Moore "Meet Up" Rallies Anti-Bush Troops

By Juliet McShannon
Staff Writer

June 29 -- Mike McCoy stands on a ladder and carefully hangs a white sheet across the main wall of the Velocity Café on Lincoln Boulevard in preparation for Monday evening’s “Meet Up.”

The sheet hangs in anticipation next to a large plastic shark and behind a huge toy lion, part of the cafés eclectic décor, but seemingly appropriate for an event spurred by Michael Moore’s controversial documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11.”

“We are expecting about a hundred people,” McCoy, the café’s co-owner says, a little bewildered. After all the room is large, but it is difficult to imagine that many people squeezing in.

Monday’s “Meet Up” is just one of many taking place in neighborhood spots and houses throughout Los Angeles, California and the entire nation.

Indeed, thousands of people who have seen the film, which opened last week, responded to the organization moveonpac’s internet drive to gather together for an online, interactive discussion with the filmmaker.

Taken from former presidential candidate Howard Dean’s campaign play book, on-line “Meet Ups” have become the new way of galvanizing voters, in this case to oust Bush in the November 2 election.

As 7 p.m. approaches, the café begins to fill with people, some wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “No War” slogans, others, obviously coming straight from work, removing their jackets, loosening their ties.

Santa Monican, Mona La Vine, 71, proudly wears a blue T-shirt with the words “Share the World’s Resources to end Poverty, to end War.”

“I’m from the organization ‘Share-International’,” La Vine says. “But I am also here today because I wanted to get together with like minded people who had seen the film (9/11) and are willing to brainstorm to help defeat Bush in this election.”

LaVine, who went to see the film on opening day, was surprised at the turn out, especially in a traditionally Republican stronghold.

“I saw it in Orange County! Even so, the place was packed and the whole audience clapped throughout! You see, there are Democrat’s everywhere!” she laughs.

Venice resident, Simone Wallace, agrees. “I saw it in Culver City and it was almost like Woodstock! There was crowd control and it was great with everyone getting really involved booing and hissing in parts!”

The café soon fills to capacity with only standing room left. Nobody seems to mind, and there is an almost jovial atmosphere with snacks and cookies passed around along with sign-up sheets from various political organizations.

“It’s going to take more than cookies to win back this election,” sighs a man in his forties.

He has just purchased a t-shirt from two young entrepreneurs who have set up a stand inside the café to “raise money for democratic change.”

“These shirts give us an opportunity to vent our rage,” shouts Valerie Dillman, one of the creators of the clothing line. “Our political point of view has been broadcast through Michael Moore and maybe from here on we can start building momentum.”

“I just hope the film didn’t come out too early,” muses local resident and documentary filmmaker Brennan Howard. “Hopefully it will also target those sitting on the fence. In any event, at least it gives you a lot more bang for your knowledgeable buck.”

San Francisco teacher, Monica Barry, 38, who has come down to Santa Monica to visit her brother, agrees.

“I had a visceral reaction to it,” Barry says. “I was going to go traveling in the summer, but now I am signing up to register people to vote. I think it is everyone’s duty to see the movie, whatever your political persuasion. See it and then make up your own mind.”

Her words are soon drowned out by an announcement that the live-link up is about to start.

A hush descends, as a map of America flashes up on the screen with bubbles of various sizes indicating the areas and sizes of the live Meet Ups throughout the country.

The room erupts into cheer as Michael Moore addresses the crowd online.
By now there are more than 150 people in the room with some hanging out in the doorway, others sitting outside, pressed up against the windows, trying to hear the address.

A man stands on a chair, yelling for the owner of a certain vehicle to make himself known. He has been blocked in.

“We’re all trapped. All Americans. That’s why we’re here tonight. To find a way out!” says a woman with a clipboard.

It is like watching the finals of an NBA playoff game at a sports bar, with silences interjected by wild cheering. “Yeah,” shouts the room in unison, as Moore thanks the nation for making his documentary the largest grossing film.

“Right on,” bellows a group of people craning their necks around the door on hearing Moore talk about the American public becoming “disgusted with our mainstream media.”

The Meet Up ends with the crowd reluctantly dispersing, huddling in pockets, exchanging addresses, shaking hands.

“I’m just so encouraged by this,” says Santa Monican Sue Griffin. “I stood listening tonight and have already thought of four things I can do to help mobilize for November.”

McCoy starts clearing up.