Code Pink Journals CodePINK Journals

Work 4 Peace,Hold All Life Sacred,Eliminate Violence! I am on my mobile version of the door-to-door, going town-to-town holding readings/gatherings/discussions of my book "But What Can I Do?" This is my often neglected blog mostly about my travels since 9/11 as I engage in dialogue and actions. It is steaming with my opinions, insights, analyses toward that end of holding all life sacred, dismantling the empire and eliminating violence while creating the society we want ALL to thrive in

Thursday, August 26, 2004

It's Up to Us


New Yorkers LOVE my truck, even the city police – the real city police, not the plain clothes detectives! I’ve had so many folks clapping their hands, shouting praises, giving me the thumbs up, I can't keep track. Not one finger have I gotten in New York.
A young womon on a bike (do you believe riding a bike in NYC?), dreadlocks flying, raced to pull me over as I was heading down Broadway, she was so excited to see me. I pulled over, got out of the truck and told her all about CodePINK, gave her some flyers to hand out and a t-shirt. While we were talking, another womon came over and took a schedule for the week - she had heard of us and was so happy to see me!
The cops that roam the streets at nite are a different story. Twice, I’ve received tickets while parking over nite at my grandmother's apartment: no commercial overnite parking! $65 each time - grrrrrrr. I’ve visited my grandmother many times for a few days at a time over the previous five years and this is the first time I’ve received a ticket in her neighborhood! Oh well, the cost of activism. The second time, last nite, I was too exhausted to move my truck to New Jersey after not getting back to the apartment until 11:00p.m. It was the same cop looking for my truck at 3:00a.m. so I have to move my truck to New Jersey tonite and then take the train back early in the morning.
Taking the Jersey turnpike, I got about 10 yeahs and honks, even though it was close to midnite as I traveled. One trucker gave me the finger, while another gave me a huge grin and peace sign. They both turned on their inside cab lights to make sure I got the messages!
When I got off the turnpike at the toll booth, the collector asked me wryly if I really thought Kerry had a chance. “It's up to us,” I urge. He told me he was voting but his wife wasn't. I dug into my bag and took out some CodePINK information and asked him to tell his wife we really need her vote and to have her email or call me. I hope she does.