Monday, December 30, 2013

Protesters Get Their Messages to Obama

Since Obama arrived for his Hawai`i vacation protesters are making their demands visible.

On his first day in Hawai`i four protesters were there with signs against drones and Guantanamo. On Friday about 25 people held signs opposing the Transpacific Trade Partnership at a protest organized by Move-On. And on Saturday morning more than a dozen World Can't Wait-Hawai`i supporters were there when Obama's motorcade passed by.


 As we walked to our designated corner we could already see numerous signs in front of the entrance to Obama's street and wondered who had beat us there. It turned out to be a one-person demonstration: Ann Wright with about four big signs waving us in.  Although our numbers were relatively small, we filled a lot of space and we know we were seen by Obama and the press. 

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Our posters with photos of Guantanamo detainees lined the walls. Two big banners - one reading "Stop Torture" and the other a beautiful "Shut Down the Bases" banner (particularly fitting since Obama was returning from K-Bay when he saw us). Then there were numerous other signs protesting drones, Gitmo, support for Israel, and the TTP. 

While no press came to talk with us personally, their press van passed and they snapped pictures as they came by. News of our protest subsequently appeared in Reuters and in the local press. http://www.aol.com/article/2013/12/28/obama-faces-smattering-of-protests-on-hawaiian-vacation/20796747/   Be sure to click on the photo line accompanying the reporting. 

Many passers-by honked their horns approvingly or gave us a thumbs up or shaka, and morning walkers thanked us for being out there. A relatively few gave us the middle finger and one particularly disgusting man slowed down and yelled "take care of the babies" at the almost all-woman group holding signs. (We weren't sure if he was an anti-abortion reactionary or just thought we should all be home taking care of our kids, but either was equally backward!). 

  Since Saturday, FrostPaw (a huge polar bear) has been seen standing in front of the Obama compound along with leafleters protesting the Keystone XL pipeline and climate change, and we're sure others have been out there was well. We understand that FrostPaw will be visiting Hawai`i for at least another week so if you're interested in joining him in protesting climate change contact us and we'll get you in touch.

 President Obama will be in Hawai`i for another week and holding a sign at the entrance to his compound at Kailuana Street and Kalaheo is easy. If Ann Wright can pull off a one-person demonstration, so can you! As Ann said, "We never get this close to the president when we're in D.C.! He can actually see us!"
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Saturday, December 14, 2013

Upcoming Events in December-January

Shut Down Guantanamo!  
Protest at Obama's Kailua Residence
Saturday, December 28, 9am-11am
 
President Obama will again spend the holidays in Kailua and we'll be there with a fitting welcome! 
 
January will mark the 12th Anniversary of the opening of Guantanamo.  Obama came into office promising that he would shut down Guantanamo within his first month in office. 
 
World Can't Wait-Hawai`i will have big photos of some of the Guantanamo prisoners, along with signs and banners.    Wear orange!   We'll have some orange outfits for people to wear but there won't be enough for everyone so wear orange.  You're welcome to bring signs about other issues (such as drones, the NSA) and join us.
 
The protest will be at the corner of North Kalaheo & Kailuana. The best place to park is at Aikahi Shopping Center. Then just walk back along North Kalaheo. Kailuana is just past the bridge. 
 
There's always a lot of press at protests when we've held them there in the past so tell your friends and begin organizing your carpool.  

Obama's plans are always subject to change and we'll post a notice if there's any change in date or time.  
 
 
International Day of Action
to Shut Down Guantanamo
Signholding at Kalakaua/Seaside in Waikiki
Saturday, January 11, 6pm - 7:30
 
On the 12th Anniversary of the opening of Guantanamo people around the world will be holding actions, speak-outs, and programs to demanding the shut-down of Guantanamo. 

There will be a signholding at the corner of Kalakaua and Seaside in central Waikiki in solidarity.  There we will be seen by thousands of tourists from many countries, as well as Hawai`i residents.   If our presence is dramatic (and we'll do everything possible to make sure it is), they're sure to take out their cellphones to take photos and our actions will be beamed around the world.    

Save the evening!

Stop Drones!  Stop the Killing and Surveillance!
Join the Anti-Drone Contingent in the MLK Day Parade
Monday, January 20, 9am at Magic Island

Thousands of people march in the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade each year and thousands more watch the parade from the sidelines.    Begin planning now to make the Anti-Drone Contingent the largest ever.  

World Can't Wait-Hawai`i will bring its drone replica.  We're preparing large photos of victims of drone warfare that can be mounted on the truck or carried, but to make this contingent a big success WE NEED YOU! 

Plan to be at Magic Island at 9am.  The parade will go down Kalakaua Avenue and will end at Kapiolani Park.   You can walk, skateboard, or bicycle.  There will be space on the back of the truck for those who can't walk the route. 

This is a family event so bring your kids.  Strollers, tricycles and wagons are welcome.  If your kids get tired they can jump on the back of the truck. 

Begin making your plans now!

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