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What gives here? Correct me if I am wrong, but we didn't see this level of protest at any RNC where Bush I or Reagan was President. This is pretty significant in my view.
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264 arrested in N.Y. cycle protest
From CNN Assignment Editor Jonathan Wald
Saturday, August 28, 2004 Posted: 9:53 AM EDT (1353 GMT)
NEW YORK (CNN) -- In the first major clampdown on protesters before the Republican National Convention, New York police arrested more than 250 bicyclists Friday night during a mass demonstration.
About 5,000 cyclists gathered in Union Square Park at 6 p.m. for "Critical Mass," a monthly bike ride around Manhattan, sponsored by environmental group "Times Up!"
Police started making arrests at around 8:30 p.m. in several locations along the bike route, including Madison Square Garden -- the venue for the Republican National Convention.
The cyclists caused "massive disruptions including of people trying to get to the hospital and so we took appropriate action," said NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Public Information, Paul Browne.
Cyclists said the bike ride was peaceful and the police acted unreasonably.
"It was a very peaceful, friendly occasion, like a parade," said one of the cyclists, Ellie Maxwell.
"Everyone was riding along when police suddenly penned us in and started picking people off," Maxwell said. "The police actually caused more disruptions than the cyclists because they blocked off roads -- at one point for as long as an hour and a half -- whereas the cyclists were always moving."
Most of those arrested were taken for processing to Pier 57 and will be charged with disorderly conduct, an NYPD spokesman said.
The three-story, block-long pier has been converted to a holding pen especially for those protesting the convention so that city precincts will not be overrun by waves of arrests.
The pier can hold 1,000 people and will remain in operation until the end of the U.S. Tennis Open.
Police distributed flyers at the start of the ride in Union Square warning that anyone breaking traffic laws could be subject to arrest.
The monthly bike ride drew thousands more than usual due to the number of people who wanted to protest against the convention.
"Critical Mass" takes place on the last Friday of every month to promote the interests of bicyclists.
According to its Web site, "Critical Mass's aim is to make people take notice of cyclists as road users."
"Although some obstruction of 'normal' traffic occurs," says the Web site, "we are only seeking to raise the profile of cycling, and put cycling and transport issues on the agenda so that they will not be ignored."
An estimated 250,000 protesters are expected to march from Union Square on Sunday past Madison Square Garden.
There was nothing to protest at the DNC convention. They didn't have anyone running who was willing to take a stand on any of the issues. It's hard to protest something if there are no issues involved.
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“So I became a newspaperman. I hated to do it but I couldn’t find honest employment.” —Mark Twain
There was nothing to protest at the DNC convention. They didn't have anyone running who was willing to take a stand on any of the issues. It's hard to protest something if there are no issues involved.
That and they put the protesters in a cage down the street.
There were protesters at the Democratic convention but somehow I expect we will get more complete coverage of those at the Republican convention.
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“votes are collared under democracy, not by talking sense but by talking nonsense.” ~H. L. Mencken
Its not that the protesters are there because the Republicans are taking a stand on something. Reagan took a stand on many things, but there were never 250,000 protesters at his conventions. Perhaps to a lesser exent, Bush I took stands too, but no 250,000 protesters at his nominating conventions.
And Kerry took stands on many issues too, even saying that we need a truthful President who will not mislead our Country into War. And there were not 250,000 people there to protest against that, nowhere near that many in the "cage down the street" Sirchaz.
So 40, your remark may have given you a chuckle. But it is meritless. 250,000 people are going to be protesting in New York against this President and his convention. That is more people than will be at the convention to support him. That speaks volumes about how this President has this Country on the wrong track.
Its not that the protesters are there because the Republicans are taking a stand on something. Reagan took a stand on many things, but there were never 250,000 protesters at his conventions. Perhaps to a lesser exent, Bush I took stands too, but no 250,000 protesters at his nominating conventions.
And Kerry took stands on many issues too, even saying that we need a truthful President who will not mislead our Country into War. And there were not 250,000 people there to protest against that, nowhere near that many in the "cage down the street" Sirchaz.
So 40, your remark may have given you a chuckle. But it is meritless. 250,000 people are going to be protesting in New York against this President and his convention. That is more people than will be at the convention to support him. That speaks volumes about how this President has this Country on the wrong track.
I get a kick out of your logic sometimes. Ratio of protesters to delegates is now definative proof that a national mandate exists? Nice spin there Buse.
I don't agree we are on the wrong track. We are on the right track but headed the wrong direction. Changing to a parallel track headed the same direction will not help.
Your right however, that is a lot of protestors.
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“votes are collared under democracy, not by talking sense but by talking nonsense.” ~H. L. Mencken
There is a movement afoot to shut down NYC on September 1st in protest against Bush.
Tech helps protesters get creative
Changing how protests are organized
Saturday, August 28, 2004 Posted: 12:29 PM EDT (1629 GMT)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Gary Boston and Jeff Adler are just two guys with a dream: shutting down New York City for a day.
What they want is a general strike, with everyone from Broadway dancers to Madison Avenue street sweepers calling in sick Wednesday to protest the Republican National Convention, which begins on Monday. (Special Report: America Votes 2004, the Republican convention)
Both men are in their 30s and have full-time jobs, and neither has any organizing experience. Boston, who had never built a Web site before, put together ShutItDownNYC.com in three days, using Microsoft FrontPage software and the book "FrontPage for Dummies." The site has received more than 22,000 hits since it launched in late June.
"It's pretty amazing the amount of attention we've been able to generate with very simple tools," said Boston, a Wall Street analyst.
Technology has changed how protests are organized.
Activists are using the Internet to arrange housing for out-of-towners, organize a mass-flash of underwear emblazoned with anti-Bush messages and tell protesters what to say if they're arrested ("I am going to remain silent. I would like to speak with a lawyer.").
There are at least two Web guides for protesters packed with calendars of events and dining guides -- including Dumpster diving tips for those on a tight budget.
Cell phones work well for on-the-fly mobilizations, and text messages add to their power. Some protesters are signing up for 10 p.m. daily text updates telling them where the next day's events will be.
The phones have also put a technological twist on street theater.
An activist who calls himself Rev. Billy and members of his organization, The Church of Stop Shopping, plan to gather Tuesday at the commuter train station at Ground Zero, where they are to mill around reciting lines from the First Amendment into their cell phones for a half-hour, then recite it together, then disperse.
Republicans arriving for their national convention are going to find that this is not Bill Clinton's New York City.
When Clinton got the Democratic nomination here in 1992, most police officers were carrying .38-caliber Smith&Wesson revolvers, and firefighters were blowing the air horns of their passing trucks in welcome.
The police dealing with the Republican convention this year likely will wear bulky body armor, tote ugly, rapid- fire rifles and have a protective face mask strapped on one hip and a semiautomatic pistol on the other.
If the police officers are off-duty, they may be seen with firefighters and other city workers demonstrating against a Republican mayor who has offered them salaries they consider insultingly low.
In addition to Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg, formerly a registered Democrat, Gov. George Pataki, is a Republican.
In 1992, Democrat David Dinkins was mayor and Democrat Mario Cuomo was governor. If the police commissioner looks familiar, he should. It was Ray Kelly in 1992 and it is now.
Aside from security, the city remains the attraction it always was -- except now it is a great deal safer.
In1992, the city saw 2,020 homicides; last year there were 596, city statistics show. Times Square has been purged of its sex shows and in their place are blinding neon lights heralding family friendly attractions.
Subways are relatively clean, crowded with life and scrubbed of graffiti. There's a Starbucks on nearly every corner, as well as Pottery Barns and Gaps, just like those back in the delegates' hometowns.
Delegates this time around probably will want to stay and sightsee after the convention is over, predicted Guy Molinari, a prominent Republican and former Staten Island borough president.
His colleagues in Congress, where he served in the 1980s, still call him when they're coming to town and ask for tickets to shows, he said.
"I think the big decision delegates will make is how long they will stay and how much they can squeeze in," he said.
One thing that might give delegates a little more trouble than in 1992 are the large number of scheduled protests, said Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, who was parks commissioner in 1992.
After all, the country now is embroiled in a controversial war, no one knows where the economy is headed, and the incumbent is in town.
"I seem to recall some demonstration [in 1992] that had to be moved to Times Square, but that was about it," Gotbaum said.
It makes sense to me that there would be more protestors at the incumbent's convention than at his challenger's convention. Especially when the article points out - the governor and the mayor are both Republicans as well. Great time for Dems to protest everything Rep.
I'd also be willing to bet that the internet has changed the political world tremendously, with so many "scheduled protests." People are able to organize much larger groups these days.
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I will be willing to bet that parts of the protestors turn to violent means, breaking windows and wrecking cars. That will really be great. Instead of the cops looking for terrorists, they'll have to babysit the protestors. Whoever decided to have the convention in New York should have their head examined.
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For a network with a relatively small market share you sure seem fixated on it.
Believe it or not FNC has a larger market share than CNN. On days where relatively no big events occur FNC gets an average rating of 2.0 and CNN gets a rating of 0.4.
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Believe it or not FNC has a larger market share than CNN. On days where relatively no big events occur FNC gets an average rating of 2.0 and CNN gets a rating of 0.4.
Yes but compared to CBS, ABC, or NBC it is extremely small in terms of audience.
BTW CNN sucks. It is not suprising their ratings are low.
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