Went home for the old man’s birthday this weekend – I got him the new Al Franken book, “The Truth”. I haven’t read any of his books – have any of my faithful readers read his stuff? Anyways my father informs me of a protest on tuesday night titled “The World Can’t Wait – Drive Out the Bush Regime” with a theme of “Bring the Noise and Drown Out Bush’s Lies” during the state of the union address.

Now this isn’t any old protest with people walking around with signs and chanting…I’m sure it will have that, but this one will also have a “Wall of Sound”. Now I know everyone’s first thought is the same as mine, The Grateful Dead are playing at the event and rebuilding their Wall of Sound. Unfortunately this is not true. Actually everyone across the country is encouraged to make as much noise as possible during the speech to “drown out Bush’s lies”. Banging of pots and pans are encouraged, honking of car horns, playing musical instruments, tap dancing, you name it. There will be a few similarities to Grateful Dead shows: Drum circles, musical improvisation, a wall of sound, and plenty of hippies.

I haven’t yet decided if I’m going…anyone interested? Here is the description of the DC location protest:

Washington DC: West Side of the Capitol on the National Mall In DC, we will gather as close as we can to the scene of the impending lies: We will be on the west side of the Capitol, around and in front of the reflecting pool. The Press will be parked along 3rd Street and along the South Side of the Capitol (Independence).

8:00 pm – Cindy Sheehan and Ann Wright will speak; they will be followed by other speakers (the Rev. Yearwood and Doug Nelson, an Vietnam War vet). 9:00 pm – The main event will begin:

Picture a marching band/brass ensemble, a drum circle, a choir, tap dancers, a rock ensemble, hip-hop poetry, other spoken word, hootenany, African, Asian, Irish glorious soaring rhythmic, each beginning and doing a few minutes in sequence, followed by overlapping moments, followed by at least 30 minutes of jazz-like improv, call and response, followed by one fully stunning long-held harmonious wall of sound that rises to the heavens.

The whole main event lasts 50 minutes, from 9-9:50. It’s possible the media might be roused from their hypnotic stance to report on it.

If you are interested in either helping with logistics or performing, or can help us get great performers, please email Karen Bradley at Karen@democracycellproject.net or call 202-669-3927.

Update: It appears the protest may be having permit issues