Any New Yorkers out there

[mac1000a]

that will be protesting the GOP convention this summer? I'm in CA, but I'm seriously thinking about making the trip. I might even take some direct action and get myself arrested. I don't know anyone in New York and might need someone to bail me out. I, of course, will pay all costs.

[MajorFlaw]

1. As a New Yorker myself,

I would advise you not to plan on getting arrested. Your enemy is not the NYPD, it is the sorry slugs holding the convention. Many of the guys in uniform would be out there protesting with you if they weren't on duty. Please let's keep our protests, which I expect to be large and loud, civil and non-violent. There is no reason to have any confrontations with the police.

[mac1000a]

2. Just so you know

I haven't decided on anything yet. And I'm not into violence. I don't break or smash things. But if they try to pen me into some free speech zone or something like that, I could very easily see myself breaking out of it.

[ijk]

3. I think you're missing the point

As both a New-Yorker-in-exile and a frequent protester, I can assure you that it's thoroughly possible to be jailed while being civil and non-violent. I don't know how the cops plan to handle the convention, but given experiences of the past, the likely huge and varied set of protesters, the use of multiple convention sites, the presence of quite a few different law-enforcement organizations, and so on, a large number of arrests for trivial or no cause are likely.

I would suggest that nonnative New Yorkers planning to come would do well to associate themselves with a particular group that can provide support services (i.e., lawyers) before they get there. Given the possible level of chaos, relying on a couple of DU pals may not be sufficient. (Maybe DU as a whole, though, wants to function as such a group?) I'd also suggest that anyone take seriously the possibility of being arrested and allow for it; it needn't be the end of the world. Talking to people who've been in this situation before would also be wise, if you yourself have not.

[countmyvote4real]

12. Don’t count on the NYPD to support your right to protest.

I was at the 3/20 march and overheard an exchange between a couple protesters who asked a cop about the purpose of the camera hanging from his neck. The cop replied that it was to document any illegal activity. And if that bothered them, they should know he was bothered by the protest and the opinions at expressed at the rally.

It was all very civil and not a heated exchange from either side, but still very telling. I wondered silently to myself if he was bothered by the overtime pay.

The Republican convention should be protested, but the “free speech zones” will be blocks away from their events. I think those of us that live here should jack up prices and give them an opportunity test their bogus trickle-down economics. They can afford it, right?

Cake for everybody.

[Stephanie]

17. Welcome to DU, MajorFlaw

Belatedly, but welcome anyway. Nice post, good advice.

[MajorFlaw]

33. Thanks, I feel right at home.

[CaptainClark23]

4. Direct Action means

get a lawyer, not some net hookup.

but all things considered, mac... if you're coming to get all juiced at fighting the man, stay the fuck home.

isn't there enough fucking ways to get cuffed, and you want to "get yourself arrested"?!

come to NYC to protest. to take a stand. to exercise your constitutional rights. you will be welcome. we'll stand together.

but come here to start stupid shit? you'll get a real NYC welcome. I promise.

See you in the streets. Hope you make it.

ON EDIT, PS: no problem with non-violent civil disobedience, of course. And if TSHTF, self-defense is Constitutional as it gets.

[mac1000a]

5. Thanks for all the advice

But relax. I'm not coming there to start shit with anyone. I just want to be ready. I've been to many marches here and in SF, including some that have gotten very ugly. I was at the one in Oakland where the police opened fire with wooden bullets on a group of protesters and longshoremen standing nearby that had nothing to do with it. You might have heard of it, you might not have. There were people walking around with huge welts on them. The longshoremen testified that there was no provocation for that. So chill. I'm just preparing for all possibilities.

[Stephanie]

6. What Capt Clark said.

We don't need any more trouble in NYC.

Sometimes when I see a new poster who is talking about starting trouble I wonder if they are for real.

[mac1000a]

7. Cool

I respect your community. And if this is how you feel, then you will get no trouble out of me. The last thing I want to do is put New York through any more chaos. I appreciate your feedback.

[Andy_Stephenson]

11. Honor those who died and whose spirits

are still there...with peaceful protest.

[mac1000a]

8. P.S.

Maybe we could get a DU group to go together, have a big banner. Do something special. What do you think?

[thebigidea]

9. just as long as I get to be the guy that wears fake sideburns...

... and speaks into what appears to be his closed fist.

[mac1000a]

10. To each his own I say

[Renew Deal]

13. We could chain ourselves to a Starbucks cash register

and get beaten by the cops. Sounds like a plan.

[Stephanie]

14. There seems to be an East Coast/West Coast disconnect on this question

We're so dead serious here. No time for hijinks. Lives are on the line. Democracy is at stake. And the planet.

[thebigidea]

15. I'm waiting for the 60s-style Cointelpro types to show up

I wonder what current manuals describe as appropriate costumes these days.

Rove no doubt paid attention during his youthful Nixon-lovin' years - I'm sure similar hijinks are being planned.

(not to mention already being carried out...)

[Stephanie]

16. exactly - I think we're seeing it now

just look around

[Andy_Stephenson]

18. I'm all for peaceful protest.

and I am West Coast.

:hi:

[thebigidea]

19. my own loyalty is torn between LA and NYC, leaving me strewn throughout MN

I can imagine Karl Rove thinking: "We can't afford NOT to have the convention protests turn violent. Make sure it happens."

[Stephanie]

20. You're right - that was the wrong answer

It's not the coast.

:hi:

It's the attitude. Nobody serious is anticipating anything but peaceful protests.

[Andy_Stephenson]

21. I felt it when I was there.

Never went...but I felt it. No, the best way to honor them is peaceful protest.

[Stephanie]

22. It's still a horror

I just heard on the news that it's 30 months. But I can't believe it. Like yesterday.

NYC next fall will be a model of peaceful protest.

[jumptheshadow]

27. Thank you, Stephanie

I ride through the Cortlandt Street subway twice a day and just can't believe what happened above it. It seems like 9/11 was last month. Most out-of-towners don't understand that.

And the cops. I went to a cop's wedding a while back. The cops were whacked. They were depressed, grief-sticken, joyless and preoccupied, even at a wedding. I really fear that the convention could disintegrate into a violent catharsis for both sides. And that would be a terrible blow for this city.

Edited to take out some details.

[mac1000a]

23. Okay

I started this thread, and I don't want it to turn into a conflict between East Coast, West Coast or violence against non-violence. I just want to say that you're all good people, and I respect you all for what you're doing. You're right, let's make this one a peaceful protest. Hope to see you all there.

[thebigidea]

24. well, if you don't vigorously put your foot down over such stuff...

... Ashcroft would be padlocking the servers and rounding up people.

[jumptheshadow]

28. Cool

eom

[robbedvoter]

25. Unless I have guards at my door, I intend to

I have a feeling they'll keep us eagle spread against our buildings for the duration. However i'll wear my Bush Knew T-Shirt in that case ;-)

[mandyky]

26. The GOP may be moving the convention to Houston

according to Roll Call as heard on CSpan about a week ago.

[robbedvoter]

32. Hey, Richard Clarke may make it necessary!

ground Zero won't look too good on W nomore ;-)

[smirkymonkey]

34. Wow - do you have any more info on that?

Link?

Also, if anyone is interested, there is a group here in NYC called CounterConvention, their website is www.counterconvention.org.

They might not even end up here, which is what I prefer, even though everyone is all geared up for a protest.

[mandyky]

35. Like I said I heard it on CSpan

One of the Roll Call editors mentioned it, and I think it was the same day he said that Tom DeLay may be indicted for election fraud.
I haven't heard it since or on any other media, but they've been preoccupied with the Clarke/Rice dilemna.

[greatauntoftriplets]

29. Yep, Karl Rove would like nothing better than a replay of Chicago 1968.

Violent protest in the streets, scores of "liberals" battling law-and-order. It'll really impress Joe Sixpack on the 10 PM news. Think of the great commercials it'd make and Rove would play it directly to Bush's advantage.

[i_c_a_White_Ghost]

30. I live in Jersey 10 minutes from NYC

[rbnyc]

31. I'm going to find another way to contribute...

...besides being there because I'm going to be 9 months pregnant at the time of the convention and I don't feel safe being penned into the huge crowd.

I've been planning my signs for ages and really looking forward to going, but my baby's safety comes first. I'll find other ways to help out.

Good Luck!