PROTEST of POLITICAL SUPPRESSION AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

WHAT: Press Conference and Rally against suppression of protest at Democratic Natl Convention WHEN: 12:00 pm Thursday, August 14 WHERE: Obama Headquarters in Berkeley (3225 Adeline Street)
[Berkeley, CA] – While U.S. politicians condemn China for suppressing political dissent, the Democratic Party is supporting political suppression at its upcoming August 25-28 National Convention in Denver.

On Thursday, August 14 at noon, World Can’t Wait-Drive Out the Bush Regime and others will hold a dramatic press conference at Barack Obama’s Berkeley Headquarters condemning this suppression of dissent. Spokespeople for World Can’t Wait will be available.

Last week a U.S. District Court ruled that protesters’ free speech rights must give way to “national security,” allowing the government to force march permits to end 3 hours before the convention begins. Protesters will be kept away from the convention center and allowed only into chain link fenced cages 700 feet from the center's door. These "freedom cages" are reminiscent of Guanantamo and will be ringed by police and concrete barriers. Huge media tents are being erected between the cages and the convention.

Protesters note that Obama’s refusal to condemn this assault on dissent is consistent with his vote to support the recent Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) bill legalizing and extending many of the Bush administration’s secret and illegal eavesdropping activities.

“World Can't Wait will be joining thousands of people in the Denver protests who want to send a different message to the world,” states World Can’t Wait National Coordinator Debra Sweet. “Bring the whole Bush program of lying to start illegitimate wars, and threatening other countries, spying on citizens, justifying torture -- to a HALT!”

Buses will be leaving from Berkeley for Denver on August 20 and 22. Information: 415-864-5153