Is Protesting the RNC a good or bad idea?

[G_j]

I've read a lot of opinions here that any protests at RNC in NYC will be used against the "left" by the media and GOP and that regular Americans will perceive the protesters as violent anti-American thugs etc. The impression I get is that some people think that protests are a bad idea for this reason.

This discussion happens to some degree around most major protests but there is an exceptional amount of fear being generated around this one.

Should the people's actions be determined by how FOX etc. will attempt to turn demonstrations into propaganda for the GOP?
We all know they will try. Will it work? Would it backfire?

Should people just exercise their Constitutional right to free assembly and free speech simply because its the right thing to do? And is it especially important to do so when there is an atmosphere of fear and intimidation deliberately being fostered?
Maybe it is just too dangerous given the present atmosphere.

[G_j]

1. kick for more input

[Jose Diablo]

2. Use it or lose it...

I do not care how the corporate media spins it. If Mr/Mrs Average American could see what the thugs in this administration are doing, like at Miami, SF and Savannah, then this media spin will backfire.

Keep it peaceful, record what happens and who instigates what happened, then publish the pictures and stories.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. Freedom of Speech is a good idea

It should be practiced too.

[Jim__]

4. Silence is consent

The American people have an obligation to publicly stand against the crimes of this administration. To not loudly protest is to be co-opted into the "silent majority" that the administration will claim backs its policies.

[tinanator]

5. Its the only idea

it may be the only vote you get.

[tinanator]

6. delete

dupe

[Walt Starr]

7. The Repoukes just don't want to see any protests, hence the fear factor

It's all fear all the time from these fascists.

[Pallas180]

8. G -J, bad idea, you know I saw what is planned agnst protestors

dimson will use it as an excuse to call down Martial Law.

[Pallas180]

10. Bad Idea, like Seattle, they'll send in provacateurs, to accomplish

their means...make it look like peaceful protestors are crazies

bloodbath, misadministration will make it an excuse to call in

Martial law. Then he is the law, no elections, no nothing and they

have "detention camps" set up .

Read the FEMA act.

[AntiCoup2K4]

26. It's already in the works.

From FAUX News.com

Anarchists Pursue Chaos at GOP Convention
Tuesday, July 13, 2004

NEW YORK — Radical protesters are reportedly trying to cause chaos at the Republican National Convention (search) in New York City at the end of August.

Reports show that fringe groups are hatching a plot on the Internet, telling people how to attack and trick police with the ultimate goal of evacuating Madison Square Garden (search). The suggestions include everything from throwing marbles in the path of police-mounted horses to going to shooting ranges before heading to the convention so that their clothes will reek of gunpowder and trick bomb-sniffing dogs on the subways and commuter trains.

New York City police (search) say they are worried about the tactics diverting their time and resources from preventing authentic attacks, and add that they are preparing for "black blocs" of anarchists who cover their face with bandanas and vandalize corporate targets.

And just as it was in Seattle at the WTO, all the protestors will be lumped in with these fucking idiots (who are more than likely federal agents)

[TheMightyFavog]

28. Fscking Black Bloc asshats.

They will do nothing but make the anti-* movement look bad.

These are just kids with nothing better to do than to go to protests just so they can pick fights with the police.

[G_j]

12. then one might say

-then that is what needs to happen to expose once and for all the true colors of fascists.

just offering another side to the coin..

edit, not saying I agree with this, but it is no doubt an argumnet that can be made.

[MrBenchley]

9. It's always a good idea to stand against injustice

whenever and where ever you can...

[Pallas180]

11. GJ-some people organizing talk about throwing rocks! DUH

why dont they just register as neo-conservatives?

that's how much help they'll be giving us.

[G_j]

13. my first reaction to that

is to be suspicious of the source. I'm not naive enough to not realize there all sorts out there but I seriously doubt this could come from any 'organizers'. The main group: www.unitedforpeace.org strongly promotes non-violence.

[calico1]

14. I think its a good idea. But I also think

we should use the MLK approach. The Right wingnuts like to portray Liberals as violent and lawless. We don't want to play into that. A large, non violent crowd I think would be very effective.

[G_j]

17. Thank You !!!

I completely agree with you. I have tried to start a conversation on this here a number of times but can never get any feedback. I think people who are planning to go would be wise to get together and discuss these things before hand. I have taken many non-violence trainings myself and have offered a few. I cannot stress enough how valuable this can be. It can make a world of difference to be prepared and to have thought out before hand non-violent approaches to various scenarios. How do you help de-escalate tense situations?
How do police read body language? What do you do if an individual (agent provocateur?) begins to incite violence? What do you do if someone is injured, arrested etc. etc.?
MLK has many writings on this. I personally think MLK sets a pattern we could use to avoid a great deal of problems and also earn the respect of others.



I sure hope people realize at some point how serious this is.

[recidivist]

15. Demonstrate, sure. Disrupt, no.

n/t

[DinahMoeHum]

16. But the'Pukes WILL hear from us, in one way or another. . .

that we New Yorkers don't want their sorry asses in our town dancing on the 9/11 graves with a flag in their hand.


:kick:

[JHBowden]

18. My sentiment exactly.

:thumbsup:

[CaTeacher]

19. Its OK to protest

but there are more constructive ways to use the time--like registering voters. Protesting the convention doesnt really do anything productive.

And these stupid schemes to hit horses with sling shots and stuff just make people upset (why hit a poor horsey?) that just pisses the cops etc off...

[KurtNYC]

20. Prefer to hang with likeminded people and a big sound system

they won't issue sound permits for in front of Madison Square Garden. And the best part of protests is meeting like-minded people so I would much prefer to just get a permit for Van Cortlandt Park and have a whole counter convention there -- bands, comics, food, speakers and vendors. Street protests are best for small, one-issue entities.

[G_j]

24. I've also found some great networking opportunitues

with fellow activists

[CaptainClark23]

21. gotta go

someone has to be on hand to deal with provacateurs. I'll be watching the crowds more than I'll be watching the NYPD. Thats where our greatest threat will come from. We can police ourselves.

I'm going to stand for our rights, but I'm not going to stand for someone trashing my City, and creating a media frenzy that the repubs can capitalise on.

If you are coming to New York, mind yourself, and mind your neighbor.

[BillZBubb]

22. Not only a good idea, but a necessity.

There is going to be an Repug/media lovefest for Chimpy and Pickles. It is essential that a Democratic/realistic counterweight exists at the same time.

I hope and pray the demonstrations are huge and peaceful. I also hope the demostrators don't allow themselves to be shoveled off into "free speech zones". America is a free speech zone, at least it used to be before Chimpy. It may take some civil disobedience to get the point across.

[Stone_Spirits]

23. agreed nt

[deacon]

25. It's not a good idea, it's a great idea n/t

[ElsewheresDaughter]

27. Boston has already distributed 58 permits to protest groups for the dem co

convention and several are for repug groups one to anti-abortion group

[eridani]

29. Only if they think of something inventive

Outfox the cops, be original. Stay away from the same old same old.

[G_j]

30. kick for the evening crowd

:kick:

[Guaranteed]

31. We have to show them our power, no matter how it affects the election.

They most know that they can not win this.