20,000+ (and growing) "Occupy DNC" protesters have committed to protesting at the convention.

[ThinkCritically]

Just a bearer of news here, don't shoot the messenger. I am a Bernie supporter (who will vote for Hillary). But I don't think protesting in the way they are calling for is helpful, at all. I mean, I hope they don't. What I wouldn't mind seeing is the largest silent protest sit in outside that does nothing but send a message. Anything more than that needs to be called off.

[chillfactor]

1. please...

let us not have another Democratic convention 1968....I could not stand another fiasco like that one...

[TreasonousBastard]

4. The cast of characters is different so it won't...

be '68. A lot less acid, too.

But it still seems so unnecessary. Nothing will change.

[Hekate]

8. I pretty much thought our cohort in 1968 were serious politicals (except the Yippees)...

I somehow thought acid wasn't playing a huge part in their actions. Mostly I recall the police riot. Had a friend tell me how his friend was inside his campaign office and the cops came in and violently threw him against the metal filing cabinets and generally ripped the place up. It was depressing as hell, both watching it on tv and hearing about it from my friends.

No, this is not 1968. And it is so freaking unnecessary. And why are they not going after the GOP and Trump?

[Hortensis]

23. Right. 1968 is a bad memory because of the police riots.

They were an angry, armed conservative reaction that was completely unjustified but was at least a searing learning experience for our cities.

As for the "20,000," lol, let's wait and see? Most activist groups going are long-organized and disciplined and want no truck with any potential violence.

As for the noisy ones, some angry populists will show up, but most saying they'll go are just blowing hot air. And less and less of that all the time because what a large majority of Bernie's supporters want is in the platform and they're overall satisfied with the candidate. Bernie's own big remaining issue is eliminating closed primaries, and how many are going to travel to Philadelphia to fight passionately for that?

[socialist_n_TN]

38. You don't think they'll go after Trump?.........

I disagree. Cleveland will be even more interesting IMO. Haven't you noticed the anti-fascist resistance that has actually shut down Trump rallies? You don't think that they'll use the biggest stage of all, the political convention, to express their displeasure?

Of course there will also be the pro-fascists in Cleveland, so quite possibly it will be even more interesting and violent than the Dem convention in Philly. This is what happens when a large segment of the electorate feels shut out of the political process. BOTH conventions will be affected.

[Hekate]

43. So why are we not reading about those plans here? I have asked many times

All I'm getting at DU is post after post after post of self-identified Bernie supporters calling for "revolution" and massive protests at the DNC. This goes back at least a couple of months. There certainly seems to be a lot of enthusiasm for causing trouble with a capital T at the Democratic Convention.

I have asked every time that I've seen such posts what their plans are for the RNC, and up till now the response has been a field of crickets.

I still see no actual plans or links to organizers.

Just, in your case, a prediction of violence in both places.

[socialist_n_TN]

47. NY Times okay?...........

Not a direct link to any organizing, but note the second paragraph.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/30/us/politics/cleveland-republican-convention-protests.html?smid=fb-nytpolitics&smtyp=cur&_r=0

[Hekate]

54. And the enthusiasm? The endless DU posts about how "we" are carrying the "revolution" to the RNC?

Where is that?

[socialist_n_TN]

69. Well, the Democratic Party has always been the one that asks.........

for the vote of the "leftish" members of the electorate while giving them NOTHING (or very little) in the way of policy positions that support their aims and goals for society. At least nothing since the Sixties and the Great Society programs. Maybe they are finally asking for a little payback, rather than the "lesser of two evils".

This is also a Democratic Party supporting website after all, so I would expect the focus on being trying to change the Dems rather than focusing on the Republicans who are, quite frankly, hopeless.

But to answer your original question/statement, the Republican convention and Trump WILL be the focus of demonstrations. I don't doubt it at all. And according to that little article, it'll actually be MORE open to demonstrations and protests than the Democratic convention. It doesn't appear that there will be "Free Speech Zones" in Cleveland like there will be in Philly.

[Hortensis]

85. DU makes it clear that the far left's strongest

antipathy is toward the Democratic Party and that they have little time or energy left over to worry about the GOP. Of course, if they ever disposed of their primary enemy, conservatives would then move up.

But you misunderstood me, Socialist_n_TN. It seems probable to everyone that the demonstrations at the Republican convention will be much larger and are far more likely to become violent.

In another post I pointed out my happy thought (for us) that, since Cleveland comes first, it is likely to use up at least some populist and other anger, along with available time and disposable income, that might otherwise be going to Philadelphia.

[timmymoff]

87. It's quite possible they deem you an enemy

I do not feel like a member of the democratic party even though I am. They do not seem to be in everyone's corner so I imagine the silence you receive is actually distrust of the people's wing towards the corporate wing. Yes, there are two wings of the democratic party at least. The corporate wing won the election, the people's wing won the message and continues to do so.

[Hekate]

88. Oh golly, that is just adorable. "Quite possible" I am "deemed an enemy" by people who post...

...nearly their every thought on a freaking public political message board.

[timmymoff]

89. well. seems the two camps aren't thjat interested in aligning

I speak from my experience of not being interested in selling out. Sorry if my post hurt you or something, but the reality is Many aren't trusting of Hillary or her supporters. I think the term they use is "selling out". I personally will proudly wear my blue painted clothespin to the voting booth and cast a vote for Hillary, the most honest, most vetted candidate evah!

[Hekate]

90. My feelings aren't hurt. I just turned my secret decoder ring to call Agent Mike.

Christ on a trailer hitch. The enemy within.

[Armstead]

18. That's kind of the point. "Nothing will change."

It never does, no matter what people do, within or without.

[metroins]

46. That's not true at all

I think you're jaded.

Many things have changed for the better.

[Armstead]

51. I'll agree with the jaded part

Life tends to do that over time.

[BlueCaliDem]

53. Armstead, don't be a...

[Armstead]

56. I'm not.....Just jaded.

Seen variations of this show too many times.

But, like Bernie, I remain an optimist at heart. Things are a little better, in that at least there is more discussion of issues that were once buried. And I still believe that at some point, somehow, things CAN truly change for the better.

[BlueCaliDem]

60. Identifying the problem *why* that show is in - slow - perpetual rerun is key to getting real

change through. Simply put, Congress, not the president, makes those changes we all crave.

Strong support and a strong electoral show for a Democratic-controlled House and Senate will go a long way to start making those changes.

ObamaCare would not have been possible were it not for a Democratic-controlled House and Senate. Is it perfect? Heck no. That's why we need to take back both the House and Senate and not only for two years but for as long as need in order to enact those vital changes that help average Americans - even when they say they don't need government help (and are either lying or genuinely clueless).

That would take a strong GOTV in States that keep electing Republicans by default. We need majorities in Congress in order to push our agenda through. I wished more Liberals who aren't warm for Hillary Clinton would understand this. I hope they will by November.

[jalan48]

45. I felt that way about the Vietnam War-it was much more heinous than the convention.

[BlueMTexpat]

72. The only way that 2016 is comparable to

1968 is that there seems to be a losing candidate - and some of his supporters (not the majority, by any means) - who want to overturn the system and create chaos. What else does "revolution" mean? IN 1968, there was also a candidate - chosen at the Convention - who had not even participated in the primary process. Voters had been left out of the process completely.

In 2016, we have had a primary season. There is no question as to which candidate has won, except in the minds of those who believe in CTs. Again, the CTers are not a majority.

These protesters can try all they want to disrupt. But I have a distinct feeling that a lot of them will find that a) they won't be allowed inside the Convention at all; b) they will be arrested for any violence they try to cause; and c) potential employers will NOT be at all impressed by their arrest records.

If their candidate does not himself specifically speak out to discourage violence and SOON, then he will be accountable to us all for any incidents or injuries that result from it.

Btw, I believe that a good number of these so-called "supporters" will actually be GOPers, possibly even Trump supporters. Is this really what Bernie supporters want to ally themselves with?

So much for working to defeat Trump.

[bettyellen]

92. It bothers me that Sanders made excuses for the horrific sexism and threatening behavior in Nevada

But claimed the Dems brought it on themselves. If people yell sexist shit at the convention I expect Sanders himself to insist that they are removed. I've had enough of that shit directed at women trying to get work done. It's not progressive, and helps no one.

[Doodley]

2. I am finally through with BS

[anotherproletariat]

6. Aren't we all.

[Hortensis]

25. Lol. Poor pubs can't say "through with" Trump.

THAT's the convention where real trouble is expected to occur thanks to all the anger Trump's messages have generated in his own supporters and all the various groups they hope to victimize.

Btw, since Cleveland comes first, I'm thinking it may "use up" a lot of the anger in leftist populists and other more left-oriented groups who head there to act out against Trump supporters. Also their spare cash.

For those not easily frightened, the linked article discusses security concerns addressed that range from civil disobedience to terror and cyber attacks. It's possible that hackers will try to cut off power and water supplies, which is new since 1968.

http://www.voanews.com/content/cleveland-philadelphia_conventions/3393580.html

[pkdu]

3. Perhaps a link is in order? nt

[RobertEarl]

5. Interesting n/t

[Hekate]

7. Why why why are they not protesting at the RNC?! Why the DNC? Why?

Why the ever loving fuck?

[WhiteTara]

29. It's an interesting question to be sure.

This is why we can't have nice things. Little children stomping their feet and saying, I want a unicorn and if I don't get my unicorn I'm going to destroy the pony.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

81. The First Amendment to the Constituttion prevents us from having nice things?

Good to know.

[WhiteTara]

82. Choosing to protest the Democratic Convention

rather than the republicon convention is the context here.But feel free to go off on a tangent

[LongtimeAZDem]

35. Because they know Democrats won't beat the lving crap out of them? (nt)

[socialist_n_TN]

39. The Democratic convention in 1968 begs to differ........

nm

[LongtimeAZDem]

42. This isn't 1968; the political climate isn't anything remotely close to what it was then (nt)

[socialist_n_TN]

44. And you know this, how?..........

Actually I agree. Since I was alive and politically aware in 1968, I remember it pretty well. I think that 2016 is a WHOLE lot more precarious for a WHOLE lot more people than in 1968. Back then everything was booming and the average, white person was doing just fine with a nice social democratic infrastructure to keep them from falling into poverty. The only people who were protesting in '68 for the most part were the "hippies" and most of the country didn't give a tinker's damn about the hippies. There's a lot more of the general population that is dissatisfied now than there were then. And the repression is stronger.

[Hekate]

50. It's different, for those with memories. Trump has been calling for acts of violence from Day 1

THAT is different. The guy isn't a pretend fascist -- he's the real deal.

Back in the day, the GOP called for "law and order," and we knew it was code for a lot of things we opposed. But at least there was more than a passing nod to Law. Trump calls for no such thing -- he bellows for his supporters to break the heads of anyone who dares disrupt his harangues.

Bernie keeps yelling about "revolution," but he doesn't mean the real thing, with blood in the streets. Some of his people mistake his intent, or at least online they say they do, and they apparently want just that.

Hillary, and yes, she is Establishment, doesn't call for violence. She's cerebral, like Obama, but without the overwhelming public charm.

And the response from the Left of the Left? Ooo, let's tear down the only side that will work with us. Let's call the Democrats fascists, while across town the real fascist is handing out brown shirts to go with the red caps. Let's aim all our Left of Left animosity at the mean old Democrats so they'll enter the GE too bloodied to win.

Only Trump is no Nixon. Nixon had brains and was a political creature to his bones. He was an evil SOB, but he understood how government worked. Trump is stupid and only understands naked power.

So I keep asking: Why are they coming to create chaos at the Democratic Convention? What are their plans to stand up to the actual fascist?

[socialist_n_TN]

71. "...let's tear down the only side that will work with us"......

That's the problem there. For the establishment to work with the left, they would cease to become the establishment and would lose their positions of power and influence on the levers of government. I think there's a growing realization that ALL of the establishment politicians are so embedded in the neo-liberal mindset of Reagan that they won't or can't work with the left.

And as I stated above, Trump's convention WILL be protested and the "actual fascist" WILL be stood up to.

[left-of-center2012]

9. Reported on Newsmax, WND, Daily Caller, etc

How real is this "protest", or is it a right wing wish?
I googled it and it's all on Newsmax, WND, Daily Caller, etc websites.
https://www.google.com/search?q=%22Occupy+DNC%22+protesters+have+committed+to+protesting+at+the+convention.&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

[riversedge]

16. Here is a link--and their faceBook page...

http://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/06/28/dnc-protesters-plans-press-conference/#Jy6BR4Qd9zmQshAB.01




https://www.facebook.com/groups/occupydncconvention/

[fun n serious]

10. Good news..

The people who called for "messy" vigorous debate will be disappointed. They were expecting millions. 20,000.. meh

[onehandle]

11. Hope they enjoy looking through the very tall fences we are putting up here.

Many blocks away from the event itself.

That area of Philly is isolated and very easy to control.

Also, good luck getting a place to stay anywhere within two hours of here, much less traveling into the city with not only DNC traffic (not just delegates, but support staff, vendors etc), security traffic, but also with innocent people doing business as usual.

My guess is that many of them will be stuck in New Jersey.

[cwydro]

13. Good to hear that.

I hope their protest fails miserably.

[socialist_n_TN]

40. Didn't W do something like that?.....

I seem to remember "Free Speech Zones". They didn't seem to be real popular on here back then from what the DU old timers said.

[rogerashton]

66. FDR Park, where the demos have been approved, is just across Broad Street

from the Wells Fargo Center, the main conference venue.

Broad street is indeed pretty broad there, and the Park is fairly large, but we are talking about 1000 feet or so.

To get there from New Jersey, take the PATCO line to 13th, walk a block west and a bit north to the Broad Street Subway, and south to the Sports Complex.

[onehandle]

68. This view is about 200 feet and several lanes of traffic closer than the protesters will be.

Assuming that they aren't placed much deeper in the park. There's also a lake there, so the protesters will be spread out.

There's already a road divide with a fence in the way, not to mention a gigantic parking lot. And right not they are putting up many more fences.

So they won't see the attendees and the attendees won't see them.

[img][/img]

FDR is a pretty park. Hope the protesters don't hurt it.

[workinclasszero]

12. I find it...interesting..that these people arent protesting the fascist republican convention

And if anyone thinks these protesters are going to sit around a campfire and sing Kumbaya, you haven't been paying attention.

Lots of these people are planning violence. They want another 68 dem convention. The Black Bloc anarchists will be there too.

They are pissed that protests will be confined in free speech zones pretty far away from the convention and plan on breaching security to get over the fences and try to shut down the convention.

[cosmicone]

24. ^^^ THIS ^^^^

[sufrommich]

14. 20,000 signed up online. How many will actually

show up is another question.

[Jitter65]

64. More importantly, who will the infiltrators be who start violence. That's the issue no one wants to

talk about. The party was already infiltrated for the primary...How many Trump supporters will be out there pretending to be BS supporters?

[FSogol]

15. Will we be able to hear their whining here in DC?

[brooklynite]

17. So-fewer people than "committed" to come to the "Enough is Enough" protest in DC.

[geek tragedy]

19. protestors make demands, have big plans, zzzzzz nt

[brooklynite]

20. "fight for the will of the people -- Bernie's nomination"

Interesting perspective on Democracy.

[KK9]

84. Especially...

Especially interesting perspective, since the woman organizing this thing is not a US Citizen and cannot vote herself. She lives here in MA.

https://groupsforbernie.org/members/laurie_cestnick/profile/

[JaneyVee]

21. This is just getting sad now.

[cosmicone]

22. Stupid people n/t

[Orsino]

26. How many times do we need to "send a message"?

As many as it takes, apparently.

We cheered our Dems' sit-in on the House floor. I'd like a taste of Peasants' Revolt in Philly.

[WhiteTara]

30. What do you want the result to be?

[Orsino]

32. I want the most progressive platform we can get...

...and a nominee who commits to specific intiatives that help get us there. A nominee willing to put Main Street over Wall Street, and to push hard for unemployment benefits and Welfare with teeth.

I want a New New Deal.

[WhiteTara]

34. Sounds great. Of course, a president can't do all that alone

so what office are you going to run for? We need support at the local, state and national level. Not just offices, but boards and committees too. Let me know what state you're in and I'll try and campaign and vote for you.

[Orsino]

37. We need support at every level, to include our next president...

...who I'm hoping is working up the courage to push for more than modest reforms. We need more, much more.

But the nation that can push her successfully will also be electing and lobbying better people down-ticket.

[hack89]

48. We know who the nominee will be.

You seem to think it is still to be decide .

[Lil Missy]

58. First you have to get a nominee that can win the Primaries. Because opponents votes count too.

[Orsino]

73. But then you lobby tbe hell out of her to make her the best president she can be.

We already had our primary. Now comes the tough work of being citizens.

[JonathanRackham]

27. I'm hoping Cleveland and Philadelphia.

Think of it as an influx of accidental tourist and a boost to the local economy.

Between the protesters and the cops think of all the extra hotel rooms rented out.

Remember the 15% tip!

[PowerToThePeople]

28. I may have to go.

[LongtimeAZDem]

36. It's down the hall, to the right. Turn on the fan (nt)

[randome]

62. You 'may'? Either way, that's TMI!

[MineralMan]

31. If 10% of that number actually show up, there

will be a modest demonstration of some kind. History says that no more than 10% will be there. As the date approaches, more and more will find good reasons for not going to Philadelphia. Some will go, of course, but not 20,000. Maybe between 1-2000 will show up. Maybe. Good luck to them in making their points.

[Hortensis]

86. Interesting. It'll be fun to watch this all

play out. Just with I were one of the people flooding into Philly for our convention.

[MohRokTah]

33. .

[SidDithers]

41. Link?...

Who is pushing this story?

Sid

[MyNameGoesHere]

49. Is this the Fart Gang?

[BlueCaliDem]

55. Yeep.

[randome]

63. Their demands will be in farts. Decoder masks will be furnished.

[arcane1]

57. Petitioning the government for a redress of grievances?? Where'd these assholes get THAT idea?

[yourpaljoey]

61. Muhahahah -- that's good

[brooklynite]

78. Will the Government be there? I was under the impression it was a Political Party...

...who allowed those same protesters to express their opinions by selecting a Presidential Candidate through the Primary process. Does anyone.

Am I to understand that they deserve a second chance?

[Peacetrain]

59. Hmmph.. yeah.. how many of FreeRepublic have signed up??

[Politicalboi]

65. I have been thinking about going to PA

But for different reasons, but this has been in the back of my mind. I would love to go. I have a place to stay, and someone to bring with me. Protesting is a good thing. Those who can't deal with it must have something to hide.

[WI_DEM]

67. My guess is that most of those who say they will be protesting won't be there.

[DemonGoddess]

70. well, I decided

to read some of the posts in the FB post. Those people are delusional.

[LongtimeAZDem]

74. But, but, but, "Summer Love Sunshine" says that they have proof that Sanders won nationwide by 15%!

[leftofcool]

75. Summer Love Sunshine?

I knew her in 1967. Always wondered what happened to her.

[DemonGoddess]

77. bwahahahaha

[taught_me_patience]

76. My guess is that less than 1,000 show up n/t

[zazen]

79. I'd rather we have a demonstration and March on Washington against TPP AFTER she's elected

Our movement continues, but I'd rather us focus on a 50-state strategy to get more progressives elected than protest HRC as the nominee at this point.

After we defeat the fascist batterer and grifter Trump is the time to mobilize on the national level to hold HRC to her promise to oppose TPP and support other elements of Sanders' platform.

[ismnotwasm]

80. I hope they do

it will be spectacularly revealing.

[LiberalFighter]

83. If they were serious and have that much spare time

they should be working to defeat Trump. And getting the right candidates elected to Congress from their area.

[bigwillq]

93. Cool.

Good for them.

[CobaltBlue]

94. ThinkCritically—Protest is good.

[ibegurpard]

95. good

This is what is known as "holding their feet to the fire"...something we are often informed we need to be doing until we actually start doing it...

[cosmicone]

96. So what they couldn't get democratically

they want to gain via force

[BobbyDrake]

98. "Should we be worried, Walter?" "No, Donnie, these men are cowards." nt

[synergie]

97. Signing up online is really not much of a committment, but if they all did show up,

do you really think they're organized enough and have the temperament to sit quietly to send a message?

That many people, who've been told so often that they have legitimate reason to be angry and to hate the "establishment" who "stole" things from them (regardless of the evidence to the contrary), and who have very much include people who are not so much believers in the cause, but are instigators from the other side?

What are they protesting anyway, that the majority of people did not vote for their candidate?

It seems silly. I'd have more respect if they were planning on doing this at the RNC, the people who actually are for the things they're stating they're protesting.

[ThinkCritically]

99. Are you insinuating that people don't have legitimate concerns?