I am but a simple man, empowered and set free by
the truth.
The WTO as seen through the eyes of a enviro-steelworker
was the most inspiring event I have ever had the
honor to attend. This was without question the truest
expression of democracy in action that this country
has witnessed in several decades, with people from
all walks of life coming together in a common cause
to stop corporate dominance. There are not enough
words to describe the emotions created in me while
marching in the streets of Seattle together with
brothers and sisters from all walks of life, chanting, “This
is what democracy looks like.” Environmentalists,
Union Members, Native Americans, people from all
over the world were standing together against the
WTO & what it stands for - that was awesome.
The Steelworkers were honored that we were asked
to lead several of these marches with our environmental
brothers & sisters. The environmentalists, many
who were as young as my children, were the heroes
of the WTO. Their actions of bravery and creative
ability did not go unnoticed. George Becker, USWA
President, was very inspired by these brave young
people and stated this many times.
I
believe one of the most memorable events was the
morning after
the big march on November 30th. I was asked to participate in a news conference
at 7:00 a.m. on December 1st to
talk about the violence that had been perpetrated
against non-violent demonstrators. There was testimony
after testimony of obscene acts of violence carried
out against these precious, young, brave people.
Tears began to flow as stories of violence against
peaceful people trying to exercise their 1st amendment
rights began to unfold. It was a very sad time
for me. I couldn’t believe what
I was hearing and what I had witnessed the night
before. This brought great sadness to my heart
to think that our brothers in law enforcement through
blind obedience had carried out acts of violence
against non- violent protesters because they were
given the order to do so. This was a personal choice
they made, and I am sad to say it was the wrong
one. When we are ordered to do something we know
is wrong, that brings harm to someone that is not
trying to harm us, this becomes a point of personal
responsibility, and not an act of blind obedience.
After the news conference, there was a very solidified
feeling with everyone that was present. There was
another march planned starting at the college at
11:00 a.m. This was a very solemn moment for everyone
because we knew that there was a good possibility
that this non-violent action could be met with violence
again. I believe everyone was aware that we had no
choice, we had to stand up for our 1st amendment rights no mater
what the cost, even if the cost was our life. I was
afraid, but proud to be there with these brave, young
environmentalists, standing up for our freedoms,
just as freedom-loving people have done throughout
history.
These freedoms that we enjoy were
paid for with the blood and lives of freedom-loving
people
throughout the world. I thank God that we still
have people willing to make personal sacrifices to
protect
these freedoms, just as all the people protesting
the WTO did in Seattle, just as David Doncombe
did in the halls of Congress by starving himself
for
45 days to bring to the attention of our leaders
that there are more than 10,000 people a year starving
because the 40 poorest nations don’t have the ability
to repay their debt. Just as Julia Butterfly Hill
sacrificed 2 years of her life living in a 2,000-
year-old redwood, putting her very life on the line,
under conditions most of us can’t even comprehend, to
bring the destruction of our environment to the
attention of the world. When we no longer have these
people and their selfless acts of courage, and we
no longer support this fight for our freedom, our
freedom will no longer exist.
