CNN/YouTube Republican Presidential Candidate Debate
Nov. 28, 2007, St. Petersburg, FL
|
 |
RECAP
St.
Petersburg, FL was the site of the Nov. 28 Republican presidential
candidate debate hosted by CNN and YouTube. Hundreds of
people joined together to denounce the policies of the candidates, the
war trumpeting of CNN, and bring attention to the inhumane
treatment of St. Petersburg's homeless community. Demonstrators
from the 'Rise Up - The System is Broken' Unity Rally, the rally for
the homeless, antiwar activists, students, anarchists, political
candidate supporters and many others joined together for a spirited
march from St. Petersburg's Pioneer Park to the Mahaffey Theater, site
of debate. Ron Paul supporters also had a strong presence
as they marched together telling people that Paul is the only
Republican candidate with an anti-war position.
Once
at the debate site, demonstrators carried signs, hung banners, and
chanted on megaphones as debate attendees slowly passed by in their
cars on the way to the parking lot. There was very little
negative response to the protesters from the assumed Republican
supporters - it was almost as if the people were shocked to see so many
people speaking out.
The march and demonstration culminated four days of action by the local
homeless community and its supporters, and brought attention to the
destructive relationship of wars abroad and poverty at home. It
was a very impactful and inspiring week and was confirmation
that, even in face of suppression of free speech (and rain), the
people will continue to demand change to a system that is broken.
|
Other coverage of the debate protests:
Protesters arrested for going thru barricades (WATCH VIDEO)
PHOTOS & RECAP from the Buddhist Peace Fellowship-Tampa Bay
|
 |
 |
The banner below was made in response to city of St. Pete's city council member Bill Foster
who said "the red carpet is gone" for the homeless (read article):
Photos: Benji and Marianne
|
E-mail: info@stpeteforpeace.org
