1/23/08 - 3:30 pm - Press Conference: Resisting the RNC

For Immediate Release

Resisting the RNC: A Minnesota Town Hall Organizing Meeting

On January 23 at 3:30 pm, Protest RNC 2008 (www.protestrnc2008.org) and the RNC Welcoming Committee (www.rncwelcomingcommittee.org) will host a joint press conference to publicize our next Town Hall Community Forum. To allow for an open dialogue with the community, media representatives will not be allowed into the Town Hall Community Forum itself. To get the most up-to-date information from local groups who are planning resistance to the RNC, you are cordially invited to attend this press conference:

Press Conference
January 23, 3:30 p.m.
Walker Community Methodist Church
3104 16th Avenue S, Minneapolis

The Republican National Convention (RNC) is coming to Saint Paul this September but city officials and politicians on both sides of the river refuse to listen to area residents who will be most effected by the RNC. Our organizations seek to provide that missing space for the community. On January 26th, we will host "Resisting the RNC: A Minnesota Town Hall Organizing Meeting," which is third in an ongoing series of community gatherings. This is an opportunity for community members to have a say about what will happen in our cities during the RNC.

Organizers explain, "This will be a space for people to come together, share ideas and energy, and participate in the process. We invite the community to join us for a discussion about why the Republicans are coming, what it means for our community, and why resistance is necessary."

Anh Pham, with the Anti-War Committee said, "This will be an important event for the Twin Cities. The RNC demonstrations will be a historical opportunity for the anti-war movement in the Twin Cities to say Troops Out Now with a national audience and with tens of thousands of people. Additionally, we are looking forward to hearing about a variety of plans – including civil disobedience – and building unity within the local movement for groups to be able to support a range of ways people will say no to the RNC!"

Angel Buechner, Welfare Rights Committee member, said, "Having the RNC here in St. Paul is a slap in the face for the low income community. The Republican agenda has devastated our families. With all the cut backs on the social safety net, loss of jobs, wages dropping, the raising cost of health care and child care, we are drowning below the poverty level. The Republicans have done nothing to make the lives better for the poor and working people in the United States. The Welfare Rights Committee and our supporters will be at the Convention to say NO to the RNC and NO to the Republican agenda!"

Darryl Robinson with Communities United Against Police Brutality stated, "The Republican agenda is all about clamping down on civil liberties and ramping up the police state. We will not sit idly by while they come to town and our local police agencies join in their efforts to criminalize dissent."

Representatives of community organizations will be available for interviews after the press conference.

Contact: Kim DeFranco 651-341-6751
Karen Redleaf 651-283-3495

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