critique of 3/19

by activism Sunday, Mar. 20, 2005 at 4:25 PM

The March took too long to start, and that may have driven some people away. (esp. when RAINING!!!!)

I liked the energy of today's rally, and the diversity of people and political stances. I and the older people with me also appreciated the "Buffalo Springfield" cover. Only one thing, we had to leave before the march even started, because we had parked at Union Station for the maximum of three hours, and our time was running out. It was already two hours, and we hadn't even started walking! So we left. We really did want to march, but it just seemed like it would never start, and we didn't want to risk getting towed.

Somebody suggested to me that maybe the speeches were front-loaded this time because people have a habit of drifting away after the march arrives at its destination, so that many people don't hear the speeches. Uh, yeah, that's right. Maybe the solution is fewer speeches, not delaying the march. I personally don't agree with that type of planning decision, because you have to consider that people don't want to stand still in the !@#$%& RAIN for OVER AN HOUR. Also, older people may find it easier to walk than to stand in one place for a long time. When it's dripping rain, and people are chanting in the crowd, "Start the March!" -- START THE DAMN MARCH ALREADY.

I hope my criticism is taken as constructive, not as destructive. I know it's hard to plan and carry out these things, but constant feedback, evaluation and self-criticism are an essential part of the planning process.