Plans advance for protest at Republican Convention

By Dianne Mathiowetz
Tampa, Fla.

Activists from across Florida joined for a meeting here June 16 with representatives of progressive organizations from Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis and Asheville, N.C, to further plans for a protest on Aug. 27, the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

In addition to a number of student groups from multiple Florida campuses, there were members of the Teamsters, the National Organization for Women, Graduate Assistants United and Food not Bombs. The student groups included various Students for a Democratic Society chapters, members of Students Working for Equal Rights, an immigrant rights organization, plus those involved in environmental and women’s issues. A national representative of Veterans for Peace was present at the planning meeting as well.

Organizers from the 2008 Republican Convention protests in St. Paul and the recent anti-NATO demonstration in Chicago described those mobilizations. A member of the Coalition to March on Wall Street South brought solidarity greetings from those organizing actions at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., the first week of September. Many at the meeting voiced their intentions to oppose both parties of the 1% by coming to the DNC protest as well.

The meeting outlined specific outreach plans for diverse communities whose interests are reflected in the demands of the march for good jobs, health care, affordable education, equality and peace.

After months of stonewalling while the city government approved ordinances designed to curtail dissent, Tampa’s city officials have granted the Coalition to March on the RNC a permit that will take the demonstration “within sight and sound” of the convention site. The coalition scheduled its opening rally at Perry Harvey Sr. Park in downtown Tampa.

Coalition organizer Skye Schmelzer summarized the success of the planning meeting: ”We have worked to build a broad unity to oppose the corporate, right-wing agenda exemplified by the Republican Party. Our demands reflect the needs of the 99%. We invite everyone to join us on Aug. 27 to bring this message of fightback to the streets of Tampa.”

For more information, go to www.marchonthernc.com or email [email protected]