we have not yet begun to fight...

today is the first of two very special posts and the first of three in a series.  i realize the tea parties happened nearly a week ago, but i've decided that not everything has been posted on the day - yet.

my cousin, jessica hayes, was one of the more than 50,000 to over a million people - of course, depending on who's estimates you believe: the "official" estimates or your own lying eyes - attending the tea party on the mall in dc last saturday 12 september 2009.  this is her personal accounting of that day.  in a few days there will be a post from one of my very good friends, mr. h, whom also attended the tea party on the mall - a few days after that i'll post my accounting of the tea party on the lawn of the federal building in west l.a.

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I had been anticipating the 9-12 March on Washington for a few months but no amount of anticipation could surpass the passion and unbridled patriotism that enveloped my heart bountifully as I marched down Pennsylvania Avenue that cool crisp pre-fall morning.   The spirit emanated from my fellow countrymen adjacent me; they were from every walk of life, from near and far, young and old, black and white.  Without speaking a word we all knew that we were there for the same cause.  As we marched, waves of chants would start from either the rear or fore and roll backwards and forwards until we were all in sync.  Perhaps the most poignant moment was as we were passing by one of the government buildings.   The chant had become loud and strong, “Can you hear us now?”  “Can you hear us now?”; “Can you hear us now?” Awe struck when at that instant to our left was a tremendous marble wall inscribed with...

'CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR THE PRESS; OR THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE, AND TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES'

Time seemed to stand still for that moment in time, for this was the very motive for our March on Washington to petition our government for a redress of many grievances.

We made our way to about midway between the capital and the beginning of the mall.  We listened to all of the speakers; we cheered and chanted until our voices were hoarse.  We held up our signs and waved our flags with pride.  Everyone we encountered was polite, courteous and friendly.  There was no pushing, no shoving and no violence.  As we were headed for the bus we noticed that there was no trash littered about on the lawn or the sidewalks.  Everyone had either placed their trash in a waste can or stacked it neatly by one if it was full.

It is glorious to be an American and on September 12, 2009 an unequivocal message echoed throughout the land that if our elected representatives don’t represent us, "We have not yet begun to fight". 

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what an amazing day for jessica, for me, for our country.

Comments

[sondra]

Amen, Amen and AMEN!!
Although I wasn't in D.C. in person on 9/12, my heart was there. I thank you, Jessica, for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us...

[Mr. J]

Just awesome.

[heidianne jackson]

i'm certain jessica will be checking in frequently and responding to these comments, but i thought i'd put in my $.02 too. i wish i could have been in dc with family and friends. jessica did a great job and i hope she'll write again.

[Priscilla]

Well said Jessica. What a thrilling day. Even though I couldn't be there, I shed some tears, out of pride for my fellow Americans.

I think of this as an American happening. There's nothing more patriotic than a grassroots movement, because it's made up of free people, as individuals, moved to gather together and be heard as one voice.

There were no practice sessions, no monetary payment, no orders from one person or persons. Just a throng of American citizens who love our country, and are determined not to be led but to lead. Thank you Jessica, and to all who joined you. It was a great day. And yes, it's just the beginning.

Pris

[Z]

I got stuck here: "cool crisp pre-fall morning" because it's SO hot here tonight! :-)
Jessica, good going! I think every American owes a debt of gratitude to all those who actually WENT..from far and wide; you all represented US and we appreciate it!
I heard the police told some tea partiers that they'd "never seen so many people here" and commenting on how very clean everything was in spite of the crowds.
I hope you write again........and thanks for sharing your feelings from that cool crisp pre fall morning!!.......

[Cathy]

Jess, I love you for standing up for my freedoms. Awsome picture. Will you post the rest? You guys are awsome! Thanks Heidi for getting jess to share...keep it up!

[Brooke]

Awesome! I wish I could've gone!

[Stopthepresses2]

What if Obama appeared on all the Sunday morning news programs (except FOX news) and nobody watched him, would he still make a sound?

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1573067078]

Thanks to everyone for the great reviews. I wish all of you could have been there. I am sure there will be other opportunities in the near future. I urge all of you to get involved and to let your voices be heard. We are no longer "the silent majority"!

[David Fuller]

You do see that the building is inscribed (and the constitution reads), "'CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION... " don't you?

Just checking.