- To: undisclosed-recipients:;
- Subject: Activists Look To Disrupt GOP
- From: AOLNews@aol.com
- Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000 17:38:43 EDT
- Full-name: AOL News
Activists Look To Disrupt GOP
.c The Associated Press
By JENNIFER BROWN
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Protests erupted across the city Tuesday, snarling traffic as activists linked arms and blocked downtown streets in an attempt to disrupt the second night of the Republican National Convention.
Police surrounded a warehouse in West Philadelphia where they said protesters were building devices to cause major traffic disruptions, but activists said there was nothing illegal in the building. A search warrant was being executed late Tuesday afternoon, and people could be seen filing out of the building in plastic handcuffs.
The events came after three days of mostly peaceful protests aimed at capturing attention during the GOP convention, which began Monday. Protesters had promised Tuesday would be a day of disruptions.
``We have taken the streets,'' activist Sue Kelly, 54, of Richmond, Va., said while taking part in a march and blockade opposing the death penalty. ``We just don't like Republicans and what the ruling class stands for.''
At two busy downtown intersections, officers mostly watched as dozens of protesters sat in the street, their arms locked together by plastic pipes that made it difficult to move them. Police carried away several activists.
The 78-member Pennsylvania delegation and others were prevented from leaving the Doubletree Hotel just hours before the start of the nightly convention session.
``It's ridiculous. Giving them that kind of attention is unreasonable,'' said state Rep. John Barley of Lancaster. ``Let's do something about it. We're captive.''
As the scenes played out on local television stations, police were searching the warehouse where they said protest equipment was being built.
As 100 protesters gathered outside and taunted the more than 80 officers who kept them from the building, a banner was hung outside a window that read: ``Puppeteering ain't a crime. Free the Haverford 70.'' The building is located on Haverford Avenue.
``We're peaceful puppeteers inside a studio in West Philadelphia producing peaceful street theater,'' said Matthew Hart, who spoke to The Associated Press from inside the building. ``They have no reason to arrest us. But we still fear police.''
Hart said about 70 activists, some dressed as clowns or wearing glittery costumes, were in the warehouse when it was surrounded by more than 50 officers Tuesday afternoon.
Activists opened the building about two weeks ago as a meeting center for protesters. Organizers had set up space for painting signs, creating costumes, practicing street theater and training.
The number of protesters has dwindled since a peak of more than 5,000 for a festival-style march and fair on Sunday. But those who remain held smaller demonstrations Tuesday that used theater, costumes or creative antics to attract attention.
``This is what democracy looks like. And this is also what a police state looks like,'' said Philadelphia activist David Hemphill, who was arrested while blocking Interstate 676. ``We are all over the city today. And we'll be all over the city tomorrow.''
AP-NY-08-01-00 1738EDT
Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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