Notes from the Front Lines

I received this e-mail in my inbox this morning from Boone area protesters at the RNC:

greetings. i'm sorry i haven't sent out an update, but it has been hard
to take one minute to rest or send emails. the actions have gone well,
and we have certainly achieved some of our goals -- most especially
movement building!

the police violence is unprecedented. starhawk says she has never seen
this level of violence perpetrated on innocent nonviolent protesters --
even seattle. we have witnessed beatings, tasings, pepperspray,
concussion grenades; we were teargassed on monday.

our boone six are safe, but we had two of our larger group snatched from us
in the march on tues, and jason was tasered with 3 protrusion guns & 4
handheld tasers. he was beaten by at least 8 riot cops and has multiple
lacerations to head, face, torso & a black eye. he is still pulling
copper out of his hip & was given alcohol wipes & antibiotic cream. his
partner ryanna was released last night, but he is still inside. they
picked up another 90 people last night. they are denying phone calls,
macing, tazing, beating these kids in custody. lots of folks being
charged with felony conspiracy charges.

i want to write a personal appeal to you for the younger boone group of
folks who will be heading home today. we have witnessed some incredibly
brutal attacks on our friends, including deborah (she is safe & with us,
but badly bruised). these four folks (along with thousands of others!!!)
have had one of the most radicalizing experiences a young person can have
in this country.

emma, ally, nate & will are leaving today, and should be home tomorrow
night. they are going to need major support -- we're all doing well, but
we are all very tweaked & edgy -- lots of tears & many emotions.

please be sensitive to their needs to be heard, to be loved on, to be fed
yummy food, whatever you can do for them that is low stress & loving!! we
are definitely going to have some emotional trauma to deal with. they are
all doing well in general, but just lots of ups & downs & shaky energy.
i'm
trying not to cry writing this -- and it's not working -- i can't even
begin to tell you how horrible the police violence is here and then in
turn how concerned i am that these four folks get the support they may not
realize they are going to need. please call them, check in, anything you
can do that is supportive.

deborah & i will head back as soon as we can. we'll need your support
too, but for now, let's focus on helping these four young folks feel safe
& supported.

thank you so much for all you do in the world.

biglove. elizabeth


p.s.
we will definitely want to organize an event where we can show images &
tell these stories. if anyone wants to help us start thinking about when
that might be able to happen in the next two weeks or so, that would be so
helpful.

here are numbers you can call if you would be willing.
St Paul Mayor Chris Coleman: 651.266.8510 Ramsey County Sheriff Bob
Fletcher: 651.266.9333 Ramsey County Chief Judge Gearin: 651.266.8266
Head of Ramsey County Jail: 651.266.9350

here is footage of our friend jason's arrest -- he is in pink shirt -- he
helped us put the roof on our house -- he is my beloved; keep him in your
thoughts.
http://www.startribune.com/video/27795154.html?elr=KArks5PhDcU9PhDcUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=523539&catid=14

http://www.startribune.com/photos/?c=y&img=4protest090308.jpg

if you have money to share, we are still in desperate need of more
resources to get these folks out safely & get them the medical care they
need. if you want to contribute, you can send to my p.o. box or find
coldsnap legal online. thank you.