Connie Basham: Professional Republican Hack

11Apr07

So if you haven’t heard, Cindy Sheehan is coming to Purdue. While I’m exactly not a fan of hers, she represents the strongest voice of the anti-war Left in this country and definitely could charge it up. Anyhow, Purdue being the absolute shithole it is, the College Republicans and Friends are organizing a protest against her. Nothing wrong with that, since they’re entitled to their free speech too (albeit protesting an anti-war activist for being *gasp* critical of her own country when her son died in an imperialist war is halfway to ridiculous).

The surprising thing, though, is that the protest is being organized by Connie Basham, a local property owner (read: college slum lord) and twice-beaten candidate for the Indiana State Senate. Basham is unabashed (oh, what a good pun) partisan hack that throws her money where ever it’ll give her a political edge while campaigning on a platform of fiscal responsibility. There’s a good reason why she never gets elected to the State Senate.

Anyhow, that said, try to get out to the Memorial Mall and Stewart Center around 5:00 PM on Thursday, April 12 for a rally, then 6 PM to counter whatever the pro-war group has going on.

Here’s information from Purdue Organization of Libertarian Socialists (PALS) who are organizing the rally.

riends:

As many of you know, anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan is speaking at Fowler Hall
this Thursday, 12 April, at 8 pm. The “Stop Cindy Sheehan from Coming to
Purdue” facebook group presently has 439 MEMBERS. Numerous right-wing blogs,
not to mention a columnist from the Journal & Courier, have referred to Sheehan
as a “terrorist” and an “enemy of America.” Some have claimed that they “hate
her,” that they “wish she were dead,” and that we should “kick her ass.” The
College Republicans, allegedly with the help of local right-wing groups, are
planning on holding a protest that will begin either at 6 or 7 pm.

If even 25% of the aforesaid facebook group shows up, that’s over 100 people -
a staggering amount for a political protest, especially one engineered by the
right.

You don’t have to be a rabid Sheehan fan to realize that (a) the fascists are
going to be out in full force proclaiming to anyone who will listen that
opposition to war is criminal, even terroristic; and (b) they are actually
trying to STOP her from speaking, which is not only a gross afront to the
concept of free speech but a clear indication that they will probably attempt
to DISRUPT the event in some way.

European fascists have nothing but contempt for free speech and frequently
attempt to disrupt events they find politically offensive. The difference is
that in Europe there is a HUGE and extremely MILITANT anarchist movement,
members of which inevitably show up at said events to beat the fascists into
bloody pulps. We are obviously not suggesting that we take this route, but we
have to do SOMETHING. A massive right-wing protest, no matter how disorganized,
would constitute a crushing blow to the local left. It would reinforce the idea
that we are nothing more than a lunatic fringe, that we “don’t belong at
Purdue,” that we are terrorists, etc. etc. THE TIME TO ACT IS RIGHT NOW.

The Purdue Alliance of Libertarian Socialists is organizing a “Day of Action”
against war and occupation this Thursday. We will begin with a march c. 4 pm
from Margerum Fountain (by the pedestrian bridge) to Memorial Mall, followed by
a rally c. 4:30 or 5 pm. We will have speakers, we will have chants, we will
distribute lit – the whole ball of wax. Most importantly, we will try to get
EVERYONE we can to assemble outside Fowler around 6-ish to counteract whatever
the fascists have planned. This involves, at minimum, a SHIT TON of signs and
banners, distribution of literature to those entering the theater, chants,
literature tables (we can supply these, I think, or else we can commandeer one
from outside HSSE). No matter what, some of us should plan to be inside Fowler
Hall. Why? Because if the fascists DO attempt to disrupt the speech and the
police do nothing about it, we need to call them out and get everything on
film.

Tomorrow night PALS is having a meeting at 7 pm in BRNG 1254 to plan, make
signs/banners, and flyer. If you are interested in helping, please attend! IF
YOU HAVE OR CAN PURCHASE ANY BANNER/SIGN-MAKING SUPPLIES (SHEETS, POSTERBOARD,
PAINT, MARKERS, etc), BRING THEM!!!

Other ways you can help:
- volunteer to speak at Thursday’s rally
- make signs or banners on your own and bring them Thursday
- forward this message to interested parties and individuals
- download, copy, and distribute the attached flyer

WE NEED YOUR HELP! PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU CAN!

I also know that the LAPC and other groups are going to bring out the community in full force to counter the pro-war hawks. Show that you’re against the war and for dissent!

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