RNC-DNC Conventions 2008

from email, 10 September 2008: In the last week, eight people affiliated with the RNC Welcoming Committee were arrested in their homes or picked up off the streets and charged with conspiracy to riot and furtherance of terrorism. The Welcoming Committee was a group that formed to facilitate logistics (food, housing, convergence center) around the 2008 Republican National Convention Protests in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  more

from IAC, 4 September 2008: We are all just emerging from the shadows, however. The events of September the First were just another of the glimpses of light that has recently been breaking the darkness all around us. It marks our return to the outside world. All preparations for this battle were done openly and defiantly. Those readying the counter-curses were brave and bold and filled with love every step of the way. more

from imc-uk, 4 September 2008: In what appears to be the first use of criminal charges under the 2002 Minnesota version of the Federal Patriot Act, Ramsey County Prosecutors have formally charged 8 alleged leaders of the RNC Welcoming Committee with Conspiracy to Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism. Monica Bicking, Eryn Trimmer, Luce Guillen Givins, Erik Oseland, Nathanael Secor, Robert Czernik, Garrett Fitzgerald, and Max Spector, face up to 7 1/2 years in prison under the terrorism enhancement charge which allows for a 50% increase in the maximum penalty.  more

from RNCWC, 3 September 2008: The RNC Welcoming Committee wants to say thank you to all who have stood with us through these challenging days, to all who have faced the brutal attacks and repressive intimidation of the police, and have still gone back to the streets. Thanks to all who have made calls, sent emails, donated money, and expressed your outrage at these brutal attacks. more

from email, 30 August 2008: Attention all Anti-capitalists, Anarchists, Anti-authoritarians, Horazontalists, Radical Youth and people with a conscious! In the media frenzy that is sure to surround the (no)RNC we hope to not only physically shut down the RNC but also to make visible resistance to the issues of the wholly corrupt and impudent system of representative democracy and capitalism as a whole. In order to try and accomplish these goals, we, a newly and temporarily formed association of autonomists, anti-capitalists and people of anti-authoritarian persuasion are calling for activists of all stripes to disrupt and subvert the RNC even further... more

from email, 23 August 2008: Well, we've almost made it. The Democratic National Convention starts in five days which means that in four days, the real party begins. Unconventional Denver is putting the final touches on a week worth of festive and liberating actions, and now all we need is you. Here are a couple updates to bring you up to speed on what's happening in Denver, what to expect, and how to plug in.  more

from email, 14 August 2008: Here’s some news that may be useful to people planning demonstrations at the 2008 RNC. The Republican National Convention organizers just issued a press release with a list of hotels where Republican delegates will be staying when they visit Saint Paul in the first week of September. With all the talk of blockading the RNC, this list should give potential blockaders some idea of which direction the delegates will be coming from. more

from anarchist news dot org, 7 August 2008: On the evening of August 25, the night of the Democratic Party’s fundraising events, we will manifest ourselves not as a focus group but as a force: against capitalism and in solidarity with those who fight against policing on a daily basis ... against the destruction of the planet; and for our own needs for a total transformation of society. At 6 p.m., gather as a Black Bloc at Civil Center Park in downtown Denver ... Be materially prepared. We do not seek a mere march against capitalism but rather a communication mechanism to inquire of others a modest question: "We want everything. Do you?" more

from rncwelcoming, 7 April 2008: "The geography of the 2008 RNC lends itself quite readily to a blockading strategy - unlike conventions of past years, this one is being held in a city without the capacity to sustain it alone. St. Paul is not big enough. Thus, convention-related events are happening all over the Twin Cities metro area, bringing Minneapolis into the fold..." more