Shutting Down NYC for one day in protest of the RNC.

August 28, 2004 11:44 PM

Shutting Down NYC for one day in protest of the RNC. A couple of guys from New York propose to protest the Republican National Convention by trying to get every New Yorker to call in sick for one day -- 9/1 -- one day before Bush's acceptance speech.

CNN article link

While I'm doubtful about the chance for success, it's always good to creativity with dissent.
posted by superchicken (66 comments total)

it's always good to creativity with dissent.

i meant it's always good to see dissent with creativity.
posted by superchicken at 11:47 PM on August 28, 2004

Newsy variations on this topic have been discussed ad nauseum, it seems.


Activists are using the Internet to...organize a mass-flash of underwear emblazoned with anti-Bush messages...

I wouldn't call that "dissent" or "creativity". Tactics like that almost make me wish certain bratty, trivial "activists" have to suffer another four years of Bush. Almost.
posted by dhoyt at 12:26 AM on August 29, 2004

I thought voting was the best way to protest against a political party you didn't agree with.
posted by loquax at 12:32 AM on August 29, 2004

me too. Still, many dumb people out there. Better to have make news so powerful nobody can not overlook it. Fox news would report New York being "shut down" or a million man march.
posted by Keyser Soze at 12:50 AM on August 29, 2004

And then we can fucking tell Fox to get the fuck out of America.
posted by Keyser Soze at 12:51 AM on August 29, 2004

Frankly, I'm getting tire of playing defense.
posted by RavinDave at 1:15 AM on August 29, 2004

I thought voting was the best way to protest against a political party you didn't agree with.

I'm sure these protesters knew that once they joined the protest they wouldn't be able to vote anymore, it was their choice. Oh no, wait.
posted by rhyax at 1:59 AM on August 29, 2004

I thought voting was the best way to protest against a political party you didn't agree with

For me, this is like putting out a building fire with a water gun. You can say that you were part of the process, but you probably didn't make a huge impact.

Of course, this only applies to me because I currently live in Massachusetts with a permanent address in California, and boths states are solidly democratic.

Even still, I will go and cast my vote of dissent. But I think true dissent requires a little more than just walking into a voting booth every four years.
posted by superchicken at 2:43 AM on August 29, 2004

Well, when the state decides it wants to ban democratic dissent and marches (please think of the grass!) and attack protesters who do turn up, stuff like this does offer an alternative to those that don't want a truncheon,plastic bullet or can of pepper spray unloaded in the face; or a nice little file on them in the government's digital-all-seeing-eye-database.
posted by Blue Stone at 5:07 AM on August 29, 2004

And then we can fucking tell Fox to get the fuck out of America.

Yeah, because free speech is bad when we don't agree with them!
posted by Vidiot at 5:58 AM on August 29, 2004

I thought voting was the best way to protest against a political party you didn't agree with.
posted by loquax at 8:32 AM GMT on August 29


Except if you're a black Floridian, obviously.
posted by dash_slot- at 6:02 AM on August 29, 2004

They're not being ambitious enough. Shut it down for a month! No, six months!. No, shut it down until Sanitation Workers' Day of 2054. Even Fox would notice a protest like that! Even Rush!

The irony of which these irony-challenged folks are totally unconscious: nobody but Dems wants NYC open and (semi) functioning anyway. If the Republicans have to move their venue they'll be much happier up in Westchester County (you know, up where Hillary bought a house so she wouldn't have to inhabit NYC either.)
posted by jfuller at 6:33 AM on August 29, 2004

If I did this, I would have one less sick day to use this year, and the world would remain otherwise unchanged.
posted by bingo at 6:49 AM on August 29, 2004

Problem is, they overplayed their hand. Too short notice to get the word out to boot. And when it fails, it will give a boost the to Right. They need to be inventive.

I'm from Nebraska. They are fanatics for Big Red foo-ball. Every football Saturday, the stadium becomes a sea of red clothing. A few years back, some clever peeps from a gay rights organization on campus concocted the most devious scheme I ever heard of, declaring a given Saturday "Gay Pride in Nebraska" day and urging everyone to wear "red" to show their support for gay rights. Funniest thing I ever saw; these farmers from Dry Heaves coming into town, seeing these signs and debating whether or not they should make a quick trip to the general store for a change of clothes.

That was inventive.
posted by RavinDave at 7:12 AM on August 29, 2004

jfuller: The irony of which these irony-challenged folks are totally unconscious: nobody but Dems wants NYC open and (semi) functioning anyway.

Yeah, Wall Street and the rest of what arguably amounts to the financial capital of the world is pretty much "liberals all the way down." Conservatives just hate all that vulgar money, right? They'd rather the place be turned back into farmland or something...

Or perhaps your enhanced gift for irony has overwhelmed your appreciation of reality?

shutitdown is still stupid, though.

posted by Sinner at 7:16 AM on August 29, 2004

All this is gonna do is piss off those of us who live in NYC. 8 million pissed off people does not make for a good way of garnering sympathy for your cause.
posted by jonmc at 7:30 AM on August 29, 2004

> Yeah, Wall Street and the rest of what arguably amounts to the financial capital
> of the world is pretty much "liberals all the way down." Conservatives just
> hate all that vulgar money, right?

Am I talking to net-literate people? Every bit of that could move to Hong Kong, Dubai, or Singapore at the touch of a button, and still be owned by the same crowd that owns it now. In fact, watch for this to happen. I mean finish happening, because it's already well under way.

It's a question what, exactly, would make a righty like me so eager to vote for Ralph, not as a spoiler but to actually see him in office? The answer is that for me tree-hugging trumps everything. I ache for the day when the Repubs have to give up their SUV cars and the Dems have to give up their SUV cities. Did somebody say oil was running out? Go, oil, go!
posted by jfuller at 7:39 AM on August 29, 2004

Of course, if just the hookers went on strike, they'd wrap up the convention in a half hour.
posted by RavinDave at 7:41 AM on August 29, 2004

All this is gonna do is piss off those of us who live in NYC. 8 million pissed off people does not make for a good way of garnering sympathy for your cause.

Sorry Jon, not so:
"Most New Yorkers, 81 percent, approve of lawful demonstrations during the convention, and 68 percent approve of nonviolent civil disobedience, and 11 percent plan to go to a demonstration themselves," according to the Quinnipiac poll. Most of the poll results make sense, since 70 percent said they disapproved of the job President Bush is doing, compared with 25 percent who approved. But "19 out of 20 New Yorkers draw the line at violence," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, according to the Associated Press. Two-thirds think the convention and the protests surrounding it will cause major disruptions, but just 10 percent plan to leave during the event, the poll said. Half said they were worried about the convention being held in the city.
posted by amberglow at 7:56 AM on August 29, 2004

oooo like senior skip day!!@
posted by c at 8:00 AM on August 29, 2004

"using Microsoft FrontPage software and the book "FrontPage for Dummies.""

Enough said.
posted by geekyguy at 8:03 AM on August 29, 2004

Most of my friends who work in the MSG area were given at least one or two days off during the convention. A lot of brokers are working from home and telecommuting this week. The city has basically shut down voluntarily.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 8:04 AM on August 29, 2004

Remember when the Clintons actually walked down 7th Avenue to the Garden? Those were the days.
posted by amberglow at 8:30 AM on August 29, 2004

ooo-dancemobs! : >
posted by amberglow at 8:38 AM on August 29, 2004

I see nothing wrong with an orderly mass-mooning or two.
posted by RavinDave at 8:56 AM on August 29, 2004

Ravindale: the story from nebraska reminds me of one i heard from ball state (muncie indiana) where the les/gay group had "dress in jeans day"...except it backfired and everyone wore slacks or dresses.

i fuckin hate indiana
posted by NGnerd at 9:40 AM on August 29, 2004

RavinDave: I see nothing wrong with an orderly mass-mooning or two.

That is, until you see something that's really just wrong (more Spencer Tunick here).
posted by Sinner at 9:45 AM on August 29, 2004

posted by EmoChild at 11:41 AM on August 29, 2004

They were all destroyed in this tragic fire. Taste wins another one. President Bush, you killed my moon.
posted by jfuller at 11:44 AM on August 29, 2004

Bikes Against Bush organizer arrested
posted by homunculus at 12:51 PM on August 29, 2004

CSPAN's been covering the march all day--my fav slogan so far: More Dior, Less War. And there was something set on fire in the middle of 34th street near 7th. (and tons of "Fox sucks," etc chants--i think the CSPAN cam is near their setup or something)
posted by amberglow at 1:01 PM on August 29, 2004

Cheney, America's #1 baby-eater.
laffo, I say, laffo.
posted by darukaru at 1:59 PM on August 29, 2004

It was good. I'll post some photos in a little while.
posted by muckster at 2:14 PM on August 29, 2004

the cops are busy in Times Sq. (this afternoon was bway show day--carefully selected not to include drag queens (Hairspray) or any controversial content)
posted by amberglow at 3:30 PM on August 29, 2004

Here are some photos I took.
posted by muckster at 3:33 PM on August 29, 2004

that Trust Jesus thing with pics of weapons is very scary.
posted by amberglow at 4:20 PM on August 29, 2004

This one? I couldn't even fathom if they meant to be ironic or not.
posted by muckster at 4:27 PM on August 29, 2004

My photos. I got the same Trust Jesus shot, but this rascist sign took the cake for the Bush-supporters.

The Quagmire Accomplished banner was brilliant.
posted by rafter at 4:32 PM on August 29, 2004

For me, this is like putting out a building fire with a water gun.

Whereas the "idea" linked to here is, what, pissing into the wind?
posted by Krrrlson at 5:23 PM on August 29, 2004

Whereas the "idea" linked to here is, what, pissing into the wind?

I never said this was a good idea or that it was effective, I merely suggested that it was good to see people "relieving" their dissent in different ways.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. If you'd like, I'll kick my own ass for abusing the pun.
posted by superchicken at 5:51 PM on August 29, 2004

amber, lawful protesting was not what I have a problem with. Just the people who literally wanted to "shut down" the city.

Hell, I'm just back from the march in Manhattan. (I became an uncle at 3am last night, it made me feel optymistic, welcome to the world, Penelope Jane). I saw the crowd and figured what the hell. The crowd and the cops were, generally speaking, pretty mellow with eachother. The heat got to me a bit, so I took a buncha breaks. I felt bad that I didn't have a sign, but during one of my breaks I spied a street vendor and got inspired.

I walked for five locks past Madison Square Garden with my protest pretzel held high. So add one more body to the opposition, yo.
posted by jonmc at 5:55 PM on August 29, 2004

mazel tov, and good for you for joining in (on the protestor side and not the cop side) : >
posted by amberglow at 5:59 PM on August 29, 2004

Sorry, I couldn't resist. If you'd like, I'll kick my own ass for abusing the pun.

Nah, but thanks for the offer... maybe if I'd thought of something funnier to begin with.
posted by Krrrlson at 6:08 PM on August 29, 2004

It was a beautiful and crowded day at our beach, and, to judge by the traffic, a lot of other beaches in the NY. When Bush is re-elected a lot of folks are going to rerget having spent today on the asphalt of Seventh Avenue.
posted by MattD at 6:17 PM on August 29, 2004

Nah, MattD, some of us don't like spending history on the sidelines, or veiwing it from an ivory tower.
posted by jonmc at 6:19 PM on August 29, 2004

"every New Yorker to call in sick for one day"?

fuggedaboudit!
posted by soyjoy at 6:31 PM on August 29, 2004

19 out of 20 New Yorkers draw the line at violence," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, according to the Associated Press

Hehe. So that means that 1 out of 20 New Yorkers, when asked if they would "draw the line at violence" in protesting the RNC said...meh, why not?

Heh. I love New York. =)
posted by lazaruslong at 6:54 PM on August 29, 2004

"When Bush is re-elected a lot of folks are going to rerget having spent today on the asphalt of Seventh Avenue."

Hell no... if Bush is re-elected they will d what they have been preparing to do (or being prepared to do) for the last four years.

1) Whine that the election was "stolen"

2) Use that as an excuse to protest violently and declare any attempts to keep order as opression.

Look, the protesting at the RNC is pretty much liberal feelgood make-work anyway. The Republicans know their position, sow hat are they trying to accomplish?

Oh wait, theya re trying to set up a clash between the protestors and the police so they can do that whole brutality claim thing. Thanks ANSWER, your a big help.
posted by soulhuntre at 6:55 PM on August 29, 2004

huh?
posted by lazaruslong at 7:01 PM on August 29, 2004

When Bush is re-elected a lot of folks are going to rerget having spent today on the asphalt of Seventh Avenue.

If Kerry carries your home state, will you regret having gone to the polls?

I won't be happy if Bush wins the election — but even a landslide victory wouldn't make me regret marching today. Do you honestly think us that shallow?

Besides, I enjoyed it immensely. And I hate when the beach is crowded.
posted by rafter at 7:10 PM on August 29, 2004

I can't believe someone got, in the same photo, the Jesus and the military sign and the sign with "U.S. military" with the McDonald's arches substituted for the m on it. Where do these people come from?
posted by raysmj at 7:20 PM on August 29, 2004

thanks for posting the great pics, muckster and rafter. Looks like it was a great day, glad it was peaceful...jonmc, was that you with the giant pretzel?

#1 offers some pointers for following the doings in NY during the RNC. It gave me an idea - I posted youse guys' photo albums at del.icio.us which is getting a good collection of links under RNC.
posted by madamjujujive at 7:37 PM on August 29, 2004

Hopefully, the protests will get less orderly as the week progresses--Bush needs those additional votes.
posted by ParisParamus at 7:55 PM on August 29, 2004

nice thing to hope for--not. violence should not be hoped for, even by the likes of you. ass.
posted by amberglow at 8:00 PM on August 29, 2004

Thanks, Muckster!

Thanks ANSWER, your a big help.

Thanks, Strunk and White, you're a big help!
posted by adampsyche at 8:07 PM on August 29, 2004

Bush needs those additional votes.

Like, omfg!!!1 Those protestors sux0r3d!! Vote Bush!!!
posted by adampsyche at 8:08 PM on August 29, 2004

Hopefully, the protests will get less orderly as the week progresses--Bush needs those additional votes.

Gosh, Paris, if you're in such a rush for carnage to allow Bush's approval ratings to rise, there are plenty of buildings in New York still standing.

Ass.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 8:10 PM on August 29, 2004

And if that's what it takes to help Bush, he's in way more trouble than you think.
posted by amberglow at 8:15 PM on August 29, 2004

jonmc, was that you with the giant pretzel?

Sadly, no, my pretzel was one that I bought from a hotdog vendor. After a few blocks it started to fall apart in my hands. But, I got a buncha laughs holding it up solemnly.

The crucial irony being that I hate pretzels.

Watching the news once I got home tonight was a lesson. On Fox the march was portrayed as chaotic and infested with loons. I saw mostly peaceful protestors and mostly peaceful cops. Including a 6 foot plus drag queen (who should've shaved her legs) in a see thru dress and a thong and a uniformed lady cop laughing up a storm together. It's NYC, the cops have seen drag queens before. On channel 4 it was more balanced and honest showing a peaceful, organized protest with only a few idiots (and I challeenge anyone to covene a group of 500,000 without a few idiots. I also noticed no coverage of us all chanting "Fox News Sucks!" everytime we passed one of their vans. I should've videotaped it and sold it to CNN to use in an ad.

There were very few counterprotestors (and those that were, hey good on 'em for exercising their first amendment rights), but even they stayed cool.

I still like democracy.
posted by jonmc at 8:30 PM on August 29, 2004

I hate pretzels AND freedom.

I'm worse than Al Qza.
posted by adampsyche at 8:37 PM on August 29, 2004

After two days of watching Republican coverage, I think I'd be able to call in sick w/o lying.
posted by jdb at 8:47 PM on August 29, 2004

The irony in this shot fills me with glee.
posted by Witty at 5:44 AM on August 30, 2004

I walked for five blocks past Madison Square Garden with my protest pretzel held high. So add one more body to the opposition, yo.

That's awesome, Jon. Wish I coulda joined you.

And to engage in a bit of self-linkage blog pimpin', I've got some photos from the Garden, the media party, the media compound, and other stuff up here.
posted by Vidiot at 6:01 AM on August 30, 2004

The Elephants aren't Kosher and Billionaire Pride people is my fave Muckster shot...

rafter had some great shots too. I really liked "chicken hawks uber alles" being carried by veterans. Also "Retired Adult Video Stars 4 Bush"...hy-sterical. But this guy?...he scares me.

I walked for five locks past Madison Square Garden with my protest pretzel held high. So add one more body to the opposition, yo. ... The crucial irony being that I hate pretzels. - jonmc

You know...those times when I really adore you...this is one of those moments.

Vidiot...wow...great inside coverage. Good to see that Time Warner kept the party tasteful. As an aside, where else would police horses get their shoes? Will you be adding more to this as the convention goes on?
posted by dejah420 at 10:33 PM on August 30, 2004

Thanks, dejah. (I wasn't surprised that police horses wear shoes, but rather that they brought along a farrier to shoe them on the spot, two blocks from the protest.)

I will be adding more pictures as I take them, but I'm not sure what else I'll be able to see that I haven't posted previously...can't get inside the Garden too easily, and it's difficult to get to the protests. We'll see.
posted by Vidiot at 6:38 AM on August 31, 2004

one of the "volunteers" got arrested last night after shouting at Cheney inside the Garden.
posted by amberglow at 12:03 PM on August 31, 2004