the DC website if anyone
wants to see how it is being reported. Mainly the focus of the media seems
to be how boring it all is (ie - no vandalism, riots, tear gas, etc. ho
hum). The Washington Post called it "an uneventful event" on the front
page today. There was also a story on the DC IMC in the Style section of
the Post yesterday.

There will be a rally outside the Hilton at 3:30 where Ariel Sharon was
scheduled to stay (he canceled his visit but the protest continues)
A Reclaim the Streets is scheduled for 5:30.
More later.
-Molly