A la Saul Alinsky in his famous “Rules for Radicals” training manual for effective activism, swarms of anti-war protesters took to the streets and descended upon Secretary of State John F. Kerry’s Boston town house, shouting through bullhorns, “Hands off Syria!”
The protesters also pounded on the doors and windows, reported Twitter users, who also said the event was rather chaotic. One wrote, “Protesters against action in Syria went to John Kerry’s house, screaming and knocking on windows.”
Another: “The #nowarwithsyria march just left John Kerry’s house. Banged on the door. No police yet. Crazy!”
And posted pictures of the protesters show dozens in the streets outside the Beacon Hill home, milling with bullhorns, flags and poster boards with anti-war messages.
Neither Mr. Kerry nor his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, was at home, PJ Media reported.
The protest tactics of showing up at a target’s home is right out of Mr. Alinsky’s playbook for successful rallying — a name and manual made famous by conservative pundits remarking on the thuggish political tactics of some in President Obama’s camp. On top of that, Mr. Obama himself is said to have learned protest and activism tactics from Mr. Alinsky’s followers while he worked in Chicago with ACORN and with community organizers.
Mr. Alinsky’s son, in fact, praised Mr. Obama for his successful use of his father’s tactics in a 2008 letter to the Boston Globe after the Democratic National Convention.
PJ Media printed the letter: “Barack Obama’s training in Chicago by the great community organizers is showing its effectiveness. It is an amazingly powerful format, and the method of my late father always works to get the message out and get the supporters on board. When executed meticulously and thoughtfully, it is a powerful strategy for initiating change and making it really happen. Obama learned his lesson well. I am proud to see that my father’s model for organizing is being applied successfully beyond local community organizing to affect the Democratic campaign in 2008. It is a fine tribute to Saul Alinsky as we approach his 100th birthday.”
The letter was signed L. David Alinsky. His father lived from 1909 to 1972.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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