A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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Good morning Kogs and Kossacks in Dailykosland!
Merry Monday and welcome to the working week
When was the first time you went to a political demonstration?
My progressive Episcopal private school shut down on October 15, 1969, to allow students and staff to attend the Vietnam War moratorium in DC. But I was not allowed to go. Everyone 12 and under was required to have approval from their parents, and I was 12 and my mom did not want me to go. She was against the war, of course, she was just afraid that I would be hurt.
I was eager to get out there and take it to the streets. I was as fiery in my political passion as the DFH teenagers I went to school with, and naively trusted that being with them would be enough protection for me. I wanted to march barefoot and wave my sign and scream at the police and lift my voice.
But I had to stay at school that day, with about ten other 11 and 12 year olds. There were no classes because all the teachers went to the demonstration. I was upset. I was missing out.
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On August 7, 1974, I walked over to the White House after I got off work from my summer job. I heard on the radio that a crowd was building over there in response to the Washington Post headline "Nixon Says He Won't Resign". The previous day a small spontaneous demonstration had popped up in front of the WH also, but the gathering on August 7th was more enthusiastic. I stood in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with dozens of other folks, some of whom where holding signs that said "Honk if you want impeachment". It was not a demonstration per se, it was almost like a street party.
This was years before the barriers were placed at that part of Pennsylvania Avenue. Cars could drive right past the White House then. There was a steady stream of horns and cheers as people saw and responded to the signs. Every now and then a limo with dark tinted windows would pull up to the WH gate and go in. Wild speculation would ripple through the crowd each time about who was in the limo: "It looked like Kissinger!" "No, it was Gerald Ford!" At one point I went across the street to Lafayette Park and stood about 10 feet away from Dan Rather as he was doing a report for the evening news. I left after about two hours, because I had a long bus ride out to Anacostia and wanted to get home before dark.
The next day the crowd started building outside the WH first thing in the morning. By the time I got off work, there had been an announcement that Nixon was going to make a nationally televised speech that night. My mom and I got home from work at about the same time, and we watched the news and the speech together. It was August in DC so it was hot. All up and down the block people's windows were open. When Nixon said the fateful words you could hear cheering floating down the streets in my working poor neighborhood as if the Washington football team had just scored a come from behind winning touchdown.
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The first "plannned in advance to be a demonstration" I went to was on December 13, 1978 in protest of the Kennedy School of Government naming a library after Charles W. Engelhard. Engelhard was called the "largest corporate backer of the apartheid regime in South Africa" and made millions underpaying and otherwise exploiting black workers in the gold mines. We turned out a fair number of people for such a cold day. There were mysterious guys talking into their sleeves and taking pictures. If I have an FBI file, I'm sure that the first item in it is a picture from that afternoon.
On Commencement Day in June of 1979, I wrote "DIVEST NOW" on my mortarboard in white cloth surgical tape. A picture of that mortarboard, taken from above my head, appeared later on the cover of the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. You can't see my face but it is obviously my neck and my grandmother's pearls. Besides, the handful of us who agreed to write something on our mortarboards all knew each other. Somewhere in my boxes and boxes of memorabilia I have saved a copy of that magazine. So far I have not been able to find the picture on the net.
What do you remember about your first political demonstration? Was it a long time ago, or recently? How old were you? What was the protest about? How many other people were there? Was it relatively peaceful? Did you get arrested? Is the whole concept of street protest a thing of the past, or is the Moral Monday movement reviving it stronger than ever? If you've never been to a demonstration, is there a cause that might get you to take to the streets?
When was the first time you went to a political demonstration?
start up soundtrack
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
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Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
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THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
by peregrine kate ♥ for Motor City Kossacks
The Kossacks in Detroit are in the planning stages of getting ready to host Netroots Nation 2014. peregrine kate has them organized and ready to go. Their last meet-up was about all the efforts they are making to reach out to local Dem orgs to setting up the lounge area in the Exhibition Hall for the conference. Our hats are off to them for all the work they're doing and I look forward to seeing them all the third week in July.
L-R: dkmich, SharonRB, GwenM & gregsullmich, provokingmeaning, DoReMI
Please visit peregrine kate's diary for many MORE photos and food pr0n! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Motor City Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to peregrine kate.
The SFKossacks Welcome Regina in a Sears Kit House
by navajo ♥ for SFKossacks
The SFKossacks swung into high gear at the last minute and rallied to welcome Regina in a Sears Kit House on her visit to San Francisco June 4th. She and her husband were here getting visas for their move to France. Jalousie totale. We had a wonderful time, enjoyed Spanish tapas, paella and sangria all evening. Bon Voyage, Regina in a Sears Kit House and stay in touch across the pond.
Mr. & Mrs. Regina in a Sears Kit House and our requisite food pr0n offering, paella!
L-R: Glen The Plumber, norm, Mr. Regina in a Sears Kit House,
random ginger dreadlocked photobomber, dharmasyd, (sitting) Meteor Blades,
kimoconnor, Regina in a Sears Kit House & side pocket
You can join the SFKossacks by sending a Kosmail to navajo.
Saturday, June 14th
Inaugural New Jersey Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Cranberry's Gourmet Cafe
10 Cedar Brook Drive, Cedar Brook Corporate Park • Cranbury
ORGANIZER: Send Avilyn a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Avilyn
2. belinda ridgewood
3. zitherhamster
4. avamontez
5. Christin
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Maybees:
Trosk
profewalt
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Latest diary: NJ Meetup 6/14 - Come Join Us!
Saturday, June 14th
DC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: TBD
TBD • Washington, DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2. mdmslle
3. webgenie
4. mimi
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Friday, July 20th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Meet-up
Paul Davis (D-KS) who is running against Sam Brownback will be present. Short dinner or meeting for Kossacks/Democrats afterwards. There will also be several other candidates and a full meeting of the county party.
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: TBD
[Address] • Emporia, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Tim Huelskamp Asserts Benghazi is a Bipartisan Conspiracy.. And the Man who Could Beat him this year
Saturday, June 21st
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. John Crapper's SO
3. T-BoneApollo
4. dougiemac
5. Regina in a Sears Kit House
6. Regina's SO
7. doingbusinessas
8. Eagle Keeper
9. Piren
10. SilverWillow
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Seattle Kossacks Dare to Dream 6/21/14
Sunday, June 22nd
March for Democracy Arrival Rally
Call for a national Constitutional Convention for the sole purpose of proposing an amendment to end big money's corruption of our democracy. Dolores Heurta will be there to speak.
If you can't be there in person please sign this petition.
TIME: 11:00 AM
LOCATION: California State Capitol
1315 10th St • Sacramento
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
Latest diary: Something big is brewing in California
Tuesday, June 24th
NYC Kossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for Dave in Northridge
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Donburiya
137 East 47th Street (Lex & 3rd) • New York
(Not wheelchair accessible, entrance is 2 steps down)
ORGANIZER: Send sidnora a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. sidnora
2. Dave in Northridge
3. Avilyn
4. plf515
5. followyourbliss
6. MBNYC
7. cohenzee
8. joanbrooker
9. waterstreet2013
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Maybees:
Laura Clawson
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Latest diary: NYC Meetup 6/24: Come Meet Dave in Northridge
Sunday, June 29th
Koscadia Kossacks Meet-up at Catnip Manor with Ojibwa!
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Home of the Reed sisters
Address given by kosmail • Portland
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Ojibwa
2. Sara R
3. winglion
4. llbear
5. watercarrier4diogenes
6. Oregon Gal
7. loggersbrat
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Koscadia Meet Up, Sunday, June 29
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Shockwave
10. a gilas girl
11. susans
12. Sara R
13. belinda ridgewood
14. sidnora
15. Mr. sidnora
16. thankgodforairamerica
17. brillig
18. mik
19. K1
20. loggersbrat
21. Dave in Northridge
22. 714day
23. NormAl1792
24. texasmom
25. texasdad
26. a gilas girl
27. peregrine kate
28. provokingmeaning
29. justiceputnam
30. tmservo433
31. Mark E Andersen
32. Son of Mark E Andersen
33. winkk
34. theRoaringGirl
35. shermanesq
36. Doggie269
37. shanikka
38. jakedog42
39. ramara
40. skohayes
41. DebtorsPrison
42. gmats
43. Adam Blomeke
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Daily Kos Staff:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. Susan Gardner
3. Will Rockafellow
4. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. Faith Gardner
7. Laura Clawson
8. Chris Bowers
9. navajo
10. Jen Hayden
11. Elisa Batista
12. Denise Oliver-Velez
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
49. vicki
50. Cedwyn
51. jotter
52. aha aha
53. Dennis Shreefer
54. ohmydem
55. Brainwrap
56. Mrs. Brainwrap
57. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
58. Anne Savage
59. BlueBarnStormer
60. sandiegodem
61. Pam Miles
62. TexMex
63. linkage
64. 2thanks
65. bunnygirl60
66. binkaroni
67. zenbassoon
68. nomandates
69. thepegster
70. Ooooh
Maybees: N in Seattle, Turbonerd, winifred3
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! ATTN: DC, Tucson & Seattle Meet-up Info! +Q: Roll Call, Are You Attending NN14?
Friday, July 18th
Daily Kos Detroit VA Hospital Service Project
Sara R delivers 65 quilts, hand knit scarves and hats, books, 65 teddy bears, hand made greeting cards, and phone cards from the DK Quilt Guild, WAYWO, the Readers & Book Lovers, IGTNT and individual Kossacks to the nursing home at the Detroit VA Hospital. This is a wonderful project that many people can be involved with even if they don't attend the convention. If you care about veterans in a nursing home this is your project. Please volunteer to help.
DELIVERY TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Volunteer Office of the Detroit VA Hospital
4646 John R St. • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a Kosmail to participate in making the gifts and/or deliver them.
RSVPs to help deliver gifts:
1. Sara R
2. NormAl1792
3. Winifred
4. linkage (videographer)
5.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Plenary Session Tables during the rest of the Convention
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to have a seat reserved for you in the main ballroom of the convention center for the big events. These table will be there so we can all find each other as a group. The seating is not assigned. You can float from table to table. I'm only counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. vicki
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. 4Freedom
4. Brainwrap
5. Mrs. Brainwrap
6. Eclectablog aka Chris Savage
7. 2thanks
8. Sydneyluv
9. DoReMI
10.
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SFKossacks Table:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. Tim Delaney
8. maggiejean
9. Jeff in CA
10. Mrs. Jeff in CA
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SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl
2. justiceputnam
3. Dragon5616
4. DebtorsPrison
5. tmservo433
6. shanikka
7. aha aha
8. jotter
9. norm
10.
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7.
8.
9.
10.
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Denise Oliver-Velez
6. hayden
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Seattle & Portland Table:
1. Lefty Coaster
2. Sara R
3. loggersbrat
4. N in Seattle
5. Cedwyn
6. linkage
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Texas/Oklahoma/New Mexico Table:
1. texasmom
2. texasdad
3. TexMex
4. nomandates
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
Sunday, July 27th
Phoenix Kossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for navajo
Event will be potluck, so please sign up here with food, beverages or booze
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Mother Mag's Rooftop Terrace
(address given privately to RSVPs) • Downtown Phoenix
ORGANIZER: Send Mother Mags a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Mother Mags
2. navajo
3. Azazello
4. Mrs. Azazello
5. arizonablue
6. Mr. arizonablue
7. Kane in CA
8. puzzled
9. Late Again
10. Mr. Late Again
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Maybees:
rasbobbo
DaNang65
drnatrl
dewey of the desert
Mr. dewey of the desert
PSzymeczek
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Latest diary: Arizona meet-up: Summer potluck with Navajo!
Saturday, August 9th
Kansas Missouri Kossacks Picnic - Local Candidate Speaks
Meet at the Hays city park to enjoy a free hamburger/hotdog/watermelon feed. Jim Sherow along with other local candidates will be speaking.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Municipal Park
1st and Main • Hays, Kansas
ORGANIZER: Send tmservo433 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. tmservo433
2. Skohays
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.