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Boo Wallmart!
by Colin Eager (May.09.2003)
I like protesting. Give me someone shouting into a bullhorn, and I'm a happy camper. But what's a boy to do now that the end of "major military operations" has been announced? Luckily for folks like me, there are still plenty of events to attend and even some new groups springing up to oppose the new Pax Americana.
Saturday morning began like most others, with me waking up late and cursing the alarm clock. A suspended license didn't prevent me from driving like a maniac in order to make it to Bidwell on time for Women in Black. WIB is still going strong after more than a year and a half, with silent protesters regularly taking up both sides of Elmwood. It's a great place to come and witness for peace and nonviolence, as well as a chance to network with like-minded folks and share a laugh or two at the expense of the lonely counter-demonstrator or the SUV fratboys who suggest that we might feel more at home in France.
This particular WIB saw some new faces, as a marijuana legalization rally had also been scheduled for noon at Bidwell Park. The interaction between the two groups was interesting - several pro-pot people joined us in line, transforming Women in Black into Women in Tie-Dye in a few places. Mostly, though, the two groups eyed one another uneasily. It would be nice to think that the pot people might come back next week, if they can remember.
I had a bit of time to kill before heading off to the Wal-Mart protest, so I stuck around a bit for the pot rally. From what I could tell, it consisted mainly of back issues of "High Times" and plenty of snacks. One fellow even brought a pizza. Oh well, it's crazy that people are in prison for smoking weed so I guess it's good that people are doing what they can.
Hopping into the car and heading off to the Wal-Mart protest, I figured I had plenty of time, but I was betrayed by my Yahoo! map. Transit Road is hardly my normal stomping ground, so my faulty map and the disorienting mix of chain stores and restaurants combined to get me hopelessly lost. The suburbs are an odd place, with a total lack of natural landmarks and an overabundance of unnatural ones. Luckily I had a sextant in the glove compartment and was finally able to find my way.
The Wal-Mart protest was part of four days of events organized by the Buffalo Coalition Against Poverty (BCAP), a great new activist group that's focused on issues of poverty, corporate power and globalization. Unfortunately, my suburban wanderings led me to miss out on the first half of the protest, which featured the forty or so protestors being forced off Wal-Mart property by the police. As I arrived, the group was gathering on the public sidewalk near the entrance to the store for some speeches and flyering. I broke off from the group to flyer cars as they entered the plaza, so I missed the speeches made by Colin from BCAP, Maria from CEJ, as well as representatives from UFCW and a group of citizens fighting against a new Wal-Mart in Lancaster, but I'm sure they were excellent!
Before long, a cameraman from Channel 2 arrived, so we obliged him with a few enthusiastic chants, including "What's disgusting?/Union busting!/What's outrageous?/Sweatshop wages!" Some creative person was dressed up as a big yellow frowning face wielding a cat-o'-nine-tails in a parody of Wal-Mart's smiley face mascot. Unfortunately, neither SpongeBob nor Emperor George was anywhere to be seen. Hmm . . .
The event ended with the announcement that the May Day weekend was only the beginning for BCAP, with a public meeting set for Thursday, May 15th at 7 PM in the Buffalo Room at the Statler Building. Those who want to keep protesting even with the war "over" should be there. For more info, email maydaybuffalo@riseup.net
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