RNC Uprising to the Very End : Melbourne Indymedia

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.

Then join me and call loud and long for police at these events to all be issued and wear uniforms with LARGE SEWN ON FLURO NUMBERS on BOTH SIDES.

An accountable police force is a civil and peacable one, a genuine COMMUNITY policing effort by PUBLIC SERVANTS rather than mass, herd, mob violence from over militirized undertrained blue cannon fodder.

Most police now know that they get there best results from community policing relating to and with the public NOT as a virtual anonymous army of occupation standing over the people. The state, as per usual is a slow learner and more police and victims groups could raise their voice's on this button issue.

To reduce violence and protect police please adopt these cheap measures asap.

Thank you.

For once I totally agree with the mad professor. The Americans could take a page out of Victoria Police's book when it comes to policing protests and marches. They talk to organisers, endavour to find comon ground and try to facilitate actions as much as possible. The push and shove of protests in NSW is almost non existent down here. Witness the recent student protests against HECS. Fizzers.

It's interesting that individuals and groups who protested at the Republican Conevention were apparently "determined for their voices to be heard". Unfortunately, the US does not compel people to attend polling booths as we do. Consequently, voter demographics do not necessarily reflect the American society as a whole and people's voices are not necessarily heard where it realy counts - the ballot box.

Better educated, more affluent individuals are more likely to take the time to get out and vote than those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Fewer than 40% of eligible American voters actually vote.

The possibility of another Bush term is frightening enough without the fear of this imbecile being elected by a minority of the population.

Bush was not only elected by a minority of the population last time but a minority of even those who voted. No wonder nobody bothers to vote there. There is no one to vote for and your votes dont count anyway. But at least they can express their dissatisfaction by NOT voting.

In a real democracy if less than 50% voted then NO BODY would be elected.