Who is going to the RNC convention in NYC?

[tinanator]

Just wondering how many here are planning and/or willing?

[Racenut20]

1. They haven't offered to make me a delegate yet. LOL

[Bronco69]

2. I wouldn't go to an r n c convention

if bush* offered to pick me up in air force one and escort me personally. I can just see them all goose stepping into the auditorium together with jackboots on and their hand in the air paying homage to the fuhrer.

[lancemurdoch]

3. Me

I live in New York so I'm going to try to be involved in some anti-RNC stuff.

I have been thinking about whether or not there might be a "black bloc" type riot in New York when the Republicans will be here, which will be around September 11th, 2004 (yes, they pushed the convention date back so it will coincide with September 11th while they're in New York, barf). I was thinking this was possible, and also that the Republicans were probably aware of this, and possibly wanted it. A riot of black bloc anti-war, anti-globalization "outside agitators" coming to New York on the anniversary of September 11th and rioting on the anniversary of September 11th outside the Republican convention is probably exactly what the Republicans want.

One thing that prompted this thought was that militant anti-globalization protests have beset conference of the IMF, WTO, WEF and so forth all over the world. They usually have the WEF conference in Davos, Switzerland, but after 9/11 they MOVED it to New York after 9/11 because of 9/11. I forget what bogus reason they gave. Then they said in newspapers etc. "protestors better not act up in New York five months after 9/11". So they placed a highly divisive thing in New York and linked to 9/11 and so on and so forth.

Anyhow, I think there should be a large scale protest against the Republicans but I think it should be broad-based and non-violent. I don't mind that the black bloc is sometimes aggressive, but different times and places call for different tactics, and considering the US versus Europe, I think it belongs over there and not here, there existence makes no sense when the anti-war, anti-globalization movement is still nascent. All they really do is scare off people who would have wnated to join a popular movement, so they're existence at this time and place is actually reactionary.

[DODI]

4. I am planning on going

I live right between the two conventions (Dems are in Boston, right?)and will like to drop by both. Anyone got sign ideas?

[Kolesar]

5. I would like to, but I don't want to be on the streets alone protesting

What I mean is that I don't want to get lost in the crowd. I have some friends who have an apartment in Manhattan who might put me up.

I wonder if peace groups are going to have busses. Then again, I don't think we can get a permit for a protest from that mayor (Bloomburg) because he is a Goop.

[tinanator]

6. figure on as many as half a million

Permit you say?

[Kolesar]

7. So just show up

It will be tricky. Where would busses discharge passengers?

[ldf]

8. since i live here

i'll be there. plan on taking the week off from work. will try my best not to get arrested.

it really needs to be non-violent, or it will hurt us. but the streets should be effectively shut down, by the number of protesters, not by the police.

i really don't know how they will try to stop the demonstrations, but believe they will surely try. we just can't let them.

y'all come on and join us (says the country boy now living in manhattan). this is very important.

[Eric J in MN]

25. In Miami, the police said, "you have 3 mintues to disperse"

In Miami, the police said, "you have 3 mintues to disperse" and arrested people as they were dispersing.

False arrest is illegal but common, because there is no accountability.

[nostamj]

9. i'm already here!

expecting quite a turnout. but, also worried. (see the Miami stormtroopers) ashcroft has given the 'go' for increased suppression of dissent and the rupukes certainly don't want their party interrupted by anything like the truth.

it will be interesting...

[mikehiggins]

10. And again, stay home

If you've seen this before, just move on. You've seen it before.

However, if we want to be "fair and balanced" I think everyone ought to think about the other side of this issue. Not the GOP side, of course, but the side contrary to popular opinion among the activists on the American side.

-----------------------------------------------------------


Holding demonstrations in NYC during the GOP convention is as stupid and self destructive an idea as anyone could ever come up with.

Stay home.

If you want to protest the GOP convention, do something at home. Hold
memorial services for the men and women who have died in Bush's War. Visit a VA hospital, organize a blood drive, do voter registration, hold a concert or ten, but under no circumstances be stupid enough to put yourself in harm's way and in the video cameras of the media and Rove. You will be doing the GOP's work for them. How dumb is that?

There will be little more than two months between the GOP convention and the election, and the images from that event will be all over the press, all over the world, and in every US television set that can pull in a signal.

What do you think the message will be?

Is it possible that anyone could be blind enough to ignore what has gone on with the media in this country over the last decade? Does anyone really think any newsreader is going to go out in the street to learn the truth and take a chance on getting hit? Does anyone really think any media type is going to try and raise a ruckus on the Convention floor? What is wrong with you people? Is it conviction or ego?

And what kind of moron looks forward to something like what happened in Chicago? Some protest leaders are bragging that people are going to die; that there'll be blood in the street. If someone looks forward to that, just how can they claim to be any different from the Bush League?

Does anyone think the world doesn't know there are lots of people who don't like King George? Watch BBC news if you have any doubts. So what are exactly you going to prove by confronting the NYPD and the Secret Service except your ability to get hit?

Spokespeople on the left are doing what the old style generals always do, fighting the last war.

2004 is not the 60's and 70's. This administration already knows a huge number of americans are in opposition to them and their putsch. They don't care. All that will happen that week in September will be spun as proof that only terrorists and protestors are against Bush.

Pictures of protestors "desecrating" the 911 site will play round the clock across the nation, even if the Bush League has to use its 200 million to pay for the airtime. Mass arrests will follow and lots of those arrested will be charged with terrorism under the Patriot Act. Others around the US will be dealt with the same way and no one can count on some brave newsperson standing up for the victims.

You must know this is likely.

Avoid NYC like the plague next September. If there was someone or some group out there with the resources to do it, concerts could be set up to take place that whole period, stealing some of the attention from the GOP convention and focusing it on what would be much better for all concerned.

My vision is of empty streets, lined with GOP agitators without crowds of dupes surrounding them, facing rows of bored NYPD cops standing around drinking coffee and eating donuts.

On overtime.

Stay home and do something constructive where it will make a difference, where the people who are going to vote are.

[tinanator]

11. cowardly nonsense

many 100,000's will NOT be taking your "sage" advice, whether your's, or someone else's. People who are going to vote in a system that refuses to accurately account?? How noble. How pathetic. How truly UNAMERICAN! Here's to not seeing you there! A little more elbow room for the patriots.

[mikehiggins]

12. cowardly?

Golly, I guess the Freepers have made a few converts around here, haven't they? Go straight from discussion to ad hominem attacks. Good form, and all that.

Hey, guy, good luck. Somehow I don't think YOU'LL be one of the folks in the front lines, though. More likely somewhere in the back cheering on the folks who are getting their ass whipped by the NYPD, before taking to your heels. Then you can come back to DU and post all sorts of screeds about how terrible things are.

Hey, hey! "they got the guns but we got the numbers."

"Four dead in Ohio."

How many do you predict in NYC? Or doesn't that matter?

[tinanator]

13. I predict zero

I also think your latest post is reprehensible. I also think... ah who cares what I think? How many has Clark killed, righteous boy?

[mikehiggins]

14. No way of knowing, T, but

there are a million or so Albanians who think he saved their lives. I know they were only Muslims so they don't count in Bush's America, but that should mean something in the real world, don't you think?

All I'm saying is that the days of mass demonstrations are done, and what you just saw in Miami is the precursor for what is going to happen in NYC next September. Mass arrests, broken heads, and not a peep in the media.

We were young and naive in the 60's, and the establishment still hadn't a handle on how to deal with us. Times have changed, and not for the better.

If there is anything reprehensible in this it is knowingly enticing people to put themselves in harm's way for no real purpose.

If 100,000+ people take to the streets next September, somebody is going to die. Possibly quite a few somebodies. People who think that is just okay are no better than the people we are fighting.

[tinanator]

15. forked tongue? both sides of your mouth? non-sequitor?

Who said multiple choice was easy?

[Pastiche423]

23. But not so many

Serbs, eh?

[mrgorth]

16. The man has a point

I want to be there to protest so bad I can taste it. Here's the thing. We can't vote or organize, or help if we're locked up...no?

[tinanator]

17. chicken or the egg

seeings how you cant count on your vote to be counted (unless you are delusional) the only sure thing is voting with your feet and your voice. This may be armageddon, but the tough will get going. They cant lock up the whole country.

[Silverhair]

19. But you aren't the whole country, and a violent demonstration...

will turn a large number of voters against you. You will be seen as ruffians who only want to destroy, and will cost the Democratic candidate votes. You will be seen as not respecting the democratic process. You will be seen as attempting to disrupt the democratic process.

[AP]

22. Gavin Newsom wants Greens to show up and protest at Gore event

in CA to make Greens look bad.

Get a clue: angry protests drive moderates to the right.

Smart rallies that aren't organized around anger draw people in the middle to the left.

[Silverhair]

18. Words of wisdom. Unfortunately, I doublt they will be followed.

It feels so much like a combination of the worst of 68 & the worst of 72 coming together. There is lots of emotion like in 68 and I think there will be a bunch of people there with lots of emotional energy to vent, and little sense, wanting a confrontation. And I see a lot of the same kind of support for Dean that I saw for McGovern in 72.

[AP]

20. Hopefully the internet will get the word out: no violent protests.

It should be a big party, with music and kids, and fun. People partying for the countdown to a Democratic president. Like one of those New Orleans funerals. Put the Republican Party in a casket, and let's celebrate.

[Eric J in MN]

24. the police may use clubs and tear gas even if the

The police may use clubs and tear gas even if the protestors are
peaceful.

[AP]

28. That's why the people need to do stuff that looks so NOT like protesting

that people will say, what the fuck is wrong with those cops? People strolling around with their kids enjoying cotton candy and carrying baloons, not marching, not waiving signs, not chanting, but clearly there to say, "can't wait for the Democrats to come back so that every day is a party" is what we need ini NYC.

There needs to be a festival with Sheryl Crow and the Goo Goo Dolls. That kind of silly thing.

[AP]

21. My advice: Go and have a party in the streets. Big Easy funeral stylee

No shouting a screaming and hating. Yes music and partying and counting down to the end of this national nightmare.

[Silverhair]

27. Good advice, but I think a lot of folks are going there to show hatred

and that kind of strong emotion is certain to lead to violence. What a gift to Karl.

[Eric J in MN]

26. Most Americans hate protestors.

Most Americans hate protestors.

They figure "Why are these people complaining? America, love it or leave it."

Why not hand out literature in your own town instead of going to a protest?