I got an email the other day.\u00a0 It’s from a group claiming to be anarchists, claiming to be planning to disrupt the Republican National Convention next year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Highlights”:<\/p>\n
!!BEAT THE REPUBLICANS TO THE PUNCH!!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In case you haven’t heard, the stage is already being set for the republicans visit in 2008. August 31st through September 3rd of 2007\u00a0 (that’s Labor day weekend for all of you making big BBQ plans) will be the twin-cities pReNC. We want you to come, have fun, learn, plan, and share with us. You can get to know our cities, see all the great stuff we\u00a0 have going on, and take part in planning for the main event in 2008.<\/p>\n
Don’t wait for the pReNC, however. Start thinking about what you want to see NOW and come with ideas to work with. We are putting up ride and housing boards soon. They will be linked off our website with a lot of other good stuff at www.nornc.org<\/font><\/span><\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It’d almost be interesting to sign up to house some of these people.\u00a0 Lotta good info there.<\/p>\n
Below is an agenda. We have a weekend of events planned, but we still want you to teach a workshop or organize an event. We have some ideas of the
\nsort of things we want, but if you have something special please let us know and we will do what we can to make it happen. Some of our ideas include: Un-arresting\/ Street tactics, Gas masks, Medic training, Self defense training, Protest 101, Know your rights, DIY riot gear, Squatting basics, Urban gardens, etc. We will also set aside space for guerrilla\u00a0workshops during the weekend.<\/p>\n!!THIS TIME THE REVOLUTION’S GETTING AN EARLY START!!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
And y’all know how\u00a0I love <\/em>it when\u00a0Muffy and\u00a0Joshua start talking “revolution”.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seriously; the Saint Paul\u00a0City Council – dominated as it is by\u00a0far-left DFLers who romanticize the Sixties and\u00a0its so-called\u00a0protest culture – passed a resolution welcoming protesters to the RNC.\u00a0 Now,\u00a0of course <\/em>they’re\u00a0referring to the legal ones.\u00a0 But while the police departments from both\u00a0cities\u00a0have made noises about dealing with the loonies who are likely to accompany the\u00a0legitimate protesters, neither City Council has\u00a0resolved to explicitly condemn and “un-welcome” those planning to disrupt either the convention or the rest of the city’s daily life.<\/p>\n
Which isn’t to say that at least some of their hearts aren’t in the right place; at least one St. Paul City Council member has voiced disdain for the “anarchists” in a non-official capacity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So why not make it official?\u00a0 Why not stand on the side of an orderly practice of the\u00a0democratic process?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here is some of what we have planned so far:<\/p>\n
FRIDAY AUGUST 31ST<\/p>\n
12:00am to 5:00pm at the Jack pine Community Center
\nPick up a “welcoming guide” with the weekends plans. There will be snacks
\nand nice people. Stop by when you get into town so we can get an idea
\nof numbers and you can have updated information. We will also be giving
\nradical bike tours throughout the afternoon.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nI might just take that afternoon off.\u00a0 A “radical bike tour” sounds like fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n
4:30
\nat Loring Park<\/span>
\nA pre-Critical Mass discussion on de-arresting. We don’t want anyone in jail
\nfor this super fun weekend so let’s figure out how to look out for each other.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThis, I want to attend.<\/p>\n
As well as this:<\/p>\n
9:00pm and on
\nEVERYWHERE
\nNight games!<\/p><\/blockquote>\nHm.<\/p>\n
And finally:<\/p>\n
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3RD<\/p>\n
10:00am starting location TBA<\/p>\n
Intelligence\/info gathering march through St. Paul. NO CHANTS ALLOWED.
\nMarch through St. Paul and gather information, take measurements, check
\ndrain covers etc.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nDrain covers?<\/p>\n
Someone wanna ‘splain me that one?\u00a0<\/p>\n
RNC<\/span> Welcoming Committee<\/p>\n
Come visit in September 2008!<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.rncwelcomingcommittee.org<\/font><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.nornc.org<\/font><\/span><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n