A Washington-style tea party

In the District of Columbia Tax Day traditionally brings out local activists who wish to highlight for the resurgent masses of tourists and the media the plight of the local citizens: true taxation without representation. DC Statehood and representation activists typically call up the image of the Bostom Tea Party in making this point, but today a right-aligned movement, with demonstrations across the country, has stolen their thunder.

From the point of view of this writer, who witnessed the Washington, DC gathering near the White House, it was both muddy and a muddled thunder.

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Anti-war Catholics observe Ash Wednesday at White House

Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Anti-War demonstrators

Catholic anti-war demonstrators marched on the White House today, setting off at noon from St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Today’s action was part of their observation of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent and a tradition with a theme of repentence.

A flyer being handed out quoted Pope Benedict XVI as saying “Christ needs apostles ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnesses and martyrs.” This kind of quotation seems to be in line with other citations of church authority and scripture that this group uses to explain its non-violent activism.

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