Republicans tried to get Ron Paul rally, Rage Against the Machine concert cancelled during RNC

[Minnesota Raindog]

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak refused, but has declined to comment further on it:

Here’s a behind-the-scenes postscript about the lengths to which the planners of the Republican National Convention went to ensure the appearance of a discord-free GOP: They tried to scuttle Ron Paul’s counter-convention across the river in Minneapolis and the next night’s Rage Against the Machine concert as well.

Speaking on background, well-placed sources at City Hall and Target Center have confirmed to MnIndy that in the days before Ron Paul’s Rally for the Republic at Target Center was publicly announced, representatives of the RNC Host Committee contacted officials at Target Center and the city of Minneapolis (which oversees the facility) to push for the cancellation of the event. They also sought the cancellation of the Rage Against the Machine concert that took place at Target Center on September 3, the third night of the RNC.

More here:

http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/8607/not-so-big-tent-republican-convention-host-committee-pushed-for-cancellation-of-ron-paul-rage-against-the-machine-events

[CatholicEdHead]

1. I am glad they were able to go on

I watched part of the Paul rally at Target Center on CSPAN2 switching between the RNC on CSPAN (first night), the Paul rally was easygoing, rocking, it had a point but it was inspirational. The RNC never got like that, it got mean and vicious (after it was boring beyond belief the first night). When you get out in outstate Minnesota, more Republicans are like Paul than like McCain/Palin.

I am also glad the Rage Against the Machine concert was able to go ahead. It was up at the Capital, not the Xcel Energy Center, so they were free to use that area to make their statements.

[Bjorn Against]

2. Actually they were stopped from playing at the Capitol...

I was there for both Rage Against the Machine shows, the first one at the Capitol they showed up to and the police threatened to arrest them if they stepped on stage. Believe me the crowd was not happy, and while Rage was able to go into the crowd and sing their songs through the bullhorn they were not allowed to play a show on public land which they did (despite media reports) have a permit to play on.

The Rage show at the Target Center did go on, and it was an amazing show. The problem was that police in riot gear surrounded the Target Center and tried to intimidate everyone who would go to see them. It doesn't surprise me one bit that the Republicans tried to get the show canceled all together, they don't believe in free speech and they don't think anyone should have the right to hear dissenting opinions.

[MnFats]

3. THIS SHOULD BE IN GEN. DISCUSSION!!

people need to know....