Berkeley Protests Marines
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Berkeley Protests Marines
BERKELEY — Hey-hey, ho-ho, the Marines in Berkeley have got to go.
That's the message from the Berkeley City Council, which voted 8-1 to tell the U.S. Marines that its Shattuck Avenue recruiting station "is not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders."
In addition, the council voted to explore enforcing its law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation against the Marines because of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. And it officially encouraged the women's peace group Code Pink to impede the work of the Marines in the city by protesting in front of the station.
In a separate item, the council voted 8-1 to give Code Pink a designated parking space in front of the recruiting station once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week from noon to 4 p.m.
Councilman Gordon Wozniak opposed both items.
The Marines have been in Berkeley for a little more than a year, having moved from Alameda in December 2006. For about the past four months, Code Pink has been protesting in front of the station.
"I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates said after votes were cast.
A Marines representative did not respond to requests for comment.The resolution telling the Marines they are unwelcome and directing the city attorney
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to explore issues of sexual orientation discrimination was brought to the council by the city's Peace and Justice commission.
The recommendation to give Code Pink a parking space for protesting and a free sound permit was brought by council members Linda Maio and Max Anderson.
Code Pink on Wednesday started circulating petitions to put a measure on the November ballot in Berkeley that would make it more difficult to open military recruiting offices near homes, parks, schools, churches libraries or health clinics. The group needs 5,000 signatures to make the ballot.
Even though the council items passed, not everyone is happy with the work of Code Pink. Some employees and owners of businesses near the Marines office have had enough of the group and its protests.
"My husband's business is right upstairs, and this (protesting) is bordering on harassment," Dori Schmidt told the council. "I hope this stops."
An employee of a nearby business who asked not to be identified said Wednesday the elderly Code Pink protesters are aggressive, take up parking spaces, block the sidewalk with their yoga moves, smoke in the doorways, and are noisy.
"Most of the people around here think they're a joke," the woman said.
Wozniak said he was opposed to giving Code Pink a parking space because it favors free speech rights of one group over another.
"There's a line between protesting and harassing, and that concerns me," Wozniak said. "It looks like we are showing favoritism. We have to respect the other side, and not abuse their rights. This is not good policy."
Fran Rachel, 90, a Code Pink protester who spoke at the council meeting, said the group's request for a parking space and noise permit was especially important because the Marines are recruiting soldiers who may die in an unjust war.
"This is very serious," Rachel said. "This isn't a game; it's mass murder. There's a sickness of silence of people not speaking out against the war. We have to do this."
Anderson, a former Marine who said he was "drummed out" of the corps when he took a stand against the Vietnam War, said he'd love to see the Marines high-tail it out of town.
"We are confronted with an organization that can spend billions of dollars on propaganda," Anderson said. "This is not Okinawa here; we're involved in a naked act of aggression. If we can provide a space for ordinary people to express themselves against this kind of barbarity, then we should be doing it."
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_8127493
That's the message from the Berkeley City Council, which voted 8-1 to tell the U.S. Marines that its Shattuck Avenue recruiting station "is not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders."
In addition, the council voted to explore enforcing its law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation against the Marines because of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. And it officially encouraged the women's peace group Code Pink to impede the work of the Marines in the city by protesting in front of the station.
In a separate item, the council voted 8-1 to give Code Pink a designated parking space in front of the recruiting station once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week from noon to 4 p.m.
Councilman Gordon Wozniak opposed both items.
The Marines have been in Berkeley for a little more than a year, having moved from Alameda in December 2006. For about the past four months, Code Pink has been protesting in front of the station.
"I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates said after votes were cast.
A Marines representative did not respond to requests for comment.The resolution telling the Marines they are unwelcome and directing the city attorney
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to explore issues of sexual orientation discrimination was brought to the council by the city's Peace and Justice commission.
The recommendation to give Code Pink a parking space for protesting and a free sound permit was brought by council members Linda Maio and Max Anderson.
Code Pink on Wednesday started circulating petitions to put a measure on the November ballot in Berkeley that would make it more difficult to open military recruiting offices near homes, parks, schools, churches libraries or health clinics. The group needs 5,000 signatures to make the ballot.
Even though the council items passed, not everyone is happy with the work of Code Pink. Some employees and owners of businesses near the Marines office have had enough of the group and its protests.
"My husband's business is right upstairs, and this (protesting) is bordering on harassment," Dori Schmidt told the council. "I hope this stops."
An employee of a nearby business who asked not to be identified said Wednesday the elderly Code Pink protesters are aggressive, take up parking spaces, block the sidewalk with their yoga moves, smoke in the doorways, and are noisy.
"Most of the people around here think they're a joke," the woman said.
Wozniak said he was opposed to giving Code Pink a parking space because it favors free speech rights of one group over another.
"There's a line between protesting and harassing, and that concerns me," Wozniak said. "It looks like we are showing favoritism. We have to respect the other side, and not abuse their rights. This is not good policy."
Fran Rachel, 90, a Code Pink protester who spoke at the council meeting, said the group's request for a parking space and noise permit was especially important because the Marines are recruiting soldiers who may die in an unjust war.
"This is very serious," Rachel said. "This isn't a game; it's mass murder. There's a sickness of silence of people not speaking out against the war. We have to do this."
Anderson, a former Marine who said he was "drummed out" of the corps when he took a stand against the Vietnam War, said he'd love to see the Marines high-tail it out of town.
"We are confronted with an organization that can spend billions of dollars on propaganda," Anderson said. "This is not Okinawa here; we're involved in a naked act of aggression. If we can provide a space for ordinary people to express themselves against this kind of barbarity, then we should be doing it."
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_8127493
I sent code menstruation a nice little e-mail.
just a thought...
Can I request the same thing but protest the protesters? In theroy it would be for the protection of the US. With out a military force we are at risk and their right to protest the military needs to be protected. I for one would like to help them keep their right by protesting them.
Yes it sounds like a joke but my reasoning is undeniable. <-think iRobot
Yes it sounds like a joke but my reasoning is undeniable. <-think iRobot
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The majority of women behind code pink are middle aged, middle class women, who have financial security and the freedom to express themselves. Everyone knows that the Berkeley protesters of the 60's sold out there cause for nice cars and big houses. Code pink is a bastardization of that era, instead of sharing the ideals of those who came before, they hate all who don't agree with them. Maybe we should drop them off in Iraq for a month to see what happens.
I'm not going to be the first to sign up or even want to go but I personally believe everyone who can should be forced to serve 1-2 years in the military. I know lots of people don't agree but with that experience comes a new perspective on what our troops have to do for a living. We forget where we came from and we forget who protects our rights. I also believe that our government is taking advantage of our ignorance and I WILL be the first to admit I'm a fool when it comes to the topic of our government and it's policies. I think everyone should have to do retail and work with food too, haha.
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Can I request the same thing but protest the protesters? In theroy it would be for the protection of the US. With out a military force we are at risk and their right to protest the military needs to be protected. I for one would like to help them keep their right by protesting them.
Yes it sounds like a joke but my reasoning is undeniable. <-think iRobot
Yes it sounds like a joke but my reasoning is undeniable. <-think iRobot
I can understand the not wanting them on the UC campus...but this is just getting stupid
I'm guessing you didn't want the Daily Show. The guy interviewing the Code Pink lady responded when she said something about they have free speech with "yeah, there should be some kind of organization to uphold and protect that right to free speech"
I can understand the not wanting them on the UC campus...but this is just getting stupid
I can understand the not wanting them on the UC campus...but this is just getting stupid
They may not set foreign policy, but they sure carry it out. Can't blame people in Berkeley considering the bull**** this country has been dealing with for the past 8 years.
My buddy use to love bush and was all about joining the army and fighting. Now hes finally gotten out, hates bush and all the crap they've had to deal with in iraq. He told me that theres a lllllloooooottt of guys who are pissed. He's experienced it first hand.......had I spoke about this with him 6 years ago I would have never been able to get on the same page with him.
My buddy use to love bush and was all about joining the army and fighting. Now hes finally gotten out, hates bush and all the crap they've had to deal with in iraq. He told me that theres a lllllloooooottt of guys who are pissed. He's experienced it first hand.......had I spoke about this with him 6 years ago I would have never been able to get on the same page with him.
Last edited by slow04wrx; Mar 20, 2008 at 04:17 PM.
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