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Fifth Column
Pittsburgh: 1-year anniversary of OIF marked by protest, sit-in by MoveOn, et al
2004-03-05
Edited for brevity.
[March] 19-21 Regional Convergence Against War in Pittsburgh
As part of a Global Day of Protest on the one-year anniversary of the War and Occupation of Iraq, the City of Pittsburgh will be the setting for a weekend long regional convergence against war. As a part of this convergence activists intend to begin a massive open-ended non-violent sit-in at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to protest its extensive ties to the military. CMU is currently designing and building the prototype of an unmanned scout tank dubbed “Gladiator" - also known as "Excalibur”. CMU is also responsible for approving ALL military related software and has become a major focus of the local peace movement. Activists believe the time has come to shift our direct action focus from things like unpermitted marches towards local institutions directly involved in the war machine. Housing available by request. Food for the convergence by food not bombs.

More information is available at:
Overall Convergence Website-
primarily Thomas Merton Center events http://www.pittsburghmarch20.org
Pittsburgh Organizing Group [POG] http://www.organizepittsburgh.org

Calls to action have been sent out from a variety of groups and collectives: POG http://www.organizepittsburgh.org/m20.html
Action Bloc http://cleveland.indymedia.org/news/2004/02/8925.php
Anarchist http://pittsburghmarch20.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=12
Resyst (radical queer group) http://www.indypgh.org/news/2004/02/12539.php
Youth Contingent- http://www.indypgh.org/news/2004/02/12579.php
Watch for more giant puppets in a city near you on March 20. Methinks it’s time for some more Support Our Troops rallies to remind our servicemen and -women we remember them and appreciate their sacrifices one year later, too, and counter the message these people are sending. Don’t let the troops hear only their message!
Posted by:Dar

#15  Jarhead--I'm working on organizing a counter-rally. My email is right here for you, so if you're serious, let me know! I'll arrange quarters for you all, and I've already started the ball rolling to get a rally-for-the-troops in motion.
Posted by: Dar   2004-3-6 1:55:27 AM  

#14  "12:00 PM- 1:00 PM- Peace Picnic in the Park. The picnic is taking place on the same day as the National Meat-Out day. Vegan and vegetarian food preferred but not required."

-This is right outta the article. LMAO! I have that weekend off. I have a bunch of Marine buddies from PA. Pittsburg's prolly only 12 hours from Parris Island. We could be there with all our BBQ gear ready for the peace pansie picnic in the pathetic park. Cook up some venison, Wild turkey, kielbasi, Italian sausage and Pabst Blue baby, we'll have it all! The lads & I will have to wear our wife-beater tank tops so they can all see our Eagle, Globe & Anchor tats. Of course we'll make time for the poetry reading.......bwhahaha. Stupid fucking pussies.
Posted by: Jarhead   2004-3-5 8:38:47 PM  

#13  Dave D exactly! I took part in civil rights protest in N. Ireland that tended to turn into riots and believe me riots are A LOT of fun at that age.

The problem is not that kids who know nothing do this kind of stuff. The problem is the media takes them seriously.

SteveS very funny!
Posted by: phil_b   2004-3-5 7:46:29 PM  

#12  I'm taking an extra BP tab tonight. These people upset me. I had them while I was in Nam...when I came back and now down the turnpike in Pittsburgh...It's probably just as well I stay here...I don't know how I would react if I were there....
Posted by: dataman1   2004-3-5 5:34:49 PM  

#11  Why do I have an urge to get some red paintballs and have some fun?
Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter)   2004-3-5 5:33:13 PM  

#10  MoveOn and the Ruckus Society, major participants in this event, are substantially financed by the Tides Center, meaning Teresa Heinz Kerry.
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy   2004-3-5 3:50:46 PM  

#9  Gladiator is a USMC program. I would not want to be pissing those guys off. Chuck, your paper mache comment killed me. LOL!
Posted by: remote man   2004-3-5 2:47:56 PM  

#8  I cannot read a newspaper anymore without thinking that someone, somewhere, might eventually turn it into a paper mache head. That's why I get my news on the Internet. Just say no to paper mache.
Posted by: Chuck Simmins   2004-3-5 1:23:03 PM  

#7  Speaking of goofy-ass crap: to those of you who are to young to have been there to witness the era in person, this is exactly what it was like in the late 60's and early 70's. The same stupidity. The same ignorance. The same paranoia. The same idiotic, exhibitionistic foolishness. The same dishonesty.

This is what the anti-Vietnam War protests--and protesters--were like.

And now one of them is running for President.
Posted by: Dave D.   2004-3-5 1:15:45 PM  

#6  "Thanks DARPA!"

The Innernut is like The Force, Shipman. It can be used for Good or for Evil. Or for really goofy-ass crap.
Posted by: SteveS   2004-3-5 12:48:43 PM  

#5  Clear Channel Communications removes Howard Stern from six radio media markets, including.... Pittsburg!

Look for Rabbi SternSaint Howard and limits to free speech by the VRWC become a major focus of March 20 protests.
Posted by: john   2004-3-5 12:48:06 PM  

#4  Calls to action have been sent out from a variety of groups and collectives: POG http://www.organizepittsburgh.org/m20.html Action Bloc http://cleveland.indymedia.org/news/2004/02/8925.php Anarchist

Thanks DARPA!
Posted by: Shipman   2004-3-5 11:37:00 AM  

#3  Sounds like a good test case for the Gladiator/Excalibur. Fire'em up!
Posted by: BH   2004-3-5 11:00:12 AM  

#2  What? These are simple 'mainstream' folk who are exercising their Constitutional rights (what’s left of them). I hear that a City Councilman is going to perform gay marriages for those that want it. What a beautiful day of peace, brotherhood, and man/man girl/girl love. I can’t wait to pop the question to my partner, when he gets home from his mobile tattoo/piercing job. Maybe John F. Kerry will come and be with us? Wouldn’t that be a hoot? I also heard that a personal representative of Kim Jong Il and Hamas will be on hand to help voter registration! C U there ;-)
Posted by: Halffull   2004-3-5 10:47:25 AM  

#1  Protest Warrior is on the case.
Posted by: eLarson   2004-3-5 10:36:05 AM  

00:00