Reflector The Whole World Is Watching
Oct 3, 2024
Glenn Pontier, a retired journalist and former activist, shares his insights as a 1968 DNC protester. He draws fascinating parallels between the protests of 1968 and the recent 2024 March on the DNC, discussing coalition-building, nonviolent tactics, and the moral motivations behind activism. Pontier reflects on voting dynamics post-1968, revealing his reasons for rejecting mainstream candidates. The dialogue delves into current political dilemmas, highlighting how protest strategies have evolved while tensions around U.S. foreign policy remain divisive.
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War, Election, And A Risky Political Tradeoff
- The episode links escalating Middle East violence and a razor-thin U.S. presidential race as mutually amplifying crises.
- Reporters argue Democratic support for Israel risks alienating progressive voters at a pivotal margin.
A Protester’s Origin Story From 1968
- Glenn Pontier recounts joining the 1968 anti‑Vietnam movement after years of local protests and moral conviction.
- He frames his activism as rooted in pacifist family history and the era's cultural shifts.
Broad Coalitions Targeted The Democrats
- 1968 protests united diverse groups—civil rights, labor, pacifists, socialists—around antiwar demands.
- That coalition targeted the Democratic Party as the avenue to stop the war, not out of party loyalty.