On Thrusday, September 5, police and protesters faced off:
NOTE: The figure of 7k protesters came from two different bicycle police. Considering varying reports post-protest and post-RNC, I doubt the number of protesters was that high.
- DHP
More pictures from this event can be found on the TRNS Flickr page.
Broadcaster Davie D talks about yesterday’s RNC protests in St. Paul:
Streamed live via Qik - Jack Rice will do a full interview with Davie D later today
Today at Mears Park in Saint Paul the Swift Students For Truthiness gathered to advocate their standpoint on contemporary politics.
The peaceful, non-partisan organization, mainly comprised of students from Wisconsin and the Will Mitchell University in Michigan, stood promoting their progressive views on education, taxation, war and other similar issues.
Thomas Fraint, one of the organizers, said “I think one of the biggest reasons I’m out here is because we have been hurting for the past eight years and I don’t think [McCain] really realizes it.”
He detailed one of the group’s liberal views when he spoke of universal health care: “from a moral standpoint, every American deserves health care; but from an economic standpoint we spend more money than any other country, yet we are ranked right above Cuba, so maybe it’s about time we should steal someone else’s good idea.”
When asked why the group is non-partisan as opposed to Democrat (since the Swift Students For Truthiness clearly share the Democratic point of view), he replied: “if I was out here with an Obama sign wearing blue, people’s minds would then close.”
Dan Patterson interviews Iraq Veterans Against the War backstarge at Rage Against the Machine’s Denver concert.
Dan Patterson interviews a representative from protest group Unconventional Action backstage at Rage Against the Machine’s Denver concert.
Listen to audio file (1:24)
“You cannot make a program that works for everyone only work for some Americans”, said Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.). She attended a protest, which was held outside of the Republican National Headquarters in Washington D.C, to celebrate Social Security’s 73rd birthday.
Protesters were greeted by Republican National Headquarters employees handing out rainbow leis, referencing Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) decision to vacation in Hawaii in the thick of campaign season. Protesters rallied across from the headquarters until greeted by Norton, who led them across the street where she gave a short speech blasting Sen. John McCain’s strategy to privatize Social Security. Afterwards, she joined the crowd in signing “Happy Birthday”, and cut a tattered cake that was filled with holes to represent what the protesters feel are holes in Social Security’s coverage.
Washington D.C.’s Shadow Senator Paul Strauss attended the protest as well, attempting in vain to deliver a birthday card signed by protesters to the Republican Headquarters. However, he was met with locked doors and security guards. The senator also caused several interns and other employees to run away as they made their way to the locked doors when he tried to pass the card to them. After several attempts, Strauss accepted defeat, saying “well at least there’s more cake for us!”
At the protesting House Republicans’ afternoon press conference, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) says that Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) efforts to silence the Republican protest for energy this week has only energized the Republicans’ efforts to bring back Congress and force a vote on their American Energy Act. (0:59)
At a press conference in the Capitol with protesting House Republicans, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich says Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) thinks it’s a better idea to go on a book tour than bring back Congress to solve the energy crisis. (0:34)
“I hope that you have noticed in the last three days of debate by the Republicans up here that we have tried to be civil and appropriate. I would ask you to compare that with the supposed Democrat representative we’ve had here today and his rudeness and screaming and yelling”, said Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) in reference to an outburst from a bystander. As Carter and fellow Republicans discussed their party’s ongoing speeches on the House floor, a member of the crowd called the Republican representatives the “largest group of lying scoundrels” he had seen in one place. The man was promptly removed from the conference.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) said that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) should call an emergency session of Congress in spite of the recess to address the rising costs of energy in America. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) echoed Hunter’s sentiments, encouraging the Congress to specifically consider the American Energy Act. Gohmert believes the bill would allow for the development much-needed energy resources. He also maintained that, despite recent criticism, the bill does not favor oil companies.
When asked whether Gohmert felt his comparison of America’s oil crisis to the fight against slavery in early American history was inappropriate, he responded that he felt the Republicans were doing what is right for the American people. He also said that the crisis cuts across all racial lines, and that gas prices affect all Americans.
In the West, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dali Lama, is generally regarded as a religious symbol of peace. Last Thursday, however, His Holiness was subject to a large, non-violent demonstration organized by the Western Shugden Society. As the Dali Lama spoke at Manhattan’s Radio City Music Hall, the Western Shugden Society organized several hundred monks to protest His Holiness’ support of a particular document. The Dali Lama has encouraged Tibetan monks to sign a document that disavows a daily prayer to the deity Dorje Shugden. The prayer is an affirmation of health and peace, according to the Western Shugden Society. Many within the Society believe that the document could be used as an identity card to track dissidents.
Though the event was largely non-violent, many protesters began spitting and throwing bottles. Between 35 and 40 police officers, including six on horseback, were called in to quell the crowed. Western Shugden Society media representative Shelly Tanner stated that the Dali Lama does not have the right to speak for the Buddhist community. Tanner also claimed that the controversy has split the Buddhist community, and that Tibetans are “quite confused” about supporting the Dali Lama. Previous rallys, said Tanner, had low attendance because many Tibetans ‘were scared” of persecution.
The Western Shugden Society has protested the Dali Lama’s appearances in Great Britain, Germany, Philadelphia, and Madison.
Listen to Audio Report (3:51)
