Convention Protesters Eager to Begin/Major Protest Planned During RNC

[Khephra]

NEW YORK -- Jason Flores-Williams may despise President Bush, but he can't wait for him and his party to get here.

Energy is flowing among fresh-faced college students, veteran peace activists and anarchists who've been preparing to protest ever since the Republican Party announced last year that it would hold its convention at Madison Square Garden.

"We've been building this up, and we want to hit the streets hard in protest," said Flores-Williams, a law student and protest organizer. "There's a seething hatred for this administration, and we want to express that."

The largest demonstration is expected on Sunday, when as many as 250,000 people are to march in protest of the Iraq war. After losing a court battle to stage a rally afterward in Central Park, the United for Peace and Justice group isn't planning an official program in the park -- but they encourage demonstrators to gather there anyway.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-convention-protests,0,4635234.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

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Major Protest Planned During RNC


NEW YORK -- Here's a look at a few major protests planned next week:

SUNDAY: The largest planned demonstration, with an expected crowd of up to 250,000, is to march uptown past Madison Square Garden and then back downtown to protest the Iraq war. Some are expected to gather later in Central Park, although they were denied a permit to do so. Later, as delegates arrive for special Broadway show performances, activists plan to swarm streets outside theaters.

MONDAY: A coalition of New York-based community groups called Still We Rise plans to march from Union Square to the Garden to highlight social and economic issues. Also, thousands of homeless, poor or disabled people plan to protest, led by Cheri Honkala, who organized the largest protest at the 2000 Republican convention in Philadelphia.

TUESDAY: A day of mass civil disobedience -- and likely mass arrests -- is being organized by a loose council of activists who say the city's process for issuing protest permits violates rights to free speech and assembly. Actions are expected at offices of corporations activists call "war profiteers." The evening is to culminate in a planned mass takeover of streets around the Garden.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-convention-protests-glance,0,5373397.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[Worst Username Ever]

1. I just hope it remains peaceful. n/t

[noahmijo]

2. This protest could make it or break it for Kerry

If people see a bunch of regular people, regular workers regular citizens all joining up to protest the repubs all those watching the coverage on tv might begin to wonder why ordinary people not just your average hippie looking type is protesting the Repukes.

Likewise, this is why we cannot afford to have any morons screw this up by smashing up shops and causing violence. This will totally blow it and the repukes will happily point their fingers and say "Ladies and Gentlemen I give you the Kerry crowd"