The Alliance For Real Democracy Has Big Plans For The Democratic National Convention

A new coalition of protest groups promises free concerts, art displays, classes for activists and a "massive" anti-war march during this summer's Democratic National Convention.

The Alliance for Real Democracy is made up of 12 groups, many led by activists in their early 20s and 30s.

Organizers said Tuesday their nonviolent events will urge an end to the war in Iraq and raise awareness of "the global climate crisis."

The alliance is open to people of all ages, but will especially target young people. It also plans to invite convention delegates to the events.

"This is as much a part of the process as going to a very formal convention," said Jojo Pease, an organizer with Students for a Democratic Society.

Some of the groups were previously affiliated with the Re-Create 68 Alliance, but split off after a disagreement over tactics.

Re-Create 68 has promised demonstrations that will rival those at the notorious Democratic convention in Chicago held in 1968, which was accompanied by street battles between police and anti-Vietnam War demonstrators.

Members of the Alliance for Real Democracy wouldn't talk Tuesday about Re-Create 68 or the split.

But they released bylaws that say the group "will not use or return violence - verbal or physical - toward any person or other creature," and will not damage property, bring weapons to protests or use illegal drugs or alcohol during events.

Re-Create 68, meanwhile, has said that if confronted with violence by police, members will defend themselves.

The Alliance for Real Democracy includes groups such as CODEPINK, the Green Party, Tent State University, the Denver International Socialist Organization and Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Members declined to say how many people they are expecting at their events, and some details - such as dates and locations of concerts - have not been finalized.

The anti-war parade is scheduled for the Sunday before the convention, which starts Aug. 25 and runs through Aug. 28 at the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver.

The concerts will include a guitarist who played in protest of the Vietnam War during the 1968 convention in Chicago, as well as a local hip-hop group, according to organizers.

Among other events planned is an "aerial image," in which thousands of people will use their bodies to form a message to release detainees at Guantanamo Bay and to stop torture, said Zoe Williams, a member of CODEPINK, an anti-war group whose name is a play on President Bush's color-coded terror alert level.

The lineup:

The Alliance for Real Democracy is planning free concerts during the Democratic National Convention. Among the featured artists:

* Wayne Kramer: His group, MC5 (Motor City 5) played an eight-hour concert in Chicago's Lincoln Park at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

* Flobots: Denver hip-hop group also has a nonprofit organization aimed at volunteerism and activism.

* The Coup: Self-described "funkateers" ran into controversy when an album cover, created three months before 9/11, depicted the band setting off an explosion in the World Trade Center. The label pulled the cover.

* Blue Scholars: The name is a play on "blue collar." Their music includes themes of youth empowerment and challenging authority.


Sara Burnett

Rocky Mountain News