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I have had the pleasure this week to work with Jane Hamsher and Lt. Dan Choi, DADT activist and superstar occupier! I have been booking travel and organizing events for Dan at 5 different occupations across the country, from Delaware to Fairbanks, AK. We started the trip off in Wilmington, Delaware (Occupy Delaware) last weekend and are picking it back up today.
Last night I spoke with Will Marshall who told me that he successfully picked up Mr. Choi from the airport. Choi starts this full week of travel in Atlanta, GA where they are occupying outside of the AT&T center. From the photos that have been submitted, it looks like Dan is meeting a ton of great people and will be hosting a celebration at the newly acquired military tent from Firedoglake Occupy Supply. Everyone in the communities I have spoken with have been very helpful in working with me to make sure that when Dan arrives he has a ride, food, shelter, and other forms of hospitality.
What will Dan be doing? He wants to focus on meeting all of the occupiers involved, getting to know their story, then stay the night with them at their encampment. He plans to spend at least one night out in the military command tent at each location, staying warm due to some of the amazing advances in solar energy and other tactics to “get off the grid.” The work that some of these occupations are doing such, as Little Rock, Raleigh, and many others is impressive and inspiring.
In hindsight, we can hardly believe we’ve been able to accomplish all we have with Occupy Supply, but when you consider the strength and support we get from the membership program, it makes more sense and opens the door to incredible possibilities for organizing in the future.
Occupy Supply is a program of the Firedoglake Membership program where we have over 105 member liaisons nationwide. I will continue to update everyone daily on his travels. Dan is tremendously excited about visiting these occupations, and his visits are bringing hope to all the campers as they reach the 6 month mark of occupying.
19 Comments
Nice job Ryan – must be insane trying to keep up with Dan!
He’s irrepressible.
The guy just keeps moving forward. We have been trying to reach him all day in Atlanta, I think he is having too much fun to call back. Thanks to Will M and Ron A for hosting Dan and making sure his travels are safe. Could not do this without our member liaisons.
Wanna see a beautiful picture? Here it is. Look at the people in the background too. No hostility, no stares, just folks looking like they look at these events.
He is indeed.
I just read a quote that I love and am probably going to make my signature for a while. It goes something like this:
Please don’t be upset with me Kelly. I was out of my head sick, almost delirious the other day.
I have to give you all this sort of off topic but related link and a reminder for Wednesday. Do you best, FireDogs!
http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-it-chance-to-end-ndaa-2012-2
When does Dan get to Alaska? Will he only be in Fairbanks? If he passes through Anchorage, I’d like to meet him, possibly help set up a public talk by him.
I dunno what yer talking about. *smooches*
I just saw a bit ago that you weren’t feeling well.
I see at the Occupy Fairbanks page that he will be there this coming Saturday:
I wrote you a rather disjointed email but it wasn’t an attack on you or anything. It was paranoia surfacing in my fevered mind. Glad you’re not upset. I think the world of you. Hope you and belch are well. :)
Still working on the details of that trip, he is really tight on time though. Dan has to be back in New York by March 4
You’re doing a great job Ryan. Arranging Dan’s travel and itinerary and coordinating with the different Occupies has got to be a daunting task. Thank you so much for your hard work!
All of us in SLC are excited & looking forward to meeting Dan!
Ahhh – *guilty* I have 133 unread in my Inbox. Seeing yours, no prob.
We’re coming up on our 7th blogiversary you know. :)
Margaret, when I saw that picture earlier today I almost cried it was so wonderful. The joy of loving someone is special.
I know! Crazee ain’t it?
Isn’t that great Twain? Every now and then Markos comes through with something like that and I can almost forgive him his reflexive support of
BushObama.What happens on March 4?
Good going everybody and thank you!
Yes, please find a way to end this monstrosity. Thank you in advance!
Ryan thank you for all the magic you do to make Dan’s trips happen. Dan brings an energy to the Occupations he visits, giving them a spotlight and he amplifies their voice for the Occupy Movement.