Just returned from the pre-debate demonstration at Pioneer Park. Nearly 30 organizations — from the Green Party and the Pinellas Democratic Party to Code Pink and the Florida Rainbow PUSH Coalition — came out in force to support anti-war and anti-corporate causes. I give it one and a half fists up. Here's the rundown:
Pioneer Park was overrun with tables and people pushing their various causes. But one man stood out: Brian Moore, the Socialist Party's nominee (they do their primary voting a bit different, you see). Moore was subject of a well-done St. Petersburg Times profile months ago and has used some of his media publicity to criss-cross the country looking for votes. He might actually be on the ballot in California, he tells me.
I quizzed him what question he'd like to ask the Republican candidates and he answered passionately, but predictably:
"Why has capitalism failed American and failed the world?"
Ron Paul supporters had fun with him.
Here's Chris Brudy serenading the crowd. You might remember "Guitar Chris" from a recent profile for our 2007 Summer Guide:
However, the Ron Paul contingent, criss-crossing downtown in the Ron Paul “Magic Bus†(my words, not theirs), was surprisingly absent. I could hear some disgruntled progressives rambling about “those crazy Ron Paul†supporters and their decision to go it alone.
At one point though, those Ron Paulites did show up — and drowned out the press conference with their shouting.
However, homeless advocates and a few homeless kept the mood upbeat toward the end of the press conference by clomping down Beach Drive in masse with a banner chastizing the city: "Hey Mayor Baker, Jesus was homeless, too."
Then the mass of rabble rousers, close to 200 by this point, marched to Mahaffrey Theater where some protesters were already gathered.
At one point, several Rudy Giuliani supporters were nose and nose with the protesters. But that wasn't the only flash point.
This Ron Paul supporter criticized the homeless for not getting a job.
"You're making good conversation," the Ron Paulite said. "Why don't you get a job?"
"You go and not take a shower for a week and try to get a job," retorted the homeless man.
And this Iraq veteran had a big problem with this Vietnam veteran outside of Starbucks on Beach Drive.
"Let me serve my war," said the Iraq Veteran, who wouldn't give me his name because he was wearing the uniform. "Your time is done. You were in Vietnam."
To which the Vietnam Vet replied, "It took me 10 years after I got back. I was just like you."
And then, in the heat of the moment, Iraq Veteran let this out: "I'm in intel [intelligence?] and we are going to war with Iran in six months no matter who you vote for!"
Whoa.
This is about the time the rain come pouring down and I had to duck inside Corigan's for a few drinks. I met up with a Ron Paul supporter and took a ride on the magic bus. More on that later.
This article appears in Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2007.