Massive civil disobedience on 8/31 in NYC.

[Renew Deal]

http://www.a31.org/

A Day of Nonviolent Civil Disobedience and Direct Action During the Republican National Convention

The Republicans are coming. In a shameless effort to exploit the tragedy of 9-11, they will use New York City to re-nominate a president whose agenda tramples on the very freedoms they claim to fight for. A radical affront to democracy calls for a radical response. On Tuesday, August 31st, a day of non-violent civil disobedience and direct action will begin.

Here in New York, we will converge on Madison Square Garden, the site of the Republican National Convention, and at other locations around the city where the ill-gotten gains of Republicans will be celebrated. We will sit down in the streets and refuse to move. And from our clear NO will emerge a constellation of YESES: YES to democracy, YES to justice, freedom, and peace. We'll take over the streets--transforming them into stages of resistance and forums for debate. We'll draw our examples and inspiration from the brave shapers of history who came before us, those who put their bodies on the line to gain the vote, win independence, end apartheid. We will harness the spirit that puts our city at the center of the world: creativity, ingenuity, social conscience, grit. We will show the world what real democracy looks like.

We're ready to say "Enough!" We want more than speeches and protest pens. We want change. We want to take democracy from the Halliburtons and Enrons and bring it back to town halls, schools, and neighborhoods. A true democracy thrives on diversity: and, while we celebrate our differences, we stand united in our opposition to the dismantling of our dreams, united in our opposition to the dangerous direction of things. In this we make common cause with the people of the world.

It's time to plot a new course, to wrench out a new kind of history--one of solidarity and participation, of compassion and wisdom. On August 31, 2004, we will begin to forge a new kind of story. Anything is possible. We will shape history. The only limit is the boundary of our collective imagination.

See you in the streets.
A31 Action Coalition
[email protected]

[David Dunham]

1. The NY police will not allow this.

[fudge stripe cookays]

3. That's kind of the point, now isn't it?

Until we are ready to face being beaten up in the streets or outright murdered by these thugs for our Democracy, we're not really worthy of it, are we?

It's going to take a lot more than standing around "demonstrating" to get our country back. I wish these folks the best.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

13. It's the point only if you want Bush reelected

Breaking the law doesn't go over well with the American public. Ever. The GOP is licking its chops praying for riots because that's the only thing that can save their candidate.

In addition to Skinner's Tom Ten Conservative (GOP) Idiots, I keep a private list of Top Ten Liberal (Green/Anarchist) Idiots. And bozos who go smashing storefronts in front of Fox news TV cameras during a closely contested election are right up at the top.

And that also includes the idiots who cheer them on.

- C.D.

[napi21]

2. How does civil disobedience differ from violent protest?

Sure I realize speaking and carrying signs and getting on the evening news can be construed as civil disobedience. I mean, what is it going to take for people to disreguard the "pens" and actually get seen? Get on the evening news!

I don't want to see Dems viewed as violent disrupters because that can only cause us to lose the election!

[Renew Deal]

4. Violent would be

doing damage, physically hurting people and breaking shit. They are not talking about doing this.

[Kolesar]

5. non-violent civil disobedience is when you don't move when you are told

The police will be dared to arrest you or let you stay. The idea is to get broadcasts of you being hauled off for no apparent reason. There is another tactic of getting so many people arrested that the jails cannot hold you. That's how they did the lunch counter protests in the South. Maybe the GOP will charter some prison brigs to park in the East River.

I am sure the right wing media will attribute all kinds of acts to us that actually did not happen.

[Toots]

9. Wouldn't they just put those they arrest into "Free Speech Zones"

They sort of resemble concentration camps anyway. Whisk them away out of sight and out of mind.

[Dancing_Dave]

6. More power to you!

This is a perfect time to bring the methods of Martin Luther King and Gandhi back into play. :)

One great thing about this occasion, is that it gives progressive New Yorkers an opportunity to communicate directly through the international press. All to often the press from the rest of the world presumes that anything important going on in New York will be reported by the New York Times. NYC may be the last place on the planet they would think to send one of their own investigative journalists. But they will certainly send their journalists to scope out New Yorks response to the RNC, and they could learn some very surprising new things, such as the fact that many New Yorkers now have doubts about the official story of what happened on 9/11/2001! :think:

[LSU_Subversive]

7. We will see you there!

[jtb33]

8. Um...

You do know that they will do the same thing that they did for our DNC in Boston, right? The protesters will be put in the corners with razor-wire fences and watched like hawks.

[CaptainClark23]

10. um, you do know this is NYC, right?

Why don't you come on down during the RNC and see for yourself how it pans out.

This is my city, my home, and I'm not going into any cage. And there's at least a few hundred thousand fellow New Yorkers who feel the same way.

If you have allowed the other side's measures to deter you, then you have allowed those measures to be successful.

Do not cooperate.

[Dancing_Dave]

11. Good to hear that!

I'm sure that M.L. King would warmly approve of New Yorkers brave resistance to Bush Regime Tyranny. We shall overcome! :yourock:

[LynneSin]

12. My friend Mike and I are thinking of staying an extra day for that

But we need to find a place to stay - we're working it out

Lynne