In an attempt to avoid protestors, Halliburton has moved the annual shareholder meeting from Houston to Duncan, Oklahoma.
Halliburton has become the "poster child of war-profiteering," so protesters will be coming to Duncan anyway.
Of course, the local power structure here is very pro-Halliburton. Halliburton is one of the largest local employers, and the oil industry has a strong local presence. The local Chamber of Commerce planned on organizing a committee to welcome shareholders to Duncan, but Halliburton asked them to not to bother. They want to keep the meeting as low profile as possible. The city council recently updated the ordinance about parades and protests to clarify the permit process. As of May 5 (according to the Duncan Banner newspaper) only one group, Oklahoma Veterans for Peace, has applied for a permit, which allows up to 300 people to protest in front of the Simmons Center, where the Halliburton meeting will be held. I notice that numerous groups are planning on attending, but they may not be aware of local restrictions, etc.
For example, the area set aside for the protest--the lawn between the two main entrances to the Simmons Center--has little shade. No water or restroom facilities will be available for protesters. The eastern-most lane of Chisholm Trail Parkway will be closed to allow protesters to park--they will apparently not be allowed to park in the Simmons Center parking lot. The middle school across the street and the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, a museum next to the Simmons Center, will be closed that day. [Some people around here seem to be panicking--oh dear, we can't let the children see protesters! They might be dangerous!]
Anyway, the protest will start at 8:00 am in front of the Simmons Center, 800 Chisholm Trail Parkway, Duncan OK. Be there or be square!
More to follow.
Here is a better map; the Google Maps link is not-quite-ready for prime time:
From US Highway 81, take Beech west to Chisholm Trail Parkway. Elk Avenue will also work, but you'll be headed in the wrong direction for easy parking.
Halliburton has become the "poster child of war-profiteering," so protesters will be coming to Duncan anyway.
Of course, the local power structure here is very pro-Halliburton. Halliburton is one of the largest local employers, and the oil industry has a strong local presence. The local Chamber of Commerce planned on organizing a committee to welcome shareholders to Duncan, but Halliburton asked them to not to bother. They want to keep the meeting as low profile as possible. The city council recently updated the ordinance about parades and protests to clarify the permit process. As of May 5 (according to the Duncan Banner newspaper) only one group, Oklahoma Veterans for Peace, has applied for a permit, which allows up to 300 people to protest in front of the Simmons Center, where the Halliburton meeting will be held. I notice that numerous groups are planning on attending, but they may not be aware of local restrictions, etc.
For example, the area set aside for the protest--the lawn between the two main entrances to the Simmons Center--has little shade. No water or restroom facilities will be available for protesters. The eastern-most lane of Chisholm Trail Parkway will be closed to allow protesters to park--they will apparently not be allowed to park in the Simmons Center parking lot. The middle school across the street and the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, a museum next to the Simmons Center, will be closed that day. [Some people around here seem to be panicking--oh dear, we can't let the children see protesters! They might be dangerous!]
Anyway, the protest will start at 8:00 am in front of the Simmons Center, 800 Chisholm Trail Parkway, Duncan OK. Be there or be square!
More to follow.
Update
Here is a better map; the Google Maps link is not-quite-ready for prime time:
From US Highway 81, take Beech west to Chisholm Trail Parkway. Elk Avenue will also work, but you'll be headed in the wrong direction for easy parking.
God our security,
who alone can defend us
against the principalities and powers
that rule this present age;
may we trust in no weapons
except the whole armor of faith,
that in dying we may live,
and, having nothing, we may own the world,
through Jesus Christ. AMEN
--Janet Morley, All desires known, 1988
who alone can defend us
against the principalities and powers
that rule this present age;
may we trust in no weapons
except the whole armor of faith,
that in dying we may live,
and, having nothing, we may own the world,
through Jesus Christ. AMEN
--Janet Morley, All desires known, 1988
