Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008

SEPT 10: RNC RETROSPECTIVE I–THE SHAME OF THE CITIES

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SEPT 10: RNC RETROSPECTIVE I–THE SHAME OF THE CITIES
TTT continues the discussion and post-mortem (literally) of protests and free speech lodged last week during the Republican National Convention (RNC). We discuss the wider issue of state repression of protected speech, press and assembly, and where media attention was paid. TTT's ANDY DRISCOLL and LYNNELL MICKELSEN recap events inside and outside the Xcel Center during the Republican National Convention – and talk about the political and legal fallout from the near martial law imposed on St. Paul and Minneapolis and the media focused on the relatively minor damage done to property – possibly by undercover police themselves.

ANDY DRISCOLL and TTT crew members witnessed indiscriminate police violence and the exercise of a well-developed siege mentality inculcated into officers over a two year period and rank with paranoia-driven counter-protest tactics. Police officials, Mayors Coleman and Rybak and councilmembers in both cities can deny complicity in what amounted to police overkill and downright repression of constitutional rights to free speech, assembly and, ye, even the press any which way they wish, but the truth will emerge in the courts and caucuses for next several years that the police state created to prevent free speech expression from reaching the insulated RNC attendees – including the national and local outlets ensconced inside – soured citizens and commercial enterprise throughout the city on ever again hosting anything like this blowout of free movement.

ANDY DRISCOLL and LYNNELL MICKELSEN talk with key figures in the execution of this other-world event that consumed the cities as the bubble partied.

GUESTS: • DAVE THUNE, St. Paul City Councilmember, Ward 2 (where the convention was held) • CAM GORDON, Minneapolis City Councilmember, Ward 2 • SYL JONES, Playwright, Cultural Critic, Columnist • DR. ELIZABETH FROST, Family Practice Physician and volunteer for North Star Health Collective. • BRUCE NESTOR, National Lawyers Guild Minnesota Chapter President and Attorney for several arrested RNC Protestors • (Recorded) MIKE WHELAN – Host of the I-Witness Team of journalists arrested in a raid on his house. Podcasts are available for all archived Truth to Tell shows.

Posted by Truth to Tell at 11:00 AM |   

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