RNC: The Case for Protest

This video, featuring members of the New York Civil Liberties Union, makes the case for public protest during the convention. It outlines the points of contention between police and specific activist groups; traces policing problems since 9/11; and (in the latter portion) provides a primer for conduct and profiles the major organized protests. I usually don't post pieces this long (about 29 minutes), but it's really well done, and creates a thoughtful context for the drama playing out in NYC.

With the Republican's spinning the demonstrations as unpatriotic and even anarchistic, this piece makes it clear how difficult it has become to exercise the right to protest and why the events this week have such potential for trouble.

Real Player clip here

link source: freespeech.org
more info: new york civil liberties union

Comments

[Annoying Old Guy]

I don't remember any posts like this while the Democratic Party was restricting protestors to a small cage far off the convention site, nor any protests from the Massachussets Civil Liberties Union.

I also don't think it's the Republicans that are spining the protestors as anarchic and non-democratic, but the protestors themselves. If their goal is to "shut down" the convention rather than present their point of view, why shouldn't I take them at their word?