If you protest the Convention, please wear business clothing.

[Eric J in MN]

http://www.moveleft.com/moveleft_essay_2004_08_14_republicans_will_try_to_exploit_protests.asp

"We can expect a big freak show at the upcoming Republican Convention in New York. The far left nut jobs will ensure Bush's re-election, even though they will think they're doing the opposite. In fact, i hope they go on a total Bush-hatin' rampage in the streets of New York. Everyone knows who's side they're on, and the worse the protesters act, the more people will realize how low the Democratic Party has fallen."
-The rightwing blog, Annika's Journal, July 26, 2004


I'm concerned that Annika may have a point.

Most Americans don't like protestors. Unfortunate, but true. An attitude towards protestors of, "If they don't like it, they should move" is common.

The rightwing spin on the protests of the Republican National Convention will be protestors are freaks, and protestors prove that anyone against Bush is a hate-filled freak.

Furthermore, I'm expecting protestors to be tear-gassed, clubbed, and tasered by the police.

And for thousands of protestors who are just standing on the sidewalk to be falsely arrested and charged with disturbing-the-peace or blocking-the-sidewalk.

And for policemen to disguise themselves as protestors.

This raises the question of whether it is better for people who want Bush out of office to go to protests, or to do something else, like donating to the Democratic Party or volunterering.

Some people reading this will go to the protests, and I make one request of you: dress in business clothes.

If you're a man, wear a suit and tie.

If you're a woman, please dress in similarly formal clothing.

If the media tries to portray protestors as freaks, dressing in business clothing will make it more difficult for them.

[NMDemDist2]

1. excellent advice, dress like you are going to a job interview

since you will be representing all of us in NYC

[JI7]

2. unless you have served in the military then wear the military uniform

[sandnsea]

3. That would be different

Good idea.

[Radical Activist]

4. smart and much safer

I read an International ANSWER email that said cops training for the DNC convention were shown pictures of protesters during their training on spotting terrorists.

You'll be much safer at the protests if you dress like a Republican or like you have enough money to hire a lawyer and sue the police for abuse.

The police in New York are being given by orders by people who will have no regrets about some protesters ending up in the hospital. But don't worry too much. Just wear a cup, don't confront the police, don't be stupid and you'll be fine.

[Eric J in MN]

11. In Minnesota, a supposed expert on terrorism hired to

lecture the police, labelled a peaceful University of Minnesota group against the Iraq War as a terrorist group.

[Radical Activist]

20. What an outrage

was there an appropriate amount of outrage and discontent expressed to the local police and media?

[RhodaGrits]

5. This is great advice and I will take it. I wish however that it

didn't mean wearing a jacket on an August day when Bloomberg and the police want to corral us into a shadeless area of the West Side Hwy with inadequate facilities and water. And heels are definitely out :bounce:

The only problem is that a jacket will cover up my anti-Bush t-shirt :hippie:

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Carry jacket until last moment just before protest begins.

Wear a blouse, carry a sign.

[JI7]

7. you don't have to wear a jacket . just "formal but casual" type wear

formal as in formal enough that you look like you could be going to work, but casual as in comfortable for that type of weather.

maybe light colored short sleeve shirt and pants.

[Eric J in MN]

9. Can't you carry a bottle of water? nt

nt

[RhodaGrits]

13. I'm going to carry water, and an Evac-U8 smoke hood.

Always be prepared :-)

[noahmijo]

8. I'm glad this advice is going around

That is my biggest fear about this protest, is that out of the million or so that will be there the media is going to focus on the nuts who have no agenda but to provoke fights and attack the police and they will be the center of attention on Joe American's tv screens with taglines that essentially claim them to be the base of the Democrat party or at least of the Progressive movement.

[malachibk]

10. As a New Yorker I will be wearing a T-shirt and shorts, thanks

I guess it's good advice, but if we change what we'd normally wear then the terrorists have won.

If some asshole wants to crack me over the head because I have short sleeves on, then bring it.

[Eric J in MN]

14. What clothing will look best to a swing voter if you're shown on tv? nt

nt

[malachibk]

15. I hear what you're saying and I still think it's ridiculous

No offense intended, but this is a protest against a President who aims to curtail individual freedom.

I was already forced by Republicans to wear a coat and tie in Prep School. I certainly won't let them (or dumb-ass undecideds who could actually be swayed by the sight of a man in an Old-Navy T-Shirt -- "gee, he's very handsome, what a shame he isn't dressed like a businessman, guess I'll have to vote for bush!!")

But by all means, wear whatever you feel comfortable in. That's the whole point!

[Eric J in MN]

17. Since you won't wear a suit-and-tie, could you wear a tie

without a jacket?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

21. Bend a little. Be a willow tree in a storm. Don't be an oak tree.

Use a little subterfuge. Use guile. If you choose to adopt the opponent's camouflage or some other camouflage as a tactical manouever, you haven't compromised your principles, you've been adaptable and flexible.

I surmise the reason you normally wear shorts and TShirt is that you dislike the inflexible attitudes so commonly found stuffed into shirt and tie. Prove you can be more flexible than the opposition, if only for one or two days. Confuse the excrement right out of the orifices you mention.

[blondeatlast]

12. Khakis and polos...like you popped in from the club!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

16. Cool advice. Here's some ideas

Wear a blouse or plain shirt, no tshirt except perhaps in shoulder bag. Carry a sign that can be folded in the bag and brought out at just the last minute. Don't get herded into the pen. Make like an observant office worker. Another camouflage is in bike messenger clothes, keep helmet on (for safety).

Then when things start really going down, dozens or hundreds of well dressed business people suddenly sprout signs and walk around so that the police don't know what to do.

After a few minutes, the police will get organized. When they start herding the business people around, put the signs away and blend into the crowd. A few minutes later, repeat.

After a few cycles of this, the police will get frustrated and will start to round up innocent business people too. That will not go down well. A chance exists they may stage a police riot. Just keep your cool at all times and be light on your feet. Feel free to run. He or she who runs away, lives to protest another 10 minutes later. But do not resist arrest.

At all times, take care of personal safety. Avoid blunt force trauma, dehydration, and heat exhaustion.

Best wishes and be free.

[Jane Eyre]

18. Could not agree more!

Wise up guys - this is not so much about "individual freedom" as it is about showing the world that "mainstream America" dislikes Bush and is willing to show up to to let people know about it.

The protesters at the Democratic National Convention in Boston were, well, weird. The Lyndon Larouche people were the worst. I was amazed that this guy who has been a crackpot for decades has suddenly attracted a cultlike following of young people. Only leftists protested the DNC, and they looked it. I'm sure many of the same folks will show up at the RNC. There were no conservatives protesting the convention, none that I saw.

People, people, people....think! Use the tools of the right against them and show up looking like would-be Republicans protesting against the Bushies!!! Imagine what would happen if Tucker Carlson had no "long-hair hippie" types to bash, only people who - GASP!!! - look like him and don't like Bush!!! The conventions are all about swaying the swing voters, so show up to protest looking like a swing voter!!!

[John_H]

19. For a long time, I've envisioned a huge protest

sort of like the billionaires for bush times 100k. A huge demonstration in support of the GOP and their priorities, a hundred thousand strong. Everyone wearing tuxes, or wall street tie/shirt combos,Polo shirts with sweaters tied around their necks. Pseudo corporate booths like they have at golf tournaments for strip mining firms, Big Oil companies, mutual funds that only invest in WMD manufacturers. Polo demonstrations. Show tune bands playing only "God Bless the USA" over and over and over.

Every quote to the press an exaggeration of GOP principles, "Some of my best house servants are latinos."

Nobody ever breaking character.

Let's see the whores use THAT demonstration to smear the Dems.

That's impossible, of course, and CNN will have a field day with the parade of people screaming Free the Cuban Lumia Transgendered Nuns. But a guy can dream.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

22. If you look the part, show up wearing a hardhat.

Technically, these days, almost anyone looks the part in a hardhat, but you get the idea.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

23. Look At The Tapes Of The March On Washington

Dr. King as well as the masses in attendance were dressed in their Sunday best.....