Category Archives: Uncategorized

Risk, Repression, and Response in Russia

Posted on June 13, 2012 by David S. Meyer

Tens of thousands of Russians took to the streets in Moscow, calling for the ouster of President Vladimir Putin, and demanding new elections. This is just days after President Putin raised the costs of protesting by announcing fines of up … Continue reading →

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Froze and reversed the nuclear arms race?

Posted on June 12, 2012 by David S. Meyer

Thirty years ago today, one million people marched in the streets of New York City to protest the nuclear arms race in general and the policies of Ronald Reagan in particular.  Organized around a “nuclear freeze” proposal, the demonstration was … Continue reading →

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A tactic is a tactic

Posted on June 11, 2012 by David S. Meyer

Greenpeace is innovating new tactics, an excellent piece by Kim Murphy in the weekend LA Times reports, developing a style of performance that is  a departure from blocking whalers in port.  We’ll come back to this, but first let’s talk … Continue reading →

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Note: we’re protesting (tokes and togs)

Posted on June 8, 2012 by David S. Meyer

Sometimes you have to remind people that what you’re doing is against the rules. Yesterday advocates for legal access to medical marijuana rallied in downtown Los Angeles to protest a threatened crackdown on marijuana dispensaries.  People with a prescription for … Continue reading →

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After Wisconsin and the electoral trap

Posted on June 7, 2012 by David S. Meyer

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s victory in Tuesday’s recall election isn’t a happy outcome for the activists who have spent nearly a year and a half going after him.  It’s particularly troubling for labor organizers, who will face subsequent challenges with … Continue reading →

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University of California or University in California

Posted on June 3, 2012 by David S. Meyer

The future of the University of California is even more daunting for organizers than the troubled present. The problem: Students, faculty, and the citizens of California have interests in both access to the University system and maintaining some degree of … Continue reading →

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Same sex marriage and tipping points–new evidence

Posted on May 24, 2012 by David S. Meyer

General Colin Powell, who has served in high positions in Republican administrations, has announced that he supports same sex marriage. Following President Obama’s expression of support for gay marriage, Gen. Powell’s declaration is additional evidence that the president’s statement represented … Continue reading →

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Occupy NATO (in Chicago)

Posted on May 22, 2012 by David S. Meyer

When the leaders of the Western world assemble for a NATO summit meeting, the world press follows and activists see an opportunity to project their messages to a broader audience.  Chicago was the site not only for the meeting, but … Continue reading →

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Movements, Presidential rhetoric, and tipping points

Posted on May 21, 2012 by David S. Meyer

The NAACP’s decision to support marriage equality explicitly is early evidence that President Obama’s announcement about same sex marriage was a tipping point in American politics and opinion. As we discussed, President Obama’s disclosure, in a soft interview, about how … Continue reading →

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Petitions, virtual and otherwise

Posted on May 18, 2012 by David S. Meyer

The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees “the people” the right to assembly and “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ”  Do petitions matter?  How? Signing a piece of paper is one of … Continue reading →

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