Title: OT:FW: [globalnews] Starhawk and Others Arrested in DC--Need Support
Subject: [starhawk] Starhawk and Others Arrested in DC--Need Support
Friday, Sept 27
Starhawk, 42 members of the Pagan Cluster, and hundreds of other protestors
were arrested, reportedly on false charges, during mass police sweeps this
morning in Washington DC. The Pagan Cluster and others were not intending
to get arrested and were peacefully demonstrating. Many arrestees were
simply walking nearby on the sidewalks and were not taking part in anything
at the time. There was news coverage of at least one government worker who
was knocked over by police and arrested on her way to work.
Most of those arrested this morning are still being held on buses. Starhawk
reports (via cell phone, before it was taken away) that at least in their
immediate vicinity, they are being treated relatively well. Their spirits
are good, they are in good company, and no one has been hurt in the Cluster,
although there are unconfirmed reports that other arrested protestors have
been beaten.
DC's Chief of Police apparently intends to hold everyone through the weekend
so that they can't take part in the legal demonstrations. The charges seem
to be a pretext which will not stand up in court, nor are meant to. Instead
it is an attempt to silence dissent and deny citizens their constitutional
right to protest against the IMF/World Bank and the policies of the Bush
administration.
How you can help:
1. Call-in campaign: Our friends are asking to have the phonelines swamped
with calls. Politely but firmly ask that the protestors be released so
that they might continue their peaceful dissent, as is their right.
Please call your elected reps, and also
DC Mayor's office: 202-727-2980
DC Police Chief's office: 202-727-4218
DC Police Public Info line: 202-727-4383
Word (on late Friday) is that the Police Chief's line has already been shut
down from the volume of calls -- let's keep it up! In addition you can also
email your elected reps (look in the front section of your phone book for
email addresses).
2. If you are anywhere near the DC area, please come join the weekend
protests. If you know people nearby, urge them to come too. The police
tactics are meant to clear the streets and thin the ranks of these legal
demonstrations. It would be wonderful if their efforts were in vain, and
officials shown that dissent cannot be repressed.
3. Send energy and prayers.
Here is the suggested spell for the action:
"May they be in the right place at the right time in the right way, with the
protection, the energy, the health, the power, the wisdom, and the resources
to do the work. May the Elements be with them."
The "Prophecy" the Pagan Cluster is working with:
All of you who would be free,
Heed the voice of prophecy!
In the fortress, thieves conspire,
On the throne there sits a liar.
Rich and bloated, they grow fat
On the burdened people's sweat.
The false king wants even more
To drink the blood that's spilled in war.
Drunk with power, he forgot
What is real and what is not.
No gold, no jewels can compare
With earth and water, fire and air.
When beings of earth and air awake
Foundations of the fortress quake.
Seeds take root in rubble, grow
Living springs of water flow.
Winds of change scour the skies
Dispersing the dank haze of lies.
Now the flames of truth ignite
The will to change, the vision bright.
A new world will come to birth.
Hear the voice of Mother Earth!
"Feed the hungry, teach the youth,
Heal the sick, and speak the truth.
Take the power, hear the call,
Weave a web to link us all.
Faced with truth, no lie can stand,
Weave the vision, strand by strand."
-----------------------------------------
Report by Mer, with on-the-scene information from Mark and Aurora.
Feel free to repost. Updates will be posted on Starhawk's website as they
become available: www.starhawk.org .
