train bound for the mall of america met by riot police, aug 31, 2008

There were police raids on independent media and the RNC Welcoming Committee Convergence Space before the RNC even started. At the same time the riot police showed up on a Metro Transit light rail train to the Mall of America.

From indybay, Riot Cops Detain IWW Starbucks Workers Union Supporters in Train at Mall of America. "As an act of solidarity, several dozen local IWW members and supporters, along with National Lawyer's Guild observers, intended to peacefully escort the reinstated Erik Forman to the Mall of America. In line with recent police aggression in the Twin Cities related to the 2008 RNC in St. Paul (see http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/08/30/18531223.php), police massed at the IWW rally point at the light rail station at Lake & Hiawatha. Initially, police refused to allow the IWW access to the light rail station so that they might escort Erik back to the Mall of America. Later, the IWW was allowed to proceed. Two stations from the mall, police again seemed to be ready to prevent the group's access to the mall yet then allowed the train to proceed. Finally, at the mall itself, a line of riot cops from Plymouth, MN in full riot gear refused to allow the IWW to disembark from the train. Other unrelated passengers, including one diabetic in need of insulin, were also not allowed to leave the train as it was held with the doors closed. Eventually, the train was just sent in the other direction, away from the mall, with no one allowed off. At the first stop in the other direction, Erik Forman got off and walked to his job at the mall."

This is another excessive show of force by the police. What are they afraid of? See the video at indybay.

video coverage of; rnc pre-raids, marches, protests, and massive police presence

If you didn't attend the RNC protests in St. Paul or if you've only seen what the mainstream media has shown, then see some independent media video clips of the protests for yourself. The military presence in St. Paul was your tax dollars at work. Was it worth it?

"I do not condemn or condone their actions, but I understand why."
- In reaction to different means of protesting from a protester at the RNC

Pre RNC raids
Police Raid on RNC Protest Site on Iglehart Ave in St Paul ***

Day one, Labor Day
Journalist Amy Goodman from Democracy Now and two producers get arrested at RNC protest****
Scenes from the RNC Free Speech Zone ***
MPR News: Teen describes process of RNC protest arrest and release ***** If you have children watch this.

Day two, Ripple Effect concert at the Minnesota State Capitol and the March for Our Lives
March Ends in Tear Gas at RNC! gnooze 9-2-08 ***** "That didn't feel like being an American." (This is what we saw on Tue. night. This was our experience)
DN! Thousands Join Poor People's March Outside RNC *****
Ripple Effect ***
March for Our Lives march in overpass tunnel ****


Farheen Hakeem at the RNC Protests ***
rage against the machine at rnc protest ****
DN! Thousands Join Poor People's March Outside RNC
9-2-08 RNC Protest ****
Vietnam Medic telling off cops at the RNC protest ****
What Happened With Yesterday's RNC Protest *****
See this clip!!!!
Rage Against the Machine RNC - 09.02.08 (Performs Acapella in Crowd) *****


Day four, No Peace for the War Makers rally and march
RNC Protests Day Four ***
RNC protests in St. Paul, Thursday, Sept. 4, near Rice St. *****
RNC Protest 9-4-08 5pm-630pm ***** Great video of the "mohawk dude" aka an undercover cop. The video captures the massive police force and the playful spirit of a peaceful crowd.
RNC Protest: The Bridge **** Riot police trap hundreds on the bridge and arrest the crowd.
RNC protest: southbound *****
RNC protest: the bridge ****
woman in purple shirt on last night of rnc, maced repeatedly by police **** (very difficult to watch. I was singing with her at the protest earlier that evening)


RNC protests and aftermath
Police respond to RNC protests (AP) ****
WAR AT THE RNC 2008 - PROTESTS & MASS ARRESTS ** It's a little crass but he tells it like it is. "Time to get a clue. Wake the F--K up." He's a little like George Carlin. Be prepared for some strong language. I'm not sure what side he's on, but he's pissed.
The Battle for St. Paul *** video set to Rage Against the Machine
MnIndy video: RNC protesters show and tell of injuries from cops *****
"Restraint - RNC 2008 Protest Compilation" ***** Great overall view of policy brutality at the RNC
MnIndy Video: Medics say police targeted them at RNC protests ***** Watch this! For real.

Rated from * to *****.
View as you please. I rated these according to what I would watch first. Watch all the videos if you have time. Learn the truth.
Peace.

rnc day four, no peace for the war makers march

rnc day two, ripple effect and march for our lives

peace

Spearhead at the Ripple Effect concert

Military force at the Ripple Effect concert

Rally before the March for Our Lives

Riot police on the street next to Mears Park

They are ready to mace a peaceful crowd


On the march route

March for Our Lives

March for Our Lives, chanting in the underpass

Convergence of the Ripple Effect concert and the March for Our Lives

The crowds join and march to the Xcel Center

The march moved downtown

More riot police (they are everywhere)

The first of many mace attacks by the police

The media said that we were trying to take over Mickey's Dinner, sure right. We don't have a death wish.

Just how many riot police did the city of St. Paul have? Is Blackwater in there?

more articles:
March for Our Lives at the RNC in St. Paul (part 1 of 2)

march on the rnc, labor day 2008 part two

This is one of the best signs of the day. I agree!

Code pink

Snippers on the roof