Just got back from the local Santa Fe demonstration. Will give a brief report on what I saw and did, but want to encourage other New Mexicans to feel free to use this diary as a place to add their experiences if they so desire. So join me after the Orange squiggle.
I woke to snow on the Sangres and a bitter chill in my bones. But I knew I had one thing I had to do today, no matter what else demanded my time. Last night I'd found a piece of foam board out in the garage, and while I drank my hot tea, I tried to decide what to write on the sign. I decided to go simple and bold - one side read "we are the 99%" and on the other side wrote an anti- "BoA" slogan. Started to use my big markers - damn, the red and blue markers were almost dried up, must get more. But I managed to make the lettering large and clear enough to read from a few feet away, and after putting on two sweaters to fight the morning chill - 39F when I left the house at 10:30 am - and went over to Paseo de Peralta and St Francis Drive where there's a a large BoA branch to join with my fellow New Mexicans.
When I got there, there were people on all 4 corners of the intersection. Maybe 200 - 250 people. Some young, some older than me, some dressed in jeans and dreads and ponchos, some dressed like the middle-class middle-aged folks they were. Me, I always dress like a 'respectable' citizen, trying to look as much like a teacher or accountant in casual clothes and let my freak flag fly at conventions and Pagan gatherings. I consider it my 'normal disguise' and it works pretty well.
Damn, it was cold. If you stepped into the scraggly shade of the few trees on the sidewalks, the temperature drop was noticeable. The wind was blowing steady about 10mph, and I vowed to bring gloves, hat and scarf next week, maybe take a few things out of the winter clothing closet to share.
But people were in great spirits, if not very good at sustaining chanting and singing. I didn't notice a strong 'organizational' presence. Maybe that because I walked a bit up from the largest part of the crowd so I could hold my sign out where the cars in the turning lane could see it from the sidewalk without me obstructing their view of the road ahead.
I kept flipping my sign from one side to the other, holding the "99%" high when the traffic was moving, flipping to my statement about the BoA when traffic was stopped to make it easier to read from the cars.
The signs indicated that the people were from very diverse backgrounds and opinions, from "TAX THE 1%" to "Bring back Glass-Steagal". I talked to maybe 2 dozen people, some were ready to educate me so eagerly about what was going on, I had to wait a minute until they stopped to draw a breath so I could say "yeah, brother, I know what you're talking about - and let me tell you about this injustice I know about". Three or four other Boomers confided in my that they were 'ok' themselves, but they just couldn't take it anymore, too many people were suffering. Those who did so all said that they'd be fine with paying more in taxes if Congress would force the banksters and hedge funds managers and corporations to pay their fair share.
The reaction from the drivers and passengers in the cars driving by were mostly friendly, if not overtly enthusiastic. Truckers going in all four directions hit their horns and flashed their lights to join in. A small amount of drivers refused to look at our smiling faces, some turned away, some were talking (illegally) on their cell phones while they drove. But we got more cheers and horn honks than jeers and fingers. Some folks opened their windows to say they supported us, and I would yell back "See you next week! Join Us!"
There were photographers and people carrying video cameras, some were planning to put their home made vids online when they got home, some seemed to be a bit more professional, but I saw no actual vans/trucks from any of the tv channels that are based in Albuquerque. We have no real local tv channel, although the Fox station is supposedly based in Santa Fe, there's no local news broadcast exclusively for our state capitol. I know a couple of the local newspaper reporters, including the political reporter of the New Mexican, Steve Terrell, but didn't see him in the crowd.
I asked around about other planned actions, and was told that a demonstration was planned for next weekend at the Round House. Not sure if that is the 'best' place to do it, the Round House is surrounded by empty buildings on weekends, and is not on the heaviest-traveled roads in the city. Maybe they think it'll bring out some news cameras. I don't know the reasoning - this is all being handled through FB is seems, and I refuse to have an FB account. There is an 'open' FB page for the group so you can check the 'wall and events sections but not being a FB member means you can't comment or see the comments in the discussion areas. Here's that FB page for anyone who wants to check it out: http://www.facebook.com/...
I had to go at noon to get back to work (no rest for the self-employed you know), was told that people intended on being there until 5pm. Before I left, I gave someone my sign, and as I drove off I realized I'd forgotten I'd bought some flags at the local hardware store, and they were still in the car, so I circled around, opened my window at the stoplight and passed the flags to someone on the street saying - "hand these out! Wave our flag! We're Americans!" as the light changed.
People were friendly and happy, and as some left as I had to, I saw others arriving. I left the area, thinking it was a pretty good start to what I hoped would be sustained efforts over the next weeks that I could participate in. Was ruminating on new signs make, when I passed the local Salvation Army building. Looked like they were offering a hot lunch and there were several dozen people standing outside with styrofoam trays, eating the food offered as they sought a little scrap of sun in which to sit. Young men, women with children, men with faces brown and weathered by a lifetime of hard work. Standing in the parking lot of the Salvation Army, or sitting and eating, looking around them for something, anything, to make them feel better about where they were. I know. I've survived by eating at soup kitchens more than once in my life.
So now I'm home, in my house that has heat and light and I don't have to worry if we can pay the bills when they come in. And I'm grateful that we are so fortunate.
Today I'll finish my work. I'll go out and do some shopping this weekend for more markers and foam board, and see if I can find if there's an open group I can share the supplies with. Next week, I'll go to the Round House and join with my fellow New Mexicans in demanding justice and economic equality for our people.
I may seem a little 'flat' in my report. Just still cold and a bit subdued, but happy I was able to share with others an hour or so of our lives, witnessing for the people of America and calling for and end to the grip that the 1% has around the throats of us in the 99%.
So please, my fellow New Mexicans, join in and tell me what you saw, what you did, what you know, what other events are planned for the next days, weeks, months, and let's be active in our own communities and amongst our friends and social circles encouraging others to join us.
I am one of the 99%, and I am proud.