Massive anti-war march
successful despite police repression; Coalition expresses solidarity
with other activists
Press Conference: Tuesday 9/2 @ 9am at
Bushville, 400 Western Ave. N., St. Paul
Will be held jointly between the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, the RNC Welcoming Committee and the Poor People's Economic and Human Rights Campaign.
Yesterday, anti-war protesters rallied at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, and marched to the Xcel Center, the site of the 2008 Republican National Convention. Protest organizers estimate 30,000 joined the rally and march.
Speakers from the national United for Peace and Justice, the ANSWER Coalition, and the Troops Out Now Coalition addressed the crowd in addition to several other speakers from organizations nationwide. Contingents of veterans, immigrants, low income people, union members, and students participated in the demonstration to oppose the Republican agenda and make the following demands: U.S. Out of Iraq Now; Money for Human Needs, not for War; and Peace, Justice and Equality for all.
Protesters condemned police raids of community kitchens, meeting spaces and protesters' homes. According to Jess Sundin, who spoke for the Coalition at Monday's protest, "We are here today, in the tens of thousands, because we refused to be scared away (by police repression). Because what we are marching for is too important to be silenced. Because this is the only way we can answer the Republican agenda, and demand an end to policies that wage war, deepen poverty, and fuel racism."
At the press conference, organizers will comment on the events from September 1, denounce police repression and brutality, and discuss plans for continuing protests planned for the week of the RNC.
August 31, 2008
Massive anti war march on the RNC September 1, Protest To Continue Despite RNC Schedule Change
Preparations are complete for the massive anti war march scheduled for 11:00 am, Monday, at the Minnesota State Capitol Building. Following the rally, protestors will participate in a permitted march to the Xcel Center and the return to the Capitol.
States Jess Sundin, a spokesperson from the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, “We expect that tens of thousands will join us in the march on the RNC and say no to the war on Iraq.. We have heard from people around the country that they are coming to St Paul. Buses have been chartered, Vans rented, and car pools organized from cities and towns across the Midwest.”
Meredith Aby, a member of the coalition said, “The anti-war movement has ALWAYS had a demand of money for human needs not for war, and Hurricane Katrina was one of the reasons for that demand. Hurricane Gustav affects the Republican Party because they don't want to be seen as ignoring another crisis as they did when they left people to die on freeway overpasses. The demonstration will be voicing opposition to the war's prioritization above human needs such as building levees, the economy, healthcare, etc. In addition, the RNC will still be in session during our march. Tomorrow we can still give our message to the party that supported the war and that supports its continuation.”
The lead contingent in the march will be made up of veterans, including veterans of the war in Iraq. There will also be contingents of trade unionists, low income people, students, and immigrants.
The Monday protest, called by the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, is being held under the calls of: U.S. Out of Iraq Now! Money for human needs, not for war. Say no to the Republican Agenda. Demand peace, justice and equality.
The Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War has been organizing for more than two years to make this rally a success. The Coalition is made up of more than 130 organizations, including the main anti war coalitions in the U.S, immigrant rights organizations, trade unions, low income and community groups.
The Coalition organized a successful struggle to obtain permits for the march from the City of St Paul. The effort to get the permit included the Coalition taking the case to Federal Court, where lawyers from the ACLU and the National Lawyers Guild argued on the Coalitions behalf.
Katrina Plotz states, “Our anti war march will be huge. Police and city officials are trying to scare people and create a climate of fear. We believe people will exercise their right to speak out against the war at the RNC”
Media services: There will be a designated media area near the stage, equipped with a platform for cameras. A media center will be located to the west of the stage, where the main speakers and protest organizers will be available for interviews. A media pass will be required to enter the designated media areas. Passes will be available at the Media Center.
For Immediate Release:
August 29, 2008
Prominent speakers from diverse groups will address anti-war rally in St. Paul on September 1st.
Less than a week before a national demonstration in St. Paul, organizers with the Coalition to March Against the RNC and Stop the War have nearly finalized the list of speakers and performers who will address an 11 am rally at the State Capitol. Confirmed speakers include Jonathan Hutto of Iraq Veterans Against the War, Iraqi activist Sami Rasouli, Kathy Kelly of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, Medea Benjamin of CODEPINK: Women for Peace, Clyde Bellecourt of the American Indian Movement, Carlos Montes of Latinos Against War, and Richard Berg, president of the Teamsters 743 in Chicago.
Other speakers will include representatives of Students for a Democratic Society, the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, the MN Immigrant Rights Action Coalition, and the Minnesota-based Somali Institute for Peace and Justice. Popular folk singer David Rovics will also perform at the rally.
Coalition member Katrina Plotz explains, "We're very excited to have such a diversity of people participating in our demonstration. Featured speakers will include activists from local as well as national groups, who represent a variety of backgrounds and struggles. They will speak about their experiences and connect the injustice of the war abroad with the economic crisis, crumbling infrastructure, and denial of basic human needs at home. Then we'll march to the Xcel Center and send a clear anti-war message to the Republicans and the world."
Organizers anticipate that over 50,000 people will participate in the permitted anti-war rally and march to the Xcel Center.
Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War
Room 112C
1313 5th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN
612.379.3584
www.marchonrnc.org
For Immediate Release: August 12, 2008
Anti-war organizers to announce: “We finally have our permit to march on the RNC September 1”
Press Conference: August 13,
Wednesday, 11pm
MN State Capitol front steps
Organizers will announce today that the city of St. Paul has issued a formal permit for the September 1st anti-war protest set to mark the opening day of the Republican National Convention.
The September 1st protest, organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, is expected to draw thousands of Minnesotans and others from the upper Midwest and from across the U.S. The protest is being organized under the calls of: U.S. Out of Iraq Now! · Money for human needs, not for war · Say no to the Republican Agenda · Demand peace, justice and equality.
A statement issued by organizers says in part, “The stage is now set for the September 1st protest. The issuance of the permit is a major step to guarantee that everyone who wants to come out to say no to the continued war and occupation of Iraq, everyone who wants funds used for housing, health care and human needs instead of an endless war, everyone who wants to speak out for peace and justice, has a place to be on September 1. While the Republican politicians gather, the majority of the population who are against the war will have a place to gather to send a clear anti-war message.”
While organizers point to many deficiencies in the permit, Jess Sundin, of the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War noted, “This permit is really the result of a two-year long struggle with the City of St. Paul to make sure that there is a place at or near the Republican Convention for all those who have suffered from and who oppose the policies of the Bush administration to gather and speak out.”
The September 1st protest will start at 11:00AM with a rally in front of the Minnesota State Capitol building. The march will go past the Excel Center, site of the convention, and return to the Capitol mall.
An ever-growing coalition of peace, student, women’s, union and other organizations have endorsed the September 1st protest and are committed to turning out the largest numbers possible.
For further information contact:
Jess Sundin, 612-272-2209 or 612-379-3584 Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War
Sarah Martin 612-437-0222, Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War
Mick Kelly, 612-715-3280, Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War