Bush Protest: Not One Damn Dime

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By By Terry Travis

Summary

Demonstrators urge those opposed to the president to put their pocketbooks away for one day.

Story Published: Jan 20, 2005 at 11:02 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:50 AM PDT

Bush Protest: Not One Damn Dime
SEATTLE - Protesters took to the streets of Seattle Thursday to show their opposition to President Bush. But activists say if you can't take part in such demonstrations, there's another way you can show your opposition to the President and his policies.

It's called "Not One Damn Dime." The idea is to not buy anything for one day, as a protest. Local activist Jane Cutter with the anti-war group ANSWER says it's in response, in part, to the lavishness of the inaugural.

"It's the idea that people shouldn't spend money on inaugural day, at a time when so many people here and around the world are suffering and in poverty," she says.

Organizer Jesse Gordon says he wanted to make a point, that millions are opposed to the war in Iraq.

"In the lead-up to the war, there were five million people in the street, angry about the war. Bush called that a focus group," Gordon says. "Since he doesn't listen to five million people in the street, we figure an economic protest is the way to get to him."

But San Francisco journalist Judy Bee says the whole thing could backfire and those who participate may wind up looking like leftwing loonies.

"Actions seen as reactionary do a disservice to liberalism, rather than a service."

Bee says not buying something from a big retailer for one day won't have much of an impact either, but could actually wind up hurting smaller businesses.

For More Information:

www.alternet.org/story/21035/
notonedamndime.org