sometimes it's easy to get depressed about the way things are in this country and the world; but there are at least two times i get excited about america- when i vote, and when i witness or participate in protest. that's when I'm reminded of the great possibilities for people of this country.
the protest in annapolis was gentle, warm and hopeful. the participants did not express any criticism of local police but gathered in solidarity with national complaints. the police chief and other local officials joined the march, in fact.
once in a while, in a democracy, people have to endure a nuisance because others have the freedom to protest their living hell.
it's telling that so many ignoble (snarky) comments were made on (local paper) the capitol's coverage of the march. for anyone who questions the need for pushback, this comments thread should explain a lot. ironically a number of the commenters reference their second amendment rights while complaining about the first amendment freedom exercised by the protesters. "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." what redress do the st patricks parade, military parades or fourth of july celebrations seek? bad analogy. that point aside, there's a pretty accurate description of the situation here.
the verdigris man peering down on the crowd is chief justice roger taney, the judge who issued the dread scott decision. his finding, that people with african heritage could not be american citizens, spurred the civil war and is considered to be the worst decision issued in the history of the supreme court.
this was the culmination of the march.
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