Save the Pool!

When you teach a class on active nonviolence, it's hard to stand by when an opportunity presents itself to your own kid.

My son's school has a pool that the YMCA had been running until this week. It was too costly, and the pool that had also been used to the elementary school's PE program, was closed indefinitely. The PTA and other school elements asked folks to show up at a City Council meeting with signs reading "SAVE OUR POOL," hoping that the City of Takoma Park would act.

He wanted to go! He made a sign, trying to decide whether to say "Our pool" or "The pool" (he's very literal) and just before rushing out of the house, I was trying to think about what could add a little umph to this action. What was symbolic? What would be attention getting?

SWIMSUITS! Let's go in our swimsuits! I asked my son if he'd do it, and this child, normally very concerned about what his peers think, immediately said, "Sure." Then I felt guilty and thought that if he was willing to do it, I should be. So we both donned suits, goggles, and towels. Not a lot of places to put a camera, so the picture was taken at home.

At the meeting, we were the envy of all the other activists. "Great idea!!" "We should have worn bathing suits!" "We're lamenting the fact that we didn't think of that!" We got a lot of approving smiles,even had our pictures taken. If there's been press, I'm sure we'd have been in the paper, but alas, I think no media was called. The City Council praised the twenty or so "young activists" who turned out (there's a "Young Activists Club at the school run by one of the city council members) and explained how they'd need cooperation from the Montgomery County Council and school board. This wasn't just a city decision. A couple dozen people, many kids, spoke on the matter, including my son!

The debrief on the way home emphasized WHY we'd worn the swim suits, how a visual communicates as much if not more than words, and how an action has to be visually appealing to attract media. And how most Americans haven't spoken in front of their city councils, let alone a 10 year old! I hope this helped him get over his fear, to see how easy action can be. And it would be nice to save the pool, too.

Careful who you moon!

You may not even remember this, but about five months ago, Karl Rove was invited to American University by their College Republicans. It was very hush-hush, because the group wanted to avoid any protests, but word got out and there was an "incident." A few students tried to block Roves' car and it was reported that one student mooned the man behind "Bush's Brain." Police were called, it was caught for posterity on YouTube, and life went on. Here's what one of Georgetown's student had to say about that evening.



According to The Washington Post, the students have now been greeted, this first week of class, with subpoenas from the Secret Service and although not arrested at the time of the protest, have now been charged with several offenses including crossing a police line. They have accepted a plea deal to pay a fine of $100 each and will have an arrest on their record, but not a conviction.

Boycott Status??

Is it working? Channel 7 reports that county leader claims the boycott of perceived anti-immigrant businesses will backfire. (Click here to see the video.) Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart has called the boycott "foolish."

What do the boycotters think? Hard to know! The organizers' website, with this photo, is under construction and dated 2005. The link to articles is nonexistent. The boycott ends Monday. Lets see what happens.