A short 8 minute video everyone should see to fully understand how the people feel about the corporatization of America and our Democracy by ALEC and Koch funded legislation:
Scott Walker Blues from Bonobo Secret Handshake on Vimeo.
Below is a video of an interview of ALEC infiltrator, Democratic WI. Rep. Mark Pocan, from the actual ALEC Conference at the Marriott in New Orleans:
I'm posting some pictures here taken in New Orleans at the Protest. I'm sure there are many more out on the blogosphere and here at DK, so look for them for a complete picture of the event.
MSM cameras and Mic's set up to interview those following the conviction of the "NO 5" police officers...notice none are manned or pointed at the protesters preparing for the Rally and March. Though present, none of the local or national media covered either of those events.
Speaker on Human Rights and Democracy
Activist speaker warming up the Crowd.
AFLCIO Representative speaking on impact of ALEC legislation upon union and American workers alike.
One of the Cincy and NO Protest Organizers, Aliya, speaking to the assembled about ALEC.
Yours truly holding the protest sign Icarried throughout the March on the Marriott.
Crowd starting to assemble prior to the Rally and March on the Marriott. Those in Orange shirts are Protest Peace Marshall's, students from LSU and Ohio.
One of the Protesters with her sign and more students.
Police presence at the rally site was tight and highly visible surrounding the federal building and plaza.
Police presence on the steps of the federal courthouse where we were preparing for the Rally.
AFSCME representative Ed Parker prior to giving his presentation on behalf of his Union on ALEC.
Signs spread upon the entry way to the Federal Courthouse about the Protest and convictions of the "NO 5".
Thi is where the protesters and "people" met to discuss ALEC and their legislation. Quite different from where the ALEC members and their corporate sponsors were meeting at the same time to plan their Model Bills for 2012- - in the luxurious Marriott with lots of corporate money and no public presence.
Bob Abeshouse from American Aljazeera Network interviewing Cincy and New Orleans organizer, Aliya Rahman outside the Catholic Worker facility in New Orleans prior to the rally and march.
Due to the continued refusal of the American mainstream media to cover anything involving ALEC and their corporate members that advertise with CBS, NBC,ABC and the large paper publications...the entire event was covered by AlJazeera America to help inform the public about ALEC and their activities. I must thank them and AlJazeera Producer, Mr. Abeshouse for attending and covering these events. I don't know when their documentary will be published, but will provide it here for Kossacks to see.
As promised, one of the Anarchist groups there in New Orleans showed up and managed to attempt to cause confusion and disrupt the march. A couple of them spray painted their logo on a window and the facade of the Marriott during the march. One was chased and arrested by local authorities. Nothing like childish behavior to dampen the impact of the people attempting to bring awareness to others about ALEC, Koch and the money and activities of both to steal our democracy.
Bruce Fealk was kind enough to record my presentation to the crowd at the rally - and I've posted it here from YouTube:
There weren't as many in attendance as we'd like to have had, but once again, it generated a lot of attention from the locals who took videos, pictures, honked as they drove by, waving to us in support and in general receptive to why we were marching in Protest of ALEC. Outside the building some of the ALEC corporate members stood by the entrance, smirking at the protesters as we walked past. Two of them were so bold as to be proudly wearing shirts with logo's identifying them as representatives of AT&T and "Ironworks". We pointed at them and shouted shame, shame...and the next time we marched past, they had disappeared.
Kossacks are aware that the Prison Labor and Industries article co-written by me was published last Tuesday. It has popped up all across the webosphere since then. Here is a video of an interview of co-author Mike Elk about the article by Democracy Now at the Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer:
I'll be posting later in the week. I have a scheduled radio interview later in the week with a Conservative station and program; The Global Freedom Report. The interview is scheduled for 5:17 pm on Thursday. Tune in and see what traps - if any have been prepared. I think they genuinely want discuss prison labor and industry and the involvement of our government in both, without addressing that the Conservatives have enabled both to occur in a search for control and profits.
Make plans now for the next Protest ALEC event in Phoenix in December at their States and Nation meeting - where new members are "orientated" about ALEC and their agenda.