SDS No War, No Warming

[This is only one person’s perspective, and not meant to be an authoritative report. Other SDSers, especially womyn and trans folks are encouraged to step up and write about No War, No Warming. -ed.]

“War Pollutes Our Democracy; Sexism Militarizes Our Bodies”

26 members of SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) blocked traffic next to the House of Representatives Monday morning, October 22, as part of No War, No Warming, which drew hundreds to the Capitol. Traffic was stopped on Independence Ave. for over an hour. After the initial wave of 27 people was pulled off the street by cops, a second wave, which included minors, jumped into the street and linked arms, halting traffic once again. The goal of the protest was to dramatize that Congress has failed to stop the war and failed to address global warming, and to show that the two issues are deeply connected by Oil.

Nearby, polar bears rapped, giant Condaleeza and giant Bush danced, Iraq Veterans Against the War staged a Blackwater mission, Billionaires for Bush whined, a bike brigade did Critical Mass, and Oil Change International demonstrated for the “Separation of Oil and State.” 61 were arrested overall.

The most fun part was in prison, when we integrated the holding cell across gender (or perceived gender) lines. Starting on opposite sides of the room based on what gender the cops considered us, we sneakily inched together over the course of hours, until we ended up in a big circle and had a meeting! The power dynamic was flipped and the cops were stunned.

Everyone is out of jail, healthy and safe.

“No War! No Warming! Resistance! is Forming!”

some good coverage:

NBC video

Washington Post article #1

Democracy Now! video coverage (requires Realplayer)

Youtube video #1 (skip the weird 1:00 intro)

Youtube video #2

Flickr photos

It’s Getting Hot in Here

more pics:

SDS – building resistance to capitalism & its wars

“No War! No Warming! Resistance! is Forming!”

“Arrest Bush! Not Kids!”

“Stop the War! Yes We Can! SDS is Back Again!”

“More Bikes! Less Cars!”

Iraq Veterans Against the War

Hermelinda kicking butt

The cops used “pain compliance” meaning torture, on Adam.

Where’s a polar bear to go when the Arctic’s melting?

This group took the street right after we were pulled out of it. Kickass!