I was once a young college kid in Minnesota, hooked up with the campus progressives. When Desert Storm broke out just over a decade ago I joined the protests and campus demonstrations. We marched in Minneapolis, shouted, carried signs. You know how it goes.

Now, more than a decade later, I'm married, a parent, a homeowner, living in the suburbs and driving a Jeep. But, by jove, we dressed up for the cold rain and I'll be damned if it wasn't January '91 all over again.

But this time some enterprising punks didn't drag trash dumpsters a long way and light them on fire. No indeed! There was about 20 police (half mounted on horseback, half in riot gear with clubs) and half a dozen squad cars driving us all forward. Freedom to assemble? Nonsense! This was a cattle drive.

I'm not good with estimating numbers. I'd say we stretched 3-5 blocks long, calculate it yourself. The crowd was peaceful, and we had many encouraging honks from motorists and waves from buildings and skyways.

I was hoping for a European-style protest, with a 6-digit turnout. So my word of advice to those of you who've marched in the past and gone on to middle-age: get off your recliner, turn off your television (throw it out the window!), and find that punk that once lived in you. He or she is still there.

The protester count was 5,200--perhaps a few hundred more, as some people did not march the full route. We took the streets of downtown. The mounted guard, it is true, were at the end, with squad cars (4 or 5) following. So we have a good mayor and city council (not true in past years, where police have not always been friendly--that's an understatement), and the mounted patrol were herding cars that tried to get through.

A cold, rainy day -- but a good rally and many people upset about the war. I join my fellow marcher in urging all to join us--whatever city or town you're in! Best sign of the day: "I survived slavery for this bullshit?! held by a young black woman.

peace

p.s. if you're from the Twin Cities, see the IMC Minneapolis site for upcoming actions.