Making Nice

The Department of Justice is trying to get police and activists in St. Paul, MN to play nice at the upcoming Republican National Convention. The Star Tribune reports that DOJ has invited both groups to attend special counseling sessions this week in an effort to reduce conflict. The newspaper says various activist groups have vowed on their websites to "shut down" the Convention and city officials are growing concerned.

The police have agreed to take part, but the activists are having none of it. One demonstrator quoted in the Star Tribune story said she was contacted directly by a "conciliation specialist" from DOJ and asked if she planned to attend. When she declined the invitation, the official screamed at her and muttered something about the police department's recent purchase of Tasers. The DOJ rep denied the outburst.

Protestors in the Twin Cities were already feeling a tad grumpy. Last week, a federal judge rejected a request by a St. Paul group that had asked to use a specific protest route that nearly encircled the Xcel Center. The judge also said marches near the Center could only take place between noon and 3pm. And on the same day, the Minneapolis City Council approved a new resolution that spells out appropriate police behavior during RNC protests, but left off several clauses that would have given protestors greater protection. Several groups are crying foul, calling the policy "watered down" and "vague" and arguing that it gives police more leeway to get rough.

A coalition of Twin City activists, peeved by the limitations on their ability to demonstrate, has organized a mass protest for Friday in front of City Hall.

-- Sean Bowditch

1:10 PM ET | 07-23-2008 | permalink

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