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Sacramento Biotech FeaturesIntroductionBiotech Protest MarchEarth-People ActionMore Earth-People PhotosButterflies and Biotech, by Brian TokarEarth People Visit SacramentoPagan Cluster Gets Escorted Tour of CapitolPhotos by Luke Hauser, ©2003 by RQFollowing the anti-WTO coalition's rally and march, the Pagan Cluster circled for a ritual and Earth People action. About 200 people took part, of whom about 40 were covered in some amount of mud, and many others daubed on the forehead or cheeks.
The spirited march left the Capitol park and headed toward the nearby shopping mall, where a police line forced the crowd down a side street. Dozens of heavily-armed police arrived and surrounded the cluster in a small parking lot. After some negotiating, the cluster was allowed to march north, all the while under an absurd level of military escort. A loudspeaker blared orders to disperse or be attacked with "sublethal force," including stun guns and projectile rifles, risking "serious injury." Yet cordons of riot police prevented anyone from deviating from the prescribed route. Local residents in the low-income neighborhood ventured out onto their porches and balconies, which may have tipped the scales against mass arrest. A couple of protesters were unexpectedly grabbed by police, but the rest avoided arrest. The crowd -- many still semi-clad and covered in dried mud -- were escorted a dozen blocks to the Protest Convergence Center. The police backed away, warning that people must leave in groups of ten or fewer or would face attack or arrest. The crowd, from which no one had been allowed to depart, circled up in the parking lot behind the Convergence Center and did a spiral dance to close the ritual and action. For news on other June 20-25 actions in Sacramento, visit Independent Media Center, www.indymedia.org Contact the Pagan Cluster.
Earth People Tour CapitolPhotos by Luke Hauser, ©2003 by RQ
Following the anti-WTO coalition march, the Pagan Cluster circled up in the park in front of the Capitol.
A short ritual created a sacred container for the Earth People action to follow.
The orange-ish mud was mixed in a five-gallon cauldron in the center of the circle.
Those who wished to aspect Earth People moved to the center of the ritual circle and bathed one another in the light, clay-based mud.
Earth People then annointed members of the larger support circle.
Leaving the ritual circle, the procession of Earth People, drummers, and dancers moved past the Capitol.
A large support contingent accompanied the Earth People, chanting and dancing along the route.Earth People photos continued!Luke Hauseris a freelance parajournalist in the service of the Goddess and planetary revolution. His photo-filled book Direct Action is an historical novel about Bay Area protests.Photos ©2003 by RQ. Please do not copy, reproduce, fold, spindle, mutilate, or otherwise use them without written permission. Thanks!Return to the top-of-page index |
