Code Pink group Pushes Ahead With Protests

DENVER -- Code Pink, which has built its reputation protesting the Iraq war, is planning a handful of events around the DNC this week, but organizers fear that those inclined toward their cause might not participate because they don't want to jeopardize Barack Obama's chances of winning the election.

"It's not an either/or choice," said Anne Toepel, a 41-year-old elementary school teacher who founded Code Pink's Denver-Boulder chapter. "I like to think of it as 'pushing' Obama to adopt a peace platform. Protesting at the convention is a chance to do something positive."

Toepel and her fellow volunteers--a pair of sisters in their mid-forties and fifties, a law student at NYU in her early twenties, a fortysomething woman who has never participated in anything like this before--had gathered this morning at the Mercury Cafe, a few miles from the convention center, to discuss strategy and logistics. Instead, over organic, fair trade coffee and breakfast specials like the Impeach Omelet, they ruminated on the larger issues they believe are undermining the country's democracy.

In short, the women connect the war in Iraq to an overall failing in providing for human needs. The more than $600 billion spent in Iraq could have been devoted to health care, education, and the environment, they said. And, although they believed many people don't like the war or rising gas prices, the women suggested that the overall public is not willing to forgo the comfort, ease, and convenience of America's consumer culture to take political action.

"I was surprised by Boulder," said Toepel. "A lot of people there talk about not liking what's going on politically, but when I started this chapter only six or eight people actually showed up."

Sally Newman, who was active in the Boston chapter of Code Pink, confirmed that in her city, too, fewer people participated in protests than one might expect, and as in Denver-Boulder, most members were under 25 or over 50. "The missing middle," Toepel hypothesized, could be attributed in part to the demands of raising kids and working full-time jobs, as well to social mores. "Our culture just doesn't make political activism a priority," she said. "It's seen as a luxury activity."

Toepel herself is a single mother, and her salary as a public school teacher affords her only a rented basement apartment; however, she is taking the first week off work both to help at the convention and to protest what she sees as Obama's less-than-aggressive stance on withdrawing troops from the Middle East.

"I worry a little about what I see as Obama fever in Boulder," Toepel said.

"Obama-mojo," said one of the other volunteers.

"There's a feeling that you have to get on the bandwagon, you have to beat McCain. That's thing one," said Newman.

The fear of creating a spectacle and hurting Obama's chances may very well keep some people home in the next few days. Code Pink, however, with their Pepto-Bismol-colored outfits and their determination to work "tirelessly," are not having it.

"The highest praise I can offer is that he's the best we could get under the current system," said Newman.

As for the presumptive nominee's choice of running mate, the women exchanged a look and gave a collective sigh. Said Deirdre Johnston, "All I can say is that it's very forgiving of Obama."

Comments

[GaiusLucilius]

Shouldn't they be saving their money for the Republican debate? If they can afford organic tea and an Impeach omelette, surely they can book a coach ticket to the Twin Cities.
I had to learn about Code Pink in feminist studies. A lot of their antics don't get people to think, just fodder for the Daily Show Web site's top clip of all time, about their over-the-top Marine protest in Berkeley where they came off as wacky womyn rather than savvy sisters.
Signed, avowed feminist and Obama supporter eating peanut butter sandwich and an apple for lunch tomorrow.

[robXdion]

All of these protesters aren't really about a cause. They just want to be seen. Americans are in love with self-aggra­ndizement. This is the same lunacy that makes them think their US Constitutional rights have leeway in China so they can protest there.

[messy]

Nobody is listening to "Code Pink" or the Yippies. They remember that the New York protests backfired big time and that Obama is going to publicly ignore them.

They're protesting HIM.

[thebeerdoctor]

The people who actually believe that Barack Obama wants to quickly end the Iraq occupation, have not examined carefully what he actually said. Increasing the army by sixty five thousand, and the marines by twenty seven thousand, and escalating the war in Afghanistan, is not my idea of a peace candidate. Is it a better plan than John McCain's? Sure. But please do not claim it to be the way of peace. Obama has also flatly stated that Israel's defense is sacrosanct.

[isis]

Please save the protest for the warmongers and do not go to Denver.

[demfriend]

I don't understand the point of this group being there as Obama has been very vocal about being againest the war and wanting to "talk not bomb first" in the world. His ideology is very well known and you only have to go to his web site to learn his ideas and what he wants to accomplish. This is just a waste as far as I see and will make them look the fools for protesting where there is more agreement on issues than Mccain will ever be able to muster. They should just save the "pink" crap for the GOP!!

[Promise]

Some folks just love to be against something....and they do a lot of harm in the process.

[hopefulinpa]

Why would Code Pink demonstrate at the DNC rally? Barak has been saying all along the money spent on the war in Iraq is being wasted and should go to programs here at home. You can't go totally on a peace platform 'cause thats face it.. in this world today you need to be ready to defend and protect. BUT Barak is against this Iraq war and all the money spent there. Code Pink should be following McCain around. Demonstrate at his rally. McCain is the one who wants the war in Iraq to go on. He is the one who has consistently voted against all womens issues in the senate. Leave Barak alone. He is the best person this country has as far as having any kind of hope or chance to straightening out this country. OBAMA/BIDEN 08

[jupitor]

Peace full protest or demastrators welcome! Violent ones go home, it's against the law! Code pink I think only wants to protest the iraq war! they can do so quietly at the DNC convention, and very Loudly but peacefully at thE GOP convention. It's their rights, just like it is yours! They must draw america's attention to how bad the Iraq war is, rather it's at the Dem sight or the GOP sight. No matter what sight it is, It rest on Mccains head and not Obama.

[grata2ude]

My question is why would they protest at the convention of those who are against the war and want to bring our troops home?

Is it just attention they are seeking? Its ridiculous. Go protest at the RNC. They are the ones who have caused this problem.

[mscriblerus]

Risky. If McCain would have a little old lady dragged off by the police, the code pinkers could be in serious danger cavorting around outside the RNC.

[chronic]

Exactly!

[karela]

If you read the article you will know that these women see their protest as more important than getting the candidate elected who really is committed to ending the war quickly and responsibly. I'm very disappointed in these women. I expected better of them. If their goal truly is to end the war rather than to gain attention for themselves, they're going about it the wrong way. Spare us from people with good ideas who attempt to implement them in ways that do more harm then good. Let's just hope nobody shows up.