Thoughts on the Counter Inaugural Events
by Clint HebardI didn't make the $40,000,000 inaugural bash in Washington or any of the black boot and tie galas around the capital. I didn't luxuriate in tax cuts and champagne cocktails with Wall Street brokers and Texas oilmen.
Instead, I joined a gathering of some 70-80 New Jersey activists from Somerville, Newton, West Milford, Newark, and Morristown on the Morristown Green. We did a somewhat silly choreographed routine, turning our backs on Bush. We sang some old protest songs and some new protest songs. We listened to speeches, musicians, and a few poems. We filled in the spaces with an open mic. Mostly we struggled to keep warm during the two-hour gathering.
It was tough, the weather was grueling, and there wasn't another place in the world I would rather have been.
Susan Berkowitz did a terrific job getting in keeping the event moving. Susan's the driving force behind the Morristown vigil, where people have gathered every single Friday night for more then three years. Anne Benedetto of Ringwood, and a founding member of Highlands Peace Action, addressed the crowd on the Bush administrations' disastrous impact on the environment.
Ann perfectly captured the synergetic energy inherent in the coming together of activism, environmentalism, and spiritual awareness. In a passionate address, a young woman immigrant from Wind of the Spirit reminded us that many immigrants have come to this country seeking refuge from war and oppressive governments. Larry Hamm of the People's Organization for Progress declared, "if they have billions for war, they have billions for health care, billions for housing, and billions for education". Larry called for a campaign of massive civil disobedience against Bush's Iraq war. Thankfully, he gave us until the spring. Musicians Sharleen Leahy of Somerset Voices for Peace and Justice and Terri Clegg of Highlands Peace Action roused and warmed the crowd with a series of songs and poetic recitals. I never knew you could get such enthusiasm with a simple drum.
So why would a small band of activists gather on such an unseemly evening and in the face of the apparently mighty forces arrayed for a second Bush term? In his book, "Deep Survival", author Laurence Gonzales describes the characteristics that distinguish survivors of extreme wilderness challenges(or any of life's great challenges). Those characteristics include the ability to realistically assess and take appropriate actions in the face of daunting opposition. Sometimes, the most you can do might seem insignificant, but in the process of acting you are taking control of the situation. Everyone who meets and survives these challenges through their own actions has gone through the five stages described in the book "Death and Dying" by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It is in the acceptance stage that survivors distinguish themselves. The survivor accepts the reality of the situation but then proceeds with an undaunted determination to make the best of things.
Last night I rallied with a band of survivors. My hat is off to them, and to the Morristown Vigil for their long, fearless persistence. I can't forget my friends at the Montclair and Newton vigils, also active every Friday since shortly after Sept. 11, 2003. Finally, I commend those who took the day to make the long trip into Washington, to those who participated in the POP / Peace Action motorcade from Montclair to Newark, to all the ongoing vigils around our state, and to activists everywhere that are continuing this struggle for peace and justice.
Peace,
Clinton Hebard