Anti-War movement alive and well in Olympia

Police violently clashed with Iraq War protesters this week in Olympia, in at least the second string of major anti-war demonstrations at Washington ports this year.

The Port of Olympia received Stryker combat vehicles and other equipment used in Iraq, and met with resistance from more than 100 protesters from schools and organizations throughout western Washington. UW’s own Students for a Democratic Society took part in the demonstration.

Events began to turn ugly when protesters peacefully but physically blocked the entrance to the port.

Olympia Police spokesperson Dick Machlan reported that at least 58 arrests have been made since protests began Nov. 6. Most have been charged with petty crimes such as pedestrian interference or blocking a roadway. Machlan could not confirm if any arrests had been made for violent actions.

A statement was released by the Olympia Port Militarization Resistance (OlyPMR), which organized many of the events: “We oppose Olympia’s complicity in a war whose disastrous effects have been felt worldwide and we will actively resist the use of Olympia’s port to further that war.” OlyPMR pledged to work nonviolently to stop the use of the Port of Olympia for Iraq War-related shipping and receiving.

In March, protesters clashed with police at the Port of Tacoma, where Strykers and other equipment were being shipped to Iraq as part of the “surge.” Videos on YouTube show police firing tear gas into a crowd of young protesters who were sitting peacefully on a public sidewalk. Chilling independent media footage of the latest crackdown is also available on YouTube.

Buy Nothing Day pushes to slow consumerism

Next Friday is commonly known as “the biggest shopping day of the year.” Consumers will dish out hundreds of millions of dollars in an effort to stay ahead of the curve in holiday shopping. Some people see this as an opportunity to raise awareness about the ills of consumerism.

The rival to the shopping day is its counterpart, “Buy Nothing Day,” first put forward in Vancouver, B.C., in 1992. It too is now a staple event on the day after Thanksgiving.

Its premise is that over-consumerism is a drain on natural resources and is generally out of control, and that people should protest this reality by not spending any money all day.

Here in Seattle, participants in the “holiday” are being urged by Aaron’s Bicycle Repair to take part in a bike ride at Pike Place Market. Organizers say it “is not a protest ride, just a fun ride,” while also celebrating the spirit of Buy Nothing Day by taking a day off from the use of cars and mass consumption.

One of the original organizers of Buy Nothing Day, Kalle Lasn, seems to support the notion of not just buying nothing, but not driving.

“So much emphasis has been placed on buying carbon offsets and compact fluorescent lightbulbs and hybrid cars,” said Lasn, “that we are losing sight of the core cause of our environmental problems: We consume far too much.”

Lasn continued, “Buy Nothing Day isn’t just about changing your routine for one day. It’s about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment.”

The bike ride Friday, Nov. 23, will begin at noon by the pig statue at Pike Place Market.

[Reach reporter Matt Dundas at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]