On January 31, 2006 in CT there were demonstrations in New Haven, Hartford, Danbury, and Westerly, RI with people from various parts of the state coming out to express their outrage to the Bush Regime. There was a discussion and connection with the organizers in the four places and we will work to broaden the Call throughout the state.
IN NEW HAVEN
At 8:00 PM people gathered at the corner of Elm and York Streets which borders a main section of Yale University. A banner that read, DRIVE OUT THE BUSH REGIME, was put out on one corner which part of the Yale campus that was under construction but as the hour went on people gathered around the banner which was very visible to the heavy traffic at this time. The protest began with 50-60 people, and quickly grew to 100+as many people walking by joined the march.
In the planning for the event a New Haven artist came forward with a proposal to do street theater that would engage not only the people protesting but also the pedestrian traffic. Being that we were on a central part of the Yale campus there were people walking from the Yale campus and people from the New Haven community. As the street artist approached he wore a mask of Bush and was accompanied by two local activists dressed as Bush’s security. There was an eight-foot ladder that was used with this Bush going up and down holding signs showing his policies, such as ‘EIGHT STEPS TO WORLD DOMINATION.
As this was developing people came forward to direct others to the other corners. A small sound system was set up on one corner with people coming up to give short statements on why Bush needs to Step Down. The emcee for the night continued to bring out the two important organizing questions framed in the various issues that are of concern, âThe Aggressive War, Bush Step Down, If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?
Within fifteen minutes all four corners of the street had activates and people held the signs from the WCW National Office, the street theater performance, the banner, a group chanting and engaging people passing by, and a corner with the sound system and a continuous sound of drumming. All of the activities going on these corners came together with the intense cohesiveness of ‘Bush Step Down.’ As the corners developed the horns of cars started honking and there was an electrifying energy for this time that was going into the time of the State of the Union address. With the organizing for the Drown Out the Sate of the Union it doubled in places since November 2. In New Haven the numbers that came out increased. But the feeling of the people participating did seem to shift from November 2 and there was a feeling that really wanted to Drive Out The Bush Regime.
New Haven, CT Chapter, WorldCantWait.ORG