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ON-THE-ROAD ACTIVISM
Quick-and-dirty guide to protesting the RNC
BY CAMILLE DODERO
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It’s no secret that the Democratic National Convention was a major bummer for protesters — the annual wedding-gown sale at Filene’s Basement draws a bigger, more bloodthirsty crowd. Skeptics might say Boston’s low turnout presages the passing of the revitalized post-Seattle protest movement, but it’s more likely that the anybody-but-Bush sentiment is so pervasive among activists that most saved their bail money for the upcoming Republican National Convention. If there’s any event that’ll dirty up an arrest record, it’s happening in New York City in a little over a week. So here’s a quick-and-dirty guide to some of the goings-on during the RNC. As you can see, it’ll be more fun than a barrel of God Hates Fags freaks. Boston-area reps from United for Peace and Justice (www.unitedforpeace.org) — the New York–based nonprofit that’s been battling Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD for a permit to rally in Central Park (see "Don’t March on the Grass," This Just in, August 13) — has reserved a bus convoy to haul people down to Manhattan before the RNC. One round-trip ticket costs $25; buses leave from various Boston locations (Boston Common, Alewife MBTA station) in the wee hours of Sunday, April 29. The bus brigade leaves so early in the morning — a time too early to announce for fear it’ll deter people from signing up — because UFPJ wants everyone down there in time for "The World Says No to the Bush Agenda!", the third installment in UFPJ’s "The World Says No" trilogy of marches. (Back in February 2003, UFPJ organized the worldwide anti-Iraq-invasion "The World Says No to War" march; on the anniversary of W.’s invasion of Iraq, the group organized a sequel called "The World Still Says No to War.") The 10 a.m. rally takes place at Seventh Avenue and 14th Street; the march kicks off at noon. Thus far, it’s the biggest centralized demonstration slated for the RNC; UFPJ expects up to 250,000 demonstrators, including representatives from other organizations such as Not in Our Name (www.notinourname.net). Of course, if the UFPJ buses are already full, there’s always the $20-round-trip Chinatown bus. Or, if you’re amenable to sharing a vehicle with total strangers, CounterConvention.org and RNCNotWelcome.org — two comprehensive online clearinghouses of anti-RNC information — both have ride boards where you find local drivers also heading down to New York. Another potentially invaluable resource is The People’s Guide to the Republican National Convention, an independently produced guidebook for the WiFi-enabled, small-bladdered, handcuffed protester. Culling together wireless-Internet spots, public-bathroom locations, and bail-bond information, the pocket-size map is available online for $3 at rncguide.com. During the DNC, Pittsfield-based gewgaw company Blue Q tried to enlist Boston’s cabbies in the anti-Bush crusade by asking them to hang Dubya-head air fresheners inside their cars. But the Boston Cab Company didn’t like the idea (see "Heading Off a Problem," This Just In, July 23). In New York, however, Cabbies Against Bush (www.liteupbush.com) will display their disapproval of the current president in a less tacky manner, specifically by keeping their cabs’ headlights on during the day as part of a "Shine the Light on Bush" collective action. Passengers can participate by asking their cabbies to turn on their beams. Similarly, there are countless anti-RNC happenings listed on both CounterConvention.org and RNCNotWelcome.org. Like A31, short for August 31, the date anti-authoritarians have designated "A Day of Nonviolent Civil Disobedience and Direct Action." And the "Fox News Shut-up-a-thon," when activists will gather to shout Bill O’Reilly’s favorite line in front of Fox’s headquarters on the Avenue of the Americas. Plans also include a "Mass Flash," a gaggle of bare-legged women who’ll collectively expose their drawers to reveal underwear with anti-Bush slogans that’d make Whoopi Goldberg blush. And in Boston, they wouldn’t even let Margaret Cho speak.
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