10th Annual 9/11 Truth Rally/March
September 11, 2011
Satyagraha - Truth Force - Powerful TruthsWe rallied at 10 a.m. at the Gandhi Statue, next to the Ferry Building, in San Francisco
Mike Baldwin and the Elevephant at the Gandhi Statue on the morning of September 11, 2011
Take back Gandhi's 9/11 Celebration - 105th Anniversary of Gandhi’s non-violent direct action practice of
Satyagraha – Truth ForceFollowing the attacks of September 11th, the first "9/11 Truth Rally and March" took place in 2002. Every year since then, we have gathered in the Panhandle and marched to the Power to the Peaceful Festival. This year, however, the Power to the Peaceful Festival was cancelled. I would have loved to have seen a "Power to the Truthful" Festival, but we had little time and did our best to pull together 9/11 Reclaiming the Truth, Reclaiming Our Future and try for the first time, on September 11th, a rally and march beginning at the Gandhi Statue.
Satyagraha was born out of a meeting which took place on September 11, 1906. The spirit of satyagraha, truth force, non-violent resistance, "love in action" as Martin Luther King Jr. described it, is needed today on a wide scale. With the assaults upon the public mind and health, attacking every facet of our lives, we must organize to defend the fabric of life.
Vic Sadot and Marylia Kelley and poet Arnie Passman and Michele Little and Professor Anthony Hall and Sherry GlaserLocal activist, song writer, Vic Sadot began performing some of his songs to draw people to our rally, and played and sang during our march.
Satyagraha - Truth Force was born when people gathered together, in their struggle against empire and racism in South Africa. On September 11, 1906, at a public meeting attended by 3000 people where Gandhi spoke, Sheth haji Habib, an old Muslim resident of South Africa, was inspired to consciously speak out and state his decision to act in defiance of an unjust law, that targeted the Indian population of South Africa. Habib declared his willingness to suffer the consequences in a spiritually-endowed fight for justice in the name of God. The theory of satyagraha sees means and ends as inseparable. The means used to obtain an end are wrapped up in and attached to that end. Therefore, it is contradictory to try to use unjust means to obtain justice or to try to use violence to obtain peace. Satyagraha is a synthesis of the Sanskrit words satya (meaning "truth") and Agraha ("pursuit of"). Gandhi believed that life itself is a pursuit of truth. For Gandhi, satyagraha became strength in practicing non-violent methods, or in his words "the Force which is born of Truth and Love or non-violence." Martin Luther King Jr. defined it as "Love in Action."
Carol Brouillet and 9/11 Truth signs at the Gandhi Statue
We welcomed all who were for 9/11 Truth, Peace, an End to War, an End to Torture, Against the Occupation of other nations, Repeal of the Patriot Act, Repeal of the Military Commissions Act, the Abolition of the Nuclear Industry, the Shutdown of Nuclear Reactors (particularly those on earthquake faults)...
Marylia Kelley from Tri-Valley Cares spoke about her experience with the nuclear weapons industry, located in her hometown of Livermore. Ruel Bernard, of the No Nukes Action Committee spoke eloquently as follows:
Ruel Bernard speaking at the Gandhi Statue on 9/11/2011"Ten years ago, the twenty-first century opened up with the big lie known as 9/11, followed by a barrage of lesser lies—WMDs, links between Iraq and Al Qaeda, torture and rendition— with disastrous consequences worldwide.
"Ten years later, the events of 3/11 this year will go down in history as the second big lie of this century, which is called Fukushima, the big lie being that nuclear power is safe and controllable, a lie that has been festering since the dawn of the nuclear age.
"The events of March 11—the earthquake, tsunami and subsequent meltdowns and explosions at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power complex—have likewise led to the spinning off of a web of lies by the nuclear industry and the politicians they own: lying about the severity of the damage to the plant, lying about the conditions of the plant before the accident, lying about the levels of radiation contamination in the countryside surrounding the plant, leading to the exposure of hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of people to dangerous levels of radiation.
"CHILDREN IN NEARBY SCHOOLS WEAR DOSIMETERS AND MASKS TO SCHOOL, CAN'T PLAY OUTSIDE AND ARE FED CONTAMINATED LOCAL FOOD. THIS IS REAL. OUT OF A THOUSAND CHILDREN TESTED IN ONE STUDY IN FUKUSHIMA, HALF TESTED POSITIVE FOR HIGH LEVELS OF RADIOACTIVE IODINE IN THEIR THYROID.
"Before the nuclear meltdown, the region was one of the most productive agricultural areas of Japan, growing rice, beef, fruits, and vegetables, and one of Japan's top fisheries in a country that eats a lot of fish.
"Gone. No more. Radiation poisoning has destroyed the entire agriculture and fishing industry there for many years to come, maybe forever. All those jobs, that way of life, gone. For what? For the lie of nuclear power, god damn it.
"Let me warn you, here and now. They say they have it under control. What have you heard in the last few weeks about Fukushima? Nothing! But I and others who are paying attention and receiving daily reports are here to tell you it's not okay, it's far from under control. Those plants are melting down and releasing huge amounts of radiation constantly, every second, every minute of every day and they can't stop it. Where is that radiation going? In the ocean and in the air and into the soil of the surrounding area. They have built a tent around one plant to contain the radiation so workers can get near it. But the radiation and gases and heat build up inside that tent and have to be vented, so they're vented in a big smokestack high into the air, away from the plant, but then the radiation becomes airborne. And they're burning radioactive debris because there's so much of it they can't store it all. Once again the radioactive particles are released up the smokestack and fall wherever the weather takes them, including here in California…
"Take a breath. Today, like every day, all day, I'm breathing in air that has come from that direction, from the West, from over the Pacific Ocean. Breathing it in and out. Some of it is radiated air, that has already been well documented, carried with the jet stream, mixed and dispersed and combined and brought down here to you and me, illustrating our interdependence and connectedness with the web of all humanity. We breathe the same air. I am Fukushima. You are Fukushima. We are one. Their air is our air, their danger is our danger, their pain our pain. Their future is our future; we have a shared destiny. Their lessons are our lessons. Therefore, the wisdom and understanding that they've gained through this disaster can provide an awakening for us as well.
"Thanks to the terrible tragedy at Fukushima, the people of Japan have seen through the big lie of big science, and now understand that they have been lied to over and over again by their government and by the nuclear industry. Geiger counters are in the hands of organized people so they can see for themselves where the levels of radiation are dangerously high, and publish their results online. The ondustry, the government and a compliant press no longer have a monopoly on information. With the facts out, the people can move. Look at Germany, closing down all its nuclear plants. And Italy and Switzerland, the states of Bengal and Tamil Nadu in India, and Vermont and New York in the United States, saying no to the dangers of nuclear power.
"Here in California, we can and I believe we will close down Diablo Canyon and San Onofre. They are, just like their cousins across the water in Fukushima, old reactors located on earthquake faults at the edge of the ocean and are accumulating spent radioactive fuel in dangerous pools with nowhere to send it, waiting for a disaster…
"Right now, there's a statewide campaign gearing up to close those two dangerous monster facilities. This is a battle we can win, this is something the younger generation can be proud of, a viable way to express the outrage we have over the whole damn system, a place we can hold the line. The nuclear power industry is more vulnerable right now than it has ever been in my lifetime. A little bit of effort on our parts and we can give our children and grandchildren the amazing gift of a nuclear-free California. Please pay attention and get involved."
9/11 is one deadly deception amongst many that has the potential to expose Americans to the fact that they have been lied to and manipulated, and that we need to rein in control over our government, the media, and the institutions that no longer serve us but instead are a threat to us, our children, and our future. [Complete speech posted here.]
Michele Little, sister of slain firefighter David Weiss spoke.
Sherry Glaser, founder of Breasts Not Bombs spoke.
Truth March - 9-11-11 - Begins
Rounding the Ferry Building, Leaving the Gandhi Statue
Leaving the Ferry Building, Heading up Market Street, San Francisco
9/11 Truth March, Heading up Market Street, San Francisco
Youthful Marchers help pass out Deception Dollars
Diverse Activists, young and old help carry signs and pass out info
Ruel Bernard and his wife, Akiyo
Breasts Not Bombs, Heading up Market Street, San Francisco
Vic Sadot singing at Hallidie PlazaWhen we first marched down Market Street demanding an investigation of 9/11 back in January 2002, we were a very small group. Ten years later there were more of us, and the focus was not just on 9/11 but on the need for truth on many levels, for peace, for justice, for our health, and for our overall well-being. The larger truth movement will continue to grow, and so will the attacks upon the 9/11 truth movement.
During the march and afterwards, I received many complaints about the topless marchers and while I sympathize with those who are concerned that mixed messages will do more harm than good to the truth movement; I also sympathize with groups like "Food Not Bombs" and "Breasts Not Bombs" who are actively challenging unjust laws and the criminality of a system where it is ok to kill and torture and illegal to give away food or bare one's breasts. The founder of Breasts Not Bombs, Sherry Glaser, a very talented comedian, a generous supporter of our work, the MC of our event at the Herbst, is a person that I greatly respect and admire and I could not discourage her and her fellow activists from participating in our march and rally. I could also not censor or control what each of the speakers said. In fact, I couldn't even be in the whole rally and march because I had to get back to the Herbst to set up for the afternoon and had to leave the march/rally to organize itself. In San Francisco, people love parades and will often join marches, rallies, parades to champion their causes. There are many people who will not do street actions, but will organize talks, lectures, more formal educational events. We tried to provide opportunities for people to participate, volunteer, help in a variety of ways. I had hoped that someone would step forward and take more responsibility to spearhead the rally and march, as I really was overwhelmed with the other events, and fortunately Vic Sadot and Jenny did jump in and help, and the regular activists, who hold their actions at Hallidie Plaza on the 11th of every month also came, as well as folks from the East and South Bay. I was glad to see faces that I didn't recognize as well. Simply having a diverse group of people carrying signs and banners was enough to draw people's attention and offer us an opportunity to pass out our educational materials, and hopefully raise some awareness.
We were running a bit late and many of us had to be at the Herbst Theatre by 1 pm for our annual 9/11 truth film festival entitled 9/11 Reclaiming the Truth, Reclaiming Our Future which was held not far from the Civic Center at the nearby San Francisco War Memorial Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue.
For more details on the events see this- Report on the 9/11 Reclaiming the Truth, Reclaiming Our Future Events
10th Annual 9/11 Truth/Rally March - Theme Satyagraha - Truth Force
Here are some photos from the 2010 march when we arrived at the Power to the Peaceful Festival, and a report on the evening gathering at the Gandhi Statue...
The Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance and Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth had a booth and a free literature table at Speedway Meadows and passed out information to the thousands who support peace. The Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance also held its 6th Annual 9/11 Truth Film Festival simultaneously during the afternoon and into the evening. Following the Power to the Peaceful Festival-
Arriving at the 12th Annual Power to the Peaceful Festival
Janet Kobren and David Chandler
9/11 Truth March Arrives at Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance's 9/11 Truth and Cookies Booth
Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth at the 12th Annual Power to the Peaceful FestivalPEACE FOR KEEPS and U.S. OUT OF WHACK celebrated the 104th Anniversary of young Indian lawyer Mohandas K. Gandhi declaring satyagraha, nonviolent direct action in South Africa to protest the oppression of Indian workers there.
There was a Gathering at the Gandhi statue
behind the San Francisco Ferry Building on the Embarcadero, at the foot of Market St.Take Back 9/11 as a Worldwide Celebration of Peace and Love
and not endless American War Readiness & cruelest war weaponswith Poets, Musicians, Speakers, Dancers, including - INDIA COOKE, DAVE WHITAKER, ARNIE PASSMAN, SHANTEE BAKER,
AVA BIRD, SELMA SPECTOR, STONEY BURKE,
MARSHA FEINLAND, LOUIS COLBERT, JOY MOORE, CAROL BROUILLETSatyagraha was the inspiration for the civil rights and anti-war movements, South African Independence, Save the Redwoods, Amazon and West Virginia Fight Backs, among others during the war branded 20th century+. PEACE FOR KEEPS is a five year devotion that has held readings at the San Francisco Gandhi statue on the Mahatma's birthday, October 2nd, since 2006. It has also celebrated the 1958 birth of the peace symbol, February 21 (Peacemas? Nth of Aquarius) in Berkeley since its Golden Jubilee.
(I didn't realize it would take me two hours to get from the Power to the Peaceful Festival to the Gandhi Statue, but I did stop to pick up hot samosas and naan to share at the celebration, so I was late...) I spoke about the morning rally/march and the latest news- announcing the new groups- Scientists for 9/11 Truth, Actors and Artists for 9/11 Truth, and Military Officers for 9/11 Truth. Former Senator and presidential candidate, Mike Gravel moderated the conference in DC with Richard Gage, AIA, founder of Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth. I spoke about Project Censoredand how it has been censored because they have taken the courageous "let's investigate more stand on 9/11." One of this year's most censored stories is the failure of the media to cover Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth's press conference last February. I wondered if the media would cover the news about Dick Gregory, who ran for President years ago, and also was the man who got the Zapruder film shown on national television- which is what got Congress to reopen an investigation into that assasination and recognize that it was a "conspiracy" and not just a lone nut, as the Warren Commission ruled. However that never reached American consciousness. Dick Gregory announced
"The new forensic evidence which is being released today by Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth demonstrates the presence of controlled demolition materiel in the World Trade Center buildings One and Two...
I mentioned the Building What? campaign to let the American people see the Zapruder film of 9/11, the controlled demolition of WTC 7, the high rise building that was not struck by an airplane on 9/11. Judging how late it was, I also told them about the direct action that should have already happened by then- the third beam of light, that Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth hoped to shine on the Truth of 9/11.One thing I know is that the official government story of those events, as well as what took place that day at the Pentagon, is just that, a story. This story is not the truth, but far from it.
I was born on October 12, 1932. I am announcing today that I will be consuming only liquids beginning Sunday until my eightieth birthday in 2012 and until the real truth of what truly happened on that day emerges and is publicly known."
Listen to the Community Currency radio show on the theme of Take Back Gandhi's 9/11 - Satyagraha - Truth Force with Arnie Passman and Carol Brouillet that was aired on Progressive Radio Network on August 19, 2010.
The Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance's 9/11 Truth Film Festival was held in Oakland, San Francisco, and San Leandro and included the documentary Satyagraha: 100 Years of Nonviolence- posted here is the 17 minute version.
Here is a Report from our 2009 9/11 Film Festival and the 8th Annual Rally to the 11th Annual Power to the Peaceful Festival.
Here is a Report from our 2008 Rally
9/11 Truth Parade on Haight Street
9/11 Truth Parade - 9/6/2008 - Golden Gate Park
9/11 Truth Parade - 9/6/2008 - Golden Gate Park
Crowd at the 2008 Power to the Peaceful Festival
ae911truth.org and Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance's booths at the Power to the Peaceful Festival
Northern California Truth Activists
Report on 2006 March/Rally/Film Festival
Report on
9-11 Truth for Peace and Justice
Films, Discussions, Dialogue, Reflection
at the Veteran's War Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, September 11th, 2005
Report on the 2005 9-11 Film Festival
The Benefit for the Northern California 9-11 Truth Alliance and Project Censored
at the Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Avenue, Oakland
Donate to the Northern California 9-11 Truth Alliance Return to Questioning the War Against Terrorism
