SDS organizers from across the country will be traveling in waves through colleges from Louisiana to Georgia, just as schools come back into session. There they plan to meet with other student organizers and hold demonstrations and meetings to support the national student movement for education rights, to protest the 1% agenda of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and invite those interested in building SDS chapters to attend the upcoming SDS National Convention.

SDS's Southern Tour is running from August 18 to August 22. Students from as far west as Utah will be visiting colleges in Louisiana and Mississippi. More SDS activists from states such as Wisconsin and Florida will be going through Georgia and Alabama, visiting a dozen schools along their route including, Georgia State, University of Georgia, Emory, Auburn, and the University of Alabama.

Conor Munro, an SDS activist in Gainesville, Florida explains the importance of why students in the South should protest the RNC, “Policies championed by Republican legislators in the South have really hit oppressed nationality and working students hard. The RNC being in Tampa gives the student movement the opportunity to fight back, starting with the March on the RNC August 27.”

SDS has been steadily building for what has turned into being a summer full of major national mobilizations, beginning with the NATO protests in Chicago. There, SDS led hundreds of students in a contingent raising the banner against wars and occupations and demanding more money for schools. Since then, SDSers have been steadily working to ensure a large student presence at both political parties’ conventions, with chapters in Florida leading the work at the RNC and chapters throughout North Carolina making plans for demonstrations at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

SDS is asking that people sign the pledge to protest the RNC and DNC by going to www.NewSDS.org – this will provide updates about the student contingent as they develop.

SDS has also announced its intention to host their 7th-annual National Convention in Gainesville, Florida at the end of October. SDS encourages any and all students and youth to register for their National Convention by going to their website.

#TampaFL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #RNC2012 #RepublicanNationalConvention2012

On July 10, Tampa leaders of the Coalition to March on the RNC met with city officials. The Coalition is protesting the Republicans and demanding good jobs, healthcare, affordable education, equality and peace.

The City of Tampa granted the permits for the rallies and use of the official parade route and viewing areas within sight and sound of the Tampa Bay Times Forum, which is the convention center where the Republicans will meet. Jared Hamil of the Coalition said, “After months of organizing Florida-wide support for the march, after opposing the City of Tampa’s repressive ‘Clean Zone Ordinance,’ and then gaining national support by protesting against NATO in Chicago, the Coalition has succeeded in securing a permitted rally and march route within sight and sound of the RNC.”

At the meeting, Coalition members explained to city officials the logistics of the rally and march, which takes place on opening day of the Republican National Convention. Corey Uhl said after the meeting, “On August 27, thousands of protesters will march from Perry Harvey Sr. Park, through the streets of downtown Tampa to ‘Protest RNC Square,’ at the corner of South Nebraska Avenue and East Brorein Street, within sight of the Tampa Bay Times Forum.”

Hamil said, “The Coalition is planning a unified march with people representing groups from all over Florida and the country – including many labor unions, low-income and community organizations, anti-war groups, student, women and immigrant rights groups as well as faith-based equality groups. In unity there is strength and together protesters will be able to directly oppose the Republican agenda, as well as the agenda of the 1% – the wealthy funders of both political parties. The Coalition is here to demand government money be used for human needs, not corporate greed and wars overseas. Good jobs, healthcare, affordable education, equality, and peace – those are the people’s demands.”

On July 27, the Coalition and members across the state plan to hold rallies and press conferences to start the one-month countdown to the opening of the RNC.

#TampaFL #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #2012RepublicanNationalConvention #RepublicanNationalConvention2012

Tampa, FL – Over 30 supporters rallied here, April 10, in Joe Chillura Park to demand permits to march on the Republican National Convention and to slam the “Clean Zone” ordinance. The Clean Zone ordinance proposed by the city government of Tampa would place massive restrictions on any sort of demonstration against the RNC in August. Restrictions include what sort of everyday items protestors could bring to protests and would place any and all actions against the RNC far away from the convention center – effectively silencing any opposition to the Republican agenda of war and poverty.

Speaking to the angry crowd, Marisol Marquez of Students Working for Equal Rights (SWER) said, “We demand permits for our march. We have a right to speak out and oppose the Republican agenda. We have a right to demand good jobs, affordable education, quality education, equality and peace.”

Marie Dino of Gainesville Area Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) spoke out against the Clean Zone ordinance. “The Clean Zone is an attempt to silence our democratic right to speak out and dissent. It’s an attempt by the 1% to further disenfranchise the 99% and our growing consciousness. Everybody needs to rally against the Clean Zone.”

After these and several other organizers of the Coalition to March on the RNC spoke, Tom Burke of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression gave an impassioned speech in front of several local and state TV news stations. “We’re going to have a peaceful march where mothers and fathers can bring their children in strollers. We’re going to oppose the Republicans and their agenda of hate and war. We’re going to march in August, permit or no permit. While the Republicans are conducting a circus inside the forum, we will be marching outside opposing the wealthy 1%!”

Once the speeches were done, the students, union leaders and community members marched to the steps of City Hall chanting, “Hey hey, what do you say? No RNC in Tampa Bay!” Upon arriving, the protesters duct-taped several signs and posters to the doors of City Hall, denouncing the RNC, demanding permits and condemning the Clean Zone ordinance. Many young people stood on the steps and made speeches denouncing the Republican Party, the Tea Party and Wall Street. The Coalition to March on the RNC will hold their second national call-in day opposing the repressive “Clean Zone” ordinance of Tampa Mayor Buckhorn on Wednesday, April 18. For more information go to http://www.marchonthernc.com/.

#TampaFL #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #2012RepublicanNationalConvention #RepublicanNationalConvention2012

“Members of the Welcoming Committee were used as a part of the Saint Paul police’s campaign to scare people from coming out to protest on Sept. 1 and to keep people from taking militant action during the convention,” said Jessica Sundin, a member of the Anti-War Committee and spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War. “But protesters refused to be bullied into silence, were militant, and came out in thousands to oppose the war on Iraq.”

Members of the RNC Welcoming Committee were targeted for their work as open anarchists who were organizing awareness of anti-RNC events and for planning support such as housing, food, etc. for anti-RNC activist sponsored activities. They each face the potential of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine according to Garrett Fitzgerald, one of the RNC 8. Fitzgerald asked “Are we guilty of a crime? I don’t believe so. I don’t believe we did anything criminal. Ultimately when we go to trial the jury is going to have to decide at what point is feeding someone a felony offense?”

The RNC 8 were originally charged with the felony offense of conspiracy to riot in the second degree in furtherance of terrorism. This was the first ever use of Minnesota’s PATRIOT Act. In December, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner added three more felony charges: second degree conspiracy to riot, first degree conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property in furtherance of terrorism and first degree conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property.

Supporters organized to pressure Gaertner, who is also running for governor of Minnesota as a Democrat, to not prosecute the RNC 8. She has been plagued with pickets at fundraising and campaign events throughout Minnesota and even in Chicago. On April 9, due to political pressure Gaertner’s office dropped the two terrorism enhancement charges but she plans to still prosecute the RNC 8 on the remaining two counts of conspiracy.

Luce Guillen-Given, one of the RNC 8, explained, “Dropping the terrorism enhancements was definitely a victory for grassroots organizing. It wasn’t a victory achieved through litigation but something that came from mobilizing all sorts of different people and communicating to Susan Gaertner’s office what the people of the Twin Cities want to see happen.”

Rob Czernik, another of the RNC 8, explained why they have received so much support, “One of the amazing things...was with the Duluth Board of Trades and Labor who put out a statement of solidarity with us asking Susan Gaertner to drop the charges. There have been a couple of other unions that have recognized that while they didn’t agree with our tactics and didn’t agree necessarily with our ideology they saw that what was happening was something that could happen to them.”

Guillen-Given also addressed the diversity of their support, “We have the support of people’s families, the friends that they bring along, different political groups and communities that each of the eight have worked in, and a lot of people we don’t know who have heard of the case and can recognize that there is something significant, not just for the eight of us, but for everyone.”

Guillen-Givins theorized about reasons for this broad base of support. “This could be anybody. We’re really being targeted for open public organizing. There are a lot of people who engage in that sort of activity and every time there is a political prosecution and they succeed with that it lays the ground work to continue that and to broaden the targets.”

Guillen-Givens added, “We’re at a moment where anarchism is considered inherently criminal. You can see that in the first press release that (Sheriff) Bob Fletcher released the morning after the Convergence Center raid and right after the house raids where he referred to the RNC Welcoming Committee as a ‘known criminal enterprise.’ I guess it’s just really threatening to think of anarchists working across ideological lines. They’re [the government] really afraid of that sort of solidarity in building resistance. So I feel like they think they have a lot to lose if movements for social change are strong enough to cross those lines and like they have a lot to gain if they can zero in on the anarchists and kind of isolate us and cut us off from the movement – which I don’t think they’ve been successful at.”

The RNC 8 were supposed to have a hearing on August 19 but it was postponed. At their future hearing they urge their supporters to come to a pre-hearing rally and as much of the trial as possible. In the meantime, the RNC 8’s defense committee is planning to keep up their pressure on the Ramsey County Attorney’s office. There is currently no trial scheduled but it could start as late as spring of 2010.

Go to rnc8.org for more information about their case and to get involved.

#StPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #InJusticeSystem #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #PatriotAct #RNC8 #RNCWelcomingCommittee

A special issue of Fight Back! prepared for the protests at the Republican National Convention is now available online here along with other coverage of protests at the RNC.

The special issue of Fight Back! includes an interview with Jess Sundin, a key organizer with the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, and a call for an Oct. 18 conference with the theme “War Socialism, and the Peoples Struggle.”

Continue to check the Fight Back! web site over the next week for more coverage of the demonstrations at the RNC.

Sincerely.

Mick Kelly,

Editor, Fight Back!

#UnitedStates #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #PoorPeoplesMovements #StudentMovement #InJusticeSystem #Labor #OppressedNationalities #Pamphlet #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #FightBackAtTheRNC

This application is a free speech test for the city of Saint Paul. Over the past months city government has used a technicality in the ordinance to avoid dealing with the Coalition’s permit applications. City officials insist that permits cannot be granted until six months prior to a demonstration. A statement from the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War responds: “We are taking this excuse away from them. City law allows us to apply for permits that cover ‘re-occurring events.’ There is no waiting period for this kind of permit, so there is no legal reason, contrived or otherwise, not approve our permit to demonstrate in the vicinity of the site of the RNC.”

Protest organizer Meredith Aby said, “Saint Paul city government should give us the permits for the massive anti-war march on the opening day of the Republican National Convention. We put in our applications almost a year ago and all we have is excuses. This application takes away the excuses.”

The Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War wants city government to grant all of the permits they have applied for immediately. According to protest organizer Sarah Martin, “We are not playing games. There is no reason why we cannot have the permits for our march against the war, now.”

The Sept. 1 anti-war protest has the backing of most major anti-war organizations in the United States. Rick Hanson of the Minnesota chapter of Military Families Speak Out, and whose son recently returned from Iraq told protesters, “We are outraged at the criminal policies that lead us into the war and the lies that keep our loved ones in the Bush administration’s unending carnage.”

#StPaulMN #SaintPaulMN #News #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #freeSpeech #MinnesotaChapterOfMilitaryFamiliesSpeakOut

The Sept. 1 protest, organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, is expected to draw thousands of Minnesotans and others from the upper Midwest and from across the U.S. The protest is being organized under the calls of: “U.S. out of Iraq now! Money for human needs, not for war. Say no to the Republican agenda. Demand peace, justice and equality!”

A statement issued by organizers says in part, “The stage is now set for the Sept. 1 protest. The issuance of the permit is a major step to guarantee that everyone who wants to come out to say no to the continued war and occupation of Iraq, everyone who wants funds used for housing, health care and human needs instead of an endless war, everyone who wants to speak out for peace and justice, has a place to be on Sept. 1. While the Republican politicians gather, the majority of the population who are against the war will have a place to gather to send a clear anti-war message.”

While organizers point to many deficiencies in the permit, Jess Sundin, of the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War noted, “This permit is really the result of a two-year long struggle with the city of Saint Paul to make sure that there is a place at or near the Republican Convention for all those who have suffered from and who oppose the policies of the Bush administration to gather and speak out.”

The Sept. 1 protest will start at 11:00 a.m. with a rally in front of the Minnesota State Capitol building. The march will go past the Excel Center, site of the convention, and return to the Capitol mall.

An ever-growing coalition of peace, student, women’s, union and other organizations have endorsed the Sept. 1 protest and are committed to turning out the largest numbers possible.

#StPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #News #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #marchPermit #warAndOccupationOfIraq

“We oppose the judge’s decision,” said Katrina Plotz, a member of the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War. “Ericksen allowed the city’s vague concerns about security to take precedent over the rights of tens of thousands to demonstrate their opposition to the war in Iraq within sight and sound of Republican delegates. Her decision upholds a route designated by the city that is both politically and logistically unacceptable.”

Tens of thousands of people are making plans for the Sept. 1 anti-war demonstration at the Republican National Convention. Buses are being rented, nationally known speakers and celebrities are being contacted to come to the rally and more organizations are expressing interest every day. C-SPAN will broadcast the event live.

The Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War plans to continue the effort to secure better permits.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #News #Iraq #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #FederalJudgeJoanEricksen

For different groups in the coalition in Chicago, there will be varying plans in Saint Paul. For example, Teamsters Local 743 has a bus that will return the same day, while others will stay for more days of protests.

Contact the office of the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War for information on transportation from your area. 612-379-3584.

#ChicagoIL #AntiwarMovement #News #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #TeamstersLocal743

Mick Kelly is also the editor of the newspaper Fight Back! and Fight Back News Service.

Mr. Kelly states, “The city of Saint Paul violated my right to speak out against the war and to encourage people to come to the march on the Republican National Convention. It is part of a larger pattern of the city attempting to suppress the right to dissent. For example, the city has refused to grant a workable permit for the Sept. 1 protest. The blame needs to placed at the door of Mayor Coleman and the city administration as a whole.”

The suit names the City of St. Paul and the individual officers involved in the arrest. Kelly is represented by attorneys Ted Dooley, Gena Berglund and Peter Nickitas, all members of the National Lawyers Guild.

Attorney Ted Dooley states, “What happened to Mick Kelly was illegal. The mayor, the city and the police will have to explain it in Federal Court. This is a straight signal to Saint Paul City officials: The people have the constitutional right to speak out against the war and injustice, even though the Republican National Convention happens to come to town.

#StPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #InJusticeSystem #News #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #lawsuit #constitutionalRight #MickKelly

The city of Saint Paul issued a permit on May 14. The permit issued by the city makes it logistically impossible for a large anti-war march to take place. In addition, the permit issued by the city states the march must end before delegates arrive at the convention.

In a press conference before the hearing, Jess Sundin of Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War stated, “Tens of thousands of people from around the country are coming to Saint Paul to oppose the war on Iraq and to participate in the massive protest that will coincide with the opening day of the Republican National Convention. Mayor Coleman and the city of Saint Paul are blocking our attempts to place our demands of peace and justice on the Republicans. We need a workable permit and we need it now.”

Inside the court room, Coalition lawyers appeared before Judge Joan Erickson and pushed hard for a route that gives real exposure to the Xcel Center while the convention is taking place.

“The permit issued by the city is politically and logistically unacceptable,” says Coalition member Katrina Plotz. “We’re marching to deliver a message that the people of the United States reject this war. The First Amendment guarantees the right to demonstrate. Police have no right to clear us from the streets by 2:00 p.m. when the RNC will not have started yet. It’s also logistically impossible for tens of thousands to march down a narrow street on a short route and return to the capitol along the same street. Even Saint Paul Police Federation president Dave Titus called the city’s route ‘a recipe for disaster.’”

The Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War is made up of more than 100 organizations from across the country, including the main anti-war coalitions. They began seeking permits for this demonstration days after the Republicans announced in 2006 they would hold their national convention in Minnesota. While the Coalition has a permit to assemble and rally at the State Capitol, the city of Saint Paul continues to withhold an adequate permit for a march on the Xcel Center, where the convention will be held.

Judge Erickson is expected to rule on the case early next week.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #Labor #News #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #JessSundin #NationalLawyersGuild #FirstAmendment

Protesters, who were surrounded by police, stopped in a busy intersection in front of the Xcel Center. They refused to leave the intersection until the police backed off.

“The permit issued by the city is politically and logistically unacceptable,” says Coalition member Katrina Plotz. “The First Amendment guarantees the right to demonstrate within sight and sound of convention delegates. Police have no right to clear us from the streets by 2:00 when the RNC won’t have started yet. It’s also logistically impossible for tens of thousands to march down a narrow street, turn around in a small area and return to the Capitol along the same street. Even Saint Paul Police Federation president Dave Titus called the city's route ‘a recipe for disaster.’”

“The Saint Paul police department, the city council and the mayor have consistently tried to stall, deny and reroute our efforts to ensure that demonstrators can voice their opposition to the war in Iraq,” explains Coalition member Kim DeFranco. “On July 1, we marched along the route we originally applied for. Afterwards, we delivered a petition to Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman urging him to issue a permit for our planned route. So far, Coleman’s silence can only indicate his support for the war in Iraq and the Republican agenda.”

After the protest Coalition organizers took a 30-foot long petition that had been signed by activists from around the country to Mayor Coleman’s office.

A hearing in federal court regarding the Sept. 1 march route is scheduled for July 9. Coalition members and Saint Paul officials will enter into mediation on July 7 to discuss the dispute.

#StPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #News #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #marchPermits #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #SaintPaulMayorChrisColeman

Minneapolis MN – Attorneys from the National Lawyers Guild and the American Civil Liberties Union returned to federal court on the evening of June 9, on behalf of the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War. The Coalition is seeking a preliminary injunction requiring the city of Saint Paul to issue adequate permits for the Sept. 1 anti-war march.

Specifically, the attorneys filed an amended complaint, a motion for the preliminary injunction, and asked for an expedited hearing on the motion. The aim is to get a permit that will allow for a mass, anti-war march Sept. 1.

At a June 10 press conference held in front of the Federal Building downtown Minneapolis, Meredith Aby of the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War stated, “We are suing the city of St. Paul to guarantee that the people of this country will have the time and space we need on Sept. 1 to protest against the anti-people, pro-war agenda of the Republican Party and their candidate John McCain. We are asking the District Court to get involved in our struggle for permits against the city of St. Paul because at every crossroad in the past two years the city has rolled out the red carpet for the Republicans while throwing up barriers for anti-war protesters.”

Aby also stated, “The most recent example of this is that last month the Saint Paul police issued the Coalition an alternative permit which has the support of the Saint Paul city council. The alternative permit is unworkable, but also, politically unacceptable. The alternative permit shows that Mayor Coleman wants the anti-war protest to be a local – as opposed to national – demonstration and wants protesters away from the Xcel Center before the delegates are even there. It is another effort on Mayor Coleman’s part to try to hurt our organizing efforts for a large, national anti-war demonstration at the RNC.”

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #InJusticeSystem #News #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #marchPermits #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #NationalLawyersGuild #suingTheCityOfStPaul

The conference organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War brought together more than 60 organizations. This included the major centers of the anti-war movement, including United for Peace and Justice, International ANSWER and the Troops Out Now Coalition. Also present was Carlos Montes of Latinos Against the War and an important leader in the immigrant rights movement.

Speaking in front of a large banner that read “Stop the War” Phyllis Walker, the dynamic president of AFSCME Local 3800, the campus clerical workers union, welcomed conference participants and set the context for cooperation stating “If on September, 2008 you are tempted to put the interests of your organization before the interests of our coalition – stop and think, it is only through collective action that we can prevail. Remember our goals: Demand peace, justice and equality; U.S. out of Iraq now; money for human needs, not war. I want and need to see all of you in Saint Paul in September, 2008.”

Jessica Sundin then spoke for the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, laying out the politics of the planned protest and summarizing the work of Twin Cities activists.

To applause, Sundin stated, “The Republican chiefs of war will gather here to celebrate the years of brutality already carried out in Iraq, to cheer for more of the same and to congratulate their new candidate they hope will be elected to lead this war for the next four years. The international media will carry their story, broadcast their lies...We cannot – we will not – let this message go unanswered. To build a massive demonstration, to fill the streets with tens of thousands of opponents of war, this is our task.”

Sundin also talked about the fight to get permits for the Sept. 1 protest stating, “We have been engaged in a 17-month battle for permits to march on the Xcel Center during the RNC. The week after Republicans announced their plans to gather here, we had talked to one another, met with an attorney, then prepared and filed our first applications for the rally and march. Since then, we met with city officials, we have protested outside the police station that processes permits, we have held press conferences at City Hall and the Xcel Center, and we have marched on the Xcel Center along the very route we will take in September.”

Sundin also explained the Coalition’s attitude toward the permits, “We know that protesters have struggled to get permits at every convention in recent years. We are committed to carrying out this important demonstration no matter what. We have said many times, and we mean it: We will march on the RNC, with or without permits. But that said, we know that permits will make it more possible for more people to march with us. We will keep fighting in the court of public opinion – and if it will help us, in a court of law – to win a permit for all of us to take to the streets outside the Xcel Center.”

Building unity

Among conference-goers, there was a lot of excitement generated by the participation of the main national anti war coalitions: United for Peace and Justice, International ANSWER and the Troops Out Now Coalition. The groups spoke in the first plenary of the conference, along with Carlos Montes, a veteran leader of the Chicano movement and Angel Buechner of the Minnesota-based Welfare Rights Committee.

There were smiles across the room when Leslie Cagan, the national coordinator for United for Peace and Justice said of the conference, “This was a really good move to pull all of us together...” There is broad sentiment in the anti-war movement and among progressive for more unity and coordination.

Sara Flounders, of the Troops Out Now Coalition and the co director of the International Action Center, noted that the progressive movement in the Twin Cities has often been a force for unity, even on a national level. Flounders also spoke about the need to combat the war at home and abroad. The Sept. 1 demonstration will provide the opportunity to bring forward the demands of every movement that stands for peace, justice, and equality.

John Beacham of the ANSWER Coalition told the conference, “The ANSWER Coalition is glad to be with you and we thank the organizers of today’s event for their great work in pulling this coalition together.”

Carlos Montes, of the Los Angeles-based Latinos Against the War and an important leader in the immigrant rights movement also addressed the conference. Montes also spoke about the war at home and aboard and stressed the need to defeat the attacks on the undocumented.

During the conference, leaders of the student movement, including many chapters of Student for a Democratic Society made plans for a feeder marches that will join the main Sept. 1 protest. Leaders in the low-income community and labor movement made similar plans.

Principles that bring people together

In the weeks leading up to the Organizing Conference extensive discussions took place among the forces that are planning actions at the Republican National Convention, including the anarchist-oriented RNC Welcoming Committee and member groups of the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War.

Summarizing the principles and their practical significance Jess Sundin stated, “The four principles of unity that we have agreed to use as a guide in working with people who are planning other activities are: We will respect one another’s plans. Various actions will be separated by time or space. We will keep disagreements internal, not engaging in public denunciations of one another. And we will oppose any repressive actions by police. These principles will guide us, and give us assurance that others will respect our plans for a mass permitted march.”

Sara Flounders of the Troops Out Now Coalition praised the four principles as a model that could be employed by others.

Coalition goes national

The conference established a National Coordinating Committee of the Coalition. The proposal adopted by the conference stated, “We understand that the Sept. 1 protest is a massive undertaking. Groups from around the country can make a real contribution to pulling together the program at the rally, logistics, security and marshalling, and fundraising. A process of democratic consultation coupled with a practical approach to things will allow us to make a powerful, collective statement on Sept. 1.”

John Beacham of the ANSWER backed the proposal in the plenary where it was adopted. United for Peace and Justice, International ANSWER and the Troops Out Now Coalition have agreed to participate in the work of the National Coordinating Committee.

Marching towards September 1

Conference participant Stef Yorek, the Political Secretary of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, had nothing but good things to say about the event and said that the unity and genuine enthusiasm for the Sept. 1 march were signs of good things to come.

“On Sept. 1, we can send a serious message to the rulers of this country that we have had enough of the war on Iraq and enough of their war on people right here in this country. The eyes of the world will be on the streets of Saint Paul. What they will see is a sea of struggle.”

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #PoorPeoplesMovements #StudentMovement #Labor #News #OppressedNationalities #WelfareRightsCommittee #Iraq #Palestine #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #StPaulPrinciples #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #marchPermit

Minneapolis, MN – Standing in front of the Federal Building here, March 24, leaders of the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War and their lawyers announced they are seeking a preliminary injunction requiring the City of Saint Paul to grant the permits for their September 1 anti-war march. The attorneys from the National Lawyers Guild and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint in federal district court later that day.

Marie Braun of the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War stated “Filing a complaint in Federal Court was not our first choice of action; however, we feel the city of St. Paul has left us little choice. For months, city officials promised that the permit process would continue to move forward – it has not. Instead, on March 1, the Coalition received an almost blank Conditional Alternative Permit in which the city neither granted nor denied our permit.”

Jess Sundin, also of the Coalition stated “City officials are not keeping their promises or upholding City ordinances, and that is what brings us here today. The only thing standing between the Republicans, and a massive anti-war protest on September 1st, is the ill will of the city of St. Paul, namely Mayor Chris Coleman and Assistant Police Chief Matt Bostrom.”

Sundin also announced “Following this press conference, we are issuing an Action Alert, asking that supporters from around the country call Mayor Coleman’s office and demand that he do the right thing now: issue a march permit that will take 50,000 anti-war protesters to Xcel Center on September 1st.”

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #News #Iraq #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #StPaulMayorChrisColeman #marchPermit #NationalLawyersGuild

St. Paul, MN – Standing in front of city hall, organizers of the massive anti-war march planned for the opening day of the Republican National Convention, and their attorneys responded to the permit issued by Saint Paul city authorities, March 3.

Coalition spokesperson Meredith Aby stated that while the permit issued was a step forward, it was insufficient. The permit only affirms that the Coalition will have the state capitol grounds – and it fails to define the route that the demonstration will use to march on the Xcel Center. Tens of thousands of people from around the country are expected to converge on Saint Paul Sept. 1 and march to the site of the convention.

Aby also said that there has been a series of disturbing reports over the past week indicating that the city intends to respond to the demonstrations at the RNC by curtailing the right to protest. This includes reports that all demonstrations will be confined to a single route and placed together. This is unacceptable.

A statement from the Coalition noted, “In the past city officials were talking about ‘the entire city of Saint Paul being a free speech zone.’ Now they are talking about glorified protest pens. We also reject the framework that Saint Paul police have created to infiltrate and spy on groups that plan protests at the RNC. And we are opposed to the attempts by police officials to forbid any protests at the Xcel Center Sept. 2-4.”

#StPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #marchPermit #freeSpeechZone

The historic conference brought together the main centers of the anti-war movement, including the Troops Out Now Coalition, International ANSWER and United for Peace and Justice. These are the coalitions that have organized the largest anti-war mobilizations over the past five years.

The Conference was organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War.

Videos:

Jess Sundin speaking for the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War. Sundin is a founding member of the Twin Cites based Anti-War Committee. She has participated in or coordinated solidarity trips to Iraq, El Salvador and Colombia.

Leslie Cagan- coordinator of United for Peace and Justice, an anti-war coalition with more than 1400 member groups.

Sara Flounders representing the Troops Out Now Coalition. She is also co-director of the International Action Center.

John Beacham representing International ANSWER, a coalition of hundreds of organizations with organizing centers in scores of cites and towns across the country.

Carlos Montes of Latinos Against War and veteran leader of the Chicano and immigrants right movements.

Phyllis Walker- President of AFSCME 3800

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #PoorPeoplesMovements #Labor #News #OppressedNationalities #Iraq #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #TroopsOutNowCoalition #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #UnitedForPeaceAndJustice #LatinosAgainstWar

Minneapolis, MN – Carlos Montes, of Latinos Against War and veteran leader of the Chicano and immigrants right movements, along with Angel Buechner of the Welfare Rights Committee were among the many prominent activists who addressed the Feb 9-10 Organizers Conference here to prepare the massive anti-war march planned for the opening day of the Republican National Convention.

The Organizing Conference brought together the leading centers of the anti-war movement and many other progressive movements.

Fight Back! will be providing additional audio and video coverage in coming days.

Click here for additional previously posted podcasts from the February 9-10 RNC protest conference.

#MinneapolisMN #AntiwarMovement #ImmigrantRights #PoorPeoplesMovements #WelfareRightsCommittee #Iraq #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #LatinosAgainstWar #antiwarProtest

The grounds of the state capitol are the only realistic staging area in downtown Saint Paul for the tens of thousands that are expected to join the march to the Xcel Center Sept. 1. Protest organizers are continuing to meet with Saint Paul city officials to press their demand for the permit to march to the site of the RNC.

“Obtaining the permits for the capitol complex is an important first step,” states Deb Konechne, of the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War. “We intend to take our anti-war message to the RNC and we insist that Saint Paul city government give us the permits now. People are coming, we need to prepare and we will not wait until the last minute to get this settled.”

The Sept. 1 protest has the backing of the main local and national anti-war organizations, as well as many other progressive groups.

#StPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #News #Iraq #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #protestPermits #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #DebKonechne

City officials say they want to accommodate protests and freedom of speech at the RNC. Protest organizers responded by saying that the city needs to quit dragging its feet on issuing permits for the massive Iraq war protest that is planed for the first day of the Convention.

Jess Sundin, a representative of the Coalition, told the Mayor, “We don’t want a repeat of Los Angeles, where the Staples Center was hidden by a 10-foot high fence. A ‘protest zone’ ended up being blocked by a twelve-foot fence and 2000 police in riot gear. During a concert inside this zone, police shut off the power supply and forcibly dispersed the crowd, using tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets.” Sundin later added, “We don’t want a repeat of Boston, where protesters were penned in under some train tracks and surrounded by eight-foot high fences topped with razor wire.”

Marie Braun, also from the Coalition recounted past efforts to obtain the permits. “Starting in October 2006, our Coalition has pursued every possible avenue to obtain permits from the city and the State Capitol. We have submitted several permit applications. None have been approved. We participated in town hall meetings, attended City Council meetings, and met with Assistant Chief Bostrom. At every turn, we have been told that we have to wait. At times, we’ve been told this is because existing ordinances don’t allow for early consideration of permit applications. However, the ‘recurring event’ provision would allow the city to act on our applications now, and they have declined to do so.”

#StPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #News #Iraq #RepublicanNationalConvention2008 #marchPermits #CoalitionToMarchOnTheRNCAndStopTheWar #StPaulMayorChrisColeman #rightsOfProtesters