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==Protest==
==Protest==
[[Image:Protest march-RNC-20080901.jpg|thumb|left|Antiwar march at the [[Minnesota State Capitol]] on September 1]]
[[Image:Protest march-RNC-20080901.jpg|thumb|left|Antiwar march at the [[Minnesota State Capitol]] on September 1]]
About 10,000 largely peaceful protesters marched for the most part against the war in Iraq on Monday and on Tuesday 2,000 more marched to aid the homeless and the poor.<ref name=Lohn-Krawczynski>{{cite news|author=Lohn, Martiga and Krawczynski, Jon|title=Hundreds protest poverty, homelessness as GOP meet|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7769867|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Guardian News and Media|accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref> Marchers protested diverse issues and came to Saint Paul from many organizations including [[Veterans for Peace]], [[Iraq Veterans Against the War]], [[Military Families Speak Out]], the [[Teamsters]], [[Code Pink]] and the [[American Indian Movement]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Smith, Ashley and Ruder, Eric|title=Marching on the RNC|url=http://socialistworker.org/2008/09/02/marching-on-the-rnc|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=SocialistWorker.org|accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Montopoli, Brian|title=Protesters Push Antiwar Message At RNC|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/09/01/politics/horserace/entry4405431.shtml|date=September 1, 2008|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref> About 1,000 people in place for the third major and the last sanctioned march, were stopped on Thursday by police.<ref name=Robson>{{cite news|author=Robson, Britt|title=Scenes from a protest: On RNC’s last night, a march to nowhere|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7747/scenes-from-a-protest-on-rncs-last-night-a-march-to-nowhere|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> The march had been organized and publicized by the [[Anti-War Committee]], who supports [[nonviolent action]] and [[civil disobedience]] and cooperated with groups who support [[anarchism]], to protest at the time of McCain's acceptance speech.<ref>{{cite news|author=Weber, Tom|title=Anti-war activists plan protest on last day of RNC|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/23/rncprotest/|date=July 31, 2008|work=Minnesota Public Radio News|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref>
About 10,000protesters marched against the war in Iraq and 2,000 more marched to aid the homeless and the poor.<ref name=Lohn-Krawczynski>{{cite news|author=Lohn, Martiga and Krawczynski, Jon|title=Hundreds protest poverty, homelessness as GOP meet|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7769867|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Guardian News and Media|accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref> Marchers protested diverse issues and came to Saint Paul from many organizations including [[Veterans for Peace]], [[Iraq Veterans Against the War]], [[Military Families Speak Out]], the [[Teamsters]], [[Code Pink]] and the [[American Indian Movement]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Smith, Ashley and Ruder, Eric|title=Marching on the RNC|url=http://socialistworker.org/2008/09/02/marching-on-the-rnc|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=SocialistWorker.org|accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Montopoli, Brian|title=Protesters Push Antiwar Message At RNC|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/09/01/politics/horserace/entry4405431.shtml|date=September 1, 2008|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref> About 1,000 people in place for the third major and the last sanctioned march, were stopped on Thursday by police.<ref name=Robson>{{cite news|author=Robson, Britt|title=Scenes from a protest: On RNC’s last night, a march to nowhere|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7747/scenes-from-a-protest-on-rncs-last-night-a-march-to-nowhere|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> The march had been organized and publicized by the [[Anti-War Committee]], who supports [[nonviolent action]] and [[civil disobedience]] and cooperated with groups who support [[anarchism]], to protest at the time of McCain's acceptance speech.<ref>{{cite news|author=Weber, Tom|title=Anti-war activists plan protest on last day of RNC|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/23/rncprotest/|date=July 31, 2008|work=Minnesota Public Radio News|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref>


[[Image:PPEHRC-march-Minnesota-20080902.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign]] march to abolish poverty on September 2]]
[[Image:PPEHRC-march-Minnesota-20080902.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign]] march to abolish poverty on September 2]]
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During the convention's first three days, more than 300<ref name=Demko-20080903 /> individuals were arrested by police,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hksHDv1i55R2qYI6dkmMm10uxZ0AD92UBCFO1|title=Some turn violent in GOP convention protests|last=Forliti|first=Amy|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=2008-09-03}}</ref> including journalists such as [[Associated Press]] photographer Matt Rourke,<ref name=Lohn-Krawczynski /> health care workers and lawyer observers.<ref name=Stone /> Some were released, and nearly half received felony charges.<ref name=Stone>{{cite news|author=Stone, Kathlyn|title=Arrest of hundreds at anti-war marchers and journalists angers activists|url=http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/09/02/arrest-hundreds-anti-war-marchers-and-journalists-angers-activists.html|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=Twin Cities Daily Planet|accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref> Of these felony arrests, many cases were dropped or reviewed, sometimes for lesser charges, and about 21 were found to be prosecutable.<ref name=Demko-20080903>{{cite news|author=Demko, Paul|title=Prosecutors detail protest charges|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7293/prosecutors-detail-protest-charges|date=September 3, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|accessdate=2008-09-04}}</ref> About 102 persons were arrested for unlawful assembly at a [[Rage Against the Machine]] concert in downtown Minneapolis.<ref name=Hohmann-20080905 />
During the convention's first three days, more than 300<ref name=Demko-20080903 /> individuals were arrested by police,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hksHDv1i55R2qYI6dkmMm10uxZ0AD92UBCFO1|title=Some turn violent in GOP convention protests|last=Forliti|first=Amy|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=2008-09-03}}</ref> including journalists such as [[Associated Press]] photographer Matt Rourke,<ref name=Lohn-Krawczynski /> health care workers and lawyer observers.<ref name=Stone /> Some were released, and nearly half received felony charges.<ref name=Stone>{{cite news|author=Stone, Kathlyn|title=Arrest of hundreds at anti-war marchers and journalists angers activists|url=http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/09/02/arrest-hundreds-anti-war-marchers-and-journalists-angers-activists.html|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=Twin Cities Daily Planet|accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref> Of these felony arrests, many cases were dropped or reviewed, sometimes for lesser charges, and about 21 were found to be prosecutable.<ref name=Demko-20080903>{{cite news|author=Demko, Paul|title=Prosecutors detail protest charges|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7293/prosecutors-detail-protest-charges|date=September 3, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|accessdate=2008-09-04}}</ref> About 102 persons were arrested for unlawful assembly at a [[Rage Against the Machine]] concert in downtown Minneapolis.<ref name=Hohmann-20080905 />


When a permit expired at 5PM on the last day of the convention, bridges were closed and police used [[tear gas]] or [[smoke bomb]]s, [[pepper spray]], mounted police and all-terrain vehicles to prevent an antiwar march organized by the [[Anti-War Committee]] that had begun at 4PM<ref>{{cite news|title=Today on the presidential campaign trail|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNxTApa2sQRu0Xx99P3jt2bEXw7gD930DFLG0|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Google|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> at the state capitol.<ref name=Hohmann-20080905>{{cite news|author=Hohmann, James|title=Police arrest demonstrators, prevent access to Republican convention|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-protests5-2008sep05,0,3520828.story|date=September 5, 2008|work=Los Angeles Times|publisher=Tribune Company|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref><ref name=AP-20080905 /> Between 300 and 400 persons were arrested or held including 19 journalists, among them Associated Press reporters Amy Forliti and Jon Krawczynski,<ref name=AP-20080905 /> reporters from ''Twin Cities Daily Planet'' and ''The Uptake'', and Paul Demko of ''[[Minnesota Independent|The Minnesota Independent]]''.<ref name=Turck-20080904>{{cite news|author=Turck, Mary|title=Over 300 arrested at RNC protests, including reporters from the Daily Planet and the Uptake|url=http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/09/04/day-four-protests-arrests.html|date=September 4, 2008|publisher=Twin Cities Daily Planet|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Demko, Paul|title=‘If you are on this bridge you are under arrest’|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7691/if-you-are-on-this-bridge-you-are-under-arrest|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref><ref name=AP-20080905>{{cite news|author=Foley, Ryan J. and Lohn, Martiga|title=Arrests mark last anti-war march of convention|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hksHDv1i55R2qYI6dkmMm10uxZ0AD930KFI01|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Google|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> Total arrests of convention protesters numbered about 700.<ref>{{cite web| last =Fantin| first = Linda| title = Judge sets bail for anarchists charged with terrorism-related felony; attorney says charges are 'scary' and overblown| publisher = Minnesota Public Radio| date = 2008-09-03| url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/03/rnc_day3/| accessdate =2008-09-09}}</ref>
When a permit expired at 5PM on the last day of the convention, bridges were closed and police used [[tear gas]] or [[smoke bomb]]s, [[pepper spray]], mounted police and all-terrain vehicles to prevent an antiwar march organized by the [[Anti-War Committee]] that had begun at 4PM<ref>{{cite news|title=Today on the presidential campaign trail|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNxTApa2sQRu0Xx99P3jt2bEXw7gD930DFLG0|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Google|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> at the state capitol.<ref name=Hohmann-20080905>{{cite news|author=Hohmann, James|title=Police arrest demonstrators, prevent access to Republican convention|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-protests5-2008sep05,0,3520828.story|date=September 5, 2008|work=Los Angeles Times|publisher=Tribune Company|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref><ref name=AP-20080905 /> Between 300 and 400 persons were arrested or held including 19 journalists, among them Associated Press reporters Amy Forliti and Jon Krawczynski,<ref name=AP-20080905 /> reporters from ''Twin Cities Daily Planet'' and ''The Uptake'', and Paul Demko of ''[[Minnesota Independent|The Minnesota Independent]]''.<ref name=Turck-20080904>{{cite news|author=Turck, Mary|title=Over 300 arrested at RNC protests, including reporters from the Daily Planet and the Uptake|url=http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/09/04/day-four-protests-arrests.html|date=September 4, 2008|publisher=Twin Cities Daily Planet|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Demko, Paul|title=‘If you are on this bridge you are under arrest’|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7691/if-you-are-on-this-bridge-you-are-under-arrest|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref><ref name=AP-20080905>{{cite news|author=Foley, Ryan J. and Lohn, Martiga|title=Arrests mark last anti-war march of convention|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hksHDv1i55R2qYI6dkmMm10uxZ0AD930KFI01|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Google|accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> Total arrests of convention protesters numbered about 700.<ref>{{cite web| last =Fantin| first = Linda| title = Judge sets bail for anarchists charged with terrorism-related felony; attorney says charges are 'scary' and overblown| publisher = Minnesota Public Radio| date = 2008-09-03| url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/03/rnc_day3/| accessdate =2008-09-09}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 23:22, 9 September 2008

Template:Future election in the United States

2008 Republican National Convention
2008 presidential election
File:2008 Republican National Convention Logo.jpg
Official Logo of the 2008 Republican National Convention
Convention
Date(s)September 1 – September 4
CitySaint Paul, Minnesota
VenueXcel Energy Center
Candidates
Presidential nomineeJohn McCain of Arizona
Vice presidential nomineeSarah Palin of Alaska

The 2008 Republican National Convention took place at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota from September 1 until September 4.[1] The first day of the Republican convention was Labor Day, the last day of the popular Minnesota State Fair, though due to Hurricane Gustav, this day was mostly a call for action to help victims and formal, required activities; most of the politicking and partying did not start until the second scheduled day.

This was the latest any major party convention has ever been convened,[2] and the first one to take place entirely in September. Traditionally, the party who holds the White House has the opportunity to select the date of its convention second, and normally the challenging party holds their convention in July while the incumbent party holds its convention in August. This year, later dates were chosen for both conventions since the Democrats wanted to schedule their convention after the 2008 Summer Olympics ended, and the Republicans wanted to keep the political and financial advantages of going second.[3]

The attending delegates at the convention nominated John McCain as the Republican Presidential candidate and Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the 2008 Presidential election. 1,191 pledged delegates were necessary for a candidate to win the nomination.

Speakers

Monday, September 1

  • Scheduled speeches by President George W. Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney and Senator Joe Lieberman were canceled because of Hurricane Gustav.[4] An abbreviated meeting was scheduled for late afternoon to conduct business required under party rules. The remainder of the convention schedule was to be determined day by day depending on the nature of the storm.[5]
The two women appeared together and delivered short remarks to encourage support for hurricane relief efforts.[7]
Members of the McCain and Bush families when former President George H. W. Bush was honored on September 2

Tuesday, September 2

  • George W. Bush, President of the United States (via satellite). Due to the events of Hurricane Gustav, President Bush did not attend the convention, but instead delivered remarks to the delegates via satellite. Bush honored McCain's courage and his maverick image, while also stating that he is ready to lead.[8]
  • Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States. The first lady touted McCain's experience and credentials, while talking about her and her husband's achievements in the White House.[9] She introduced President Bush via satellite.
  • Joe Lieberman, Independent (formerly Democratic) United States Senator from Connecticut. Lieberman, who ran as Vice President with Democrat, Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election,[10] praised McCain and argued that Obama is not ready to be president.[11]
  • Fred Thompson, former United States Senator from Tennessee. Thompson attacked perceived liberal media bias, branded Democrats as elitists, and praised Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin.[12]
  • Norm Coleman, United States Senator from Minnesota
  • John Boehner, United States House of Representative Minority Leader
Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin addressing the convention on September 3

Wednesday, September 3

  • Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska and Vice Presidential nominee. In Palin's speech, she portrayed herself as a reformer and a fighter for change.[13] She introduced her family and described her life in Alaska, saying she is just "an average hockey mom", while commenting on her recent negative publicity: "Here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this great country."[13] She defended her relative lack of political experience and criticized Democratic nominee Barack Obama.[13] Her speech was well received by the convention delegates[13] and some media commentators.[14]
  • Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas. While he commended Obama for clinching his party's nomination, Huckabee said that Obama lacks experience and judgement, especially in foreign policy.[15] He said, "I don't believe his preparation or his plans will lift America up."[15]
  • Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts. Romney commented on Obama's campaign message of change, saying, "We need change all right. Change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington. We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington—throw out the big government liberals and elect John McCain."[15] Romney said that Obama "ducked and dodged" when asked about terrorism and Islamic extremism.[15]
  • Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City. Giuliani questioned Obama's judgement and overall experience. He said, "John [McCain] has been tested. Barack Obama has not. Tough times require strong leadership, and this is no time for on-the-job training."[13] He also said that Obama and Democrats "are in a state of denial" about the threat of terrorism to the United States,[15] while McCain can confront and defeat "anything that terrorists do to us".[15] He further said that Obama is without a record of leadership: "He's the least experienced candidate for president of the United States in at least the last 100 years."[15] The former mayor praised Sarah Palin as "one of the most successful governors in America—and the most popular... She already has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket."[15]
  • Mitch McConnell, United States Senate Minority Leader. McConnell performed the Adoption and Announcement of Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin.[16]
  • Norm Coleman, United States Senator from Minnesota
  • Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii
  • Carly Fiorina, former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard
  • Meg Whitman, former President and CEO of EBay
Acceptance speech of Presidential nominee John McCain on September 4

Thursday, September 4

Hosting city selection

Palin speaking in the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Four cities made bids to the Republican National Committee for proposals to host the 2008 Convention. Those cities were Cleveland, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, New York City, and Tampa-St. Petersburg. The RNC Selection Committee made its recommendation for Minneapolis-Saint Paul and on September 27, 2006, the RNC made its decision public that the 2008 National Convention would be held in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota.[1] The RNC made their decision earlier than originally scheduled due to the fact the Democratic National Committee also had Minneapolis-Saint Paul as a finalist among bidding cities. (After the RNC's selection the DNC removed Minneapolis-Saint Paul from consideration which left only two cities to choose from, New York City and Denver, Colorado). This is the second time the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area is holding the Republican convention—the first was held in 1892.

Political significance

Candidates view the 27 electoral college votes from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa as a block that is subject to swing toward either major party, and equal in value to Florida's 27 electoral votes.[17]

Minnesota has not gone to the Republicans since 1972 when President Richard Nixon won every state except the District of Columbia and Massachusetts. In 1984, Ronald Reagan was victorious over Minnesota favorite son Walter Mondale in all states except Minnesota, and the District of Columbia.

Since the U.S. Constitution limits the president to two terms and Vice President Dick Cheney did not seek the Presidency, the 2008 election is the first election in which neither the sitting President nor Vice President sought his party's nomination since 1928, when neither the sitting President Calvin Coolidge or the sitting Vice President Charles G. Dawes chose to seek the presidency and the first since 1952, when neither the sitting President nor Vice President will be on the ticket, where the sitting President Harry S. Truman chose not to seek reelection and the sitting Vice President Alben Barkley lost the Democratic Nomination to Adlai Stevenson.

Based on the signs that were waved by the delegates, the dominant message of the convention was "Country First." The U.S.A-chant was also a part of the message of the Republican convention of 2008. During Senator Joseph Lieberman and Senator Fred Thompson's speeches on the first evening of the convention, the audience chanted "U.S.A.".

Scheduling

With the landfall of Hurricane Gustav on the Gulf coast, the White House canceled the planned appearances of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.[18] Governors Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Rick Perry of Texas skipped the convention to remain in their states during the hurricane's landfall.[19][20] The Monday, September 1 schedule was compressed to two hours from seven.[18] John McCain called on the party to reduce partisan activities ahead of the hurricane's arrival.[18] The Republican Party chartered a DC-9 to fly delegates from the affected areas back to their families.[18] The last time a major hurricane struck in a presidential election year was Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which hit South Florida four days after the Republican Convention in Houston.[19][21]

On March 26, the National Football League, NBC, and the Republican National Committee agreed in principle to move the kickoff time of the Washington Redskins–New York Giants season opening football game to 7:00 pm EDT instead of 8:30 pm EDT to accommodate the 2008 Republican National Convention.[22] The game ended relatively on time, at 10:01 EDT, with NBC Sports handing off to NBC News within moments of the end of the game. According to Nielsen Media Research, 38.9 million Americans watched Senator McCain deliver his acceptance speech—a half million more than tuned in to see Senator Obama the previous week.[23]

Delegate count

Main article: Results of the 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries

To be nominated, a candidate must receive 1,191 delegates. As of March 4, John McCain has received the pledges of more than 1,191 delegates.[24][25] Although most of those delegates were not required to vote for him,[26] on September 3 McCain won the nomination almost unanimously.[27]

Republican National Convention presidential vote, 2008[27]
Candidate Votes Percentage
John McCain 2,343 98.45%
Ron Paul 15 0.63%
Mitt Romney 2 0.08%
Delegates that did not vote 20 0.84%
Totals 2,380 100.00%

Governor Palin was nominated for vice president by voice vote.

Protest

Antiwar march at the Minnesota State Capitol on September 1

About 10,000protesters marched against the war in Iraq and 2,000 more marched to aid the homeless and the poor.[28] Marchers protested diverse issues and came to Saint Paul from many organizations including Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, the Teamsters, Code Pink and the American Indian Movement.[29][30] About 1,000 people in place for the third major and the last sanctioned march, were stopped on Thursday by police.[31] The march had been organized and publicized by the Anti-War Committee, who supports nonviolent action and civil disobedience and cooperated with groups who support anarchism, to protest at the time of McCain's acceptance speech.[32]

The Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign march to abolish poverty on September 2

Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty and 10,000 Ron Paul supporters attended the Rally for the Republic, a protest convention on September 2 held a few miles from the convention center at the Minneapolis Target Center in direct contrast to the Republican National Convention.[33]

Several groups had been preparing to protest near the convention.[34] In early January 2008, protesters marched from the Minnesota State Capitol to the Xcel Center in hopes of securing a protest permit.[35] The Saint Paul police authorized the event, but only approved the permit through July. On February 8 and February 9, 2008, anti-war protesters attended a weekend conference at the University of Minnesota to discuss the protests and anti-war rally.[36] On February 28, 2008, the Associated Press reported that the Saint Paul Police Department adopted new guidelines for the investigation of protest groups. The police department said that this did not have anything to do with the convention.[37]

In early March 2008, the city of Saint Paul gave the first permits to protest organizers.[38] The city has said that it is not going to follow the "New York model" for protest security, referring to the tactics the New York City Police Department used for the 2004 Republican National Convention.[39] Later, on March 24, the anti-war group the Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, sued the city, claiming their free speech and due process rights were denied by the vagueness of the permits which did not specify a permitted route for their march.[40] On July 16, the federal judge upheld the terms of the permit.[41] And when the time came, on September 2, police led the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign for two hours on a 2.5 miles (4.0 km) trek away from the convention which had been less than 1 mile (1.6 km) from their starting point.[42]

Police raids on protesters and arrests

Planning, however careful, was followed by unexpected preemptive raids at the start of the convention, initiated by the local sheriff,[43] and in coordination with the FBI.[44] Six persons were arrested during five police raids on homes in Minneapolis and Saint Paul during the weekend preceding the convention and hundreds more were detained.[45]

Police in downtown Saint Paul on September 2

Several aspects of the police raids were unusual enough to merit attention from major media outlets.[46] In particular, raids on suspected protesters were performed by teams of up to 30 police officers wearing riot gear with weapons drawn.[47] Protesters involved in the raids were accused of fire code violations at a rental hall used by a group organizing RNC protests.[48]

On the first day of the convention, a group of protesters attacked approximately 30 or 40 delegates from Connecticut, one member of the delegation in the face, with a toxic substance thought to be diluted bleach.[49] Paramedics treated an 83-year-old member of the delegation for breathing problems when his credentials were ripped from his neck.[49] Additionally, self-proclaimed anarchists, clad in black, damaged property and lit at least one fire near downtown St. Paul.[49] About 12 protesters were arrested.[49]

Three journalists from Democracy Now!—including principal host Amy Goodman—were detained by police during their reporting on the protests.[50] According to a press release by Democracy Now!, Goodman was arrested after attempting to free two of the show's producers who were in police custody;[51] all were held on charges of "probable cause for riot".[52] Progressive news sources have criticized the arrest as unlawful and a violation of the freedom of the press.[53]

During the convention's first three days, more than 300[54] individuals were arrested by police,[55] including journalists such as Associated Press photographer Matt Rourke,[28] health care workers and lawyer observers.[56] Some were released, and nearly half received felony charges.[56] Of these felony arrests, many cases were dropped or reviewed, sometimes for lesser charges, and about 21 were found to be prosecutable.[54] About 102 persons were arrested for unlawful assembly at a Rage Against the Machine concert in downtown Minneapolis.[57]

When a permit expired at 5PM on the last day of the convention, bridges were closed and police used tear gas or smoke bombs, pepper spray, mounted police and all-terrain vehicles to prevent an antiwar march organized by the Anti-War Committee that had begun at 4PM[58] at the state capitol.[57][59] Between 300 and 400 persons were arrested or held including 19 journalists, among them Associated Press reporters Amy Forliti and Jon Krawczynski,[59] reporters from Twin Cities Daily Planet and The Uptake, and Paul Demko of The Minnesota Independent.[60][61][59] Total arrests of convention protesters numbered about 700.[62]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "RNC Site Selection Committee To Recommend Minneapolis – St. Paul For 2008 Republican National Convention". Republican National Committee. 2006-09-27. Retrieved 2007-06-14.
  2. ^ "About the 2008 Republican National Convention". 2008 Republican National Convention official website. Retrieved 2008-12-28. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "2008 Conventions Will Be Days Apart". New York Times. 2006-04-06. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
  4. ^ "Republican National Convention Update". AsianWeek. Retrieved on 2008-09-03.
  5. ^ "GOP convention schedule for Monday". Associated Press via Google. August 31, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  6. ^ a b Shear, Michael D. (September 1, 2008). "Laura Bush, Cindy McCain to Speak Today". The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  7. ^ "Laura Bush on Gustav: Americans 'are here to do what we can'". CNN. September 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  8. ^ Kaufman, Gil (September 2, 2008). "President Bush Takes Center Stage On Second Night Of Rebooted Republican National Convention". MTV Networks. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  9. ^ Westfall, Sandra Sobieraj (September 2, 2008). "Laura Bush Delivers Feisty GOP 'Straight Talk'". People. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  10. ^ Rutenberg, Jim and Brian Stelter (September 5, 2008). "Conventions, Anything but Dull, Are a TV Hit". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  11. ^ Halperin, Mark. "Joe Lieberman". Time. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  12. ^ Harnden, Toby (September 3, 2008). "Fred Thompson hails Sarah Palin at Republican Convention". Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  13. ^ a b c d e Barabak, Mark Z (September 4, 2008). "Defiant Sarah Palin comes out swinging". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  14. ^ "Republican Convention report card: Sarah Palin". CNN. September 4, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h "Losing Candidates Go To Bat For McCain". CBS. September 3, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  16. ^ Curry, Tom (September 3, 2008). "Palin speech is latest in GOP fight with media". MCNBC. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  17. ^ Moore, Rick (2004-10-26). "2004 Elections Project - The latest trends in Wisconsin and Iowa". UMN News. Regents of the University of Minnesota. Retrieved 2006-11-19.
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  22. ^ NFL season opener yields to McCain speech | Sports | Reuters
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  37. ^ MPR: St. Paul police adopt new guidelines ahead of RNC
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  39. ^ village voice > news > Runnin' Scared: Minnesota Cops Promise a Kinder, Gentler RNC by Sean Gardiner
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Preceded by
2004
New York 		Republican National Conventions Succeeded by
2012
Location TBD
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