Sometime in the late 70s or early 80s (I believe) once again tensions were high in Washington, DC the mecca of protest and spotlights. I believe it was a Friday afternoon and the People's Anti-War Mobilization (PAM), a left wing communist group had organized what was to become a violent confrontation with the police at the Lincoln Memorial. The event was a march to protest Reagan Administration Central American and domestic policies; 100,000 march. “The themes were to stop the U.S. war buildup; U.S. hands off El Salvador; divest from Southern Africa; money for jobs and human needs, not for the Pentagon; stop racist violence; end lesbian and gay oppression.” Somehow we, the devotees, got wind of the event and everyone loaded into vans and cars with drums, kartals (cymbals) and tilak. When we arrived we could see the police in full riot gear where lined up in front of the Memorial. The protestors were slowly moving up on either side of the reflecting pool coming closer to the police.
The air was so thick and felt like it does just before a tornado is about to erupt. The tension level was at a 10 and no one on either side was going to back down. So, fearless as we were, we positioned ourselves between the two armies and let the Holy Name do the rest. With all of us looking at each other, we chanted with the sincerity of one facing the gallows. We chanted, we danced and played our instruments with voracity and absolute conviction. Then as thought the sun had broken through clouds, every one of us could feel the power of Krishna’s Holy Name. The ecstasy we were feeling started to flow through to the protestors and the police as well. An absolute profound change had come over everyone there on the front steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Behind us the police were clapping and right in front of us the protestor with mouths open were struck with wonder. They anger was gone and some even took to clapping and dancing with the kirtan as the police were doing. All of the devotees could feel the hand of Krishna upon our heads and bliss was permeating our hearts. I cannot say how long the kirtan lasted it seemed to go on forever or at least until the crowd dissipated. The police were as amazed, if not more so, than everyone else.
 | So, I was quite dismayed to recently learn that some devotees recently took part in the protests during the recent Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC. Rather than being the transcendental arbiters staying above the fray, the devotees subjected the Holy name to the side of the paid agitators. One can say, hey everyone was benefitted by us being with the protesters because they heard the Maha Mantra. But, unfortunately many say, “You are judged by the company you keep.” With so much effort being done by the Hare Krishna Public Affairs department to align the Movement with the greater Hindu community one must stop and think. |
Is such mingling with sorted groups of anarchist and godless groups of social dissidence setting the efforts of social acceptance back to the Stone Age? Historically, it is only when great leaders of society embrace a religious movement for the benefit it brings to a society of people that it blossoms and grows exponentially.
I must ask why protest a man who has yet to act as the leader of the country in which you reside and why not attempt to guide, educate and enlighten such a person? I don’t remember us deriding persons coming to the doors of our temples seeking shelter from the misery of material nature. I believe we accepted them and all their shortcomings while at the same time helped them on the path of transcendence. That is true “Brahminical Liberalism.” The “Liberalism” we see exhibited today with its hatred and closed minded dogma bears no such resemblance. Devotees would do well not to confuse the two..
From some of us who pioneered chanting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and distributed so many thousands of Srila Prabhupada’s books there back in the 70s and 80s, we hope the real goal of this movement will prevail. It is our hope that efforts to spread the Holy Name be reasoned with good common sense and devotees also follow the words of Srila Prabhupada. “It is the concern of the ācārya to show mercy to the fallen souls. In this connection, deśa-kāla-pātra (the place, the time and the object) should be taken into consideration. “ Purport CC, ADI, 7.38
I must ask why protest a man who has yet to act as the leader of the country in which you reside and why not attempt to guide, educate and enlighten such a person? I don’t remember us deriding persons coming to the doors of our temples seeking shelter from the misery of material nature. I believe we accepted them and all their shortcomings while at the same time helped them on the path of transcendence. That is true “Brahminical Liberalism.” The “Liberalism” we see exhibited today with its hatred and closed minded dogma bears no such resemblance. Devotees would do well not to confuse the two..
From some of us who pioneered chanting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and distributed so many thousands of Srila Prabhupada’s books there back in the 70s and 80s, we hope the real goal of this movement will prevail. It is our hope that efforts to spread the Holy Name be reasoned with good common sense and devotees also follow the words of Srila Prabhupada. “It is the concern of the ācārya to show mercy to the fallen souls. In this connection, deśa-kāla-pātra (the place, the time and the object) should be taken into consideration. “ Purport CC, ADI, 7.38
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