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AP: Classes Train GOP Convention Protesters
Associated Press ^

Posted on 06/15/2004 3:46:04 PM PDT by ssaftler

NEW YORK - Passing up road trips, beach vacations and barbecues, thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators are heading to summer school to learn how to stage successful sit-ins and what to do if pepper spray burns their eyes. Welcome to Convention Protesting 101.

Before the GOP convention begins Aug. 30, veteran activists will train protesters in street tactics, legal issues, public relations and first aid. Their aim: creating a force of demonstrators to carry out safe and organized protests.

"When you're protesting in New York City," said John Sellers, the director of a California-based group that trains activists, "you're definitely in the big leagues."

As city officials weigh which protest groups will get permits for official events, activists are quietly learning how to block doorways or street intersections and when to use passive body language — such as sitting down — to disarm police officers trying to make an arrest.

Trainers say they aren't urging protesters to break the law. But arrests are inevitable, and protesters are also offering legal training.

"The Republicans would love to have images coming out of New York City that make them look like the reasonable ones, like they're about responsibility and law and order and creating a safe society, and that the left was unreasonable and violent," Sellers said. "If we don't recognize that, then we're not being very strategic."

The instruction includes skills for responding to rogue protesters intent on causing lawlessness. Veterans expect thousands of untrained demonstrators to swarm city streets.

Sellers' group, the Ruckus Society, founded in 1995, will hold at least one weekend training camp this summer. Using many of the same principles, local activists are already gathering in churches, homes and public places throughout the city to teach classes, which will increase in frequency as the four-day convention approaches.

(Excerpt) Read more at story.news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: lefties; rncconvention; ruckussociety
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Hmmm, looks like the rent-a-mob will be in full throat come August. Pray for heavy thunderstorms!
1 posted on 06/15/2004 3:46:05 PM PDT by ssaftler
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To: ssaftler
Isn't it true that protesters at major conventions usually are not seriously disruptive to the convention, but often become a major pain the the a$$ to the surrounding community? Isn't the surrounding community counting on convention delegates and others spending money in that community? If people are sequestered in the convention center, they won't get out to spend that money.

This might well backfire on the rowdies.

2 posted on 06/15/2004 3:55:20 PM PDT by hunter112
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To: ssaftler
California-based group that trains activists

California activists, meet New York City cops. This should be a great show!

3 posted on 06/15/2004 3:57:55 PM PDT by JeepInMazar
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To: ssaftler
"The Republicans would love to have images coming out of New York City that make them look like the reasonable ones, like they're about responsibility and law and order and creating a safe society, and that the left was unreasonable and violent," Sellers said. "If we don't recognize that, then we're not being very strategic."

~snip~

Veterans expect thousands of untrained demonstrators to swarm city streets.

Just what is it these trained and untrained protesters (I laugh just typing about this absurd delineation) wish to achieve?

Trained or not, they will not emerge appearing to be the reasonable ones.

One would think that would be self-evident. But then, one must be reasonable in order to discern...

4 posted on 06/15/2004 4:12:17 PM PDT by cyncooper
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To: ssaftler; Kathy in Alaska; MoJo2001; LaDivaLoca; Fawnn; Bethbg79; bentfeather; Ragtime Cowgirl; ...

Important FYI PING


5 posted on 06/15/2004 4:18:27 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Thank You Troops! Past, Present and Future)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Doctor Raoul; KLT; lowbridge; RaceBannon
It's decided...I'm goin' to Noo Yawk to counter-protest the counter-protesters...LOL!!!

Oughtta be a HOOt...MUD

6 posted on 06/15/2004 4:22:26 PM PDT by Mudboy Slim ("DemonRATS" Is Their Name...Socialism Is Their Aim!!)
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To: ssaftler

I would like some video contrasting these maggots and the terrific Pubbie protestors in FL during the 2000 recounts...of course, most work was done on weekends and after 5p.m. (gotta work, dontcha know), but the Pubbie demonstrators should provide fodder for sociology classes for the next 20 years. Well-spoken, well-dressed, well-behaved, pleasant, and responsible people actually created a HUGE impression and the media avoided them because they were so impressive. I especially like the man that shoved in the door and made the Dems cry.


7 posted on 06/15/2004 4:22:52 PM PDT by bitt
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Thanks for the ping - all the training in the world won't make these idiots look reasonable!!!


8 posted on 06/15/2004 4:23:31 PM PDT by StarCMC (Please pray for the 2/7 Marines and Josh.)
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To: JeepInMazar

After the G8 summit (which only drew 35 protestors) we still have "protestors" in jail because they refuse to give their names. In Jax, they serve baloney sandwiches to inmates...I wonder what they get in NYC?


9 posted on 06/15/2004 4:24:47 PM PDT by Dutchgirl (The God who made us, made us free...)
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To: Dutchgirl
...I wonder what they get in NYC?

Don't ask. Don't tell.

10 posted on 06/15/2004 4:26:34 PM PDT by MaeWest ("And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.")
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 8mmMauser; Acela; afterhoursguru; AlextheWise1; AniGrrl; ...

11 posted on 06/15/2004 4:27:28 PM PDT by SheLion (Please register to vote! We can't afford to remain silent!!)
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To: MaeWest

I think baby seal fillets and condor eggs should be announced on the menu for all protestors during the convention, especially as it was one of CA's senators that made condor egg destruction a felony while voting against a ban on partial birth abortion...


12 posted on 06/15/2004 4:30:09 PM PDT by Dutchgirl (The God who made us, made us free...)
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To: ssaftler; Howlin; Liz; ALOHA RONNIE; RonDog; Mudboy Slim
...what to do if pepper spray burns their eyes...

You scream, "Thank you, you rat-bastard. Can I have another"?

13 posted on 06/15/2004 4:31:11 PM PDT by Libloather (I blame Carter for disco...)
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To: ssaftler
"Pray for heavy thunderstorms"

With golf size hail stones.

14 posted on 06/15/2004 4:36:51 PM PDT by mass55th
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To: ssaftler

i'm just curious as to why people believe they need to 'apply' to Papa Govt for a 'permit' to protest something?


for the record this is just a general question, not a blindly partisan 'D vs R' thing.


15 posted on 06/15/2004 4:39:23 PM PDT by MindFire
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Thanks for the Ping! One good thing is that it appears that Rikers actually has some capacity right now. Fill it up. Hope they're trained in picking up soap.
16 posted on 06/15/2004 4:47:52 PM PDT by SchuylerTheViking (God bless our Patriots fighting for our freedom.)
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To: ssaftler
Sellers' group, the Ruckus Society, founded in 1995, will hold at least one weekend training camp this summer.

Funded by Teresa Heinz-funded Tides Foundation:

While groups such as these and dozens of others organized and/or financed by the Tides Foundation and Center are relatively recent in their origin and transient in their nature, many are more established and pervasive in their influence. The Ruckus Society, which received over $200,000 in Tides money between 1999 and 2002, was begun in 1995 to train activists in violent protest against biotechnology, globalization and the World Bank. It incited property destruction in the Seattle riots of 1999 and Washington, D.C., the following year. However, Ruckus director John Sellers didn't see the wanton destruction of property as being violent at all. He told Mother Jones magazine, " I make a distinction between violence and destruction of property. Violence to me is against living things. But inanimate objects? I think you can be destructive, you can use vandalism strategically. It may be violence under the law but I just don't think it's violence." full story, Pgh Trib-Review.

17 posted on 06/15/2004 5:09:16 PM PDT by mountaineer
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To: ssaftler

The more obnoxious they are, the more disruptive they are, the more ugly they are, the more hateful they are....

the more votes for the GOP. Bring it on, dumbasses.


18 posted on 06/15/2004 5:09:50 PM PDT by Jhensy
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To: StarCMC
Thanks for the ping - all the training in the world won't make these idiots look reasonable!!!

You are so polite it makes me lightheaded while I bite my tongue.

19 posted on 06/15/2004 5:18:13 PM PDT by Lady Jag (Used to be sciencediet but found the solution)
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To: ssaftler
... to learn how to stage successful sit-ins and what to do if pepper spray burns their eyes. A good point here Freepers...If you go to Boston to protest, wear goggles.
20 posted on 06/15/2004 5:26:43 PM PDT by Military family member (Proud Pacers fan...still)
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