PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Pittsburgh Organizing Group Shuts Down Recruitment Center
by Pittsburgh Organizing Group Monday, Jan. 15, 2007 at 2:20 AM

Pittsburgh Organizing Group successfully disrupted the military recruitment machine in Pittsburgh yet again. The recruitment center shut down for the entire day. Shortly before 11am, having already accomplished their major goal, 40 protesters gathered outside for a two hour picket designed to keep anti-war resistance front and center in the public eye. Signs such as, “There’s Dead, and Then There’s ARMY DEAD,” “Honk for Peace,” “Recruiters Are Child Predators,” “Those Who Call the Shots Aren’t Among the Shot,” “Let the Rich Fight Their Own Wars,” and “Resist, Don’t Enlist” resulted in a plethora of horn honks and supportive gestures from passing drivers.

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Pittsburgh Organizing Group successfully disrupted the military recruitment machine in Pittsburgh yet again. The recruitment center shut down for the entire day. Shortly before 11am, having already accomplished their major goal, 40 protesters gathered outside for a two hour picket designed to keep anti-war resistance front and center in the public eye. Signs such as, “There’s Dead, and Then There’s ARMY DEAD,” “Honk for Peace,” “Recruiters Are Child Predators,” “Those Who Call the Shots Aren’t Among the Shot,” “Let the Rich Fight Their Own Wars,” and “Resist, Don’t Enlist” resulted in a plethora of horn honks and supportive gestures from passing drivers.



One difference about this picket, as compared to past ones, was the call for people to bring whipped cream pies (because recruiters should be afraid to show their faces). A number of individuals, young and old, responded to the call and showed up, pie in hand.



During this 50th action of POG’s campaign, the recruitment center door was pied and spray-painted with the all-too-true slogan “we lie.” One protester was arrested away from the event, supposedly for the painting of the door. We are following the case and will do whatever possible to help with fines or legal support. The truth is, this is a broad-based, long-term campaign to oppose recruitment in the city and arrests are inevitable. Besides donating for legal support, committing to take personal action against militarism is the best way to honor and support those putting themselves on the line.



Yet again, the police choose to use homophobic comments; a car of four cops repeatedly drove by protesters calling them “faggots.” The Lieutenant on the scene also tried to steal and throw out a number of signs and attendees’ personal items because, although they were not blocking the sidewalk, she said anything touching the ground is “abandoned property.” The event wrapped up around 1:30pm. In a separate incident, three cop cars followed a group of five protesters for blocks.



The event was covered by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, KDKA Channel 2, Rustbelt TV, and independent media.

We will be back! As long as the structures of militarism and injustice in this country remain intact, people of conscience will be there to oppose them.

At this picket, POG members announced a major action coming up on March 2 in which protesters plan to blockade the National Robotics Engineering Center, a branch of Carnegie Mellon University that develops robotic vehicles and weapons delivery systems for the U.S. Army and Marines. POG members feel that there is a need for actions that are direct and compelling: actions that speak to public refusal of the war – that are demands, not requests – that directly confront militarism itself. If you’re interested in participating or offering support, visit http://www.organizepittsburgh.org/m2 for more information. We’ll also be hosting a weekend-long gathering February 2-4, for out of town activists, to further discuss the action and get to know one another.

In solidarity,

Pittsburgh Organizing Group

http://www.organizepittsburgh.org

pog@mutualaid.org

www.organizepittsburgh.org

Army Dead
by Pittsburgh Organizing Group Monday, Jan. 15, 2007 at 2:20 AM

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www.organizepittsburgh.org

Hungry?
by Pittsburgh Organizing Group Monday, Jan. 15, 2007 at 2:20 AM

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www.organizepittsburgh.org

We Lie
by Pittsburgh Organizing Group Monday, Jan. 15, 2007 at 2:20 AM

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www.organizepittsburgh.org