The National Day of Mourning
- Direct response to the re-election of George W. Bush

On Election day 2004, the red, white and blue of the Once-United States of America were transformed into a new flag of the red, white and black of mourning. There is none of the blue color of freedom in our government any more, and we mourn its loss.

Let no one mistake our mourning for mollification. Although the government now applies all its power against us, we gain our power from the grassroots fertility of direct action. We don't need political action committees, or fundraiser galas, or even the Democratic Party to act. We remain powerful because we are independent of institutions.

In the turning of the year, we take on a new stage in our resistance to George W. Bush and his elite cadre of Republican nationalists in Washington D.C. On January 20, 2005, we turn our resentment into resistance.

What George W. Bush calls Inauguration Day, we the progressive 48 percent of America give it a different name. For us, January 20, 2005 is a National Day of Mourning. On this day we will take action to bring attention to what America has lost, and what we must restore. we mourn for freedom, for peace, for justice and truth.

We pledge resistance until the great American potential is restored. We promise to make our presence felt by those who jealously guard their hoard of power in Washington, D.C.

The national movement for a Day of Mourning is so extensive that it's impossible to for us to find all the groups that are taking part. However, we suggest that you visit the following resources to start your preparations for the actions of January 20.

• National Day of Mourning Posters, buttons, stickers and shirts
  
  
• Blue Flu Day from TruthWatch
  
  
• Protests:
  1. International Answer Protests in Washington D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles
     
     
  2. DC protests organized by DAWN: the DC Anti-War Network
     
     
  3. DC protests organized by Turn Your Back On Bush
     
     
  4. Other National Day of Mourning Events in DC as cataloged and organized by www.counterinaugural.org

Update: We have added a new page of resources for people planning to take place in the National Day of Mourning counter-inaugural events on January 20, 2005.

Keep in mind, of course, that national efforts rely on strong local implementation. The large protests planned in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles are important, but they must be complemented by smaller protests across America. Get in touch with your local progressive organizations and find out what they're planning for January 20 too. Also check out the local index of events by United for Peace and Justice. Heck, if they don't report plans in place yet, maybe you can help get something started. Gone are the days when we can count on others to lead the way. In this new era of progressive resistance, we're doing it for ourselves.