9/1/07 - 1 pm - Press Conference: Activists Prepare to Protest the RNC
Submitted by admin on Fri, 08/31/2007 - 11:00pm.
Press Releases
Sep 1 2007 - 1:00pm
Etc/GMT-5
Press Conference: Activists Prepare to Protest the RNC – Sept. 1 – 1pm
Activists Prepare to Protest the RNC
September 1st, 1pm in front of Xcel Center
175 Kellogg Blvd W, St. Paul, MN 55102
On Saturday, September 1st at 1pm in front of the Xcel Center, local activists will speak out about their upcoming plans to march on the Republican National Convention one year from now. Local organizers will speak about why they want to demonstrate against the war in Iraq, how the St. Paul city council has set up subcommittees that meet in secret to take away the right to assemble from RNC demonstrators, and what local peace and justice organizers are planning for the convention.
After the press conference, the Anti-War Committee is hosting a "pre-versary" picnic and rally from 2 to 5 pm at nearby Mears Park (221 E. 5th Street - 5th St./6th St and Sibley/Wacouta) in downtown St. Paul. The event will have politically themed games for children and adults, music, poetry, and speeches. Local organizations involved in anti-RNC planning will also be tabling with information for how attendees can get involved in building for next year's protests.
Leah Entenmann of the Anti-War Committee explains, "The vast majority of Minnesotans oppose the war on Iraq, and many are looking for ways to make themselves heard. We see the RNC as a huge opportunity for Minnesotans to join their voices with forces nationally against the war and the Republican agenda. The St. Paul City Council's 'Free Speech Committee' sub-committees have been meeting in secret, and are seeking to control our organizing efforts. We are using September 1st to launch a year's worth of organizing against the Republican National Convention, to raise public support for the forthcoming demonstrations, and to announce our intention to march on the RNC—with or without the approval of the St. Paul City Council."
For more information about the 2008 protests, go to protestrnc2008.org. This event sponsored by the Anti-War Committee. More information can be found at: antiwarcommittee.org.
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