Convention protesters demand more visible space

[Thor_MN]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/24/dems.main/index.html

BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Protesters at the Democratic National Convention say their designated area outside the FleetCenter infringes on their safety and free speech rights...

"We are very alarmed that our First Amendment rights have been undermined to the degree that the city of Boston now thinks the rights of free expression, the right to rally and protest means you get out into an area like this," said Leslie Cagan, co-founder of United for Peace and Justice, who likened the protest area to an internment camp.

WHAT??? You don't like your Free Speech Zone????

[MikeG]

1. They need a Bush-style First Amendment zone.

Put them ten miles away.

[hyphenate]

2. Too freaking bad

No one bitched when Dems were sent a mile away from Bush in "free speech zones" so it's time these idiots had to deal with it.

[Citizen Daryl]

4. Actually, it bothers me.

It bothers me that we've sunk to their level. It bothers me that we no longer have the high ground on this matter. It bothers me that we adopt the tactics of our opposition.

[shanti]

6. but WE aren't in charge

so that's how it is...

[struggle4progress]

14. We aren't in charge so that's how it is?

"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."

-- Frederick Douglass


Get Up, Stand Up, stand up for your right
Get Up, Stand Up, don't give up the fight
Get Up, Stand Up. Life is your right
So we can't give up the fight
Stand up for your right, Lord, Lord
Get Up, Stand Up. Keep on struggling on
Don't give up the fight

-- Bob Marley

[shanti]

19. for now, friend

for now;-)

[struggle4progress]

20. Don't fence us in: Activists shun 'protest pen'

... Protesters have vowed not to use it and are posting messages online to stay out of the "protest pens" ...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x708277

Somewhat more to my taste ...

[shanti]

22. and i hope that they are successful!

n/t

[jonnyblitz]

5. the protesters aren't idiots.

get over yourself.

[Zhade]

7. So, fascism is acceptable, so long as it benefits us?

And most of the protesters are NOT Republicans, by the way.

[Suspicious]

11. Idiots?

United for Peace and Justice are idiots, now?

No one bitched when Dems were sent a mile away from Bush in "free speech zones"

As a matter of fact, this very same coalition has "bitched" quite loudly about the free speech zones - and they've demonstrated against the Bush administration at every opportunity.

:eyes:


Edited for clarification.

[Rose Siding]

15. Medea Benjaman's no idiot

She's farther left than me but didn't dems cheer her when she stood up and shouted at Rummy during his Senate testimony? But now it's acceptable to cage her?

Please remember what America owes some of its protesters.

[realisticphish]

3. *sigh*

these are NOT repukes protesting, for god's sake. These are anti-corporates, anarchists, communists, and they are the exact same people who have protested * all along

edit: well i suppose some may be repukes, but still the majority wont be


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[mike_c]

8. now democrats are advocating denial of First Amendment...

rights. Next we'll be handing out brown shirts. When did we start trampling the Bill of Rights? Ashkkkroft would be proud.

[DoNotRefill]

9. we've always done that when it suited us.

eom

[latebloomer]

10. Lovely, just lovely

This is the kind of stuff that frightens and enrages me. The EXACT same fascist tactics that our current administration employs. We'll just move on now with the new boss,on with the war, on with the rape and pillage of civil liberties.

When the HELL does it turn around?

[truth2power]

12. UFPJ is a progressive organization.

Take a look at their website, they're protesting in cooperation with American Friends Service Committee, you know, the group Bushco put on a terrorist list?

[struggle4progress]

13. Dems damn well ought to stand up for protest rights of groups like UFPJ.

[lucky777]

16. This is very sad . . . makes me ashamed of the democratic party

The whole idea of protest zones is ridiculous. People have a right to protest on public property so long as they don't breach the peace. That should be the democratic position. The party shouldn't be so pussy that they can't handle a little marching in the street outside the convention.

Instead, we are forcing people into a giant cage -- people who are just like us -- anti-globalization, anti-war, socialists, etc.

I agree with them (the protestors) a hell of a lot more than I agree with big-bucks Kerry and his watered-down war platform . . .

[nofurylike]

17. and i'm sure you do all the work successful participatory democracy

takes, like all the most vociferous complainors must do.

how many letters to boston mayor?
how many times have you written your issues to kerry? to newspaper editors?
honestly.

the "internment camp" is the very capable work of homeland security.

tell that to the complainors.

[Seabiscuit]

18. Don't mess with Bostonians...

About an hour ago I saw some footage of Boston anti-war protesters being disrupted by a couple of freepers dressed in military garb with anti-gay, anti-abortion signs. The Bostonians pushed, shoved, and generally kicked the living shit out of these goons, who ultimately had to be taken away by the police for their safety.

Moral: don't mess with Bostonians, Rovian borgs - and especially, don't *f* with Red Sox fans. :kick:

[paulk]

21. Why are they protesting?

They're a liberal organization - why are they protesting at the Dem convention? This only serves to make the Democrats look bad - I don't understand what they're trying to do.

[rocktivity]

23. Contact John Kerry tomorrow and request that he protest them

1. Check out the photos of the DNC Convention’s free speech zone at http://parkerpettus.com/fleet/index.html

2. Call John Kerry’s campaign office of DNC headquarters at one of these phone numbers:
Washington DC
202-712-3000
202-712-3001 (fax)

Massachusetts
617-367-1551

DNC Headquarters
202-863-8000

Or leave an e-mail at http://www.johnkerry.com/contact/involved.php

3. Tell them that you are outraged, and that before the convention starts, John Kerry MUST publicly denounce the zone as being as unsafe as it is unconstitutional.

It might strike you as odd that we should want Kerry to look out for his own protestors. But think of the "fun" the mainstream media would have blaming Kerry's "endorsement" of nazi-like tactics if major violence or mass arrests were to occur. If he takes a public stand against the zones, Kerry would be in a position to say, "Well, I warned you, didn’t I?" if there's any trouble. Best of all, standing up for the rights of even his political enemies would make him look MEGA-presidential!

:headbang:
rocknation

P.S. Thanks for the inspiration, Matcom and Plurality!