Re: [Marxism] Organizers and NYC cop agree: 500,000 marched

["Eli Stephens" <elishastephens@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Louis wrote:

> I marched from 20th Street to 33rd Street and I didn't hear a single boo,
> let alone a taunt from a Kerry supporter. I am not saying that Eli is not
> telling the truth, only that I didn't see any such hostility.

Well, Louis' 13-block march is certainly a larger data point, so I think we
can take it that this was not a general sentiment, but I guarantee if you
were watching C-SPAN as I was the boos were quite audible and quite
noticeable (since nothing like that occured at any other time) when the
Nader-Camejo contingent passed by. Of course, that could just be two people
who happened to be standing adjacent to the camera.

And Marvin wrote:

> In any case it seems evident to me that 1) a powerful mass movement was on
> view in the streets of New York yesterday, 2) it is composed primarily of
> people who support the Democrats

If it was composed "primarily of people who support the Democrats," I think
you would have seen a LOT more Kerry buttons/signs/T-shirts than you did. It
was certainly composed primarily of people who will be voting for Kerry in
November. It may certainly (just based on knowledge of Americans and even
antiwar protesters in general) be composed of a MAJORITY of people who
"support the Democrats." But it is almost certainly NOT "primarily" people
who support the Democrats. Opposing Bush, and voting for Kerry, is NOT the
same as "supporting the Democrats" in the minds of most people. Just to name
one (out of thousands), tonight on Flashpoints Dennis Bernstein interviewed
Michael Fronti, who, just like Patti Smith, voted for Nader in 2000 and is
not doing so this year (he refused to specifically say who he WAS voting
for, just that he was voting "against Bush"). I'm sure he would take serious
issue with the assertion that he is "supporting the Democrats," even if he
is voting for Kerry.

Some people may think this is a distinction without a difference, but I do
not. Especially so because I, like I think many if not most on this list,
don't view elections as the center of politics. I think the most important
thing is that a half million people were out in the streets saying no to the
war and occupation and no to the "Bush (bipartisan) agenda." And who they
end up voting for in November is a minor issue. The message of opposition to
imperialist war will clearly NOT be sent in November, no matter how many
votes Nader/Camejo or Parker/Gutierrez or the rest get. That message WAS,
however, sent on Sunday.

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