The RNC hits New York

I heard an interesting tidbit on the radio the other day. Apparently the city of New York sent a police officer to Geneva over the summer to examine how the Geneva police force handled the G8 summit riots in 2003. This fact-finding mission was part of the preparations being made for the expected protests in New York during the Republican National Convention in September. So I did a bit of Google detective work to see what is brewing.

The first thing to come to light was that NY is a very odd choice for a RNC. NYC is strongly Democratic, with registered Democrats outnumbering Republicans by more than 5 to 1. Al Gore carried all five boroughs in the 2000 election. So why come to New York? The timing is suspect as well. Although a few previous national conventions come close, no other convention has ever been held so late. Some claim that holding a convention in NYC in September is nothing but an attempt to exploit memories of 9/11.

So what has the city got in store for the convention delegates? Well, in true New York fashion, it looks like everyone is getting in on the protest action. There are of course, plans for large-scale traditional demonstrations (some of which are expecting up to 250,000 people!). But there is more. Cabbies are being asked to keep their headlights on during the Convention to shine the light on Bush. Workers in the services sectors are asked to shut NYC down by calling in sick. windowtreatmentnyc is asking New Yorkers to put signs of W’s with slashes through them in their windows. John Barlow is proposing dancing in the street as a form of protest. One blogger is asking New Yorkers to try and photograph convention delegates engaging in extra-marital relations or other dodgy activities. There have been calls for pagans, pirates and radical cheerleaders. There are even protests organized against the protesters. It seems that no matter your size, flavor or color, if you are opposed to Bush, there should be a form of protest to suit you. There are hundreds of events planned.

All I can say is go for it. Shut it down, shine the light, give them the window treatment, dance in the streets. Whatever it takes. Get out there and make yourselves heard. If I was in the States, I’d be there with you and I am appreciative of everyone that speaks out in my stead. Because we don’t have to go as far back as ’68 to see that things don’t always go well for protestors of national conventions. And for those of you who aren’t sure why there need to be protests in the first place, here is GW, in his own words.