I haven't blogged in awhile. Sometimes it is good to take a break. Last time I wrote I asked for help concerning keeping my son safe. Help seemed to come. One night I looked in his room at him asleep (a favorite pastime of parents) with his cat, Mr. Tickles. For a split second I thought he was curled up with a tiger, both sleeping peacefully, the tiger clearly an ally.
All around us there are shootings and murder, much more than usual. Our neighborhood is erupting with gang violence. But our home feels safe, and my son seems at ease. We've had good talks about violence, about choice, about taking stands, and about walking away from fruitless danger.
Meanwhile, I've read long reports from old friends who were putting themselves in harms way trying to block delegates from entering the Republican National Convention. The reports back have me thinking on when and why I am willing to put myself at high risk of violence. The reports back have me thinking a lot on the current state of activism and magic and wondering what we can do that would be effective, strategic and actually defuse violence.
This is the perfect time for the movie The Battle In Seattle to come out. I am taking my son this weekend. It will give us a lot more to talk about. I got arrested in Seattle and by being on those streets I put myself in harm's way. I would do it again in a heart beat, meaning I have absolutely no regrets and if we could unwind time, I'd make the same decision to do it at that time in that place. At this time, you couldn't have paid me to be on the streets during the Republican Convention.
This movie goes far to explain why. It tells of a time and a place and a spirit. It also points out how things have changed since. We need new strategies, that is clear. It is full of major movie stars, but it doesn't have the backing of a major studio. If you go see it, you'll know why. It getting distributed widely depends on how many people see it this first week.
Change has been invoked so many times in this election that now, no matter who wins, change is sure to come. Seeing this movie is one small thing to do that just may be effective and strategic in bringing change in service of the life force. And you don't have to risk getting tasered or tear gassed.
Plus, if you are here in San Francisco on Friday night, come meet up with a bunch of us at the movies....Landmark cinema at the Embarcadero.
Change Everything (again!)
BATTLE IN SEATTLE MOVIE
Opening Night
http://www.battleinseattlemovie.com
WHEN:
Opens Friday, September 19
WHERE:
Landmark Embarcadero Theater
1 Embarcadero Center Cinema
Promenade Level
San Francisco, CA 94111
http://www.landmarktheaters.com
SHOWTIMES
12:00 p, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30*, 10:10 pm
please rsvp with Emma: emmatree02@yahoo.com
TICKETS:
Selling out - Buy your movie tickets now:
http://www.moviefone.com/search/battle%20in%20seattle
More screens may be added.
Group tickets: (866) 758-1258
25 or more receive a 20% discount
Map to Theater:
http://www.embarcaderocenter.com/ec/about/directions.html# maps
9:30 pm Welcoming the Next Generation
Friday, September 19
7:30 pm - Midnight
Westin SF Market Hotel Ballroom
50 Third Street, San Francisco
Schedule:
7:30 pm Doors Open/Hors D'oevres/Drinks
9:00 pm Honoring Veteran Activists from Seattle
10:00 pm Dancing & More Partying
Complimentary drinks and food from 7:30 pm - MidnightENTRY:5 Actions (a Project of EarthWays)
Please show your Battle in Seattle ticket for party entry.
Can be a Friday ticket stub or a Saturday/Sunday order.
Hotel Rooms RSVP:
First come first serve for guests who have purchased 2+ tickets.
Please bring proof of purchase.
Rsvp for one free hotel room to:
Veronica Carnero at 5actionsnow@gmail.com
HOST COMMITTEE:
Harold Linde, Mike Brune, Lisa Conte, Emma Cramp, Kevin Danaher, Claire Greensfelder, Randy Hayes, Matt Leonard, Jerry Mander, Marianne Manilov, Lora O'Connor, Jeremy Paster (in memorial), Ahmed Rahim, John Sellers, Thomas Van Dyck, Tad Walker, Nadine Weil
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS:
Global Exchange
Greenpeace
International Forum on Globalization
Rainforest Action Network
Ruckus Society
THANKS TO:
Numi Tea
ChicoBags
MOVIE:
A feature film by Stuart Townsend
http://www.battleinseattlemovie.com
Battle in Seattle this weekend:
---------------
"Every generation needs a new revolution."
Thomas Jefferson
5 comments:
Glad to read this, bunny -- I'd just been wondering when I'd see you in blogland again (I knew from Spider er al that you hadn't disappeared).
Yes. Times change. Tactics change. Where we are personally changes. Where we are as a group changes. Things aren't always the same.
And things aren't always as they seem, either.
Much much love to you, and to He Who Sleeps With Tigers.
Hello Honey,
I wish I could join you at 'The Battle in Seattle' and then on to the party.
Would you talk more about, 'At this time, you couldn't have paid me to be on the streets during the Republican Convention.'?
I agree, we are always riding the waves of change, be they our usual weather or some fresh storm of transformation. Change certainly swept through the streets of the Twin Cities. If one payed attention, one could feel it wherever one stood, walked or ate dinner. It appears to have touched my part of the world deeply. We are now looking at where we are at and wondering how to continue to build the cultures of beauty, balance and delight.
At this point in time, it seems that simply growing an organic garden in my backyard and baking spell pies are not in themselves enough. It seems that it is time for me to grow my gardens and bake my pies as open public spells of beauty, abundance and compassion. I suspect it is not unlike the awaking power that stirs and then springs forth when Queer Folk dare to live their authentic lives not only in our own homes, but aware and awake with intention, yet casually in every public and private place we find ourselves.
I suspect that the new strategies of change are growing in every weed patch, in every garden, in every kitchen of the Wild Witches across this planet. I can hardly wait to taste these new brews and bake goods.
Bless the Bees
Why wouldn’t I be part of the RNC demonstrations? There are several reasons. I am sick and tired of fighting against Republicans. Trying to block them from meeting was something I knew was bound to fail, and only repeats the same patterns we’ve been doing for years. Trying to stop them and failing. Getting hurt in the process. I can’t get behind the underlying magic of this. And, at this time, I think it’s not effective or strategic politically. They are ready for us to do this and they are ready to hurt us.
If I lived in your neck of the woods and was in the activist community there – I’d have strongly argued for a campaign to IGNORE them and not give them any energy OR service, instead focusing on beauty, balance and delight. I know many of you did just that. I’d have argued to have a general strike and encourage as many people as possible to take a vacation that week or call in sick and to mindfully gather and have a festival of positive change – supporting all the kind of earth wisdom magic that was being done.
I’d try to organize all the local unions and get people to leave jobs that serve the convention. Hotel workers, cab drivers, restaurant workers. I’d have asked activists around the country to stay home and stay away and do support by sending energy and money for things your city needs that are positive and an antidote to the Republican policies.
How amazing it would have been to have energy drawn AWAY from their gathering and put somewhere else? This would be the magic I’d be into.
Getting beat up outside the Republicans meeting and seeing people beat up outside doesn’t inspire me. It just depresses me. It’s just more of the same….on all our parts.
I’m sorry all this happened in your backyard, Donald. And, I know that you played your part in focusing on that culture of beauty, balance and delight that we are all part of creating.
Yes, I like the idea of spells that draw energy away from all who shred the fabric of life very much.
I will sit for awhile with this idea.
Thank you, Deborah.
I'm reminded of Mother Theresa saying she wouldn't join a march against war, but she would join a march for peace. (Not the exact quote; gist thereof.)
Calling in what is wanted -- that's where my energy is going these days. Just works best for me.
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