July 27–August 3, 2000
gop till you drop
Counter Culture
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In their shoes: The Web site of gun-control group Silent March. |
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by Gwen Shaffer
It’s true that the Republican National Convention will draw 20,000 stuffed shirts to Philadelphia. But even the most left-leaning of hippies can look forward to the week, thanks to that constitutionally guaranteed spectacle known as the political protest. As early as July 24 — an entire week before GOP delegates plan to gather at the First Union Center — Philadelphia’s streets will be filled with marches, rallies and parades. Of course, there will be lots of photo opportunities for amateur shooters as well.
The following guide should help you decide where and when to fight the power.
Through Aug. 4
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a larger-than-life stuffed elephant floating through the air must be priceless.
Spiral Q Puppet Theater is preparing for its biggest social change project yet. The group has set up an activist art studio in advance of the convention. During the week, Spiral Q will serve as a clearinghouse for local and visiting activists who want to come and build props and signs, or borrow any of the pre-made puppets and other items for their event.
To schedule a time to use the studio, call 215-545-2127, www.spiralq.org.
July 24-30
If you’ve never participated in a "direct action" before, perhaps you could use some pre-convention training. That’s the idea behind the weeklong "convergence" planned by the Philadelphia Direct Action Group (PDAG). Participants will get briefed on self-defense tactics, how to react if arrested and legal rights. By arriving in Philadelphia early, not only will you get a chance to learn the city, the PDAG Web site says, but you can "scout for possible targets." You should interpret that one yourself.
The yet-to-be-announced convergence "zone" sounds like it will resemble a temporary campsite — food, water, bathrooms and bike rentals will all be available.
The festivities kick off July 24, with a puppet-making workshop. Even if you don’t have a special way with felt and papier-mâché, organizers say they need volunteers to help cook and work security.
July 24-Aug. 5
What would any political event be without a contingent of Mumia Abu-Jamal supporters?
Yes, the Refuse & Resist! Network promises to crash the "Executioners’ Ball" with force, during Philly Freedom Summer 2000. Among the activities planned is the Face of Justice Campaign, a community-based poster project opposing the execution of Mumia. The idea is to plaster entire neighborhoods and strip malls with posters contrasting "what Mumia represents to Bush’s agenda."
Mumia supporters will conduct a public opinion poll in neighborhoods all over Philly. They will ask people whether they prefer to walk into the future with Mumia or George Bush. Advocates will also host workshops on the death penalty, police brutality and "refusing and resisting" Mumia’s sentence.
Mumia surely wants people working on his behalf to enjoy the week as well. Not to worry. Refuse & Resist says there will "some down time for BBQs, basketball, movies and other fun stuff."
Pam Africa and her group are also organizing an entire day of civil disobedience actions in support of Mumia on Aug. 1.
For more information call Refuse & Resist! Youth Network in New York City, 212-713-5657, or e-mail refuse@calyx.com.
July 28-July 31
Homeless activists are doing what they can to ensure lobbyists won’t be the only ones bending the ears of Republican leaders. The Kensington Welfare Rights Union will set up a tent city called "Bushville." Activist Cheri Honkala is keeping mum on where the community can be found, but says 1,000 homeless or formerly homeless people will camp out there.
KWRU is also organizing a Poor People’s March — sans permit — south on Broad Street toward the Convention Center. Honkala will lead participants on July 31 as they rally against poverty, homelessness, hunger, unemployment and for economic human rights. Meet on the west side of City Hall at 11 a.m.
July 30
The most widely anticipated protest event, the Unity 2000 rally, will take place this day. An estimated 40,000 marchers will represent causes including anti-globalization, campaign finance reform, gun control, environmentalism and the pro-choice movement, among many others. The diverse mix will run the gamut from radical to establishment, such as organized labor and the NAACP.
The highlight of the rally promises to be an 80-foot-long float nicknamed the "Corpazilla." In place of cartoon characters, this parade float will include a mud-wrestling ring occupied by two heavyweight contenders — Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush.
Creations from the Spiral Q puppet studio will also be present.
Demonstrators should assemble at 9 a.m., near JFK Boulevard and 30th Street Station. The march will proceed east on JFK to 16th Street, eventually turning onto Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A stage will be set up near 22nd Street for a massive rally, scheduled to rage until 4 p.m. The South Jersey contingency of Unity 2000 hopes to journey across the Ben Franklin Bridge that day as well, drawing attention to suburban sprawl, money in politics and poverty.
July 30-Aug. 3
For those fed up with electoral politics but still willing to work within the system, the Shadow Convention being organized by recovering Republican Arianna Huffington may be your scene. Huffington became a household name when her ex-husband, Michael, spent a record-breaking $23 million on his bid for a U.S. Senate seat in California.
An all-star lineup will partake in debates and forums on three main topics: campaign finance reform, the failed drug war and the wealth gap. All of these issues are ignored in the Republican and Democratic platforms, Huffington says.
Confirmed speakers include U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN); Governor Gary Johnson (R-NM); Warren Beatty; Geoff Canada; John DiIulio; Al Franken; Jesse Jackson; Jonathan Kozol; Paul Krassner; Lewis Lapham; Skip Long; Bill Maher; Mary Nelson; Harry Shearer; Ron Silver; and Diana Jones Wilson.
All Shadow Convention events are free and open to the public.
July 30
Although the Republican party might hope to play down the controversial issue of abortion — probably a prime reason pro-choice Gov. Tom Ridge wasn’t chosen to fill the VP spot on the Bush ticket — activists on both sides of the issue are working hard to ensure abortion is a topic of discussion.
Several thousand pro-life youth are planning to meet in Philadelphia for Generation Life, an activist crusade led by the Pro-Life Union of Southeast Pennsylvania. They are hosting a series of conferences, prayer vigils at abortion clinics and a rock concert leading up to the convention.
The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice will convene an interfaith convocation, dubbed "Affirming Faith, Affirming Choice." It will be at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 201 S. 21st Street.
A march to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America reception will follow. Convocation speakers will include Frances Kissling, head of Catholics for a Free Choice and the Rev. Lois Powell, director of the United Church of Christ Coordinating Center for Women in Church and Society.
July 29-30
In the wake of the recent police beating of Thomas Jones, an "emergency demonstration" has been organized for Saturday at noon. It starts at Broad and Spring Garden Streets, outside of the Fraternal Order of Police headquarters. The march will proceed to the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, to the site of the Jones incident. Endorsing the event are Mothers Against Police Terror, National People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement and Concerned Friends & Family of Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Gun control is sure to be a hot topic, both inside and outside the walls of the First Union Center. A gun-control group called Silent March is organizing a rally and protest parade the Saturday before the convention begins. The group hopes to display 30,000 pairs of shoes at the Liberty Bell for two days. The footwear will symbolize the number of people estimated to be killed with guns annually. On Sunday afternoon, supporters are hosting a "Slam the NRA" concert.
www.silentmarch.org/noguns/data/convention.html
Not to be outdone, women dedicated to protecting the right to bear arms are hosting two counter events. From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the Second Amendment Sisters will set up a "Flagship 400,000 Display," at the Liberty Bell Pavilion. The exhibit will contain 400 American flags, "each representing 1,000 lives saved by firearms each year."
On Sunday at noon, the Second Amendment Sisters will gather near the Liberty Bell to read the Bill of Rights and hear from speakers.
For information contact Maria Heil, 717-235-2371 or 877-271-6216.
Aug. 1
Michael Smerconish, perhaps the most right-wing talk show host in Philadelphia, is getting in on the action. In a message on his Web site, Smerconish writes that his "group will be protesting the other protesters, particularly those coming to town in the name of a cop killer."
Smerconish and Co. have been assigned the 6-7 p.m. time slot. Those wishing to join should meet at Geno’s Steaks no later than 5 p.m., and hop on a chartered bus to the protest area. You won’t be able to board the bus unless you send Smerconish a note in advance, letting him know "you are serious" and that you intend to bring a sign.
