August 29th, 2004: Major Rally at the RNC Convention in NYC

[LynneSin]

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?list=sub&sub=47

I will be there and I'm organizing DUers in the area who would like to gather together and march as one group for this upcoming protest.



I plan on being in NYC for part of the convention and we do have a decent hotel with great rates available in downtown NYC for anyone who wants to come to the event and stay for a few days.

If you are planning on coming - please send me a PM here at DU with your name and if you need accomadations (I'll send you hotel information - you pay for it on your own).

Hopefully I can get our DU banner and Cutout George from the DU Owners so we can look real official at the march.

Hope to see you there

[neuvocat]

1. That's awesome!

I wish I were on the east coast.

[muchacho]

2. I live in the city

And I'm THERE!

[Thatguitarman]

37. Concert that week in NYC

September 1...

Wednesday night on Central Park West.

A concert for REAL New Yorkers and people from all over who are disgusted and appalled by the exploitaion of the tragedy of September 11 and the deaths of our friends and neighbors downtown.

(But, the concert is gonna be FUN.)

Go here to find out more.

http://www.thatguitarman.com

[Renew Deal]

3. Anyone can PM me if they need tourism advice or bail money.

OK, maybe not bail money. Let me know if you have questions about NYC.

[MichaelHarris]

47. how about

helping me get from the airport to my hotel? LOL I'm a small town boy, big cities scare me. I get lost going downstairs.

[lapislzi]

4. I live in Putnam County--driving distance

I'll be driving down. I have space in my house for a couple of sleeping bags and room in my car for a couple of warm bodies. PM me for more details.

[sleepyhead]

5. I'm in Brooklyn

And will be there with as many friends and relatives as I can round up. Please keep me posted about any DU events!

[MundoQueGanar]

6. YEAH!

I'm a supporter of the Not In Our Name movement and I'm psyched to see people mobilizing for the RNC!

Here's a link:
www.notinourname.net/rnc

See you in the city!!!

[HesterPrynne]

7. Permits?

Does this protest have permits?

[tinanator]

39. LOL

stop, youre killing me!

[Isome]

8. I'll be here...

I can't put anyone up, I have roommates in my temporary digs. But I am here to join in on the festivities.

[BooRadley]

9. Lets make it a rally to remember

Face it, anything less than a full blown riot will not get media attention. I was thinking we need about 100 men with bags over their heads, wearing nothing but a dog collar and leash being led around by women in fatigues. The handcuffed men should be carrying signs that say, "Torture victims FOR Bush." And it should be explained, at length, by the women in fatigues that these men are detainee's, not prisoners. "The Buck Stops with the President. And we'd like to be there to support his decision to passively endorse, what we call, freedom torture."
You might get a little media attention this way.

[HesterPrynne]

10. Attention

I was thinking that Move On or some such organization should sell shirts. They should all have the same anti-Bush slogan and anyone going into NYC anything during the convention should wear them. They may not give out permits, but they can't stop people from wearing shirts.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tinanator]

40. the same?

how about mine?
FUCK BUSH
and
DICK CHENEY

[slackdude]

41. GOP out of NYC shirts

http://www.cafeshops.com/jbuckley - GOP out of NYC, A NYC Welcome to the Republican Convention and other anti-Bush shirts are available there.

[mopinko]

12. i should be there

i say should, because i will be interupting a family trip to maine, anything can happen. but that's the plan, and i have friend with a couch that i can sleep on. i will be bringing the button wagon. if we want to do a special du button, i would be happy to do that.

[TA]

13. Plan on being there

Thanks for the offer on hotel info. I live in Seattle and will be be making the trip to NYC for the RNC protests. I don't have enough posts to e-mail you LynneSin so would you PM me with the info so I can make plans on where to stay and meet up with other DU'ers.

[MichaelHarris]

48. I'm coming up

from Spokane hopefully.

[LynneSin]

14. More updates!!

First: If you have PM'd me about anything related to this protest and I have not gotten back to you, please PM me again and yell at me. I'm swamped but I will get back to all of you ASAP.

Second: I'm not sure where the meetup point yet for the rally. Our hotel is about 5 blocks from Penn Station, but I have no map yet for the rally. So I'm thinking of having folks meet us early at the hotel and then we can all take the subway to wherever the rally is located. Meeting place (including Hotel name) will be published closer to the event. (although if you need a hotel and I think there are still rooms there, pm me and I'll hook you up). I'll also share out my cell phone number to folks who PM with a request closer to the date.

Third: Keep an eye on these 2 websites for more details about the rally on the 29th: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?list=sub&sub=47 and http://www.counterconvention.com

Thanks folks for your patiences!!!

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Catscape]

16. RNC

I'll try to make it for the convention, but I don't have enough vacation time left. I'll have to come up with a creative way to get out of work ;)

Lynne - are there still rooms available?

[MatthewStLouis]

17. The McJobs President

I heard a great idea for an anti-Bush banner:

W (use an upside down McDonalds M)
The McJobs
President

Could you imagine a sea of people holding up yellow upside down McDonald's M's at the convention! And another great thing is: it's yellow, just like Georgie.

Matt

p.s. Is there a place on DU where people submit slogans and ideas for banners and signs? Thanks

[Catscape]

18. I think you just created one.

Great idea...I'll get to work on an image, but I am concerned about using a copyrighted image... any other ideas?

[Catscape]

19. image for W logo

I created a "W" logo (like McD's) but I am not sure how to post it here...any ideas?

[Catscape]

22. Here's the logo:

[inma30]

20. For those of you living in NYC

Send the RNC a message in New York: Shut It Down

[Raptor514]

21. Dallas DU'rs?

Anyone in Dallas going? I am planning to leave and am trying to find some travel buddies. . .
E-mail me if you're interested.

[Voltaire]

23. 97% sure I will be there

Hope to meet lots of fellow DUers!

[shirlden]

24. Just a little kick

Kick

[Voltaire]

25. Voltaire is in

everything is arranged and I will be there.

[Wolftone378]

26. Advise

I'll probaby be busing it up from the Philly area. Where is a goodplace to meet-up with other DU'ers? The hell with the permit! This thing is getting bigger by the day I'll even volunteer to be one of the people who gets busted, if need be. Won't be the first time I've been rousted. Imagine, Kojak and Sipowitz carting a middle-aged disabled lady with a cane and decent work record away. I love it! :toast:

[JPZenger]

34. I Suggest Taking the Path Train from New Jersey

Traffic and security are going to be a mess in Manhattan. The Penn Railroad station is directly UNDER Madison Square Garden where the convention is going to be held. I imagine they will be strip-searching little old ladies. Most streets around MSG will be closed to traffic, and some will even be closed to pedestrians. Amtrak trains go into the Penn Railroad station.

If you are coming from the south or west, I suggest taking the PATH train from Jersey City or Newark. There are stations close to Interstate 78. This public subway service has a stop a few blocks from MSG, or you can get off earlier in Greenwich Village. It is the fastest, easiest and cheapest way into Manhattan. On Sundays, spaces at parking meters near the stations in Jersey City are free.

http://www.panynj.gov/path/index.html

If you are coming from the east or north, I suggest taking the NYC subways, or commuter trains into Grand Central Station (not Penn Station).

[LynneSin]

27. I just talked to the UPJ /Need someone familiar with Penn Station Area

Just because I wanted to get some idea of when they'll be meeting and where and any other details I can share. Best he knows now is that we will be meeting sometime around 10-11 pm and it sounds like it's going to be around the Southern part of the island.

Now, as for Penn Station know-it-alls, our hotel, the potential meeting point and the possible march will all be somewhere within 10 blocks of Penn Station. I need to find a large place that maybe we can all meet in the morning where folks can ramble in to get coffee & breakfast while we wait for other DU folks to meetup, preferable a location that is close to a subway station. My thoughts here are a coffee shop that has indoor seating where we can all just ramble in sometime after say 9am and when it gets close to March Time we'll all head over to the March.

Any New Yorkers out there that can help out with this???

I

[LynneSin]

28. Our hotel is booked for that weekend

But some inexpensive hotels I've found in the general area are as listed:

Americana Inn
Gershwin Hotel
Hotel 17
Hotel 31
Murray Hill Inn

Also, if you check Orbitz, there are tons of hotels available if you don't mind the cost (ie $175 or more/night)

Hope this helps!

[Voltaire]

29. I am six blocks away

on 19 W 31st Street. I forget the name of the hotel now...damn.

[Thatguitarman]

36. If you're in town...

Seriously... Google me.

I am David Ippolito - That Guitar Man from Central Park

There will be a concert on Central Park West the evening of Wednesday, September 1. If you can make it... show up. It's gonna be great.

Also, Sunday August 20th... before or after the rally. I'm in Central Park ALL afternoon.

hope I see you there.

If you go to this website,

http://www.thatguitarman.com

email me and say "Hey"

Lotsa coll stuff going on that week.

[TA]

55. I'm booked at the Arlington Hotel

It's at 18 W 25th St. Look forward to meeting everyone.

Terry A

[Coconut Buddha Ape]

30. Need some info!

I just made the connection five minutes ago that my trip to visit a friend in NYC happens to coincide exactly with the RNC! After a year of silently fuming in apolitical Japan, I need to feel like I can do something more than hammer away posting on threads and reading.

This will be my first demonstration, so I was wondering what kind of groups or organizations I should get in contact with to maximize my time.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

31. Welcome to DU, Coconut!

:hi:

[LynneSin]

33. Best bet is to keep checking on this thread.

I have the link for United Peace & Justice plus I'll be posting the meeting place once it's organized.

:D

[kclown]

32. Remarkable info

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/19/opinion/19MON4.html

[Thatguitarman]

35. Same Day in New York

All you people in New York City!

CONCERT for truth and reason on Wednesday night, September 1.

Go here to find out about it.

http://www.thatguitarman.com

Also... I may be the only man in America who has, in his possession, a legal Special Events Permit for Central Park on Sunday, August 29th.

Alot of you might know who I am already.

This is David Ippolito... that Guitar Man from Central Park. (Go ahead... Google it.)

I have dedicated the reat of my year, my music, may career to removing Bush form OUR White House. There will be a concert by the Lake in Central Park, that Sunday... I am a registered Independent. I am NOT a Democrat. But, I hope the Republicans will be listening. They will understand that New Yorkers are insulted by their presence in our town, exploiting our friends and neighbors who died downtown.

Plus we're just gonna have good time singing all afternoon.

Lots of cool stuff going on that week.

[Donovanf]

38. Canada Eh?

Comming in all the way from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada for this. I am a poor student and need to find cheap places to stay and cheap food, e-mail me at donovan_fontainehotmail.com (note: replace with @)if you have some info on that. Also I'll be getting there probably around the 23-25 of August and leaving the 2nd of September, is there anything going on before? Hope to see everyone there!

[Tabucky]

42. Also

Also, on Saturday, August 28, the day before the United for Peace and Justice protest, Planned Parenthood will be marching across the Brooklyn Bridge to support women's right to choose.

[LynneSin]

43. thanks for the info, I'll be in NYC that day too

I'll let my friends know so we can organize!!

[Kool Kitty]

44. I'm going and I live in

central New Jersey. We have a sofa bed, so if anyone needs a place-pm me. (As long as you aren't allergic to cats, that is.)

[TreasonousBastard]

45. Coupla small points...

First, I would suggest we meet somewhere far from the Garden. Below 23rd St somewhere, maybe below 14th St. The last major protest in NYC I went to, so many streets were blocked off no one could get to the meeting places.

This time will be worse. Much worse.

Penn Station is to be avoided. Security will be ridiculous, and all trains in and out will undoubtedly be delayed, if not cancelled. I've spent a lot of time in Penn Station, and just closing off all but two of the entrances as they plan will cause hellacious problems. Add to that the general harassment everyone will go through, and it will be pure hell. From NJ, busses could be a good alternative. There are busses from everywhere in NJ, and I have found the Lincoln Tunnel Park&Ride to be very handy.

I don't trust the PATH to be very usable. It's a train using a tunnel and just might be subject to extreme security measures, particularly the line that goes just a few blocks from the Garden.

With all trains and busses, they will probably want to inspect undercarriages, restrooms, etc., in addition to passengers. Delays are to be expected.

There will be enhanced ferry service out of Hoboken, Highlands, and perhaps some other places. The ferries might be the best way to go.

[LynneSin]

46. Thanks for the info

We were going to look for something around Madison Square Park (it's just a small park at 23rd and Broadway but I might have soleft also look around Gamercy Park, Union Square or Stuyesant Square. We were thinking of finding a coffee shop near these places so folks could grab a bite to eat/coffee and we could hang out in the park organizing our group.

Thanks for the info! I'm actually staying downtown in NYC for the weekend so traffic isn't an issue for me!!!

[LSU_Subversive]

49. Count us in. We'll be coming up from 8/27 thru 9/1

Thankfully, we've found a very gracious host (who's also going to be a legal advisor) from the counter convention website. We'd both love to meet up with fellow DU-ers for the march.
:hi:

[Cassandra]

50. I'm not completely sure I want to march...

if it's REALLY hot (and I definitely don't want to be penned in on the West Side Highway) but I'd like to meet up with DUers during the convention and I may have some space available for someone to stay (no pets but lots of breakables, and dust, in my apartment).

[LynneSin]

51. Don't forget the Planned Parenthood rally on August 28th

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x9222

Links are here for more details.

[mopinko]

52. trying to get a busload from maine

i need to get to nyc from maine, as i will be vacationing there.
i found a bus listed here-
http://www.counterconvention.org/lightningbug/index.php...
i contacted the guy, and he is still trying to fill the bus.
please contact him if you are thinking of going from portland.
he has 17 people, he needs 17 more.

[mopinko]

54. this bus is a go

got the e-mail. i think there are still tickets.

[sro798]

53. Voting for Godot -- Comedy Event during RNC

My name is Suzanne and I would like to let you know about a play (comedy) that we're producing during the GOP convention that your supporters might be interested in attending. It's called Voting For Godot, and is being directed by my friend and fellow journalist Cliff Hahn.

The play takes a satirical look at the dysfunctional dynamics behind our absurd political process, one that could reduce even the Perfect Candidate to utter irrelevance -- IF he ever showed up!

Combining broad slapstick with news-savvy geekiness, the play takes irreverent jabs at both parties, the media and voters themselves - um, that would be us. Voting for Godot is a cautionary comic tale about Democracy: use it or lose it.

Centered on two clownish party campaigners, the play follows a mythical candidate put into the blender of modern campaigning, through polling, fundraising, the media spotlight and finally our voting machinery itself. It's not a pretty mix that comes out - but with a big dash of humor, it might be just what we need.

Each performance will also include distribution of voter registration, voter education and other materials, including information on how, you too, can run for federal office.

WHERE:
Performances will take place at The New 14th St. Y, 344 East 14th Street (bw 1st & 2nd Avenues), NYC
Closest subway: 4, 5, 6 to 14th St.; walk east to theatre

WHEN:
Performances 8/28-9/1 & 9/3-9/6 at 8pm; additional matinee on 8/29 at 3pm.

PRICE:
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Votingforgodot.com, at the door, or by SmartTix, 212-868-4444. (http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=VOT)

[deutsey]

56. A friend of mine and I are coming up by bus on the 29th

Hope to see you there...

[shockthewombat]

57. Get out the right message!

I've been reading a lot about what the plans are for the protests at the RNC in New York. And quite frankly, I'm not at all impressed.

The message that many of the large protest groups want to get across is completely off-target and very dated.
Anti-war is NOT an appropriate of effective protest message any more, at least for the duration of the conflict in Iraq. There was a time for that - before the conflict began. I too was involved in anti-war protests... but now is NOT the time. The conflict has begun already, and pulling the troops out now (which many of the protest groups advocate) is simply NOT an option, because of the problems within Iraq. Even though we don't like it, we're in Iraq, and we should fully support our troops until it is the appropriate time to pull out and come home. Just remember that many of our troops abroad are Democrats like ourselves who oppose the conflict as well, but are going because they feel a duty to fight for their nation when they are called upon. Please be respectul and supportive... and don't protest the war. To pull out now is simply foolish, and to condemn it condems those honorable men and women fighting for us.

Instead, protest President Bush's completely foolish economic policies.

Instead, protest President Bush's education and social policies.

Instead, let's carry out a positive message of hope for America come this November.

Let's show the Republicans that we are truly the party of progressivism and optimism and not resort to negative tactics just as they use.

This protest can either give the Democratic cause hope and optimism if it is carried out in a positive manner... but if it is a very negative message we get across, it will be spun against us by the malicious conservative attack groups, and it will only hurt our cause.

[deutsey]

60. I'm protesting the Bush agenda, which includes militarism

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

58. Myself, SouthoftheBorderPaul and José McGillicutty will be there with

friends. I've got a party of about 8 comin'

[peacebuzzard]

59. I will see you guys there....plz keep me posted. Thanks.

Let me know the street corner and the time. And will you have a DU sign? :kick:

[Tashi]

61. Good luck

to you all, can't be there we're living overseas.

[JPZenger]

62. Right Wing Wants Violent Demonstrations

The Right Wingers want violent demonstrations at the Convention. This will allow them to tarnish all Democrats. O'Reilly has been salivating at the expectation of violence. He kept showing video of the anarchist protests in Seattle.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Right Wing plants some destructive people in the middle of the protests. Peaceful demonstrators should be willing to turn in destructive and violent demonstrators so we can find out who they really are.

Lewis Black said it best this morning on Air America: The Right Wing want violence, because violence then gives them a justification for Repression.

Don't give them what they want.

[UCLA02]

63. Remember: Any problems with cops, find a green hat!

Posted this on the other thread, but it bears repeating:

The flourescent green hats are usually National Lawyers Guild legal observers (it will say on the hat, also). If you are being hassled by any law enforcement or RNC hacks, not being allowed to demonstrate how or where you feel your supposed to be allowed to, find an NLG Legal Observer. They're certainly on our side (I'm one of them, I just won't make it to NYC) and they will take down information of the incident and review it for possible legal action. Check the green hat first, though. The last demonstration I worked in LA there were imitations (independent groups with their own LOs), but the real ones will say National Lawyers Guild or NLG Legal Observer on the hat. Settle for nothing but the original! Good luck everybody, wish I could be there!

More GREAT RNC-specific info here:
http://www.nlgnyc.org/rnc.html

For background/history of the NLG:
www.nlg.org

[Salluc]

64. thanks for great tip

We're getting ready to head off to the march now (excited and a little nervous about the antsy police) and really appreciate your great "who to look for advice." Thank you!

[UCLA02]

67. No problem!

Wish I were a green hat for you all to look for (if you ever happen to be demonsatrting in LA, I probably am one of them out there)

Good luck to all who are going and be safe!

Scott

[JohnLocke]

65. Kick (nt).

[TheDonkey]

66. Tell us how it went and give jjuicy detail!!! Thanks

Thanks for representing DU, make us proud! :D