RNC Uprising to the Very End
by Indymedia Feature Sunday September 05, 2004 at 11:02 PM

Even in the dying hours of the Republican National Convention (RNC), demonstrators refused to show complacency, with many gathering outside Madison Square Garden until well after midnight. The last few days in New York City have seen the streets filled with individuals and groups determined for their voices to be heard. As predicted, George W Bush was named as the Republican candidate for the forthcoming election and as expected, a group of right-winged, neocons converged on New York City singing the praises of their leader and the party’s hardline political policies.

Despite ongoing coverage from New York Indymedia and innumerable other alternative outlets, the silence from mainstream media was deafening. The protests saw the largest gathering of demonstrators ever at a convention, yet the corporate media failed to document this achievement.

Unprecedented numbers of people were involved in action all over New York City to display their feelings toward the RNC and the Bush Administration. The march past Madison Square Garden on Sunday 29 September alone, had an overwhelming 500,000 participants. Arrests took place before the delegates even arrived in New York City and continued throughout the days of the RNC. The number of those arrested is believed to between 1700-2000. Countless complaints of the heavy-handedness of police emerged from the streets and there are now calls for victims of police aggression to report police misconduct at the RNC.

At many sites across the city police were in breach of a federal court injunction stating that pens may be permitted to hold demonstrators but they must not unreasonably restrict "access to and participation in demonstrations through the use of pens." Countless reports have also alleged that many police failed to adorn their name tags or badge numbers.

Photos have emerged from Pier 57 where those arrested were detained. Individuals involved have reported on the long waits with nowhere to sit down. A Supreme Court judge eventually ordered ordered the release of those who had been detained for in excess of 24 hours.

The days of relentless demonstration ended with an unauthorised march to the site if the RNC. In an ultimate act of solidarity, the march displayed the resolve of the demonstrators, that despite the thousands of arrests made, they would not let anyone or anything crush their hopes for freedom and peace.

For a full wrap up of RNC action go to New York Indymedia

New York Civil Liberties Union New York Indymedia United for Peace Counter Convention

add your comments