Classes Train GOP Convention Protesters

[Massacure]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=696&e=5&u=/ap/20040616/ap_on_el_pr/gop_convention_protests

Passing up road trips, beach vacations and barbecues, thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators are heading to summer school to learn how to stage successful sit-ins and what to do if pepper spray burns their eyes. Welcome to Convention Protesting 101.

Before the GOP convention begins Aug. 30, veteran activists will train protesters in street tactics, legal issues, public relations and first aid. Their aim: creating a force of demonstrators to carry out safe and organized protests.

"When you're protesting in New York City," said John Sellers, the director of a California-based group that trains activists, "you're definitely in the big leagues."

<snip>

Police spokesman Paul Browne declined to comment on activist training but said the department approves of any methods that teach protesters to be less confrontational. Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said recently that he expects about 1,000 arrests per day during the convention — three times the normal daily arrest volume.

<snip>

[Eloriel]

1. Wish I could be there

GO, ACTIVISTS!!

[FudgeOff]

2. You don't want to be there

I suspect alot of New Yorker's are going to get really upset with the activists....and that could in turn get ugly.

[CharlesGroce]

4. I think....

it's the police who will be angry with the protesters. New Yorkers know good and well that the Bush administration and much of the rest of the government are a bunch of thugs with neither the understanding nor the respect required to support the constitution. I don't know what news you have been reading, but Americans are angry at the government, and it's high time we show it by doing more than point and click.

[FudgeOff]

9. Do you live in New York?

[struggle4progress]

6. When I've protested in NYC, I've always found the inhabitants friendly

[bluestateguy]

3. I suspect the authorities have already infiltrated these classes

So I don't know how much good they will do.

[madrchsod]

5. you don`t have to suspect-

you know they already have...

[Massacure]

7. The article mentions that the police prefer people take the classes

The police are there to prevent chaos and disorder. The classes teach people how to chaoos and disorder. Therefor, the classes make the police officers' work much more easier.

[kainah]

8. whether infiltrated or not, classes are valuable

It's always important -- and valuable -- to have nonviolent civil disobedience training. And I fear that all the skills you can get will be needed in NYC this summer.

[PROUDNWLIBERAL]

10. A Modest Proposal

Just as a tactic, but not really environmentally sound. Take a piece of old tire and some used motor oil. Set on fire in the street or on the sidewalk. If enough people do this it will look a bit like Baghdad when it was bombed. Send a statement to the GOP! What a great way to start the 21 st Century by bombing the Cradle of Civilization. Hope there is a lot of demonstrators, and they don't remain in the controlled zones!