Events

8/27 to 8/30, annual national Veterans for Peace convention "Peace, Liberty and Justice for All," at the Mall of America Ramada (formerly the Thunderbird), Bloomington, MN. $200 full program registration. Jim Steinhagen at 612-722-1112.

8/28 and 8/29, 10 am to 2 pm, join Starhawk and the Upwelling Circle: Court an Upwelling of Earth Wisdom at the RNC, Coldwater Spring, 1.5 miles south of Minnehaha Falls, (from highway 55, turn east at 54th St, take immediate right, continue south on frontage road to Magickal Activist Day Camp at Sacred Coldwater Spring), Mpls. Wear comfortable outdoor clothes, sturdy shoes, chair or blanket to sit on, bag lunch and fruit or treat to share. Bring a water container for sacred spring water. http://www.friendsofcoldwater.org

8/27 to 8/30, annual national Veterans for Peace convention "Peace, Liberty and Justice for All," at the Mall of America Ramada (formerly the Thunderbird), Bloomington, MN. $200 full program registration. Jim Steinhagen at 612-722-1112.

8/28 and 8/29, 10 am to 2 pm, join Starhawk and the Upwelling Circle: Court an Upwelling of Earth Wisdom at the RNC, Coldwater Spring, 1.5 miles south of Minnehaha Falls, (from highway 55, turn east at 54th St, take immediate right, continue south on frontage road to Magickal Activist Day Camp at Sacred Coldwater Spring), Mpls. Wear comfortable outdoor clothes, sturdy shoes, chair or blanket to sit on, bag lunch and fruit or treat to share. Bring a water container for sacred spring water. http://www.friendsofcoldwater.org

Friday, 8/29, 11 am to 12:30 pm, NLG sponsors legal observer/videographer training for RNC, William Mitchel College of Law auditorium, 875 Summit Ave (at Victoria), St Paul. RSVP genab@visi.com

Friday, 8/29, 12:30 to 2 pm, NLG sponsors legal observer finishing school for RNC, William Mitchel College of Law auditorium, 875 Summit Ave (at Victoria), St Paul. RSVP genab@visi.com

Friday, 8/29, 5 to 10 pm, sign painting workshop in preparation for the RNC and the Liberty Parade, Bedlam Theater, 1501 S 6th St, West Bank, Mpls.

Friday, 8/29, 7 pm (and every Friday until the RNC convention), meditation and vigil for peace at the RNC at the State Capitol lawn, St Paul. http://www.rippleeffect08.com or 612-227-1817.

The RNC is coming to the Twin Cities, but we were here first. Come hear how some of Minneapolis' leading Fringe artists respond to this invasion of their home turf.

Friday, 8/29, 7:30 pm, MN Vets for Peace sponsors former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter talking about "The Iran Talks," at the Veterans for Peace Convention, Ramada Mall of America, 2300 E American Blvd, Bloomington. 612-821-9141.

8/27 to 8/30, annual national Veterans for Peace convention "Peace, Liberty and Justice for All," at the Mall of America Ramada (formerly the Thunderbird), Bloomington, MN. $200 full program registration. Jim Steinhagen at 612-722-1112.

The RNC is coming to the Twin Cities, but we were here first. Come hear how some of Minneapolis' leading Fringe artists respond to this invasion of their home turf.

ANTI-TORTURE BANNERING DURING THE RNC

We have 4 huge banners the size of bed sheets which speak out against torture.

The banners say, "TORTURE DESTROYS US ALL", "TORTURE IS WRONG"; "TORTURE DOESN'T WORK", "WOULD JESUS WATERBOARD?"; "WOULD JESUS TORTURE?", "CLOSE GUANTANAMO"; "CLOSE GITMO". We will be displaying these banners each morning during the RNC. The location of this bannering will be on the Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35E just north of downtown St. Paul. It will take 8 people to display these banners each day. Please call us or email us if you can commit to bannering with us on one or more of these days:

Saturday, Aug 30, 9 to 11 AM
Sunday, Aug 31, 8 to 10 AM
Monday, Sept 1, 8 to 10 AM
Tuesday, Sept 2, 9 to 11 AM
Wednesday, Sept 3, 9 to 11 AM
Thursday, Sept 4, 9 to 11 AM

The Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35 E is just north of downtown St. Paul, between the exit for Maryland Ave and the exit for Wheelock Avenue. Arlington Avenue crosses 35 E just south of the bike path, but has no exit. There should be plenty of parking near the bike bridge even though the RNC is going on.

Thanks to Colleen Rowley and Ross for providing 3 of the 4 banners and for helping us with this project in so many ways, big and small.

Call or email Roger Cuthbertson, 952-474-2476, rojo@visi.com, if you can volunteer to banner with us on one of the above dates. If the schedule above doesn't fit your calendar, there might be opportunities for bannering and message kite lying. Give us a call. Thanks much. Roger Cuthbertson, Tackling Torture at the Top (a committee of Women Against Military Madness)

Patagonia is hosting a non-violence/civil disobedience training led by the Ruckus Society.

Saturday @ 9am to 4pm (can come for part or all)
Macalester College, 4th floor Old Main building (or go to Patagonia for directions)

Saturday, 8/30, 11 am to 12:30 pm, NLG sponsors legal observer/videographer training for RNC, William Mitchel College of Law auditorium, 875 Summit Ave (at Victoria), St Paul. RSVP genab@visi.com

Saturday, 8/30, 12:30 to 2 pm, NLG sponsors legal observer finishing school for RNC, William Mitchel College of Law auditorium, 875 Summit Ave (at Victoria), St Paul. RSVP genab@visi.com

Saturday, 8/30, 1 to 3 pm, free workshops with Code Pink for those interested in a creative presence at the RNC, Heart of the Beast Studio, Plaza Verde, 1516 E Lake St, Mpls. nancy@globalexchange.org

Welcoming for Witness Against War Peace Walkers
http://vcnv.org/witness-against-war
Saturday August 30, 2008
2:00pm
Sisters of St. Joseph
1890 Randolph
St. Paul, MN

Witness Against War 2008 is a 450 mile walk from Chicago to St. Paul to challenge and nonviolently resist our country’s continuing war in and occupation of Iraq.

The journey began in the City of Chicago, site of the 1968 Democratic Party convention in the midst of the Vietnam War. The walk will conclude on August 30th in St. Paul — in time for the start of the 2008 Republican Party convention in the midst of the Iraq war.

Join in the welcoming of Kathy Kelly, Dan Pearson and the other amazing.

Sponsored by CODEPINK Women for Peace and Sisters of St. Joseph

For further information email peace@globalexchange.org

Saturday, 8/30, 3 pm, former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter talks about "The Iran Talks," William Mitchell College of Law, auditorim, 875 Summit Ave, St Paul. 612-827-5364.

Saturday, 8/30, 6 pm, New Moon Ritual for an Upwelling of Earth Wisdom led by Starhawk and the local Upwelling Circle, Mounds Park, ancient sacred burial site above the Mississippi River, St Paul. Walk the labyrinth, prepart the rite. Directions: follow Mounds boulevard exit off I-94 (east of downtown St Paul), follow Mounds Blvd up the bluff, park along the road.

Saturday, 8/30, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, The UnConventional Gathering Place opening reception, with RNC-related interactive performances by Politaoke, Nonsense Company/Prince Myshkin and unveiling of gallery installations, Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave S, Mpls. http://www.truebluemn.com/calendar.html (Media installations remain until November 8.)

The RNC is coming to the Twin Cities, but we were here first. Come hear how some of Minneapolis' leading Fringe artists respond to this invasion of their home turf.

ANTI-TORTURE BANNERING DURING THE RNC

We have 4 huge banners the size of bed sheets which speak out against torture.

The banners say, "TORTURE DESTROYS US ALL", "TORTURE IS WRONG"; "TORTURE DOESN'T WORK", "WOULD JESUS WATERBOARD?"; "WOULD JESUS TORTURE?", "CLOSE GUANTANAMO"; "CLOSE GITMO". We will be displaying these banners each morning during the RNC. The location of this bannering will be on the Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35E just north of downtown St. Paul. It will take 8 people to display these banners each day. Please call us or email us if you can commit to bannering with us on one or more of these days:

Saturday, Aug 30, 9 to 11 AM
Sunday, Aug 31, 8 to 10 AM
Monday, Sept 1, 8 to 10 AM
Tuesday, Sept 2, 9 to 11 AM
Wednesday, Sept 3, 9 to 11 AM
Thursday, Sept 4, 9 to 11 AM

The Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35 E is just north of downtown St. Paul, between the exit for Maryland Ave and the exit for Wheelock Avenue. Arlington Avenue crosses 35 E just south of the bike path, but has no exit. There should be plenty of parking near the bike bridge even though the RNC is going on.

Thanks to Colleen Rowley and Ross for providing 3 of the 4 banners and for helping us with this project in so many ways, big and small.

Call or email Roger Cuthbertson, 952-474-2476, rojo@visi.com, if you can volunteer to banner with us on one of the above dates. If the schedule above doesn't fit your calendar, there might be opportunities for bannering and message kite lying. Give us a call. Thanks much. Roger Cuthbertson, Tackling Torture at the Top (a committee of Women Against Military Madness)

People's Fest
An Arts and Culture Celebration
Brought to you by:
The Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign
And
The Hip Hop Congress

Sunday, August 31
Powderhorn Park
3400 15th Ave. S Minneapolis, MN 55407
10:00 am until 9:00 pm

Featuring:
Blade Triple, M.O., and Element of Surprise of Cincinnati, OH
Mic Crenshaw of Portland, OR
The Brass Kings of Minneapolis, MN
Shannon Murray of Bemidji, MN
Also:
PPEHRC vs. Billionaires for Bush Basketball Game
Children's Activities and Shoe Donations
Food

Rally @11 am at the State Capitol
Display of "Boots on the Ground"
March to follow - participants will carry tombstones with names of dead soldiers and Iraqis
names will be read, people respond "We Remember", drum will keep solemn beat, otherwise silent march
contact: David Harris, tuvecino@redwing.net, 651-388-5863

MARCH TO THE RNC TO PROTEST THE USE OF TORTURE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2008

Sponsored by The Sister Rita Steinhagen Chapter of the War Resisters League and Tackling Torture at the Top (a committee of WAMM)

In conjunction with the anti-war march being organized by Chapter 115 of Veterans for Peace, Redwing

11 AM – Gather for a rally near the steps of the State Capitol in St. Paul. There will be speakers and music and a display of “boots on the ground”.

12 NOON - March to the Excel Energy Center to demand an end to torture and to hold the framers of torture policy accountable. This will be a nonviolent, silent and solemn march of people dressed in orange jump suits and black hoods. If you don’t have an orange jump suit and black hood or some reasonable facsimile, contact Roger or Bob to get one. We will supply nametags identifying some of the thousands of human beings who the United States government has wrongfully detained. We will be marching with Veterans for Peace – Redwing Chapter. They will be each carrying a cardboard “tombstone” with the photo and name of a dead soldier and/or an Iraqi civilian victim of the war. The purpose of this march will be to unite those who oppose the violence of war, injustice and oppression in a way that is powerful and practical enough to win over the uninformed, the indifferent and, possibly, even many of those who are currently allied with the perpetrators.

The City of St. Paul has issued a permit for this nonviolent march. Our purpose is to use nonviolent means toward nonviolent, but revolutionary ends: to overcome fear and hatred with love and courage; to replace despair with hope; to enact justice as fairness rather than as vengeance; to oppose lies with truth; and to reveal the power of silence. Please join us only if you are committed to nonviolence and are willing to march as one united body, silently and peacefully. Once the march reaches Excel Energy Center, Taps will be played. Those who wish to risk arrest may at that time choose peacefully to trespass into an area forbidden by law enforcement – to commit civil disobedience by continuing to walk in silence toward the RNC site. The others will wait respectfully and then return together to the State Capitol. People willing to risk arrest should carry with them photo identification and be prepared to be detained or jailed. We expect all marchers to respond quietly and with dignity to provocations from anyone, including the police.

Contacts for the anti-torture part of the march and to obtain an orange suit and hood:

Roger Cuthbertson rojo@visi.com952-474-2476 & Bob Kolstad Bob@robertkolstad.com 612-721-3425

Contact for the anti-war part of the march: David Harris 651-388-5863, tuvecino@redwing.net

Sunday, 8/31, 11 am to 12:30 pm, NLG sponsors legal observer/videographer training for RNC, William Mitchel College of Law auditorium, 875 Summit Ave (at Victoria), St Paul. RSVP genab@visi.com

Sunday, 8/31, 12:30 to 2 pm, NLG sponsors legal observer finishing school for RNC, William Mitchel College of Law auditorium, 875 Summit Ave (at Victoria), St Paul. RSVP genab@visi.com

Sunday, 8/31, 1 pm, Liberty Parade down Nicollet Mall to Loring Park, with music, speakers, art displays and activities, all to answer the question "What does liberty mean to you?" downtown Mpls. http://theunconvention.com or http://www.libertyparade2008.com/lp/

Peacekeeper/Marshall and Volunteer Trainings for September 1 March on the RNC

Interested in volunteering at the biggest march in MN history? We could use your help. Please come to one of our 3 marshalling and volunteer trainings so that you can help us have an amazing demonstration on September 1. Organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War. For more information: info@marchonrnc.org, 612-379-3584.

WED, 8/20 @ 7pm @ Waite House, 2529 13th Ave S, Minneapolis
SAT, 8/23 @ 2pm @ Walker Methodist Church, 3104 16th Ave. S. Minneapolis
SUN, 8/31 @ 2pm @ Hubert Humphrey Building Room 30 (301 19th Avenue S, U of MN, West Bank, Minneapolis)

All peacekeeper/marshal volunteers must attend one of these meetings.

On the eve of the Republican National Convention, a festival honoring freedom of expression to gather all of those who have something to say. We're having a light hearted outdoor concert/carnival honoring the resistance. So me of the proceeds will be donated to the resistance.

Experience Guantanmo detention in St. Paul!

I know that spending an evening with republicans might not sound like much fun, but what if we weren't invited?

On the eve of the Republican National Convention, a festival honoring freedom of expression to gather all of those who have something to say. We're having a light hearted outdoor concert/carnival honoring the resistance. So me of the proceeds will be donated to the resistance.

I know that spending an evening with republicans might not sound like much fun, but what if we weren't invited?

Monday Sept 1 - Blockades - the RNC Welcoming Committee has plans to blockade the convention on day 1. www.nornc.org

ANTI-TORTURE BANNERING DURING THE RNC

We have 4 huge banners the size of bed sheets which speak out against torture.

The banners say, "TORTURE DESTROYS US ALL", "TORTURE IS WRONG"; "TORTURE DOESN'T WORK", "WOULD JESUS WATERBOARD?"; "WOULD JESUS TORTURE?", "CLOSE GUANTANAMO"; "CLOSE GITMO". We will be displaying these banners each morning during the RNC. The location of this bannering will be on the Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35E just north of downtown St. Paul. It will take 8 people to display these banners each day. Please call us or email us if you can commit to bannering with us on one or more of these days:

Saturday, Aug 30, 9 to 11 AM
Sunday, Aug 31, 8 to 10 AM
Monday, Sept 1, 8 to 10 AM
Tuesday, Sept 2, 9 to 11 AM
Wednesday, Sept 3, 9 to 11 AM
Thursday, Sept 4, 9 to 11 AM

The Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35 E is just north of downtown St. Paul, between the exit for Maryland Ave and the exit for Wheelock Avenue. Arlington Avenue crosses 35 E just south of the bike path, but has no exit. There should be plenty of parking near the bike bridge even though the RNC is going on.

Thanks to Colleen Rowley and Ross for providing 3 of the 4 banners and for helping us with this project in so many ways, big and small.

Call or email Roger Cuthbertson, 952-474-2476, rojo@visi.com, if you can volunteer to banner with us on one of the above dates. If the schedule above doesn't fit your calendar, there might be opportunities for bannering and message kite lying. Give us a call. Thanks much. Roger Cuthbertson, Tackling Torture at the Top (a committee of Women Against Military Madness)

Visit Guantanamo in St Paul!

Impeach for Peace March Against The Bush Administration

Comp@s:
Este 1 de Septiembre los Republicanos tendrán su convención para nombrar a John McCain como su candidato a la presidencia de los Estados Unidos. La convención tendrá lugar en el Centro Xcel Energy en San Pablo, Minnesota. Los republicanos y su liderazgo nos han usado a nosotros los inmigrantes como piezas para jugar en su campaña política y en su guerra. Muchos de nuestros jóvenes están muriendo en una guerra por mantener el control del petróleo en otro país. Por eso, este 1 de Septiembre MIRAc te convoca a marchar junto con miles de personas que vendrán desde distintos estados para decir que NO estamos de acuerdo con las políticas que ellos están usando para criminalizar a la comunidad inmigrante.

Marcharemos en un Bloque pro-inmigrante.

Punto de Reunión en San Pablo, MN.
El Capitolio: Escaleras del lado Oeste (Calle Constitución y University )
Hora: 11: 00 a.m.

No a la Guerra contra los Pueblos Oprimidos.
No a la Guerra en contra de la comunidad inmigrante.
No al Terrorismo de Estado en contra de Latino América.

Comunicaciones MIRAc
www.mnimmigrantrights.net
email
651.389.9174 Deja tu mensaje

This September 1 the Republicans will hold their convention to nominate John McCain as their candidate to the US presidency. The convention will take place at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The Republicans and their leadership have used immigrants as playthings throughout their political campaigns and for their war. Many of our youth are dying in a war to maintain control of oil in another country. That is why this September 1 MIRAc invites you to march together with thousands of people who will come from around the country to say NO to the policies this administration is using to criminalize the immigrant community.

We will march together in a Pro-immigrant Contingent

Meet-up place in St. Paul, MN
Capitol building: West Steps (Constitution & University)
Time: 11: 00 a.m.

No to War against Oppressed Peoples
No to War against the Immigrant Community.
No to State Terrorism against Latin America.

MIRAc Comunications
www.mnimmigrantrights.net
email
651.389.9174 Leave a message

Join the Poor People's Contingent in the March on the RNC to Stop the War

Contingent will gather on the West side of the Capitol Mall...Look for the yellow balloons!

Full-page PDF flyer for Poor People's Contingent

Half-page PDF flyer for Poor People's Contingent

September 1, 2008 - Opening day of the Republican National Convention - Join us in St. Paul to March on the RNC and Stop the War!

Click on the image above for a PDF of the flyer for the September 1 march. Print it out and make copies - spread the word to your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. Lets make this the biggest and most important protest in Minnesota's history!

For more info on the September 1 march, see the website for the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War.

Join a Creative CODEPINK Affinity Group at the Conventions!
A CODEPINK affinity group is a small group of creative activists working together to carry out an activity of their own during the convention by using costumes, songs, props and street theatre. Each affinity group has a point of contact to encourage participation, provide inclusion and facilitate issues, logistics, roles and needs. Check out the list and sign up!

The Tumbleweed Cabaret: A Peace Revival with Scott Ritter, Medea Benjamin, Ronnie Cummins, Dragon Jane, Ray McGovern and more. Hosted by Lizzie West & Baba Buffalo. At the Lowry Theater 16 W. Fifth Street St. Paul, MN.

National Truth Commission on poverty and economic human rights violations

The Tumbleweed Cabaret: A Peace Revival at The RNC ...To Benefit Code Pink, OCA Featuring guests, Scott Ritter, CODEPINK, Ronnie Cummins, Ray McGovern and more! Hosted by: Lizzie West and Baba Buffalo. More info at www.lizziewestlife.com and www.ustourofduty.com

Join a Creative CODEPINK Affinity Group at the Conventions!
A CODEPINK affinity group is a small group of creative activists working together to carry out an activity of their own during the convention by using costumes, songs, props and street theatre. Each affinity group has a point of contact to encourage participation, provide inclusion and facilitate issues, logistics, roles and needs. Check out the list and sign up!

Exhibit of army boots, Eyes Wide Open will be laid out on the lawn of the state capitol all day long.

PEACE ISLAND: A parallel conference during the RNC
September 2-3, 2008 @ Concordia University, St. Paul

ANTI-TORTURE BANNERING DURING THE RNC

We have 4 huge banners the size of bed sheets which speak out against torture.

The banners say, "TORTURE DESTROYS US ALL", "TORTURE IS WRONG"; "TORTURE DOESN'T WORK", "WOULD JESUS WATERBOARD?"; "WOULD JESUS TORTURE?", "CLOSE GUANTANAMO"; "CLOSE GITMO". We will be displaying these banners each morning during the RNC. The location of this bannering will be on the Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35E just north of downtown St. Paul. It will take 8 people to display these banners each day. Please call us or email us if you can commit to bannering with us on one or more of these days:

Saturday, Aug 30, 9 to 11 AM
Sunday, Aug 31, 8 to 10 AM
Monday, Sept 1, 8 to 10 AM
Tuesday, Sept 2, 9 to 11 AM
Wednesday, Sept 3, 9 to 11 AM
Thursday, Sept 4, 9 to 11 AM

The Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35 E is just north of downtown St. Paul, between the exit for Maryland Ave and the exit for Wheelock Avenue. Arlington Avenue crosses 35 E just south of the bike path, but has no exit. There should be plenty of parking near the bike bridge even though the RNC is going on.

Thanks to Colleen Rowley and Ross for providing 3 of the 4 banners and for helping us with this project in so many ways, big and small.

Call or email Roger Cuthbertson, 952-474-2476, rojo@visi.com, if you can volunteer to banner with us on one of the above dates. If the schedule above doesn't fit your calendar, there might be opportunities for bannering and message kite lying. Give us a call. Thanks much. Roger Cuthbertson, Tackling Torture at the Top (a committee of Women Against Military Madness)

Experience Guantanamo in St Paul!

Substance RNC Music Festival
Featuring Anti-Flag, Wookie Foot, and more.

(Ripple Effect). Beyond the Convention, Beyond Partisanship. A daylong festival propelling a new wave of progressive action outside the RNC.

SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2008, 12:30-7pm
@ Minnesota State Capitol Lawn, St. Paul, MN

Featuring Michael Franti, Anti-Flag, Dead Prez, Wookie Foot w/
Matisyahu, Medea Benjamin (co-founder of CODEPINK and Global Exchange), Will Steger (arctic explorer and global warming activist), I Self Divine, B. Dolan and Prolyphic, Tru Ruts showcase, the Sustainable Living Roadshow, and more.

On September 2nd 2008, almost 10,000 people will gather at the Minnesota State Capitol Mall to engage in trainings, education, community building, music and art in the name of positive social and environmental change.

With the attention of the nation on St. Paul, RIPPLE EFFECT will go beyond the convention and beyond partisanship to further the already burgeoning global movement for sustainability, justice and equality.

Organized by Substance, a young nonprofit founded by three progressives in their early 20's, RIPPLE EFFECT will create partnerships with a diverse team of local and national organizations to provide a catalyst that will unite activists, engage youth and demonstrate positive action.

Their work is not finished, however, as they have yet to meet their fundraising goal. To keep the event free and open to all, they are raising money organically through individual donations and sponsorships from like-minded companies.

To make a contribution and for more information visit

www.rippleeffect08.com

Money For Health Care and Housing! Not For War!

Daily Show co-creator and Minneapolis native Lizz Winstead’s is bringing her new smash off-Broadway comedy WAKE UP WORLD to the Twin Cities for THREE NIGHTS ONLY during that Festival of Failure better known as the Republican National Convention.

Support Our Oil Companies!

Tuesday, 8:30PM 510 1st Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 332-3742
http://www.epicmpls.com

Join our fellow Republican delegates for a "Support Our Oil Companies Rally" at a party hosted by Mississippi Governor Haley "Offshore Drilling" Barbourour and the American Petroleum Institute (API) – the leading trade
group representing the interests of Big Oil whose board members are composed of the CEOs of every major oil company.
Show your support for more oil wars, surging gas prices and obscene profits for Big Oil, drilling everywhere regardless of the consequences and say no to clean and renewable energy funding. We will be wearing our yellow "Support Our Oil Companies" ribbons, waving "Freedom Flags" (flags with the logos of the major oil companies) and showering our fellow delegates with millions of "Oily Dollars" that Big
Oil gives back to Republican candidates (74% of their contributions) and the $1.1 million Senator John McCain received from oil executives and employees immediately after reversing his previous opposition to offshore drilling (even though according to the Bush Administration's own Energy
Information Administration, the effect of allowing drilling in these areas on oil prices would be "insignificant." And the environmental and economic costs would be huge).

CodePink, Global Exchange, Oil Change and the Ronald Reagan Home for the Criminally Insane had no part in organizing this Republican Rally

For more info contace peace@globalexchange.org

Join a Creative CODEPINK Affinity Group at the Conventions!
A CODEPINK affinity group is a small group of creative activists working together to carry out an activity of their own during the convention by using costumes, songs, props and street theatre. Each affinity group has a point of contact to encourage participation, provide inclusion and facilitate issues, logistics, roles and needs. Check out the list and sign up!

PEACE ISLAND: A parallel conference during the RNC
September 2-3, 2008 @ Concordia University, St. Paul

Daily Show co-creator and Minneapolis native Lizz Winstead’s is bringing her new smash off-Broadway comedy WAKE UP WORLD to the Twin Cities for THREE NIGHTS ONLY during that Festival of Failure better known as the Republican National Convention.

Join the CEOs of Big Oil in Thanking the Texas Republican Delegates at their Hotel

When: 8:00 AM, Wednesday, September 3rd (Yes, 8:00AM)

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel 11 East Kellogg Blvd. ST. Paul, MN
The CEOs of ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, BP, Shell and Hess will be hosting a party at the hotel where the Texas Republican Delegates are staying to thank the Republican Party, the Bush Administration and Senator John McCain for the war in Iraq, skyrocketing gas prices at the pump, record breaking corporate profits for Big Oil and their excellent performance in blocking every effort to reduce carbon emissions and our nation's reliance on fossil fuels.
Wear your finest Republican Party clothes and we will provide Republican Party hats, "Oily Dollars", loot bags, "Freedom Flags" (flags with oil company logos) and yellow "Support Our Oil Companies" ribbons.

Be prepared to dance and roll around in the millions of "Oily Dollars" that the industry gives back to Republican candidates (74% of Big Oil contributions go to Republicans) and the $1.1 million Senator John McCain received from oil executives and employees immediately after reversing his opposition to offshore drilling and adopting Big Oil's political agenda across the board.

CodePink, Global Exchange, Oil Change and the Ronald Reagan Home for the Criminally Insane had no part in organizing this Republican Rally

For more info contact: Peace@globalexchange.org

ANTI-TORTURE BANNERING DURING THE RNC

We have 4 huge banners the size of bed sheets which speak out against torture.

The banners say, "TORTURE DESTROYS US ALL", "TORTURE IS WRONG"; "TORTURE DOESN'T WORK", "WOULD JESUS WATERBOARD?"; "WOULD JESUS TORTURE?", "CLOSE GUANTANAMO"; "CLOSE GITMO". We will be displaying these banners each morning during the RNC. The location of this bannering will be on the Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35E just north of downtown St. Paul. It will take 8 people to display these banners each day. Please call us or email us if you can commit to bannering with us on one or more of these days:

Saturday, Aug 30, 9 to 11 AM
Sunday, Aug 31, 8 to 10 AM
Monday, Sept 1, 8 to 10 AM
Tuesday, Sept 2, 9 to 11 AM
Wednesday, Sept 3, 9 to 11 AM
Thursday, Sept 4, 9 to 11 AM

The Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35 E is just north of downtown St. Paul, between the exit for Maryland Ave and the exit for Wheelock Avenue. Arlington Avenue crosses 35 E just south of the bike path, but has no exit. There should be plenty of parking near the bike bridge even though the RNC is going on.

Thanks to Colleen Rowley and Ross for providing 3 of the 4 banners and for helping us with this project in so many ways, big and small.

Call or email Roger Cuthbertson, 952-474-2476, rojo@visi.com, if you can volunteer to banner with us on one of the above dates. If the schedule above doesn't fit your calendar, there might be opportunities for bannering and message kite lying. Give us a call. Thanks much. Roger Cuthbertson, Tackling Torture at the Top (a committee of Women Against Military Madness)

Experience Guantanamo -- in St Paul!

Amnesty International invites you to be part of an effort aimed to raise awareness and finally close down the US detention facility in Guantánamo. Amnesty International is bringing a life-size replica of a maximum security cell at Guantánamo to cities across the USA as a way to bring the harsh realities of illegal detention to concerned citizens.

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to show your commitment to human rights. You can demonstrate your support by visiting the Cell, bringing your family and friends, or volunteering. We can only do it together. Spread the word.

At the site, you will be able to enter the cell, go through the conditions of isolation, and record a video message to President Bush, letting him know where you stand on Guantánamo and torture. And before leaving, you can tear down a pixel of Guantánamo and join our call for detainees to be charged and given fair trials or released.

The Cell will be open to the public on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, September 1-3, from 10:30 AM to 7:30 pm at Walnut Street and 7th Street West in downtown St. Paul.

For more information or to volunteer, please call Robert at 312-435-6396. Info is also on-line at www.amnestyusa.org/celltour.

Join a Creative CODEPINK Affinity Group at the Conventions!
A CODEPINK affinity group is a small group of creative activists working together to carry out an activity of their own during the convention by using costumes, songs, props and street theatre. Each affinity group has a point of contact to encourage participation, provide inclusion and facilitate issues, logistics, roles and needs. Check out the list and sign up!

Daily Show co-creator and Minneapolis native Lizz Winstead’s is bringing her new smash off-Broadway comedy WAKE UP WORLD to the Twin Cities for THREE NIGHTS ONLY during that Festival of Failure better known as the Republican National Convention.

ANTI-TORTURE BANNERING DURING THE RNC

We have 4 huge banners the size of bed sheets which speak out against torture.

The banners say, "TORTURE DESTROYS US ALL", "TORTURE IS WRONG"; "TORTURE DOESN'T WORK", "WOULD JESUS WATERBOARD?"; "WOULD JESUS TORTURE?", "CLOSE GUANTANAMO"; "CLOSE GITMO". We will be displaying these banners each morning during the RNC. The location of this bannering will be on the Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35E just north of downtown St. Paul. It will take 8 people to display these banners each day. Please call us or email us if you can commit to bannering with us on one or more of these days:

Saturday, Aug 30, 9 to 11 AM
Sunday, Aug 31, 8 to 10 AM
Monday, Sept 1, 8 to 10 AM
Tuesday, Sept 2, 9 to 11 AM
Wednesday, Sept 3, 9 to 11 AM
Thursday, Sept 4, 9 to 11 AM

The Gateway Bike Trail bridge over 35 E is just north of downtown St. Paul, between the exit for Maryland Ave and the exit for Wheelock Avenue. Arlington Avenue crosses 35 E just south of the bike path, but has no exit. There should be plenty of parking near the bike bridge even though the RNC is going on.

Thanks to Colleen Rowley and Ross for providing 3 of the 4 banners and for helping us with this project in so many ways, big and small.

Call or email Roger Cuthbertson, 952-474-2476, rojo@visi.com, if you can volunteer to banner with us on one of the above dates. If the schedule above doesn't fit your calendar, there might be opportunities for bannering and message kite lying. Give us a call. Thanks much. Roger Cuthbertson, Tackling Torture at the Top (a committee of Women Against Military Madness)

Walkout and March to Arrest the War Criminals!

A non-partisan family-oriented event. Following four days of marches, art and dramatic presentations and other “UnConventional” expressions throughout the Twin Cities when national attention is on the Republican National Convention, We the People CELEBRATE PEACE. We also eat! Free Picnic! We celebrate ordinary peace in extraordinary times. Musicians, artists and WE THE PEOPLE bring us back to sanity and good neighborliness at home and in the world.
http://theunconvention.com/projects/peace-island-picnic

On September 4, the Republican Party will officially nominate John McCain for president. McCain supports endless occupation in Iraq and has threatened war against Iran. His views on free trade, taxes, health care, immigration, and rights for GLBT people indicate that he plans to continue the war at home as well. Stand with people from around the country to say NO! to war and injustice.

We will rally at the State Capitol at 4 pm and march to the Xcel Center where people will utilize a diversity of tactics to confront the RNC creatively and directly. Organized by the Anti-War Committee, endorsed nationally by the Troops Out Now Coalition, the International Action Center, and locally by the Welfare Rights Committee, Communities United Against Police Brutality, Students for a Democratic Society, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and others.