Code Pink thematic attempts have failed to boost the numbers of protesters at the Berkeley Marine Recruiting Station. So now, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat?
The Code Pink protesters at the Berkeley California Marine Recruiting Station have been plagued by protesters "staying away in droves". The numbers of protesters have fallen so dramatically in recent weeks, the organizers of the protest have attempted to use a Madison Avenue approach. By having "Bring your daughter to Protest" day, Galvanize your Granny day, Fruit Loops of the World Unite day. And everything else they can think of, unfortunately the Berkeleyites are inured to the sort of behavior and the odd costumes to the point that few pay any attention at all to the Code Pink group.
The latest gimmick was Witches, Clowns and sirens day. That too failed rather badly it seems.
Fox News has even gone to the trouble of posting a
Protest Cam on their website, very little seems to happen, the occasional car drives by, the occasional pedestrian walks by and once in a while some one walks into the recruiting station.
Capt. John Paul Wheatcroft said he's unfazed by Code Pink's antics.
"They're always in pink and wear funny things, half-shaved heads, one side with hair and the other one bald, yeah, I'm pretty much used to anything,"
Well that seems just the place to take my grandkids for sure! Better than Disneyland, except for no rides.
Code Pink though is not the only group protesting at the Marine Recruiting Station. Berkeley College Republicans (BCR) have also had a presence in the area, but have so far been unable to secure parking permits from the City Council as has Code Pink, that permit will be before the Berkeley City Council on May 20th. As an opposite view from Code Pink, the BCR group has not chosen to do the themed protests in response to the bizarre behavior of the Code Pink group.
When asked if she was planning any special events to counter Code Pink's theme week, Wagner (BCR activism chair) said: "We try not to do anything embarrassing." She added, "We're just going to stick with our regular thing because we have lives and they don't."
Despite the upcoming final exams which started on Monday, Wagner and her group will retain a presence in support of the Marines, Wagner also happens to date a Marine.
The constant protests which began last September seem not to have stifled the recruitment effort in Berkeley, Wheatcroft stated 10 people in the last three weeks had been in to sign up as Marine Officers which is a better than average number. And the protests, including the current Witch theme don't concern him.
As for what's brewing outside his recruiting center this week, Wheatcroft responded, "I think witches won't shock me, but it'll be a change of pace, so that's nice.
"Do you think they'll bring their cauldron?"
I suppose to be a Marine Recruiter in Berkeley requires a sense of humor and large dose of common sense. The common sense I had presumed would be a need, the sense of humor is a welcome surprise. With any luck at all the wisdom rituals the Code Pink group was doing will have the desired effect and they will achieve a greater measure of Wisdom in time for the Fourth of July festivities, or at least by next Easter.
