Inaugural Demonstration

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Why Protest at the Inauguration of Barack Obama?

Why would anyone participate in a demonstration at the inauguration of the Obama Administration? Isn't Barack Obama an agent of hope and change? Isn't he an improvement over George W. Bush? Wouldn't any demonstration just play into the hands of the Republicans?

Yes, Barack Obama seems like an improvement over George W. Bush. However, it would be hard not to be an improvement. Barack Obama might be the end of anti-Bush activism, but he isn't the end of progressive activism. After all, Obama actually opposes many progressive causes, and is refusing to act on many others.

The minute we say that a demonstration asking those in power to respect our rights is just playing into the hands of the Republicans is the minute that we stop being citizens and and start being spectators. Our democratic system is designed for participation, not for observation.

This lens promotes a particular demonstration at the Obama Inauguration, January 20, 2009 - a demonstration that asks Barack Obama to respect and restore our constitutional rights after the constitutional degradation of the Bush years. It's not a protest against Barack Obama per se, but a demonstration in favor of free speech, equality under the law, separation of church and state, the right to a fair trial, protection from unreasonable search and seizure, and all the other rights bestowed by the Constitution. Come, assemble on Pennsylvania Avenue outside the Department of Justice on January 20, 2009, and stand up for the Constitution as you watch Barack Obama become the next President of the United States.

Report Just Before the Inauguration Demonstration

On the ground report from Pennsylvania Avenue

The following is a report from Jim, of Irregular Times, who was on the parade route, surveying political action there and preparing for the pro-Constitution inaugural demonstration.


inauguration 2009 citizen report video podcast

Map of the Demonstration Location

Just West of 9th Street on Pennsylvania

9th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. - the location of the Pro-Constitution Inauguration Demonstration

News About The Inauguration Demonstration

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How To Participate

Basic information on how to join in the pro-Constitution demonstration on Inauguration Day

It's a simple demonstration, really. There's a reserved spot, that came along with the demonstration permit, on Pennsylvania Avenue outside of the Department of Justice building - on the south side Pennsylvania Avenue west of 9th Street.

Here's the explanation, from the organizer's web site: We are individual citizens, not bound by organization or party.

Our position statement is the text of the United States Constitution.

Our list of endorsers can be found in signature form at the bottom of the original copy of the Constitution.

Our demand is that President Barack Obama keep his Oath of Office: "I do solemnly swear (or affirming) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

We have and need no budget.

There will not be a march.

There will not be a list of speakers.


We will stand along the parade route with signs asking President Barack Obama to keep his Oath of Office by protecting and defending the U.S. Constitution.

And that's it.

Pretty simple, huh? Bring a sign requesting Barack Obama to work to uphold the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the rights that have been weakened under George W. Bush. Instead of just cheerleading Obama, you can help to make a difference, to encourage Obama to try to make things better.

The demonstration officially starts at noon, and lasts until the Inaugural Parade is done. Personally, I'm going to try to be there sooner than that.

You can RSVP your attendance at MySpace

Thomas Jefferson Explains This Inaugural Demonstration

It takes an old President to explain why to demonstrate against a new one

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Feedback on the Inaugural Demonstration

Express your thoughts about the inaugural demonstration

Are you planning on coming to the demonstration outside of the Department of Justice building on Pennsylvania Avenue on January 20 - or do you just have some suggestions for the demonstration? Either way, share them here.

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Why Participate in the Demonstration at the Inauguration?

Help keep Obama honest, with a show of support for the Constitution.

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Marking the Inauguration, Supporting the Constitution

Signs and other gear you can use to show that you support the Constitution even as Inauguration Day nears

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Martin Luther King, Barack Obama and the Inauguration Demonstration

A nasty J. Edgar Hoover explains why some might want to demonstration in favor of the Constitution at the Inauguration of Barack Obama: Obama has supported the FISA Amendments Act, which restores the unconstitutional power to use the FBI to spy against Americans without a search warrant - just like J. Edgar Hoover did to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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irregularworld

I am native resident of Upstate New York who lives in the 24th congressional District, in the village of Trumansburg, in the town of Ulysses, in Tompk... more »

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