Arrested at the RNC.Thanks for Marcellus Hall's article and illustrations about being arrested at the Republican Convention in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of ("Under Arrest," October issue). I am an opinion columnist for the Athens Banner-Herald The Athens Banner-Herald is a 32,000 circulation newspaper in Athens, Georgia owned by Morris Communications. The newspaper traces its history to the Southern Banner newspaper that first published on March 20 1832. , the daily paper here in Athens, Georgia Athens-Clarke County is a unified city-county in Georgia, U.S., in the northeastern part of the state, at the eastern terminus of Georgia 316. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial creation of Athens and its subsequent growth. , and was arrested in New York on August 31 while covering a protest. I could certainly identify with Hall's words and pictures. Getting arrested during protests over the Bush Administration's repressive regime is an occupational hazard occupational hazard n. a danger or risk inherent in certain employments or workplaces, such as deep-sea diving, cutting timber, high-rise steel construction, high-voltage electrical wiring, use of pesticides, painting bridges, and many factories. for a journalist, but it also is a badge of honor. The people I was jailed with were inspiring and unforgettable. Even under the harsh conditions of holding pens and jail cells, every arrested protester that I met showed unfailing humor, kindness, and camaraderie. The New York mass arrests were just one more example of a war on dissent that has escalated under the Bush League crew. Such repressive measures underscore the need for stronger street protests. As Martin Luther King Jr. said so well, "Whenever you take a stand for truth and justice, you are liable to scorn. Often you will be called an impractical idealist i·de·al·ist n. 1. One whose conduct is influenced by ideals that often conflict with practical considerations. 2. One who is unrealistic and impractical; a visionary. 3. or a dangerous radical. Sometimes it might mean going to jail. If such is the case, you must honorably grace the jail with your presence." Ed Tant Ed Tant is a freelance journalist in Athens, Georgia and biweekly columnist for the Athens Banner-Herald newspaper. He has written since 1974 for a variety of publications ranging from Space magazine to many different political and news publications. Athens, Georgia The editors welcome correspondence from readers on all topics, but prefer to publish letters that comment directly on material previously published in The Progressive. All letters may be edited for clarity and conciseness, and may appear either in the magazine or on its web page. Letters may be e-mailed to: editorial@progressive.org. Please include your city and state. |
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