Repub convention plan calls for prep for 3,000 arrests

[Holly_Hobby]

Convention plan includes preparing for 3,000 arrests

Ramsey County's sheriff wants a fenced-in facility for detainees arrested at the GOP convention

By Randy Furst, Star Tribune

Last update: April 17, 2007 – 11:10 PM

About $550,000 for a possible open-air, fenced detention facility to hold protesters next to the Ramsey County Workhouse; $1.7 million for overtime, and $62,000 for biohazard decontamination equipment. These are among the items included in a $4.4 million budget proposal by Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, who was told by St. Paul police to plan for 3,000 arrests during the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

...

The idea of developing a plan for 3,000 arrests drew sharp criticism this week from the American Civil Liberties Union in Minnesota, which said it was far too high and represented an overreaction by authorities. Also included in the projected expenses is $350,000 in riot equipment and Tasers to control protesters engaged in civil disobedience.

Fletcher said the budget includes $3.9 million for protester-related costs, including $3 million for prisoner processing and detention and $900,000 for training personnel and controlling civil disobedience.

...

Charles Samuelson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, said the Republican Convention in New York drew hundreds of thousands of demonstrators, far more than are predicted for St. Paul in 2008, yet New York had fewer arrests than St. Paul is planning for. Samuelson worried that once 3,000 was in the St. Paul police plan, it could lead to 3,000 arrests.

...

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1127633.html

[valerief]

1. Gee, I wonder what disaster is going to "diffuse" the protests at this

convention. My guess is a combination of bad weather (to delay travel plans by protesters) and a terrrrrrrrrst threat (additional travel delays).

[William769]

2. Only 3,000?

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Arrest? Just lock them inside, declare it a new prison.

Oh, they didn't mean the attendees? My bad.

[gatorboy]

4. The gall! they're OUR servants. And they spend that type of money to silence us?

You people whining about Edwards expensive haircut read this then read it again.

[geardaddy]

5. I thought Randy Kelly wasn't mayor anymore.

Sounds like his handiwork. Or another former St. Paul mayor's handiwork - Norm "Chiclet Teeth" Coleman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Kelly
<snip>
In 2004, Kelly became embroiled in controversy by endorsing and campaigning for President George W. Bush's re-election (<1>).

According to critics, Kelly's conservative views, which may have been intended to garner support from Republicans and independents, began rankling his constituent base in the Democratic party. An unsuccessful grassroots campaign to recall him was launched shortly after his announcement to support Bush's re-election effort.