It’s spread like wildfire, through dozens of media reports (on everything from The New York Times to Comedy Central’s “Indecision 2008″) and our own friends and family, who have bragged to anyone who will listen about their connection to us.  Suddenly, a whole new segment of the population seems not only aware of CODEPINK but sympathetic to our cause. Dare I say, inspired for change! As November creeps up, we need all the peace-makers we can get…

ST. PAUL — Two activists of the women’s peace group CODEPINK disrupted John McCain’s speech Thursday night at the Republican National Convention, immediately following another activist of the anti-war veterans group, Iraq Veterans Against War.

At the start of McCain’s speech, veteran Adam Kokesh of Washington, D.C. emerged from the crowd near the stage inside the Xcel Center here carrying a sign and shouting messages to stop the war. About four minutes into the speech, CODEPINK activist Elizabeth Hourican, 38,  a McCain constituent of Phoenix, AZ and longtime protester of McCain’s support for war, approached the stairs of the center toward the stage wearing a pink slip that said, “McCain = more war” with a banner that said “McCain = war.” Hourican, shouting phrases including “Women say no to war!” and “We want a peace president!”, raised her hands in a peace sign before being carried out. A few minutes later, San Francisco native Nancy Mancias, 38, did the same.

They were both released within an hour with no charges.

They were given their tickets to the speech by Republicans who decided not to attend, based on their displeasure with McCain’s position on war, oil drilling and other issues.

Their disruption follows a similar disruption Wednesday by CODEPINK co-founders Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans during Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s speech at the RNC. They approached the stage where Palin was speaking, adjusted their clothes to reveal pink slips that read “Palin is not a woman’s choice,” stood there at the side of the stage for about a minute and yelled “Women say no to war!” and “Women need a vice-president for peace!” They also removed banners that read “Women need a peace vice-president.” After another moment, security then grabbed Benjamin and Evans and escorted them one at a time out of the St. Paul Xcel Center, where they were held until the end of the Palin’s speech and told they would be arrested if they tried to reenter. They were told they’d committed an arrestable offense but they were not charged.(See footage of the event here).

“Sarah Palin is not a woman’s choice,” said Jodie Evans, co-founder, moments after being released. “That’s it.”

CODEPINK is a nonpartisan women’s peace group. They vehemently oppose McCain’s pro-war, anti-environment, anti-choice positions. More details to come. For questions, please call Nancy Mancias at 415-342-6409.

ST. PAUL — Two activists of the women’s peace group CODEPINK disrupted Sarah Palin’s speech tonight at the Republican National Convention when they approached the stage where Palin was speaking, adjusted their clothes to reveal pink slips that read “Palin is not a woman’s choice,” stood there at the side of the stage for about a minute and yelled “Women say no to war!” and “Women need a vice-president for peace!” They also removed banners that read “Women need a peace vice-president.”

Co-founders Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans, who were given their tickets to the speech by a Republican delegate who was frustrated with the Republican party and Sarah Palin, caught the attention of Palin with their banners and shouting about 15 minutes into her speech. Palin stopped talking for a moment to turn to look at them. (Read a Washington Post description of the incident here: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/03/inside_the_convention_hall.html).

After another moment, security then grabbed Benjamin and Evans and escorted them one at a time out of the St. Paul Xcel Center, where they were held until the end of the Palin’s speech and told they would be arrested if they tried to reenter. They were told they’d committed an arrestable offense but they were not charged.

“Sarah Palin is not a woman’s choice,” said Jodie Evans, co-founder, moments after being released. “That’s it.”

CODEPINK is a nonpartisan women’s peace group. They vehemently oppose Palin’s pro-war, anti-environment, anti-choice positions. More details to come. For questions, please call Jodie Evans at 310-913-4821.

National Call for Action to Stop Police Brutality at the Republian
National Convention!

Support 300 people arrested in Saint Paul! Demand an end to illegal
detention and brutality in Ramsey County Jail!

9/3/08, St. Paul – Approximately 300 people have been arrested for
participating in demonstrations since the beginning of the Republican
National Convention. The majority of arrestees remain in custody and are
being held in inhumane conditions. Of the 300 arrested, approximately 120
have been accused of trumped-up felony charges by police; many of them are
being held illegally beyond Minnesota’s 36-hour limit on detentions
without formal charges.

All people who value democracy and fear for the erosion of our
constitution, regardless of political affiliation, are called upon to
demand an end to this egregious denial of constitutional and human rights.
Prisoners have reported being denied medical treatment and essential
medications, and many are engaged in a hunger strike to pressure the
sheriffs to give them critical care. Many are being held in 23 hours/day
lockdown and/or have not been allowed to meet with lawyers or make phone
calls – especially trans prisoners. Several prisoners have been able to
reach legal support to report brutal physical assaults by multiple
corrections officers. The constitutional and legal rights of all
prisoners are being denied across the board, with no apparent end to this
outrageous treatment.

Please call the following offices and continue calling until all arrestees
have been released:

St. Paul Mayor – Chris Coleman (651.266.8510)
Head of Ramsey County Jail – Capt. Ryan O’Neil (651.266-9350 ext 1)
Ramsey County Sheriff – Bob Fletcher (651.266.9333)
County Chief Judge Gearin (651.266.8266)

Demand the following:
Immediate medical attention as needed for ALL arrestees;
That the prisoners who haven’t given their names (Jane & John Does and
Jesse Sparkles) have access to group meetings with a lawyer in jail;
Dismissal of all charges;
Release of all minors; and
Ensure trans prisoners have access to phone and attorneys, and are held in
gender group of their choice.

Donate!
Money is needed to help cover legal costs and get people out of jail. Any
amount you can give is greatly appreciated. To donate by Pay Pal visit
https://coldsnaplegal.wordpress.com and click on the donate button.

For more details and up-to-date information about jail conditions and
prisoner status, please see:

http://coldsnaplegal.wordpress.com/

http://twincities.indymedia.org/

Visit St. Paul in September 2008!

http://www.nornc.org