Flag Washing

Posted on May 29, 2003 in Appeals and Goodwill Citizenship Courage & Activism

A suggestion for protest.

There’s blood on our national fabric. Lots of it. The blood of Afghanis and Iraqis. The blood of American soldiers sent to fight the oil wars. The blood of the founders who gave us the Bill of Rights. The blood of Liberty lost when we gave Ashcroft the power to conduct pogroms in our name.

Americans see the flag as themselves. Do something to the flag and it is done to them. This is why they become so irate when you destroy it.

So, do this: splash red on the flag — your own blood and the blood of other volunteers if you dare. Show it to others. Say this is what has happened to our flag thanks to the policies of the Bush and the Clinton administrations. Then take a bucket of cold water and gently wash the stains out. Say this is what we must be prepared to do, clean the blood out of our national fabric. Show the world that we are prepared to stop the horror.

Hold up the flag to those looking on. Say this is what is possible.

This will send two messages: first, that the nation has entered a state of grave peril to liberty, justice, and peace. Second, that we who want this trinity are for America.

Do this because you love America. Challenge others to do the same.