Friday evening started out pretty normally. Speeches, chants, leaflets, some radical cheerleading, the creepy spirit of resistance -- you know, the usual. Then, they started singing: "All we are saying is give peace a chance."
I had to wonder if this was what it felt like, those protests in the 1960s and 1970s against the Vietnam War. Now, we have a new war impending, one that may well prove as futile and destructive as that infamous war of my parents' generation.
But the spirit of resistance here in Albuquerque is alive and well.
Hundreds of us marched down Central Ave., singing and chanting all the way. So many of the people driving by raised their hands through their windows in the sign of peace; it was more solidarity than I've ever seen in my six years as an activist. I kept thinking, I should've brought flowers.
And then the you-know-what hit the fan. I should've been expecting it, but I wasn't.
I was near the front of the march, almost back at the congregating spot by the bookstore when I turned around and saw folks gathering at the intersection. I headed back, too late.
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A friend in distress intercepted me. He told me that one of our friends had been arrested, that he hadn't been doing anything and had been arrested anyway. Though I hadn't been close enough to see what happened, I watched later on the news, and what I'd been told was confirmed: My friend was walking back to the curb when a police officer grabbed him and pulled him back.
When the cry for jail solidarity was raised, my cohort Tamara and I decided to fetch some supplies -- water and bandanas -- and meet everyone downtown at the courthouse.
As we walked we passed the police car where my friend was being held. I raised my fingers in a V and grimaced, thinking, this must be what it felt like.
On the way back, we fortunately made a detour to campus, where we learned that the arrested folks were being detained at the Southeast Substation. So off we went again.
And, again, I was late. One of the officers at the station informed us that no one was being held there, and a call to my friend's roommate confirmed that they were supposed to have been released.
Next stop, campus -- everyone was gone -- and then downtown, so we could update any remaining protesters who might not know that the people they stood in solidarity with were already out.
When Tamara and I arrived at the courthouse, no protesters were there. But the street was blocked off by eight police cars. There were a bunch of police officers in riot gear, decked out with pepper spray, tear gas, and batons. A few officers were laying out plans on the hood of a car. The officers we spoke to confirmed that they were there just in case protesters showed up.
It looked like they were preparing for a war right here in our own backyard.
And that is what we are now given to fear. I suspect the terrorists have already played their trump card. I can't imagine what they could do to top the destruction of the World Trade Center and deaths of over 6,000 people. But regardless of what they do, our response to what they've done may cause even more damage. Retaliation will have its price.
Talk of starting a war that would kill people who had nothing to do with our tragedy. Serious consideration of lifting the ban on political assassination -- so much for innocent until proven guilty. Jailing peaceful protesters. These are all signs that revenge will come at the cost of our freedom and innocent people's lives.
For those who want to make a stand for peace and freedom - for the people of our own country and the people of the world - another peace rally is planned for 4 p.m. this Friday by the UNM Bookstore.
If we are ever to have peace, we must be the peacemakers.
by Sari Krosinksy
Daily Lobo Columnist
