Day One of the 2012 RNC: March on the RNC, 8/27/12: photos

by Dave Id

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 12:32AM

The theme for Day One of demonstrations at this year's Republican National Convention was Economic Rights. The Coalition to March On The RNC organized an officially permitted march from Perry Harvey Sr. Park at 1200 North Orange Avenue to the "Free Speech Zone." The "Free Speech Zone" is a vacant lot below East Walton Street at South Nebraska Avenue, currently surrounded by new fencing which allows only one way in or out. Leased for over $50,000 by the city of Tampa, the location is purportedly to grant protesters a place to mass within sight of the Tampa Bay Times Forum, the primary venue the 2012 RNC. Perhaps 300 people participated in the rally before the march, the march itself, and the rally held at the "Free Speech Zone" after the march. Up to 1000 law enforcement personnel boxed in and directed the march the entire way.

[Pictured above: banner with march demands approaches "Free Speech Zone"]

From the March on the RNC website:

The Coalition to March On The RNC cordially invites you to March On The RNC! Join groups such as GetEQUAL, Students for a Democratic Society and CODE PINK as WE DEMAND:

Good Jobs,
Healthcare,
Affordable Education,
Equality and Peace

Say NO to the Republican Agenda!
Money for human needs, not for corporate greed!

On August 27, 2012, while the Republican National Convention selects a candidate for president, we will be marching in the streets of Tampa, Florida demanding good jobs, healthcare, affordable education, equality and peace. We will let the entire world know, “We have had enough of the endless attacks on the rights of working people and our standard of living!” We will defend Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. We will defend ourselves against union-busting. We will defend our children’s right to an affordable, quality education. We want money spent on human needs, not on wars overseas and corporate greed.

On Monday, the attention of the entire world will be focused on Tampa, Florida. The Republican National Convention brings together some of the worst politicians that this country has to offer. We’re calling on all those ready to fight back against the attacks launched by the Republican Party and their corporate masters to take to the streets and demand a better future for our families, our communities and our children.

For More Info:
MarchOnTheRNC [at] gmail.com
http://www.MarchOnTheRNC.com/
http://twitter.com/marchonthernc

Previous coverage

Day One of the 2012 RNC: Welcome to the Ghost Town/Police State of Tampa, 8/27/12: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/08/28/18720494.php

Eve of 2012 RNC: Disruptions and Marches Begin, Convention Delayed Due to Storm, 8/26/12: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/08/27/18720374.php

Lead-Up to 2012 RNC: Anarchists, IEDs, Guy Fawkes, Feces, Drones & a Tampa Police State, 8/25/12: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/08/26/18720300.php

Video - 2012 RNC: Fear Mongering, Undercover Cops, and the Corporate Media
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/08/26/18720306.php

For more information: http://www.indybay.org/RNC2012

§Organizer leading crowd in a chant

by Dave Id

Wed, Aug 29, 2012 12:32AM