Greetings, Starhawk's list:
This is not Starhawk writing; by now you are all well aware that she remains indisposed at this hour (around midnight D.C. time), on the bus with others of the 42 of the Pagan Cluster arrested this morning (a few apparently did get out tonight). They are doing well, in good spirits, have had water, some food, access to bathrooms, etc.
This is Starhawk's "kid" brother typing at you, sending out to her list with her permission but nowhere near her panache.... If you don't know me, call me Ishmael. Of the dozen or more houseguests of our local friend who were here last night preparing for this morning's action, I alone am here tonight to email the tale ... a very eery feeling indeed. I wish I could say my escape was due to street smarts, nimbleness of foot, or the careful cultivation of that highly evolved peripheral awareness which all seasoned activists perfect in order to sense the impending movement of jackbooted riot cops closing in for the surround and arrest. The truth is far more mundane, to the point of embarrassment. I went back to get the car. All those who had "mudded up" (now there's a phrase for you) had stashed their clothes in the trunk of my rental car and I wanted to have it nearby when they were ready to "unmud down." By the time I got to the car to move it, I got the call that they were surrounded and getting arrested.
The good news is that I was able to provide contact support subsequently for a number of folks who got arrested, which is about all I've been doing it seems since late this morning. But Star has encouraged me to post to this list as well, so here goes.
I first took the time to read everyone else's postings, all pretty much right on the money with my recollections of the day, and my understanding of the situation and the types of support requested by our friends. So I won't bother reiterating all the basic facts, the contact numbers, etc. By the way, some wonderful folks hung out by the buses tonight and really gave a great deal of encouragement and energy to the arrestees. I know they were the local embodiment of waves and spirals of supporting energy from all over; I am grateful they were there. This is truly an amazing community.
I hope to write more soon, but this is just to let you know, for anyone that is in the D.C. area or who can contact friends in the area: the arraignment is supposed to take place tomorrow, Saturday, 9:00 AM, at the Superior Court, 500 Indiana Ave NW (close to 5th and Indiana), Courtroom C-10 (or, for juveniles, of whom there were apparently a few, Juvenile Court JM-10). The Court is at Judiciary Square, right of the Judiciary Square Metro Stop of the Red LIne. I am sure that our friends would appreciate anyone who could show up to show support and defiance of the "arrests of convenience" that took place.
Beyond this, I believe the most satisfying response to these mass arrests will be, not even to focus too much on the clear injustice of the arrests themselves, but to keep visible. To refuse to be distracted. Toward that end, the more people that show up for the gatherings tomorrow and/or Sunday, the more we will be demonstrating that beating up the messenger does not stop the message from getting through. Please spread the word!
And now I'm tired and going to bed!
Ishmael Moongoose