There are some people, like Scott, would just won't stop. Beaten down, they just get up and come back at it; they won't take no for an answer. Not just soldiers, of course. Consider a mother who won't stop fighting for her kid to get an education or health care. Or an unemployed man who won't stop looking for a job, no matter how many times he's been rejected. Or a person who won't give up their home, despite the banksters and the sheriffs. Or our own allie123, arrested at five in the morning on October 25th defending #Occupy Oakland, out of jail at noon, and back on the streets marching at 4:00 PM. And still going strong.

Then there's the rest of us. We may not have it in us to get up again regardless; but we can, as we choose, help those who do. Scott and the others can't do it all alone. On December 12th, I'd wager a large sum that they'd like to see you out there in solidarity, each additional person making it just that much easier for them to keep fighting, knowing we have their backs.







It's time to stop kvetching about whether this is the best action anyone could have come up with. It's time to stop worrying about exactly who is and who is not in support. When #Occupy movements from Maui to Manhattan and from Houston to Anchorage are acting; when Veterans and teachers stand tall in support and make statements of solidarity; then whether we actually stop a single container for a single moment from coming off any dock is irrelevant. What's relevant is that we're in this together.

For today, This IS the action. This IS the moment.

Here's the challenge: do what you need to do to get your ass out of your chair and into the streets on December 12th. For them. For us. For the galaxy.

Why We Shut Down the Port, Part I

Why We Shut Down the Port, Part II

Update on the truckers, from a discussion in the comments. From JustJennifer's diary, Part II above.

Truck drivers at the Port of LA/Long Beach have been attempting to organize into the Teamsters so they can demand better wages and benefits. Currently, the drivers are considered independent contractors (and they are mostly immigrants). These "contractors" haul containers to warehouses and other points of desitnation. Their attempts to organize have been met with extreme harassment, including the termination of 26 truckers for wearing Teamster jackets to work.

