500 Rochesterians Make Historic Trip to D.C. for Anti-War March

Transfered from old site <!--break--> An Open Letter from Jesse, Metro Justice Organizer &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>500 Rochesterians made it to DC for the anti-war demonstrations and events this past weekend of January 18th, 2003. 423 traveled down on 8 buses chartered by Metro Justice. There was a huge response after our Tuesday night action at City Hall and the article on the local anti-war effort. We tried to charter a 9th bus, but our agent was not able to find one. So by Friday night we had 105 people on a waiting list. Along with these buses there were vanloads of students who left for DC earlier in the week to attend a student organizing conference. Many local folks also carpooled to DC for the protests. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>The turnout in DC was even more impressive than that of the October 26th, 2002 demonstrations, especially when you consider the harsh weather and traveling conditions. Early estimates from the DC organizers range from 200,000 to 500,000. Maybe some more accurate numbers will be reported in the coming days. The numbers from other Upstate New York cities were also impressive, with buses from Syracuse, three buses from Buffalo, and four buses from Ithaca. But, something extraordinary happened here in Rochester. This mobilization, in the dead of winter, was more than twice the size of the one in October, and the one in October was itself impressive. Before, I left for DC, I heard some veteran activists talking and saying that they couldn't remember a time, even during the Vietnam era, that so many had been involved in a mobilization out of Rochester. This mobilization was not only impressive it was historic. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>Over the last couple of years I have perceived and shared the apprehension that activism in Rochester would never be same as it was during some of our glory days. I've heard stories of thousands marching in the streets of Rochester, busloads of people traveling to protests, historic court cases, political victories, and a vast array of other people centered work. It has for me, and it is my hope, that this mobilization and everything else that has happened recently has forever laid those fears to rest. It has shown me that with the right combination of community building, experience, leadership, organizing, hard work, and sacrifice our community can and will pull together and that anything is possible. We have been given a great legacy of activism and struggle here in Rochester and the work we do now honors that legacy and all those who made the struggle for justice part of their lives. It is in this spirit that we have reason to celebrate. So simply, for all the fighters who have worked for so many years and made so many sacrifices I believe it is for you and because of you that we should dedicate this huge success. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>Some will and have already asked, "How did we do it". &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>There are no elaborate tricks. We just pulled together the essential ingredients. When I say "we" I mean the entire activist community. We believe in each other and support each other. Even if sometimes we get angry, get loud, offend or disagree with each other, there is still a real sense of community among us. We benefit from the wealth of experience of our veteran activists who contribute in so many ways and help lead our efforts and organizations. There have been so many examples of leadership. Students rallying their fellow students; People bringing friends and family into the work; People sharing their voice at events and with the media; the leadership of Metro Justice ensuring that our organization would be an instrument for justice; bus captains ensuring that everyone made it safely home, and in so many other ways. This mobilization represents a tremendous organizing effort. The collecting of contact information over the last few months, the orchestration of events, media and lobbying work. The outreach to supporters and recruits. This organizing was down by many people, including the Metro Justice staff, student organizers, religious activists and leaders, labor activists and leaders, and by countless others. The most important ingredient was all the hard work and sacrifice so many people contributed to the work. I say hard work and sacrifice together because in this effort sometimes they come together. Hours are spent away from family and friends, and can lead to the neglect of other essential parts of life. The work can lead to frustration, fatigue, and bring out the worst in us. (Sorry, Jon, Shelley, Tim and anybody else I might not have been my best &nbsp;<BR>for.) But, also the hard work develops friendship, camaraderie, experience, commitment, pride and ownership. I believe with all my heart that sacrifice is essential if we are ever to realize the beauty of our vision and that our beliefs are proven by our sacrifices. But, it's good advice not to sacrifice the important things, family, friends, or any of the beautiful things we've already achieved. And it is also good advice to chose sacrifices that will eventually bear good fruit. Out of our sacrifice grow many things. Things we may not even be able to imagine now. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>So finally to the young and those recently joining our family. I'd say that if you made it this close to finishing my little essay, you've already demonstrated great patience. But, these things don't just happen if you wait for them to happen. People make them happen and you are the people who are called to make them happen. Welcome. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>So here is a combination for your consideration. Nothing new really, the ingredients were always there. I think we just used an old family recipe, maybe one scratched down for us on one of the thousands of handbills brought back from the streets of DC. &nbsp;<BR> &nbsp;<BR>With these things, community, experience, leadership, organizing, hard work and sacrifice, another world is possible. &nbsp;<BR>

<p>Transfered from old site</p> <!--break--><p>An Open Letter from Jesse, Metro Justice Organizer<br />  <br /><br />  <br /><br />  <br />500 Rochesterians made it to DC for the anti-war demonstrations and events this past weekend of January 18th, 2003. 423 traveled down on 8 buses chartered by Metro Justice. There was a huge response after our Tuesday night action at City Hall and the article on the local anti-war effort. We tried to charter a 9th bus, but our agent was not able to find one. So by Friday night we had 105 people on a waiting list. Along with these buses there were vanloads of students who left for DC earlier in the week to attend a student organizing conference. Many local folks also carpooled to DC for the protests.<br />  <br /><br />  <br />The turnout in DC was even more impressive than that of the October 26th, 2002 demonstrations, especially when you consider the harsh weather and traveling conditions. Early estimates from the DC organizers range from 200,000 to 500,000. Maybe some more accurate numbers will be reported in the coming days. The numbers from other Upstate New York cities were also impressive, with buses from Syracuse, three buses from Buffalo, and four buses from Ithaca. But, something extraordinary happened here in Rochester. This mobilization, in the dead of winter, was more than twice the size of the one in October, and the one in October was itself impressive. Before, I left for DC, I heard some veteran activists talking and saying that they couldn't remember a time, even during the Vietnam era, that so many had been involved in a mobilization out of Rochester. This mobilization was not only impressive it was historic.<br />  <br /><br />  <br />Over the last couple of years I have perceived and shared the apprehension that activism in Rochester would never be same as it was during some of our glory days. I've heard stories of thousands marching in the streets of Rochester, busloads of people traveling to protests, historic court cases, political victories, and a vast array of other people centered work. It has for me, and it is my hope, that this mobilization and everything else that has happened recently has forever laid those fears to rest. It has shown me that with the right combination of community building, experience, leadership, organizing, hard work, and sacrifice our community can and will pull together and that anything is possible. We have been given a great legacy of activism and struggle here in Rochester and the work we do now honors that legacy and all those who made the struggle for justice part of their lives. It is in this spirit that we have reason to celebrate. So simply, for all the fighters who have worked for so many years and made so many sacrifices I believe it is for you and because of you that we should dedicate this huge success.<br />  <br /><br />  <br />Some will and have already asked, "How did we do it".<br />  <br /><br />  <br />There are no elaborate tricks. We just pulled together the essential ingredients. When I say "we" I mean the entire activist community. We believe in each other and support each other. Even if sometimes we get angry, get loud, offend or disagree with each other, there is still a real sense of community among us. We benefit from the wealth of experience of our veteran activists who contribute in so many ways and help lead our efforts and organizations. There have been so many examples of leadership. Students rallying their fellow students; People bringing friends and family into the work; People sharing their voice at events and with the media; the leadership of Metro Justice ensuring that our organization would be an instrument for justice; bus captains ensuring that everyone made it safely home, and in so many other ways. This mobilization represents a tremendous organizing effort. The collecting of contact information over the last few months, the orchestration of events, media and lobbying work. The outreach to supporters and recruits. This organizing was down by many people, including the Metro Justice staff, student organizers, religious activists and leaders, labor activists and leaders, and by countless others. The most important ingredient was all the hard work and sacrifice so many people contributed to the work. I say hard work and sacrifice together because in this effort sometimes they come together. Hours are spent away from family and friends, and can lead to the neglect of other essential parts of life. The work can lead to frustration, fatigue, and bring out the worst in us. (Sorry, Jon, Shelley, Tim and anybody else I might not have been my best<br />  <br />for.) But, also the hard work develops friendship, camaraderie, experience, commitment, pride and ownership. I believe with all my heart that sacrifice is essential if we are ever to realize the beauty of our vision and that our beliefs are proven by our sacrifices. But, it's good advice not to sacrifice the important things, family, friends, or any of the beautiful things we've already achieved. And it is also good advice to chose sacrifices that will eventually bear good fruit. Out of our sacrifice grow many things. Things we may not even be able to imagine now.<br />  <br /><br />  <br />So finally to the young and those recently joining our family. I'd say that if you made it this close to finishing my little essay, you've already demonstrated great patience. But, these things don't just happen if you wait for them to happen. People make them happen and you are the people who are called to make them happen. Welcome.<br />  <br /><br />  <br />So here is a combination for your consideration. Nothing new really, the ingredients were always there. I think we just used an old family recipe, maybe one scratched down for us on one of the thousands of handbills brought back from the streets of DC.<br />  <br /><br />  <br />With these things, community, experience, leadership, organizing, hard work and sacrifice, another world is possible.<br />  <br /></p>