Actions Underway, Blockades, Confrontations and Arrests Occurring
Today thousands of activists set out in a coordinated effort to shutdown the Republican National Convention. As this initial report goes out, actions are currently underway all over the city of St. Paul. Sector 1 participants, including many members of the Pittsburgh Organizing Group, began gathering at Wacouta Commons at 11:00 Central time, following the Coalition to March on the RNC [1]'s mass march and rally. Highlighting the Sector's theme of "Direct Action for Direct Democracy", banners reading "Free People Govern Themselves" were unfurled and, following a short speak-out organized by Pittsburgh activists, music was performed and interviews were given to the media. Even as these peaceful proceedings began, activists noticed white SUVs full of plainclothes police circling the park and officers with binoculars spying in from a nearby apartment building.
Soon the direct actions began. Pittsburgh activists drove a car into the middle of the intersection of 7th and Wall St. The driver locked himself into a bucket of concrete on the inside, while four others handcuffed themselves to the outside. Police smashed the back window and arrested the people on the outside but had more difficulty with the driver. They offered to let him release himself and tell the crowd they had cut him out, but he refused to leave unless they canceled the RNC. All told, the car stayed for about 30 minutes before everyone was removed and the car was lifted out of the intersection with a John Deer tractor/forklift.
Another group locked down on the I-94 off-ramp to 7th and Wall and held the space for one hour. There was little traffic, however, and the group soon went mobile. Shortly thereafter, they engaged with the police where pepper spray used, but are still active as of now.
A third group of activists, including members of the North East Anarchist Network, formed a soft blockade at 9th and Wacouta before eventually mobilizing. Soon they linked up with others and moved to 6th and Wall, where 15 were arrested and the police made heavy use of pepper spray.
If you are not currently in the Twin-Cities the best way to show support for these actions is to donate to what will likely be substantial legal support costs. http://www.organizepittsburgh.org/donate [2]
Actions are still ongoing; check twincities.indymedia.org for updates.
Pittsburgh Organizing Group, the authors of this report back, sends out its most heartfelt thanks to everyone taking to the streets today and to all those friends and comrades supporting Sector 1 around the country, and beyond! You all are an inspiration to us in the continuing fight for a peaceful and just world.
In love, rage, and solidarity,
Pittsburgh Organizing Group