America's voices for peace refuse to be locked in a razor wire cage

[BaysideLiberal]

July 27, 2004

A lot of people in the US are opposed to the war in Iraq, and they want to vote for a party that will bring the troops home. The Democratic Party has not promised to do that, which is why many protesters have gathered in Boston.

They had hoped to stage a series of peaceful protests, to show the Democrats, who are holding their convention in Boston this week, how strongly they feel.

However, organisers of the convention have said protesters can gather only in a large wire cage that has been built under Boston's elevated train tracks. It has one entrance and one exit, and is topped by razor wire.

Naturally, the protesters are protesting. Late last night they made their views known in silence - they left the cage empty. They won't go in there. It resembles an internment camp and is an affront to free speech, they say.

They also object to the site of the cage. Delegates don't need to pass it, and they won't be able to see or hear the protesters once they are inside the convention hall.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/26/1090693902852.html?oneclick=true

[HEFFA]

1. Crap like this adds fuel to the Nader fire

When will the Democratic Party return to its ideological roots? Their abandonment of many people that were traditionally supporters of the party is one of the factors that led to the debacle in the election of 2000. For all of us who are desperately trying to prevent a repeat performance in '04, it's getting harder and harder to avoid the impression that the Dems are their own worst enemy.

[Mokito]

7. They want so hard to stay in the center,

not realizing that the center itself had been moved far to the right a long time ago. Actually in politics there is no (locked) center, because there are no clear boundaries to both ends of the spectrum.

[TahitiNut]

8. "center"? Where's that?

[truthspeaker]

2. The DNC needs to publicly defend the rights of these protestors

Offer them space right in front of the convention hall. Because Democrats, unlike Republicans, don't hate our freedom.

[Aunt Anti-bush]

4. I agree.

Everyone should have the right to protest, regardless.

[bemildred]

3. Echoes of 1968.

Plus ca change, plus meme.

Are we going to have a "Boston Seven" trial soon?

[Warpy]

5. They're not confined to the gulag unless they insist on being

right at the Fleet Center. According to http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/04/finer072604.htm permits have been issued and demonstrations will be taking place elsewhere in the city.

[truthspeaker]

6. But the Fleet Center is the only place delegates & press can see them

Except they can't see them, because they'll be behind screens.

[lil-petunia]

9. the whole idea of a cage is enough to make me puke

time to take some tea bags and toss 'em in the harbor.

Boston? The center of free speech and revolution against royal decrees and power hungry leaders? Just what idiot approved the cage in the first place? And who in the convention planning committee agreed to it?

THIS IS AGAINST THE VERY THING THAT WE DEMS STAND FOR!

I don't care if some GOP yups come and wave signs. the fact that they can means that our country (and its principles) remains strong. Despite Ashcrap and Shrub, Chain-ey and Wolfie, Rummie and his clones.

[Technowitch]

10. Something to think about--

Remember folks, that what's happening in Boston with those 'concentration camp'-style "protest zones" has NOTHING to do with the Democratic party or anything they've asked for.

What we have here is a direct result of 4 years of George W. Bush and his fascist police-state policies -- which have filtered down to the level of local governments. These razor-wire holding pens were designed and implemented by the Boston PD in combination with the Homeland Security people. This is THEIR vision for the future of Amerika and they don't care that it makes the Democrats look bad.

Quite honestly, if Bush gets another term in office, my same-sex wife and I are going to be pricing property in British Columbia -- because with everything that's happened, this is not the country I was born in. Not anymore.

Wars of aggression. Suspension of due process and habeas corpus. Overt suppression of dissent -- to the point where those who dare to wear frelling T-SHIRTS opposing Bush are arrested, led away in handcuffs, and then later fired from their gov't jobs. And let us not forget that the disappearance and torture of prisoners has been sanctioned at the highest levels of this Administration.

No, my friends, do not blame the Dems. Blame the Repubs, and most especially that pretender and occupier at 2600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

[hughee99]

12. What's wrong with Vittorio Testa?

He sure can cook!

Veteran Washington restaurateur Vittorio Testa, whose restaurants included Il Borgo in McLean and Mona Lisa at DC’s Washington Harbour, has opened La Perla, a Venetian-style Italian restaurant at 2600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest (202-333-1767). The specialties are fresh pastas, risotto, and seafood dishes, including Treasures of the Sea, a big platter of steamed mussels, clams, stone-crab claws, and a lobster tail. Another of chef Testa’s creations is Spaghetti Malafemmena, with crabmeat, fresh clams, capers, and black olives cooked in a spicy marinara sauce.

Just giving you a little crap for the type-o. The WH is 1600 Pennsylvaina avenue.

[donco6]

11. The city is really asking for it.

You can't keep voices caged like that for long. Eventually, they break out, and emotions run high.