What March on Washington?

(Live UPDATES Below)

So I just got the first report from the Radical Bohemian, straight from the front lines of the anti-war March on Washington. As most of you know from my relentless Offspring bragging, the eldest daughter has been working with the ANSWER Coalition in organizing the march. She's been working her ass off.

Her team's job today is to keep the marchers together and keep people from going off the route. A bit ironic, because she's never considered her sense of direction to be among her superhero skillz.

She comes by that honestly, I can admit it.

Right now they're still doing the rally, with the march to start immediately after. She says it's getting harder to hold the marchers back until the rally is over -- everyone wants to get started. Her job at the moment is to help keep the stage clear for the speakers, and check for stage passes.

Some of the speakers are a representative from the Iraq Veterans Against the War, Ralph Nader, Cindy Sheehan, a former US attorney general, and a bunch of others.

Apparently she's taking her responsibilities very seriously. Maybe a little too seriously. Here's the exchange when one unsuspecting woman tried to get past her onto the stage.

Radical Bohemian: Hi, can I see your anti-war impeach-Bush super special hippie flower pass?

Stage Crasher: No ... I don't have a pass, but I'm supposed to be up there.

Radical Bohemian: I'm sorry, but you'll need a pass to get through to the stage ... sorry, but I can't let you up there.

Stage Crasher: I'm Cindy Sheehan.

Oops.


So I'm combing The Internets and the TV, and I have not found a single current article or TV report on the march. What the hell, people? Not one news agency has cameras there? I'm about to go all Conspiracy Theory on you, here.

This is happening right now, there are no live reports to the public. I have, however, seen on 2 reports on Britney Spears' custody battle, OJ being picked up by police in Vegas, something about some major golf thing, reports about the poor little British girl who was kidnapped 4 months ago, and some new film about past astronauts who went to the moon.

Where is the coverage of this march? It's happening as I type, but nothing.

BushCo. has known for months this was coming, the police have been dogging the protesters for weeks for hanging up signs with arrests and fines. If any of you saw the clip over at the Radical Bohemian's site, you saw those cops grab the sign posters and their glue, telling them to disperse because "this is a matter of national security". Are you kidding me? Some signs for an anti-war protest are a national security matter? And then the cop on the horse rode up like he was straight out of the Apocalypse or something. The organizers really feel that there has been a concerted attempt to squash this march and its publicity.

Oh wait --- CNN just put up about 15 seconds on the rally. Oh, you'll be happy to know 2 counter-protesting groups are there, with their flags and signs, including one monster sign reading, "Traitors Go to Hell!" Nice.

Anyway, the daughter is supposed to be marching toward the front, so you may catch a glimpse if these media clowns every get around to doing their jobs.

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UPDATES:

The daughter just called. She's so hoarse!

There are like, over 100,000 people. Are we on the news? Do you see us? I was in the front -- can you see all the people?

I had to tell her no. "It figures," she said.

The rally went fine, they have marched to the Capitol, and now many of the protesters are taking part in the "die-in" there. Some Iraq veterans are in camo dress, and some protesters are wrapped in red cloth to symbolize Iraqi deaths, and those guys are laying on the ground to represent all the deaths in this war. It is considered an act of "civil disobedience" and this is where the daughter says there is the most risk of arrest.

She says they had to run the gauntlet between the anti-protesters. "I can't even go into that now, that's a whole other story -- I'll call you later and tell you that part,"

As they approached the Capitol, they saw a big black mass on the steps. She said it was like a "What the hell is that?!" type of deal. As they got closer, the mass started coming apart and descending the steps. It was police in riot gear. I asked her how the police were acting toward the protesters.

Well, there have been at least 10 arrests so far. They're acting ... they're kind of standoffish. I think they might be scared.

That's not good. She has promised to stay safe and her head on straight. I'm worried, though, of course. I'm worried for her safety, and we're both worried about arrest because she's on scholarship -- not sure if it would affect that. I mean, I'm not freaking out with worry -- I'm very proud of her for being a part of this work, and I'm glad she's having this experience. But I'm realistic, too. These things can spin out of control so fast, and the police aren't going to stop to ask questions. They're going to see what they see when they look at her, they don't know or care who she is.

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I just got a text message from the daughter that said, "Hundreds (?) of arrests, maybe".

A friend in DC just called and told me that they've apparently shot rubber bullets at some of the protesters. (Later: my daughter told me that the police had them, but to her knowledge did not shoot anyone with them. It was scary not knowing, though.)

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Text message from the daughter: "Massive pepper spray -- I only just avoided"

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The daughter and her group have gone to the jail to support those who were arrested. There were so many arrests (196) they had the arrestees tied up with zip ties, sitting in city busses outside the jail waiting for processing. Actually, it's not the "jail", there are too many people to fit there. They're using this big warehouse type thing. The daughter said the remaining protesters may stay all night -- they're in blankets outside.

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She got back to her dorm about 4:30am her time. She's fine, but could barely croak, was exhausted, and of course on the edge emotionally.

I'm glad she's home, and I'm really friggin' proud of her.