Photo by Robert Whitlock
I want to bring the attention of my readers to the powerful courage of peaceful, non-violent Olympian protesters. Members of the Olympia community stand against the use of the Port of Olympia for military shipments that perpetuate the illegal, immoral war in Iraq. The most devastating consequence of the protests has been the violent reactions of Olympia Police against the peaceful protesters. I am posting this article and a few links for those who would like to read more.
Video of Port Militarization Resistance
Video of a community gathering in response to the protests
Seattle IndyMedia
10 Days that Shook Olympia
Community rallies behind local antiwar protesters
November 17, 2007
Contacts:
Noah Sochet (510) 325-8138
Andrew Yankey (360) 349-1089
Anna-Marie Morano (360) 878-1401
Sandy Mayes (360) 878-3238
OLYMPIA, WA – More than four hundred antiwar demonstrators marched through Olympia, WA on Saturday to protest the war in Iraq and the police violence towards demonstrators during the past two weeks. Carrying banners proclaiming “Not in Our Port,” the crowd marched through downtown, directly past the port gate, site of much of the recent violence.
This march came on the heels of two weeks of peaceful demonstrations that have been met with excessive use of force by the police. In one instance, after stopping any movement of military equipment for 17 hours and successfully forcing a convoy back into the port, a line of demonstrators held hands in front of the port gate in nonviolent resistance. Police used close-range pepper spray, batons, and pepper bullets to force the crowd to disperse. In many cases, demonstrators' protective goggles were removed by police so that their eyes were more directly exposed to the chemicals used.
“This rally is really emotional and inspiring. It's an opportunity for the Olympia community to come together to start to heal after this week of violence experienced at the hands of the police,” said Jennifer Hydrick, an Olympia resident and student, adding, “I, like many others, saw what's been happening and wanted to come out and show my support for these brave demonstrators and their actions of the past two weeks.”
Kathleen Hutchison, a demonstrator with OlyPMR, described her twin sister being pepper sprayed. “Chemical weapons were used against us. They tortured my sister. I will never forget this week. We have put our bodies on the line and said that the war stops here: Olympia, Washington.”
At one point a small group of pro-war protesters took the stage and were rebuffed with a thunderous chant from the crowd: “We Support the Troops! Bring them Home Now!”
Many marchers reported a renewed pride in their community. Says Phan Nguyen, an organizer with OlyPMR, “We've affirmed that the Port of Olympia belongs to the members of the Olympia community. The road to Iraq ends here.”
Community members are available to speak to the press.
4 comments:
Rachel, thank you for posting this on your blog. I was at the port protest and was pepper sprayed twice and was witness to alot of the police brutality that you are talking about. I would like to bring your attention, however, to the photo. This is not a photo of the port protest, but of Olympia youth walking out of school in protest of the Iraq War and Occupation as part of a coordinated, national, student walkout, on Friday Nov. 16. I'm a student at South Puget Sound Community College and one of the organizers of the Olympia walkout. Overall, about 350 students walked out of SPSCC, Olympia High School, and Capital High School. students also walked out of Reeves Middle School, Marshall Middle School, and Lincoln Elementary School. Though many youth who walked out participated in the port protests, including a 14 year old girl who testified to being pepper sprayed and beaten by police, the two events were not related, and were not organized by the same people.
thanks again for taking the time to post on these issues.
That looks better. Thank you again.
You're so welcome! I know that the message of these protests will only inspire the rest of the country and world if they hear about it! I will do my part to educate my friends and pass it on.
Thanks for using one of my pictures on your blog, Rachel. I hope all is well with you.
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