What will happen on A31?

On August 31st,

We will turn the streets of NYC into stages of resistance and forums for debate. We are calling for actions focusing on Republican events throughout the day. We are asking all New Yorkers to join us in the streets on this day. If you don't want to risk the streets, we ask that you at least participate from the sidewalks.

* 4pm: A wave of actions will occur around the buildings of war profiteers, Republican donors and the corporations that have hijacked our air, water, land, pensions and voice. Check out "Participating Groups" for some of the listed options. Or, on August 31st, go to the stairs on the Southside of Union Square Park where people can give you directions to the action.

* 6pm: New Yorkers and our friends from out of town will gather in Madison Square Park (23rd St. and Broadway) and on the steps of the New York Public Library (42nd St. and 5th Ave.)

* 7pm: We will converge on Madison Square Garden. Inside the Garden, the Republicans are holding a dog and pony show, fueled by corporate dollars. Outside, where the barricades end, real democracy begins. Where ever these barricades end, we will create "free speech zones." These will be places where we can express our outrage, where we can create the kind of world we want to see through music and free food and dancing and debate. We will not be asking for permits to create these zones. If we are asked to move, we will sit down and refuse.

More details about the August 31st Day of Action

Throughout the day, actions will focus on events affiliated with the Republican National Convention, such as the Bank of America's 9:30am "Finance Roundtable" at Tavern on the Green. Some of these Midtown protest sites for the 4pm wave of action include but are not limited to the following corporations:

*
The Carlyle Group:
They invest in defense companies and are one of the government's biggest contractors. The Bush family has huge investments in this corporation. Together, the Carlyle Group and the Bush family stand to make billions of dollars from the war on terror.

*
The Rand Corporation:
Rand officially advises the U.S. government on military strategy. In 2002, they recommended that America should invade and capture Saudi Arabian oil fields. Rand is also responsible for designing many of the policies that gutted education programs and tore away the safety nets for poor and unemployed people.

*
Chevron Public Affairs - Chevron:
This corporation is the leading importer of Iraq oil to the U.S.

*
Hummer of Manhattan:
By creating monstrosities that get 11-13 miles per gallon, they're ensuring more Middle Eastern wars for oil and more global warming.

The beliefs of the majority of New Yorkers, of people across this country, of people throughout the world were ignored by the Bush Administration. And it is here, at the end of the barricades surrounding Madison Square Garden, that some of these voices will find expression at 7pm. These barricades may end on 7th Avenue and they may end way over on 3rd. But where ever they end, that is where democracy begins.