CODEPINK to “raise a ruckus” at Republican National Convention in St. Paul!

WHAT: CODEPINK to bring peace message, hard questions to RNC
WHEN:  Aug. 30 to Sept. 4
WHERE: Republican National Convention, St. Paul. CODEPINK meeting space: The Black Dog Cafe, 308 Prince St., St. Paul

ST. PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS – For the past five days, the leading anti-war group CODEPINK made headlines from The Denver Post, Salon.com to the Washington Times with their vivacious, creative peace message  at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. At this week’s Republican National Convention in the Twin Cities, nearly 100 members of the women-initiated group will make more headlines with vibrant demonstrations, creative costumes, songs, banners and hard questions for delegates and politicians gathered there. Some of our major events include:
On Sunday, Aug. 31:
*From 1 to 2 p.m., CODEPINK members will march, ride pink peace bikes, sing and rally down Nicollet Mall to Loring Park in Minneapolis, in the Liberty Parade 2008, a nonpartisan musical celebration of shared values – liberty, freedom, justice and free speech. (For more details, visit http://www.libertyparade2008.com/site/).
*From 5 to 7 p.m. they will host the “Reclaiming the Constitution” event at the RNC’s Civic Fest at the Convention Center at 1301 2nd Ave. S. They’ll carry an enormous paper Constitution – carried by several people at once — and celebrate freedom of speech by saying “Dissent is Patriotic!” “We Want A Peace Candidate!” “Close Guantanamo!” “Restore Habeus Corpus!” and “I Miss America!”
*At 9 p.m. CODEPINK will host its “They Spy, They Lie, We Pay, They Profit!” protest outside the AT&T  Salute to Screen Actors Guild at the Fine Line Music Cafe at 318 First Ave N. Minneapolis. We’ll protest Republicans passing of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillence Act (FISA) that gave telecoms like AT & T (unconstitutional wiretapping and access to our communications without a warrant. (We’ll host this again 8 p.m. Weds. outside an AT & T event at Brit’s Pub at 1110 Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis).
On Monday, Sept. 1:
* At 7:30 a.m., CODEPINK will “drop” huge banners with “Build Bridges, Not War!” messages off of the overpasses over highway 94E and 35E, perfectly timed for when Republican delegates are bussed through to St. Paul to the Excel Center.
* At 11 a.m. CODEPINK will host the a “Pro-Life, Pro-Democracy” pink rally within the anti-war march and rally at the Assembly at Cass Gilbert Memorial Park (at Cedar St and Sherburne Ave.) in St. Paul. They will march to the Xcel Center at 1 p.m. Their parade will be non-confrontational, with puppets, colorful props and banners meant to inspire curiosity and hope for change.
On Tuesday, Sept. 2:
*At 7:30 a.m., CODEPINK will “Pink Slip” McCain on Wabasha bridge in St. Paul.
*At 9 a.m., the “Peace Builder” team in hard hats and tool belts will construct” a cardboard and fabric platform for peace and security. They’ll carry it down Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.
*At 7:30 p.m., they will stage a protest with the Rainforest Action Network, Oil Change and other groups outside a Big Oil fundraiser at Epic Entertainment, at 510 1st Ave. N Minneapolis, to demonstrate against the Republican’s devotion to the interest of Big Oil companies instead of the American people. Wearing yellow “Support Our Oil Companies” ribbons, waving “Freedom Flags” (flags with the logos of the major oil companies) and showering our fellow delegates with millions of “Oily Dollars, ” CODEPINK will mock Republicans support for more oil wars, surging gas prices and obscene profits for Big Oil, drilling everywhere regardless of consequences, and “no” to clean and renewable energy funding.
On Wednesday, Sept. 3:
*At 10 a.m. Wednesday, in full costume, CODEPINK will host a “Women Say No To War Pageant” at 5th St. and Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, right outside the Republican National Committee’s “welcome rally” for John McCain.
On Thursday, Sept. 4:
*At 1 p.m., wearing in pink police uniforms, peace “gardeners” gear, “pink slips,” and formal “I Miss America” gowns, CODEPINK will raise a ruckus to “Bust McCain” around Peavey Plaza, near the delegate hotels.
*At 5:30 p.m., CODEPINK members and friends will form a human peace sign in Harriet Island Park (Plato Blvd.) in St. Paul, to be photographed from the sky as a beautiful, living art image. It’ll be as powerful as our “Make Out Not War” image created at the DNC (view it here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/codepink-dnc-make-out-not_b_121533.html).

For more CODEPINK RNC events, and to check for updates, please visit our online DNC and RNC calendar, updated frequently, here: www.codepinkalert.org/conventioncalendar

Desiree and Nancy, a San Francisco organizer, posted to-do lists and calendars to the wall, placed little sacks of candy on each of our beds, and set out an incredible Middle Eastern spread with baklava, hummus and pita, and fresh fruit. After a week eating at the Merc, albeit seriously incredible organic food, it felt SO lovely to nibble and gab in a warm, homey kitchen again.

But the candy, the fancy pastry and the now-dark crystal lake outside (didn’t cha know it’s the land of the 10,000 lakes?) — the sweetness stops there. It’s RNC mode, baby. No more Misses Nice Ladies. We can be openly pissed at the past eight years without raining on an Obama parade. Big Oil, AT & T, Halliburton, Republican hawks — our bull’s eyes. A bit more sarcasm, a bit more anger, a bit more calling out. Here in the Twin Cities, if dissent is patriotic, we’ll be the biggest flag wavers in the bunch.

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced the names of additional speakers for the program of events that will run Sept. 1-4. The convention’s overall theme, “Country First,” reflects John McCain’s remarkable record of leadership and service to America. Each day of proceedings will center on a touchstone theme that has defined John McCain’s life and will be central to his vision for leading our nation forward as president.

“The 2008 Convention program will bring together Americans who will speak to John McCain’s vision for reforming our government, building prosperity and ensuring peace for future generations. We are excited about next week and we are looking forward to showcasing John McCain’s life-long record of putting his country first,” said Jill Hazelbaker, McCain 2008 communications director.

Among the new speakers announced today are Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio), U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist (Tenn.) and Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission Michael Williams. Their remarks will echo the themes that have been selected for each of the convention’s four days: service, reform, prosperity and peace.

“We are thrilled to announce our full program of speakers and program participants. We look forward to presenting a convention program that will share Senator McCain’s unparalleled record of experience and service with millions of Americans,” said Maria Cino, president and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention.

The program of events follows. Additions to the program appear with an asterisk (*).

Monday, Sept. 1
Service
“Love of country, my friends, is another way of saying love of your fellow countryman.”
–Sen. John McCain

John McCain’s commitment to his fellow Americans, a commitment forged in service to his country, is one of the defining hallmarks of his life. Monday’s events will highlight John McCain’s record of service and sacrifice and reflect his commitment to serving a cause greater than one’s own self-interest.

Speakers will include:

President George W. Bush
Vice President Richard B. Cheney
First Lady Laura Bush
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)*
Gov. Rick Perry (Texas)*
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.)
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.)*
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.)*
U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)*
U.S. Sen. John Ensign (Nev.)*
U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah)*
U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.)*
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.)*
U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (Fla.)*
U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake (Va.)*
U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (Ill.)*
U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif)*
Maria Cino, President and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention*
Jo Ann Davidson, Chairman of the 2008 Republican National Convention Committee on Arrangements*
Tommy Espinoza*
Maj. Gen. Rick Goddard, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)*
Bill Gross*
Ashley Gunn*
Chris Hackett*
Doug Leatherdale*
Jay Love*
Cynthia Lummis*
Erik Paulsen*
Capt. Leslie Smith, U.S. Army (Ret.)*

Program participants will include:

Victoria Blackstone, Stars and Stripes Winner, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
Boy Scout Troop 738 of St Louis Park, Minn. will serve as the Color Guard

Tuesday, Sept. 2
Reform
“If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you are disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and correct them.”
–Sen. John McCain

John McCain’s life is a testament to the fundamental truth that every American can be a force for change. A restless reformer who has dedicated his career to taking on special interests and the status quo, John McCain will deliver the right kind of change and reform to meet the great challenges of our time. On Tuesday, the convention program will underscore his vision of a government that is transparent, principled and worthy of the American people it serves.

Speakers will include:

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah)
Gov. Linda Lingle (Hawaii)
Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.)
Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (Md.)
U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (Okla.)*
Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio)*
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.)*
U.S. Rep. Luis Fortuño (Puerto Rico)*
U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam (Fla.)*
State Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth (Calif.)*
Rosario Marin, California Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and former Treasurer of the United States
Chris Collins*
Carolyn Dunn*
Phil Hayes*
Lisa Keegan*
Ruth Novodor*
Dr. Elena Rios *
Shirley Sadler*
Joe Watkins*

Program participants will include:

Mary Leavitt will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
The VFW of Red Lake, Minn. will serve as the Color Guard
Rabbi Ira Flax will lead the convention in prayer
Dr. Robert Certain will lead the convention in prayer

Wednesday, Sept. 3
Prosperity
“America’s best days are still to come.”
–Sen. John McCain

The American story is one of perseverance. Even in the face of tough times, the ingenuity and spirit of the American people has ushered in a new era of prosperity. Wednesday’s program will focus on John McCain’s plans to get our economy back on track and continue our long tradition of meeting the challenges we face and using our prosperity to help others. The day will conclude with an address by the vice presidential nominee.

Speakers will include:

Mrs. Cindy McCain
Republican Party’s Vice Presidential Nominee
Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas)*
U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.)*
Mayor Mick Cornett (Okla.)*
State Sen. Abel Maldonado (Calif.)*
Carly Fiorina, Victory ‘08 Chairman for the Republican National Committee and former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co.
Meg Whitman, National Co-Chair for McCain 2008 and former President and CEO of eBay
Renee Amoore*
Anne Beiler*
Jessica Colon*
Christy Swanson*
Raul “Danny” Vargas*

Program participants will include:

Sharon Clahchischillage will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
The Law Enforcement Memorial Association of Minnesota will serve as the Color Guard
Father Edward Reese will lead the convention in prayer
Rev. Eva Rodriguez will lead the convention in prayer

Thursday, Sept. 4
Peace
“Our next president will have a mandate to build an enduring global peace on the foundations of freedom, security, opportunity, prosperity, and hope.”
–Sen. John McCain

John McCain understands the challenges that America faces in the world and the sacrifice necessary to defend our freedom in a way that few others can fathom. Thursday’s events will reflect his vision of an America in pursuit of peace and seen as a beacon of goodwill and hope throughout the world. The evening will close with John McCain accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for the Presidency of the United States.

John McCain
Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)*
U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
Former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist (Tenn.)*
U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin (Okla.)*
Michael Williams, Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission*
David Flaum*
Christopher Fussner*
Lt. Gen. Carol Mutter, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)*
Charlie Smith*

Program participants will include:

The 934th Airlift Wing Air Force Reserves Joint Color Guard of Minn.
Pastor Dan Yeary will lead the convention in prayer
Archbishop Demetrios will lead the convention in prayer