Atlantic County News: The Press of Atlantic City

January 8, 2005

Local activists will participate in protest of Bush inauguration

By ELAINE ROSE Staff Writer, (609) 272-7215, E-Mail

President Bush is planning a lavish gala for his second inauguration Jan. 20, and at least 48 southern New Jersey residents will be there. But they'll be in Washington, D.C., as protestors, not invited guests.

The Coalition for Peace and Justice is sending at least one bus to an anti-inaugural rally, Executive Director Norm Cohen said.

It's not clear how many people will show up in Washington to protest the inauguration because organization is decentralized, Cohen said. But a large crowd is expected at two separate rallies.

"The reality is, we're not going to stop the inauguration," Cohen said. "We have to get down to work on our (local) issues."

But getting together with like-minded people on Inauguration Day is a good way for liberals to vent their frustrations before they settle down to serious political business, Cohen said.

Bettie Reina, 69, of Buena Vista Township, said she will be on the bus for her first-ever demonstration. She wants to protest the invasion and occupation of Iraq and show Bush some opposition.

"I never marched in anything before, but I feel very strongly we need a strong showing to protest this war," Reina said.

Meanwhile, other left-leaning people plan to use the event to send a financial message to the administration and corporate America. And like most things these days, word is spreading mostly by the Internet.

The origin of "Not One Damn Dime" is not known, but the e-mails are flying around the country. Participants propose the equivalent of the general strikes seen in European countries, but will refrain from spending rather than work.

"Nothing sends politicians a stronger message than a direct hit to the pocketbook," the e-mail reads. "Remind the people in power that the war in Iraq is immoral and illegal, that they are responsible for starting it and that it is their responsibility to stop it."

The Waterville (Maine) Area Bridges for Peace & Justice is serving as an informal clearinghouse for the effort. Their group of 200 is one of about 50 groups in Maine alone that is spreading the message, spokeswoman Chris Rusnov said.

"I really have no idea of how many people will be involved," Rusnov said. "We're not really asking people to RSVP."

The urban legends Web page, www.snopes.com, says a one-day boycott is not likely to have much of an effect, as people will just spend their money the next day instead. The Iraq issue has been debated endlessly, and a one-day moratorium on spending isn't likely to change anyone's mind.

Rusnov realizes that fact, and adds that to really make a financial point, Americans must take a hard look at their spending and consumption so that corporations don't have so much political power.

Local sympathizers say they'll probably participate in the spending moratorium.

Rather than buying lunch at a rest stop on the way to Washington, Reina said she will pack a cooler and bring food with her.

Cohen said his group is not formally participating in the spending boycott, but he thinks it is a good way to send a message. He hopes people will emerge from it and take more permanent steps, such as refusing to buy products made in sweatshops.

"This country survives on consumer purchases," he said.

For information about the bus trip to Washington to protest the inauguration, call the Coalition for Peace and Justice at (609) 601-8583.

For information about the spending moratorium, log on to

www.notonedamndime.com

To e-mail Elaine Rose at The Press:

ERose@pressofac.com