Press Release: St. Paul "returns" applications for permits to protest at Republican National Convention

For Immediate release: March 23, 2007

For information contact: Jess Sundin 612.272.2209

St. Paul "returns" applications for permits to protest at Republican National Convention

Anti-war organizers say “Grant the permits now! We will march on the RNC demanding U.S out of Iraq”

Press Conference:
Monday, March 26 @ 3pm
In front of St Paul City Hall (15 West Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul)

Since the announcement that the 2008 Republican Convention would take place in St. Paul, Twin Cities anti-war organizations and others have been making plans to hold protests against the U.S. war on Iraq. Progressive activists from around the country are coming to the convention to speak out against the war. Permit applications and payments were submitted in October 2006. After holding the applications for five months, St. Paul officials are now saying they don’t want do deal with the issue until next year. This does not work.

Local organizations that have signed on to the protest include the Anti War Committee, Iraq Peace Action Coalition, Twin Cities Peace Campaign–Focus on Iraq, Women Against Military Madness, Anti-War Organizing League, the Welfare Rights Committee and AFSCME Local 3800. Several will speak at the press conference.

One organizer, Jess Sundin, of the Anti-War Committee, says: “Tens of thousands of people from across the country are preparing to bring a powerful statement against the war on Iraq to the RNC. Our permit applications should not be delayed or denied, while the city is devoting enormous resources to hosting the convention. By failing to approve our permits in a timely manner, city officials are attempting to suppress our organizing efforts against the unjust war in Iraq. We want permits to demonstrate at the RNC in 2008, and we will not tolerate ‘protest pens’ or being kept at away. We have a right to speak out and we are telling every group that contacts us that we are going to do exactly that.”

City government is devoting a huge amount of time, effort and money to planning for the RNC. A lot more people are coming to the Twin Cities in 2008 to protest the RNC than to attend the convention. Organizers insist that permits must be dealt with now.

Sundin continues, “Bush is waging a war on the people of Iraq. St Paul should not stand in the way of those of us who will demonstrate against that war. Permits or not, we will make this clear in the streets of St Paul September 1-4, 2008.

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