Convention plan puts protesters blocks away

[windansea]

Protesters at this summer's Democratic National Convention in Boston may be confined to a cozy triangle of land off Haymarket Square, blocked off from the FleetCenter and convention delegates by a maze of Central Artery service roads, MBTA train tracks, and a temporary parking lot holding scores of buses and media trucks.


Under a preliminary plan floated by convention organizers, the "free-speech zone" would be a small plot bounded by Green Line tracks and North Washington Street, in an area that until recently was given over to the elevated artery. The zone would hold as few as 400 of the several thousand protesters who are expected in Boston in late July.

"The area looks a little silly, to be honest with you," said Urszula Masny-Latos, executive director of the National Lawyers Guild's Massachusetts chapter. "People will not be able to express their concerns with whatever will be happening, because no one will have access to delegates. No one will be heard, and the area is just too small."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/02/20/convention_plan_puts_protesters_blocks_away/

[The Sushi Bandit]

1. My "free-speech zone" is anywhere I choose!

Is my freedom at stake when someone tells me that I can only speak my mind in on spot?

Your dam right it is!

[Warpy]

2. Ah, they'll just do what they always did

... and head for Boston Common. The cops will undoubtedly be out in force, as will the GOP brownshirts hoping to start riots.

Be careful, folks, this is fertile ground for GOP dirty tricksters. The riots the hardhats and cops started in Chicago in 1968 handed Tricky Dick two terms courtesy of little old ladies in pants in Peoria; don't let it happen again. Learn how to deal with disruption.

[jeter]

3. Why would you protest at the Democratic Convention?

The Republicans are the ones who started this war. The ones making a mess of the economy. Protest their convention.

[sallyseven]

4. The Boston Common is very far away from the Convention Center.

NHow about the tunnel going to Logan? But why the hell are you protesting?

[jonnyblitz]

5. no offense but that is a naive question.

there are protests at every DEM convention. The last DEM convention in LA was HUGE. "Rage Against the Machine" played at it. I could forward to you all the email I get from different groups who are planning the DEM convention protests if you would like to read the reasons why they are protesting. I don't plan to protest it btw although I believe there are many good reasons to protest the DEMS ...

Many DEMS supported Bushs War if i remember correctly...

[Lorien]

6. Free speech zones

should not be condoned for anyone, regardless of who is being protested. If we approve of this crap at our own convention, then what America are we fighting for?

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" -Voltaire

[jfxgillis]

7. This is silly, like the Lawyer's Guild says

The back side of City Hall Plaza would be close enough to make a difference, yet far enough away to maintain security.

The Dems should embrace this "peacably to assemble" thingy because they could then LATER create a wonderful contrast to the assuredly odious "free speech zones" the Bushies will set up in New York.

I do believe I'll wite a letter to Mayor Mennino on the subject.

[MasonJar]

8. This is a mistake; let's let Kerry and Edwards know.

[otohara]

9. Taking Lessons From Bush Brothers

free speech is fine if we can't hear it, see it - and lord knows we won't read about it.