From the Oct 28 – Nov 3, 2004 issue

News

Protest Zones

If Bush Wins--or Steals--This Election, Don't Just Sit There

by Jenn Green

If Bush gets reelected on November 2--if half of our fellow citizens lose their minds, or if he manages to steal the election again--storming Seattle's federal offices, prisons, and property will let him know that we're not going down without a fight this time. Here's a list of federal sites in Seattle that could be perfect places to protest:

JACKSON FEDERAL BUILDING--915 Second Ave. The Jackson Federal Building, which houses everything from the Office of Civil Rights (ironic, no?) to the U.S. Government bookstore, was the site of an unsuccessful antiwar protest in March, 2003. The key to demonstrating at the Federal Building is organization: Agree on the terms of the march, and do everything in your power to avoid jaywalking in front of the building (the police really hate that). If things get out of control, seek refuge in the office of Senator Patty Murray (she doesn't really like W. either).

INS DETENTION CENTER--815 Airport Way. The 150 detainees at Seattle's INS Detention Center would no doubt be cheered by the sounds of protestors gathering outside the walls. The thought of another four years of Bush as president and the joys that go along with that--being jailed with no evidence of terrorist activity, all in the name of "preserving liberty" through the PATRIOT Act--probably depresses them too.

BALLARD LOCKS--3015 NW 54th St. As long as you're not brown-skinned and carrying a camera, you won't, like one unfortunate Seatle resident, attract the attention of Tom Ridge's Dept. of Homeland Security by marching on the Ballard Locks. We don't know why you would want to march on the locks but, hey, the fish ladder is cool and there's a big hill you can roll down. And there's a lot of parking, unlike at the Federal Building downtown.

That takes care of Seattle. But if we wind up with another 2000-style deadlock--if election results are contested in Ohio or Florida, or if Republicans try to stop people from voting in any state--that's where the real action will be. Protestors with guts should head to those states to make their voices heard. And if Bush manages to steal the election, then we'll see you in D.C. in January. Bring some eggs.