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BOSTON M22 MARCH WRAP UP (english) |
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by Second World
Email: secondworldproductions (nospam) attbi.com (unverified!) |
23 Mar 2003
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Approximately 1000 marchers descended on Boston- and spontaneously closed down Boston, first after standing off with police in Copley and for hours of chanting, rallying sidewalk supporters, debating, direct action, culminating in Harvard Square. A great day for the peace movement, free of police brutality. |
 Approximately 1000 marchers descended on Boston- and spontaneously closed down Boston, first after standing off with police in Copley and for hours of chanting, rallying sidewalk supporters, debating, direct action, culminating in Harvard Square. A great day for the peace movement, free of police brutality. |
Organizers were amazed by the day of protest on Saturday March 22. On a day in which many Iraqi people were injured or killed in the US pre-emptive strike- called "Shock and Awe" protesters made their outrage heard from Boston to Harvard Square.
The rally began at Park Street, at 12:30 in the afternoon. A small group of around ten people chanted "USA" on the other side of the subway entrance, while a lineup of speakers spoke their minds at the peace gathering. Other than a brief interruption by a Zionist supporter, the rally flowed in an articulate manner.The speakers were eloquent and there was song and expressions of all kinds. As the march began, a handful of pro war demonstrators heckled from the sidewalk.
The march began around 1:30 PM, and when the crowd arrived at the stopping point in Copley Square, marchers sat down in unison in the middle of the street. While chants of "This is what democracy looks like" echoed down Boylston Street, police officers scratched their heads-- what happened next suprised many: Organizers announced that they were not stopping there, but would continue to Harvard Square. Tension was high, (many had experienced F15 brutality up close in NYC.) Perhaps the biggest suprise of the day came when the dozen state officers simply mounted their motorcycles and cleared the way, while the captain informed organizers "We will notify Cambridge that you are coming." The streets were shut down to clear the way for the matchers. No brutality (as of press time) took place this day, and marchers were thankful for the professionalism displayed by the Boston Police Department.
On the bridge between Cambridge and Boston, protesters sat down for approximately 5-10 minutes- and continued until Harvard Square, where the group took a seat once more, before concluding at the common around 5:30PM. Hitting home the movement's message was the chant "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! BRING THEM HOME!"
This day should be noted for the peaceful and powerful message it carried. It seemed to be a collective hope that this peaceful day free of police brutality could serve as a precedent for future events-here in the United States and beyond. |
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