Photo By John Hoff, September 3
One guys knows all the words to "Solidarity Forever," but everybody knows the chorus. Long periods of worried waiting are periodically disrupted by joyful jubilation as yet another protester or group of protesters is released and then the singing breaks loose again...
Like Katrina Refugees, Only More Idealistic
The camp numbers between 50 and 100, its numbers changing all the time as supporters make appearances, then leave, as detainees are released and begin hanging around, or decide to leave. They camp on the grassy boulevard between Lafayette Road and the sidewalk, watching a fenced-in corridor for comrades to be released from detention.
Police in riot gear are stationed nearby, but their presence causes little confrontation. When lone police officers walk through the crowd in their dark black gear, some in the crowd hum the music from Star Wars, the scene wear Darth Vader first appears. Sometimes a few of the women chant, "You're handsome/You're cute/Take off your riot suit."
As prisoners are released through the long fenced corridor to wild hugs and cheers, a young man with a dark, scraggly beard makes sure they fill out an "outtake form," to document the arrests for the lawsuits sure to follow. At one point he says, "Be sure to fill out a class action--I mean OUTTAKE form."
The encampment has 3-day-old bread scavenged or donated from who-knows-where, piled up knee-high at the base of a small tree. Other food has been provided by Seeds Of Peace. There are plenty of votive candles burning, cardboard signs. Some people simply curl up in blankets and sleep on the ground, huddled together for warm, or using their dogs to stay warm. The night air is chilly, so even folks walking around keep blankets draped over their shoulders, looking like Katrina refugees; only with a bright fire of idealism burning in their eyes instead of despair.
As the detainees are released, they paw through plastic bags of their possessions, intently seeking cigarettes and/or their cell phone.
"Oh, my god, I've got 45 messages," one man said.
Others want to eat something. One college-aged, tow-headed young man exclaimed, "Oh, my god, these are the best carrots I've ever tasted in my life!" as he ate directly from a 5-gallon bucket of baby carrots. Cars that pass by periodically honk, producing cheers throughout the crowd.
Testimony Of Secret Arrests
Not all prisoners were released the same way. A short woman in her 20s with auburn hair, identifying herself as "Libby From Cleveland" said she was jailed, but instead of being brought through the court system she was given back her possessions, put in an unmarked vehicle, taken to a food establishment and dropped off without any paperwork to document her arrest and detention.
She said she was alone, lightly dressed in a white t-shirt and in an unknown neighborhood. She was worried about getting raped, worried any stranger she asked for directions in an unfamiliar city might see her vulnerable state and assault her. Fortunately, she had a cell phone. She found her way to the detention facility. Libby was willing to give me her testimony on videotape and spent about 25 minutes, carefully filling out one of the "outtake forms."
Another young man calling himself "Nick" told a similar story of arrest, undocumented detention, and release without paperwork. Nick was dressed completely in black, about 18 years old, with dark hair, slightly built. He sat in a circle with candles in the middle, where people talked and quietly sang.
Nick said he was put in a white van and dropped off at a food establishment. A police officer allegedly told him, "Sorry, Sheriff's orders." Nick did not have a cell phone, but managed to contact friends by using "a variety of indirect means." He also found his way to the jail support camp. Nick was willing to give a videotaped account, but with only his hands visible as he told the story.
Solidarity Forever
Sometimes wild bouts of singing break out, including a rousing rendition of "Solidarity Forever." A stout, cheerful young man who calls himself a "union geek" knew all the verses to the song, which is quite long and involved. As the rousing chorus would conclude, he'd be left to carry the verses by himself, which he did with mad enthusiasm, smooth hand gestures, and animated facial expressions.
They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power; gain our freedom when we learn
That the Union makes us strong.
As he would conclude, the crowd would jump back in with the easy chorus.
Solidarity Forever! Solidarity Forever! Solidarity Forever!
And the union makes us strong!
As of 2 in the morning on Day 4 of the Republican National Convention, "Camp Solidarity" was still going strong.
Going Back For More On Day 4?
"Second arrests, anybody?" one just-released prisoner asked, laughing and lighting a much-anticipated cigarette.
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