by Sandy Mayes

[The following is an edited version of an article published in the print edition of WIP, originally entitled “The Olympian is outraged.”]

When a newspaper has a monopoly in a community, as the Olympian does in ours, it wields considerable power to frame the issues and control the story. The editorial board, in particular, can significantly impact public opinion.

Q: What is wrong with this picture? A: These already hardworking WIPsters have to hold a bake sale to raise funds! Please donate (or subscribe) to WIP so they can focus on writing and editing articles.

by Sandy Mayes

The US military will have to think twice before it ever again tries to use Olympia, WA as a launching point for war.

For 13 unforgettable days in November, people in this small community engaged in a courageous and spirited campaign of resistance to the war in Iraq. Sixty-six arrests were made and untold numbers were assaulted by police during a campaign which made national and international news. Day after day, and night after night, people put their lives on hold and their bodies on the line to prevent movement of military equipment from the Port of Olympia to nearby Fort Lewis.

Protesters are hit with pepper spray after stepping in front of a Stryker convoy as it takes a side exit from the Port of Olympia, Nov. 13. (Photo by Sandy Mayes)

Legal Assistant Karen Weill and Attorney Larry Hildes at a Thurston County pretrial hearing for the "Olympia 22," March 20. (Photo by Sandy Mayes)

From left to right are Karen Weill, Caitlin Esworthy, Jeff Berryhill, and Wally Cuddeford, following the arraignment of the latter three in Pierce County Superior Court on March 6, 2007. The three had been attacked by riot police while peacefully demonstrating against George Bush's troop "surge" at the Port of Tacoma on March 4, and then ironically charged with felony assault. The charges were summarily dropped at the start of the arraignment.

Camp Quixote in its original downtown location, at State and Columbia, February 7, 2007. (Photo by Sandy Mayes)

Camp Quixote residents and guests find ways to entertain themselves, despite the weather. February 7, 2007. (Photo by Sandy Mayes)

by Sandy Mayes

"Port Militarization Resistance is organized to end our community's complicity in the illegal occupation of Iraq by stopping the U.S. Military's use of the Port of Olympia."

PMR statement of purpose -- 1/21/2007

In May 2006, hundreds of US Army combat vehicles called Strykers rolled through the streets of our town and into our port for shipment to the war in Iraq. It wasn't the first time convoys of military equipment had been shipped to the war through the Port of Olympia, but never before did the cargo present such an immediate and visually graphic connection with that war.

Stryker convoy rolling through Olympia on Plum Street, May 2006. Photo by Sandy Mayes.

If we can't sit on the sidewalks in Olympia, at least let us fly kites in the street like they do in Lacey. Photo by Sandy Mayes.

Members of the Olympia 22 wait in the courtroom for their pre-trial hearing to begin, October 3. (photo by Sandy Mayes)

The Olympia 22, six of whom are representing themselves, discuss several motions at a pretrial hearing in Thurston County District Court on October 3. (photo by Sandy Mayes)

Not long after Chris Allert's WIP article urging readers to call both IT and DeGarmo's and request the return of high-traffic bus shelter, it suddenly re-appeared. October, 2006. (photo by Sandy Mayes)

Melissa Roberts takes on the Port of Olympia! May 29, 2006. (photo by Sandy Mayes)

Tubs of Salsa So Fresh in the Westside Co-op cooler. (Photo by Sandy Mayes)

Bus riders and their packages were dry and comfy on this warm September day. But this now-barren concrete slab in front of DeGarmo's Pharmacy will be a wet and windy place to wait for a bus once the weather turns. (Photo by Sandy Mayes)

Store sign in front of the westside Olympia Food Co-op. (Photo by Sandy Mayes)

by Marco Rosaire Rossi and Sandy Mayes

Adolf Eichmann: . . . (A)t that time these crimes had been legalized by the state and the responsibility, therefore belongs to those who issued the orders.

Judge Benjamin Halevi: But you must know surely that there are internationally recognized Laws and Customs of War whereby the civilian population is protected from actions which are not essential for the prosecution of the war itself.

Adolf Eichmann: Yes, I'm aware of that.

Judge Benjamin Halevi: Did you ever feel a conflict of loyalties between your duty and your conscience?

About a hundred concerned people demonstrated at Percival Landing on July 19 to call for an immediate Middle East cease-fire and for the US to end its decades-long support for the Israeli Occupation. (photo by Sandy Mayes)

Protesters held daily vigils at the corner of State and Plum opposing the Stryker convoys and military use of the Port of Olympia. (photo by Sandy Mayes)

Stryker convoys rolling through Olympia on Plum Street, May 2006. (photo by Sandy Mayes)

Eight neo-Nazis are removed from the Capitol steps by the Washington State Patrol Civil Disturbance Response Team ("riot cops") for demonstrating without a permit and creating a disturbance, as counter-protesters rallied in response to their presence, April 2. (photo by Sandy Mayes)

by Sandy Mayes

As any regular WIP reader knows, there are a lot of people in this town working at various levels and through a variety of tactics to bring an end to the war in Iraq. Considering the diversity of perspectives and philosophies among the many local peace and justice groups, there is an amazing degree of goodwill and cooperation between them. But there are differences of opinion about strategy and style which often revolve around the question of managing the movement's public image -- through direct contact with the public and, in particular, through the media.

Krissy Johnson, 2003 graduate, friend of Rachel Corrie and activist in solidarity with Palestinians, wears a kaffiyeh as she speaks with Cindy Corrie at the Rachel Corrie Memorial in the Library Building following commencement.

(photo by Sandy Mayes)

A joyful moment as Siouxzie Morrison, 2003 graduate, friend of Rachel and Rafah Sister City organizer, wears a kaffiyeh and her Procession dove costume as she stands with her longtime partner, Trent Lutzke after receiving her diploma.

(photo by Sandy Mayes)

Women In Black hold vigil at graduation (photo by Sandy Mayes)

Women in Black

Women in Black is an international women's peace movement that began in Israel in 1988 when Jewish and Palestinian Israeli women gathered in Israel to protest the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and to call for an end to violent conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Today Women in Black vigils continue in Israel as well as around the world in such countries as the U.S., England, India, Italy, Spain, Australia, Azerbaijan and Serbia.

Local radio programmer, Austin Kelley, who has been instrumental in keeping Democracy Now! widely available in Olympia, talks shop with Amy Goodman who is the host of the internationally renowned radio and TV public affairs program.

(photo by sandy mayes)