Code Pink: Brace for even more protests in Philly

[brooklynite]

Democrats may face even more protests at their convention next week in Philadelphia than have greeted the GOP gathering in Cleveland, Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin said Wednesday.

Benjamin, a former Bernie Sanders supporter who has endorsed Green Party candidate Jill Stein, also took shots at Democratic standard-bearer Hillary Clinton’s foreign policy record.

Clinton is “somebody who has been pushing the military solution for a lot of the problems, especially in the Middle East, instead of pushing much more for diplomatic solutions,” Benjamin said in an interview with POLITICO.

Code Pink will also be in Philadelphia next week to protest the Democratic convention, and Benjamin said she will be there with a group of Sanders supporters.

She has the right to speak (outside); she doesn't have the right to require anyone to listen.

[tonyt53]

1. This is guaranteed. There will be major disruptions both inside and outside.

To these people it isn't about winning, it is about getting their voices heard. Pretty damned selfish if you ask me.

[tallahasseedem]

2. Especially given what we have seen here this week...

[Lottie5]

35. What happened to

freedom of speech in America?

[pnwmom]

37. What do you think will happen if Trump is elected, given his views that it's too hard to sue people

for saying bad things about you?

[cwydro]

41. I think you're wasting your time on that one.

But, dayum. This election is no joke.

[Lottie5]

44. Trump sues everyone

and anyone for saying anything bad about him. Why in the world would you want to be Trump elected? Without freedom of speech, no one would voice unpopular opinions out of fear of retaliation. I cannot imagine living in a country with no change or progress. Without free speech this country would rumble.

[pnwmom]

45. I don't want Trump elected, and I don't want anti-Hillary protesters, Pink, Green, or anyone else,

helping to put him into office.

[Lottie5]

47. Again,

freedom of speech is fundamental to our democracy. Advocating limits and restrictions to speech is straight out of Trump's plan for America.

[pnwmom]

48. Again. People who add their voices to the chorus of Hillary-hate are helpingTrump.

Protesting her NOW won't do a single thing to get more progressive policies passed. It will just add to the public perception that all the Hillary haters we've just watched this week must be right -- even her own party hates her.

The protesters should be putting all their energy now into getting Hillary elected AND THEN work to hold her feet to the fire.

Those protesters have the perfect right to exercise their freedom of speech. And I have the perfect right to exercise my own and to say: if they do believe in freedom of speech then protesting Hillary before she's elected is DUMB, DUMB, DUMB.

[Lottie5]

49. Please,

I want Hillary to win and I try to highlight all the positive ideas she can bring to our country. Calling me or anyone "DUMB, DUMB, DUMB" is not helping to elect Hillary.

[pnwmom]

50. Defending Hillary protesters isn't helping to elect Hillary. n/t

[yeoman6987]

40. I just can't believe the disinterest in protests on the RNC side

They've hardly had any. Today they have some since trump is speaking but I expected nonstop big time protesting the RNC.

[RandiFan1290]

46. Plenty of protesters

Just none of the riots the publicons were hoping for.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Wonder if they went to Cleveland this week too?

[B Calm]

4. Yes they were there. They even escorted one out of the convention.

[tonyt53]

6. Couldn't have. They had to have the right credential to get in.

[B Calm]

7. I don't know how she got in, but she did! Watched it live on CSpan.

[brooklynite]

10. I remain puzzled why convention credentials remain bearer instruments...

...if someone hands you one, you can walk in the door.

[B Calm]

56. Looks like they have another one being kicked out tonight too.

[tonyt53]

5. Doubt it. The RNC didn't give in to any of their demands like the DNC did.

What's that old saying about giving them an inch and they will take a mile?

[B Calm]

8. It happened two days ago. Here is a link to the story.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/rnc-2016-code-pink-225787

[Demsrule86]

9. Protesters who's real mission is to elect Trump...have at it.

But don't call yourself a progressive...you are not.

[Joe the Revelator]

11. Medea Benjamin is an attention seeking PITA.

Frankly.

[BobbyDrake]

12. Well, they are Code Pink, after all, and not Code Think.

"Hey, I have a great idea: let's protest the people we expect to pass the legislation we want, to remind them that we think they're all corrupt and useless. Then victory will be assured," said no one ever.

[Cha]

66. Really.. dead enders.

[bigwillq]

13. Cool.

I like when folks fight for the things they believe in, in Philly, Cleveland and all over the world.

[NCTraveler]

15. +1 nt.

[Demsrule86]

21. It is a election year.

It is a foolish thing to do. Why not picket the GOP who are way out of step? These people appear to want to elect Trump.

[Attorney in Texas]

72. this ^

[NCTraveler]

14. I just don't have a problem with these things.

There will be extremely limited coverage outside of the convention. It's the way it works unless they rile themselves into a riot. Even then, it will be promoted as Sanders and Trump supporters. It will help promote the image Clinton already is in her commercials when people see the convention floor compared to outside. Clinton as the beacon of stability in an unstable world.

[Orsino]

16. This is what revolution looks like.

It's messy, and not always coherent or even valid, but it does demand to be heard.

And it is always locked outside for as long as the locks will hold.

[NCTraveler]

17. There have been protests outside of conventions from the start.

There are protesters outside of the Republicans convention. What is the name of their revolution?

[Orsino]

18. It's the same revolution.

Though the goals in Cleveland are stayed very differently.

[NCTraveler]

19. Please define the similarities of the revolution outside of Trumps convention....

and those who will be outside of our convention. I can say "our" convention, right?

[Orsino]

24. The game is rigged against the little guy...

...by elites perceived as disdainful or even malevolent. Disruption is needed.

[NCTraveler]

26. You evaded defining what you said.

Please define the revolution these two groups share. Don't forget, Trump is the current outsider fighting for the little guy. That is what those fools think. There are no similarities between the Cruz people outside of their convention and the Sanders people who will be outside of ours. Strange that you think you are sharing a revolution with them.

[cwydro]

42. Yup.

Wish I could rec your post.

[Orsino]

62. The game is rigged against the little guy...

...by elites perceived as disdainful or even malevolent. Disruption is needed.

That's it. Our economy and systemic racism are the problems. People just respond in different ways.

[lapucelle]

31. Why didn't Sanders primary Obama in 2012?

[Orsino]

61. The revolution didn't seem ready to support a major-party candidate at that time.

Sanders guessed correctly that by 2015 dissatisfaction with the Establishment had grown sufficiently to warrant a run by a candidate who had championed similar values. Sanders didn't suddenly develop presidential ambitions; he ran because no one else would at the time when big progressive change was/is needed. He wasn't just running for the presidency, either; his long commitment to equal opportunity will not vanish this summer. He has fought for change, and given the level of support that is now out there--and wasn't in 2008 or even 2012--met with considerable success.

The Democratic party will succeed in the long run to the approximate extent that it addresses these concerns.

[Demsrule86]

22. Hopefully the locks hold...they have nothing constructive to offer. NT

So-called progressives protesting progressives...such nonsense

[Orsino]

63. People are going to disagree over the whos, the hows, the whens and whys.

That's okay. If Clinton is an imperfect leader for progressive goals, well, so is Sanders. That doesn't change our mission--only some of our bumper stickers.

[Demsrule86]

68. I agree with that

But some at the convention said they would not vote for Hillary to reporters...how does that help anyone but Trump?

[Orsino]

69. They can't possibly be held to that oath...

...and it may be they still harbor the fantasy of a Sanders nomination. After the convention, they may admit to themselves who they need to vote for--but in any case, I doubt these folks are numerous enough to have much sway. I suspect they will be forgotten soon after Sanders leaves the convention on the Clinton team.

[Demsrule86]

71. You are probably right

However, I do not want the spectacle which would be used by Trump of the Sanders delegates booing Clinton and drowning her out as they did to Elijah Cummings and other Democrats. It seemed to me at the end of last night, things had improved. But we can't have them booing the nominee. Bernie could end this by doing what Hillary did in 08 and doing the nomination by acclamation.

[jcgoldie]

25. nonsense

There's no revolution. There's some disgruntled protesters disappointed their guy didn't win. They have every right to stand in the street and voice their opinions.

[Orsino]

27. There's a revolution, all right...

...but as I said, not everyone yelling is necessarily connected, or not with identical concerns.

[jcgoldie]

28. Welp

Above you said its the same revolution as we are seeing in Cleveland just expressed differently. That ones obviously about angry white guys pissed off about losing privilege... what's yours about?

[Orsino]

58. Economic and racial inequality.

You've probably heard that there's a lot of that going on.

[lapucelle]

32. Why this time around? Why not in 2012?

Or better yet, why didn't Sanders lead a congressional revolution in 2009 when the health care bill was being crafted?

Sanders, who has been an incrementalist for the entire 24 years that he's been part of the Washington establishment, suddenly has acolytes who want a revolution. Why this year?

What's different this year? I wonder.......

[Orsino]

34. It's a growing revolution.

We could probably date its origin to Occupy, but its increading relevance is the main reason Sanders ran for president. That he has helped design the party platform is a good start, but inequality is still on the rise, and therefore we see more protests.

Unless we are successful in implementing some big changes soon, we can expect more protesters In greater numbers.

[lapucelle]

36. That doesn't answer my question.

And the Occupy movement began in NY in autumn 2011.
http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/07/22/277124/bernie-sanders-primary-obama/

What's different this time.....

[jcgoldie]

54. Heres a hint

Nominee has different junk.

[Orsino]

57. Nothng is different except the means...

...though we can expect more Occupy-style demonstrations.

Economic and racial inequality keep growing. The revolution brewing in America is growing along with it, even if many are deluded into Malheur stunts that amount to little more than dick-waving.

The heartening manifestation has been Sanders' candidacy and the willingness of the Democratic party to make some room for new progressivism. A party that can adapt to change is a party that may continue to exist--unlike the GOP and its current flailings.

[one_voice]

20. I have a feeling the media will be all over

EVERY single protest. Making it look like the Dems are in disarray. Stirring shit. They won't be ignored like most were in Cleveland.

[Squinch]

52. Yes. You are exactly right.

[JaneyVee]

23. What exactly are they protesting?

Hillary was democratically nominated and has the overwhelming support of every marginalized demographic in America. Im so over the regressive left.

[tonyt53]

29. There is nothing that can appease these groups. Nothing.

Disruptive protests hurt Democrats. It really is as simple as that. Who does it hurt when a road is blocked? A working man or woman trying to get somewhere they need to be. Those protests will be seen time and time again on TV and be used by Trump and his allies.

[BobbyDrake]

30. Reality, and the inability of "just wishing" to successfully change it. nt

[RandySF]

33. I suspect we will not arrest the for having tennis balls

Unlike the Republucans.

[pnwmom]

38. Are they nuts? Why would CP decide to protest MORE against Hillary than about the Don?

[Zorro]

67. Soft target

[SidDithers]

39. ...

Sid

[DemonGoddess]

65. that makes sense then

fucking Paulites

[LiberalLovinLug]

43. It would be way worse to not have any protests

Looking past the fact that Code Pink were right all along with Hillary admitting she made a "mistake" in regards to Iraq,...If the DNCC were to be portrayed as a total lovefest for Hillary, that would only add ammunition to Trump to painting Democrats as being "scary" and engaging in blind lockstep behaviour. And its not as if Republicans, especially the neo-Republicans, agree with anything Code Pink stands for anyways.

And to add: Why do some Hillary supporters not respect other women's, many with long life experience, opinions? And like I said, ones that were right all along?

[Squinch]

53. I don't think anyone has ever said that the Democrats were scary for engaging in lockstep behavior.

And your straw man about Hillary supporters not respecting women's opinions is creepy.

[LiberalLovinLug]

55. My point was not that anyone NOW is saying that,

except maybe a few rabid wingnuts and die hard Bernie-or-busters. But that I do not put it past Trump to use that kind of language IF there were no protests at the DNC. IF there was an appearance of total acquiescence to her nomination. But I don't think we have to worry about that. My point was that it helps to have those further left of her to protest that she's not left enough...to counter some of the BS on the Republican side that she's too left.

And that's not a straw man argument. Look up the thread. I didn't invent the ridicule that these women are getting.. probably from the same ones that were supportive of them when they protested Bush.

[DinahMoeHum]

51. Love your closing sentence, brooklynite.

Medea Benjamin is little more than an attention-seeking performance artist.

The fact that she endorses a woo-woo scientist like Stein is another strike against her.

[book_worm]

59. They better have lots of water available it's going to be HOT

[joeybee12]

60. I'm praying for heavy rain all week long in Philly...nt

[glennward]

64. Just to cooll things off. Me too. nt

[Attorney in Texas]

70. Medea Benjamin (and Jill Stein) do us (and Hillary) a great service. Hillary's choice of Tim Kaine

confirms that Hillary is reaching out to the center.

If you want to be perceived as a centrist, you need people who oppose you on your right (Trump) and your left (Benjamin and Stein). Now that Warren and Sanders are 100% behind Hillary, Trump would have more success labeling Hillary as "out of the mainstream" if there was no one fighting Hillary from left.

This is the ideal situation: Hillary has opponents who say she's too far to the right but they are only a small 3% to 5% segment of the vote.

LBJ had a small group of opponents on his left, Carter had a small group of opponents on his left, Bill had a small group of opponents on his left, Obama had a small group of opponents on his left, and they all did just fine. We live in a democracy. We should foresee and accept that our system of government -- the best system yet invented by the human mind -- will and must encompass a broad range of opinions and competing visions for the role of our government.

We cannot claim to represent the mainstream in one breath and -- in the very next breath -- express outrage and surprise that there are some to our left whose views are outside of our mainstream vision.

[oberliner]

73. Donald Trump, Republican Front-Runner, Wins Applause From Code Pink

It’s not every day that anti-war groups find themselves cheering on leading Republican presidential candidates. But, then again, this hasn’t been a presidential campaign that’s stuck to the script.

The morning after he called the Iraq War a huge misstep and argued that President George W. Bush lied to get the country into it, Donald Trump has earned praise from, of all places, Code Pink, the group best known for protesting the Iraq War and subsequent military interventions.

“I watched the debate last night and LOVED IT,” Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin said in an email. “It felt surreal to hear Donald Trump, the leading Republican contender for President, saying what we at CODEPINK have been shouting to the winds for 14 years now: that Bush and his cronies lied about WMDs, that the Iraq war was catastrophic, and that Bush never ‘kept us safe’ because 9/11 happened on his watch.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-code-pink_us_56c0afbfe4b0c3c55051c763