Behind The Scenes in New York
A Message from ACT
The
Republican National Convention kicked off in New York City just a few
hours ago. As President Clinton said yesterday, “It's time for
the Republicans to put on their compassionate face.”
If you
can handle the hypocrisy of it all, you'll see a parade of moderate
Republican all-stars – McCain and Giuliani tonight, Schwarzenegger
tomorrow. Their rhetoric will be of patriotism and compassion, praising
George Bush's “resolve” and “leadership” and reminding us all that we
are a nation at war.
But something far more important is going on behind the scenes this week. Republican strategists are planning a systematic campaign of voter intimidation and repression. It's something they freely admit is key to GOP victories in November.
This ghastly plan needs to be fought by each of us – and everyone we can tell.
Ask 5 friends to join the fight for truth today. Ask them to sign this petition.
This isn't spin or hearsay,
this is documented fact. Over the past few years, Republican-led
campaigns of voter repression and intimidation have affected countless
federal, state and local races. Here are just a few of the most
blatant recent examples:
Philadelphia, PA, 2003:
Voters in African-American neighborhoods were systematically challenged
by men carrying clipboards, driving a fleet of some 300 sedans with
magnetic signs designed to look like law enforcement insignia.
[NAACP/PFAW 2004].
Michigan, 2004:
One of Bush's Michigan advisors, State Rep. John Pappageorge (R-Troy)
was quoted as saying “If we do not suppress the Detroit vote, we're
going to have a tough time in this election.” [Detroit Free
Press, 7/16/04]
Louisiana, 2003:
Flyers were posted in public housing projects which read “Vote!!! Bad
Weather? No problem!!! If the weather is uncomfortable on Election Day
(Saturday December 7th) Remember you can wait and cast your ballot on
Tuesday December 10th.” [Times-Picayune (New Orleans), 12/12/02]
Through your active support, you are leading the fight against these dirty tricks. We need you to stand up today and take ACTion. Help uncover this important story now before it's too late.
Start fighting back now. Reveal these shocking stories to everyone you know. Sign the pledge
and forward it on to at least 5 of your friends. Get this
story out! Republicans have used these tactics for far too
long. They are despicable and must be stopped. We fight
back not by picketing or protesting but by educating voters and getting
them out to the polls. This is what ACT is all about.
http://actforvictory.org/act.php/home/petitions/intimidation
We have just 63 days to go. Let's get to work!
Ellen Malcolm
President
America Coming Together
More Shocking Stories
NAACP and People for the American Way
A powerful report from the NAACP and People for the American Way was
released on Friday that highlighted these and other shocking
stories. Read it now for more information:
Sunday's Protests in Manhattan
AlterNet.org
…A
police spokeswoman told AlterNet at 8:30 pm on Sunday night that 200
arrests were made, a relatively small amount considering the sheer
number of protestors – at press time, organizers estimated 450,000
according to news reports while the police have not yet released a
figure – and there were no immediate reports of violence.
…Virtually
all those in attendance were donned in brightly-hued t-shirts, holding
an equally colorful sign, or wearing a politically charged button, many
of them laden with the sort of sardonic slogans that have become
symbolic of the left's criticism of the Bush administration.
One man
wore a shirt that read “I'll Mess With Texas.” A woman held a sign
which said 'Yee-ha Is Not Foreign Policy.' One elderly man raised a
placard asking “Whose Taxes Would Jesus Cut?” A young woman grinned as
she hoisted a cardboard poster which demanded “Pull Out Like Your
Father Should Have!” [Oops! Excuse me for that one. My bad. That's a little racy for this tame blog!]
(more)
Come back to Blog for Iowa in a couple of hours to read two first-hand accounts of yesterday's protest in NYC.
Blog For Iowa 