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 "Free speech is the right to yell "Theater!" in a crowded fire..." -Abbie Hoffman |
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ACF vs. RNC
Click here to see our coverage of the Peace March in
NYC on April 29th, 2006
You can best listen to the interviews by right clicking on the link and saving it to your computer. If you have any stories from the protests or want to be interviewed about them, please contact us.
All photographs taken by Jordan Schulkin
Aaron donning an "A Crowded Fire 88.1 fm" shirt that Russ made. This shirt was the official uniform of ACF at the protests. If you'd like one, ask Russ nicely and I'm sure he'd hook you up. We noticed that legitimate reporters did not wear T-Shirts with their show title on them, but that's probably because they're just not cool enough.
We approached Ron because his sign addressed a side issue that is usually not highlighted at more general protests. Ron often seemed incredulous as to whether or not we were really recording him. After admitting that he has been arrested, there is a pause because his wife chastises him for saying that on air.
Listen to a small portion of anti-war protest songs Most of the songs unfortunately were cut off, but these two drew a crowd with their fast-paced, witty anti-Bush songs.
Mike is from the International Socialist Organization (ISO) and is selling the Socialist Worker. He took a break to chat with us.
Jon's sign says "Stop Aid to Israel" and is made by International ANSWER. When asked about his sign, Jon's answers were vague and he brought the issue back to Iraq. After the interview, a couple who overheard told us that they disagreed with his views on Israel, but refused to be interviewed.
Arielle is a Cornell Law School student volunteering with the National Lawyers' Guild. These volunteers could be seen all around the city wearing bright green hats, ready to give legal advice to any protester or to monitor the actions of the police. The guy who we first approached (who can be heard at the beginning of the clip) was rather curt, but Arielle was an excellent interview.
Louise is from the Black Radical Congress. She gave us a fiery, invigorating interview, though she didn't seem to like my question about Rice and Powell. Louise was one of the most radical people still planning to vote for Kerry who we interviewed.
Listen to Rabbi David's interview Close to half a million people on the streets and we run into Rabbi David from Wesleyan University. Excellent words on why it is important to come out and demonstrate. Also, very nice answer from Russ when asked by the Rabbi why he is at the protest.
Listen to Dr. Meade's interview Dr. John Paul Meade was at the protest with his wife, two sons, and daughter. His shirt says "Physicians for Universal Health Care," which is a national organization. Very good comments on Bush's false religious values.
Dr. Meade's son. Mrs. Meade informed us that her kids designed their own shirts. The son did not want to give us any comments.
Listen to Ellen's political commentary This is Ellen. While not as eloquent or informed as Jesse Jackson or Michael Moore, she is much cuter. The bottom of her shirt that is slightly obscured says "Kerry Must Go to the Whitehouse." Ellen was more than happy to answer our question, "How do you feel about Bush?"
Listen to the rhythms of protest from the Infernal Noise Brigade Armed with drums (mostly homemade), the Infernal Noise Brigade gave some rhythm to the rabble. They had beats so fresh that even Ashcroft would have to dance.
Russ after being sent out to dance with the Infernal Noise Brigade
Listen to Elizabeth's interview Elizabeth is a stand-up comic from Hollywood who has been on the Tonight Show and Last Comic Standing (notice that we never asked a question that would require her to give that information). You may recognize the dragon she is in front of, since it was set ablaze shortly after this interview was conducted, causing one of the first clashes between the NYPD and protesters.
Aaron posing with a flight-suit wearing George W. Bush. Our job was to take a kick-ass picture. Mission accomplished.
"Lick Bush" says this leftist and lewd puppy.
Listen to Acting Sergeant Major Laverty's interview This is Charles Laverty, an Irishman who served 14 years in the Green Berets. When we approached Charles for an interview, he informed us that he had lost the group he was with, but would give us an interview and hope they'd come get him. I don't think they ever came back. Charles had very interesting views, especially in his feelings towards Saudi Arabia.
Listen to an interview with three women from Code Pink These are women from Code Pink, a "women initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement that seeks positive social change through proactive, creative protest and non-violent direct action" (from the CodePink website). The demonstrators pictured are not the ones who we interviewed. We found Wendy, Jane, and Angela taking a break outside Madison Square Park. INK
This is Dave Lindorff, a Wesleyan University alumnus ('71) and author of "This Can't be Happening!" Dave was a fantastic find and we look forward to having him as a guest on the radio show. Interesting fact: Dave got married at Wesleyan, in a maple tree on Foss Hill.
Rob, dressed in a top hot and tuxedo, does not appear in this picture. Chants coming from Billionaires for Bush included "Whose President? Our President!", "No Justice? No Problem!", "5, 6, 7, 8 - Halliburton's Really Great!", and "Four More Wars!" One lovely woman wore a ball gown and pearls and stroked a very small Maltese. Both the woman and the Maltese declined an interview.
We decided to take a break from marching down the street to find out what some of the bikini-wearing sunbathers in Madison Square Park thought about issues like the war, the RNC, going out with us, etc. All of them, naturally, rejected us, both on a personal and journalistic level. Fortunately, we came upon Shorty Brown from Australia, who was in New York on her way to Burning Man. Listen to when she says, "at the end of the day they're taking a piss." Isn't that great? Shorty, ACF loves you.
Aaron and Josh raging against the Machine.
Some crazy street theater from a group called Insane Reagan.
Pretty little p'licemen in a row. Ready to crack some skulls and send 'em off to Pier 57, "Guantanamo on the Hudson." Check out the NYPD blimp. If you shot at it, do you think it would zip all around like a balloon? No. It didn't.
I'm not really sure what this picture is saying, but I like it.
Central Park. Protesters gathered here and recited the "Not in our Name Pledge." Listen for the part where they are unsure of what is being said. Man, what a strange looking cloud that is!
I don't know where this guy in the middle got his sign, but more power to him! Glad to see him standing up for a good cause.
Listen to these interviewees who are not pictured Roman Catholic Priest from Upstate New York. He wore a United for Peace and Justice pin and black sunglasses. Unfortunately, this excellent interview got cut short and is not posted in its entirety. The portion here is still excellent and provides a very interesting perspective. We found Ben marching down 7th Ave. wearing black with a bandana covering his face. He shared with us his revolutionary politics. Small "soundbite" from a Bush supporter who had made it into the main part of the protest. Most of the counter-protesters were outside of the gates that separated the sidewalk and the street. The counterdemonstration was very small and often consisted of people with signs like "In God and President Bush We Trust. 2 Chron 7:14." There were, of course, more of us than there were of them. The same way there were more of us in the 2000 election. Frank Goss quickly implied to us that he was somehow related to Porter Goss, the Congressman chosen by Bush to head the CIA. I don't want to judge, but if you listen carefully, you can hear the Crazy. Heavily edited interview, because the original interview was just Ginny trying to get her daughters to talk to us and them standing around and laughing. They were shy, but friendly. Ginny did end up giving us some good comments about why she is protesting. Listen to this for Russ's on-the-verge-of-death voice. Don was a terrific find. He is a member of the Illinois delegation and one of the few people who could be found who was in NYC to attend the RNC. Much respect to Don for standing in the middle of a massive protest and verbally sparring with countless people. Most of this clip is Don talking to various protesters and reporters, but ACF gets several questions in (including one by Josh that seems to piss Don off quite a bit). My big question is, What's the deal with leaving the Lion King midway through? Either sit through the whole thing or don't come at all, Don. It's not the semi-circle of life. Asshole. Listen to these sounds from the protest Outside MSG Chant that erupted in response to several counter-protesters ACF tries to start a chant Russ makes a friend and makes her "sing her song" A hipper chant, went over quite well. Excellent contribution from Jordan at the end. There were others yelling, but we were just really close to the microphone. Really, I swear.
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