2000+ Angelenos march against the war in Iraq, marking two years since American forces invaded and occupied the country. Hollywood, March 19, 2005.

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The turnout for the antiwar protest Saturday across the country was disappointing.

As one who did not go, I can speak for myself. I am disgusted with much of the leadership of the anti war and how they "turned off" the movement to support Kerry's relection and THEN told everyone that they should vote for Kerry.

Movements like this cannot be simply turned on and off to suit the political convenience of some people. By doing what they did, turning off the movement, the movement left me both disgusted and demoralized. I am not marching with these people for anything any more.

The vote on the bankruptcy bill and the rubber stamping of Gonzalez, Rich, and Chertoff show that the Democratic party is beyond every bit as corrupt as Haliburton and beyond repair.

I believe that any progessive change in this country will, as in the 1930s, come from colapse of the system and that progressive leadlership, because so much of it remains commited to the Democratic party, is irrlevant.

In defense of the movement, it was never turned off; it is the American sheep who simply stopped showing up because they thought they could get a billion-dollar terrorist that would exploit the world for their own benefit instead of for the benefit of the extremely rich.

But more important, is that the movement must stay decentralized so no one person has any control over it (as opposed to the current ANSWER run movement). Mutual agreements between the activist community to show up to events like fundraisers and political gatherings would keep the movement going regardless of what the power structure did to try to stop it.

But, I too feel the demoralization from the Answer machine. I think people get the idea that we should be thankful that the government is allowing us to exercise a right. People have forgotten that rights are inalienable, and that we don't need permission to have them. As the declaration says, if a government attempts to violate our inalienable rights, we have a moral duty to alter or abolish that government. So go march; and defend yourself if the fascist police attack you. They only have as much power as the people choose to give them. If there is no centralized leadership, you are just going to public places, like going to the mall. It is basic constitutional stuff. As far as the importance to get permits for rallies, its like asking permission to take a breath of air.

Now as 1Planet loves to criticize ANSWER, let me remind folks that ANSWER was created from a coalition of organizations. Many that did come together from the Battle in Seattle. The Arabs, Koreans, Mexicans, Filipinos, and other progressive groups. They have maintained a strong relationship that continues to discuss and resolve issues and questions regarding the movement's direction. As the United for Peace and Justice jumped from a "Support our Troops" line to directly supporting the Democratic Party. ANSWER continued to draw an Anti-Imperialist line. ANSWER is not owned by anyone group and it's very disrespectful to the organizations that make up the coalition to accuse them of being some power hungry egomaniacs. These organizations meet and go right back into their communities with their own campaigns and programs that strive to draw the lines between all their struggles. No ANSWER does not belong to IAC or any one group. 1Planet you are more then welcome to come to the work meetings that ANSWER has to help this movement be more effective. Every one is. It's every Tuesday at 7pm at the Hollywood and Argyle office. The war will not end with one rally. But it is a way to measure how far have we gone in developing a comprehensive movement for social change. The youth have taken more and more of a roll in supporting the ANSWER Coalition. They are learning how to establish organizations and mobilizations in their schools. While ANSWER has always done what it can to support them logistically and politically. So let's look at track records and we'll see that the orgs that make up ANSWER have been in this movement for quite some time and together it's that much more effective. Your right, the movement was there challenging the WTO and now they're challenging the U.S. Imperialist Empire together through the International Act Now to Stop War and End Racism Coalition.

I was there too marching in the Rain. Great day, great vibes. Never mind the naysayers hiding in their closets of bitterness and paranoia. The fight was hard in 1969 (I was there too) as it is now. Fascism alway burns bright for the moment but always dies under the eventual tide of truth and hope.

Great picture of Ron Kovic. Great man. Thanks.