Word: mayday
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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Doubtful Triumph. If Mayday wished to measure its success by the extent to which Washington's citizens were made aware of its opposition to the war, then the protest was successful. Everyone was at least aware, and many were angry. Some protesters slashed tires, dented and even overturned cars. The group from Key Bridge retreated and snarled traffic in Georgetown's side streets with parked cars, overturned mailboxes, trash cans and broken glass. Rhode Island Senator, Claiborne Pell, opened the door of his Georgetown house, stood for a moment in his pajamas inhaling tear gas, and quickly retreated...
...second day, it was obvious that Wilson's method had succeeded in decimating the Mayday forces. As the arrest total rose (more than 12,000 by week's end), Washington police received 250,000 calls from parents throughout the U.S. who were hoping to locate their youngsters. There was little disruption of traffic as the demonstrators began to understand that the Government was listening to traffic reports rather than the anti-war demands they were making. They next approached the older ethic of passive civil disobedience, massing at the Justice Department under Attorney General John Mitchell...
Alienation. Mayday went into a "tactical retreat," promising further actions of prolonged militancy against the war, possibly starting the next on July 4. "What the movement must do," said Davis, "is struggle with the American people, struggle with their consciences." It may eventually need new leaders, however, since Rennie Davis and John Froines, both members of the Chicago Seven, were arrested last week and charged with conspiring to deprive individuals of their civil rights. A third Chicago defendant, Abbie Hoffman, was charged with crossing state lines to incite a riot...
...moment, Davis says, "what we have to do is get everything into perspective." Given some of the fantasies in which Mayday was indulging last week, that may take some time. The irony is that at a moment when the majority of Americans are turning increasingly against the war, some of the antiwar radicals, as if from long habit of alienation and more than a touch of egocentricity, seem intent on focusing angry attention upon themselves instead of on the battle they mean...
...camaraderie quotient built as fresh busloads of arrestees poured in. A ritual was played out for each new arrival. A reception line was formed, composed of representatives from each Mayday "region." The newcomers held their right fists high in the standard radical salute or entered with their hands clasped on their heads, P.O.W. style. They were greeted with the chants: "Ho-Ho-Ho Chi Minh, N.L.F. is going to win," or "One-two-three-four, we don't want your...