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As St. Paul prepares for the Republican National Convention starting this Monday, the corporate media has focused primarily on the presumptive presidential nominees and their proclaimed agendas. But those demonstrating in the streets outside the major party conventions hope to influence those agendas. CNN estimates that tens of thousands of people will converge onto St. Paul next week. Among them are groups against the Iraq war and those calling for government funding of more productive and just endeavors, including welfare. Events include a life-size replica of a Guantánamo maximum security cell, bike and rollerblade brigades, and a satirical “Support Our Oil Companies” party. But while the activists have been organizing, police have concurrently prepared for their arrival. St. Paul police have constructed temporary detainment areas. They have already handcuffed a former journalist for photographing police, and detained three journalists documenting police-protester interactions. The police confiscated their cameras, computers, and notes without providing a receipt. Explained one of those arrested, “What they took away was our ability to report.” The ACLU of Minnesota anticipates 800 arrests in the coming week and will have 75 lawyers available for their defense.

GUESTS: Deb Konechne, Welfare Rights Committee, Wes Davey, Iraq Veterans Against the War.

For more information visit www.welfarerightsmn.org, www.marchonthernc.org, www.protestrnc2008.org, and www.ivaw.org.