Angry Demonstrators Also Nearly Steal Schroeder’s Hair-Coloring…
Here are the photos from our demonstration:
Schroeder’s “Friendship Bus” Just Pulled into the Wrong Neighborhood…
Will Schroeder’s Friends in the SPD and at IG Metall Stop the Anti-American Insect Rhetoric?
The Marchers Pose Before the White House
Hot and Muggy Monday: The Demonstration Site in Lafayette Park
A Close-Up of one of our Signs (What does it say “NO” to?)
Davids Medienkritik Says THANK YOU!
OK: It wasn’t the Million-Man March. But we had a great time. We would like to personally thank each and every one of the dozen folks who braved temperatures well over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, 100% humidity and rain showers on a weekday to come out and support us. One of our marchers, Amadeo O., came all the way from Madrid, Spain via Florida to be with us. Another marcher brought his baby daughter. We certainly didn’t have big numbers, but all who attended showed tremendous heart and helped us spread an important message. Literally dozens of passers-by asked for flyers and expressed interest in our site. And this is just the beginning.
Schroeder’s Ride Parks at the Chamber of Commerce
One thing is clear: For its humble size, the demonstration generated a great deal of media interest. We were interviewed by dpa and filmed by ZDF. After the demonstration, I went with a friend of our site to the Chamber of Commerce to greet Schroeder with our signs. Schroeder waved at us from afar and then, when he noticed our signs, grimaced. As we stood in front of the Chamber of Commerce, I discussed media bias with a reporter from Focus as Thomas Roth, a major editor and news figure from ARD, listened intently and occasionally nodded. Literally dozens of German embassy officials, media and dignitaries noticed our signs. Some of them even expressed approval.
Once again, Davids Medienkritik, along with No Pasaran, was able to leave a major impression with a small group. I want to especially thank Joe N. of No Pasaran for all his help. He and I were the only two organizers and without him this would have never happened. Thank you to everyone who has supported us both financially and in spirit. We will keep working hard for you. Thank you as well to the DC Park Police and the authorities in charge of Lafayette Park for their assistance.
The Day Began at Johns Hopkins
I (Ray) began my day at Johns Hopkins in DC at a seminar on blogs and the US and German media. I was deeply honored when Ulrich Speck of Kosmoblog, one of the featured speakers, referred to me as one of the “Godfathers” of the German-American blogosphere. That honor would have to go to David though. The conversation was fascinating and at times tense. Several big German bureau chiefs were there and seemed to feel threatened by the bloggers. One journalist from N24, however, told me that he agreed that anti-American, anti-Bush bias was a major problem in the German media but that his bosses reprimand him as a Bush supporter whenever he tries to bring some balance into his stories. I told him that we may not see significant change for years, but that what we are doing is the right thing and that every journey begins with just one step.
Stay tuned as the journey continues. We are especially concerned about recent developments in Berlin…
Interesting endnote: The German dpa reporter who interviewed me at the demonstration gave me his business card. As he opened his wallet to pull it out, I noticed he had an NRA (National Rifle Association) membership card. I asked him what a German journalist was doing in the NRA. He seemed slightly embarrassed, but I reassured him that I wouldn’t mention it to his boss and that his secret was safe with me…
(Article and photos by Ray D.)
Anyone wishing to support us in our continued efforts can click here. We do this for free and need all the support we can get. Thank you.
