In regards to the message we want to send out during
the parade we should consider something that bridges
the gap between the negative and bloody history of
this country's founding and the courageous and
positive actions that some people have taken to change
it for the better.� Not that we're all the way there,
yet, but many people have put their lives on the line
and pushed this country a little more in the right
direction.
You know how some people always tell us, "You wouldn't
have the right to do what you're doing if it wasn't
for the troops."� Well, we know the missions our
troops have been sent on have never had a thing to do
with our freedom.� Instead, it is the civil rights
strikers, the marchers, the civic leaders, the
lawyers, and all those who have sacrificed and had the
patience to deal with our government until they
finally got a little bit of the assistance and
opportunity that oppressed people deserve.
In this light our theme could focus on people in
American history who really brought us our freedom. 
Such figures would include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
Cady Stanton, Rosa Parks, Mother Jones, Clarence
Darrow, Abbie Hoffman, Leonard Peltier and AIM, the
abolitionists, those who fought for free speech, those
who fought against war, and many others you will have
to help me remember.� 
We can start by explaining how a group of people did
not have freedom and then how these people organized
and what they did to change that injustice.� We can
use puppets as a creative visual, as well as dress up
in costumes to represent others who struggled for real
freedom in America.� The history lesson would have to
be short and effective.� For example, a caricature of
Rosa Parks with "Fought racial segregation by defying
authority."� We can also produce an accompanying flier
to help explain more about the contributions these
people made towards freedom.
This could even be an opportunity to reveal some of
the lesser known figures in American history who have
pointed out the hypocrisy between the idea of freedom
in America and its practice.� We could mention people
like Emma Goldman, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, and any
others we know of (my list is short, so send me
ideas).
Anyway, give it some thought and tell me if you think
this is a direction we can go.� Whatever we do we need
to figure out what it is and act on it fast.� Keep in
touch with Carol and come out Wednesday if you can as
we will be able to discuss a few of these topics
further as a group. 

Peace,

Jim.