[Oct. 17 Seattle] Quick summary of Oct 17 action (weaimc - 3rd comment)

[Ben Seattle]

http://seattle.indymedia.org/en/2009/10/274267.shtml

Quick summary of Oct 17 action
Posted by: Ben Seattle at Oct 17, 2009 16:21 

1. My assessment was that the march was a big success. Approximately 60
enthusiastic marchers from many corners of the movement (including a
number who have not marched before) walked down Broadway to Jackson and
then to 1st Avenue (downtown) and along 1st Ave. to Pike Street and then
to Westlake Plaza. 

I was pleasantly suprized by the militancy of the action as reflected in
support for the many anti-imperialist slogans and chants that were
given. I have been on many marches which to a large degree took place in
silence. This was certainly not a silent march. The slogan I personally
liked best was: "The Democrats won't stop this war--Let's take the fight
to their front door!" 

2. Pedistrians and people in cars who saw the march took notice. My
estimate is that: 

(a) 20 percent or more of onlookers gave signs of supporting the march
(with their hands or enthusiastic voices) 

(b) a larger section (maybe 50 or 60 percent) studied the march
intently. For many of these people this was their first exposure to mass
opposition to the imperialist war in Afghanistan or to anti-imperialist
politics. The high level of interest in the march was evidenced by many
dozens of people taking photos or videos with their cell phones (this
also gives a hint of how the emerging revolution in communications will
amplify the reach of the mass movements in society). 

(c) 5 or 10 percent of the onlookers most likely opposed the politics of
the march. This shows that the politics of the march were clear. 

Also of note was something I have not seen before: more than once
Seattle cops were taking careful count of the exact number of marchers.
The anti-imperialist movement is still small--but it has potential to
grow and the political establishment wants to ready with both force and
the tactics of co-option when it does. 

I am sure that more complete, all-sided and political summations will be
posted later today or in the days ahead. 

Summation Meeting: 
------------------ 

Also: A meeting to sum up the march and the recent campaign for it will
be held at the Panama Hotel (in the International District) this
Wednesday (I think) at 7 pm. For more info check:
http://october17antiwarseattle.blogspot.com/ 

Ben Seattle 
 http://struggle.net/Ben/