At the RNC: On the Parade Going On

As it often does when the GOP does something respectful of human rights, yesterday’s decision to cancel the majority of day one activities at the RNC threw activists for a loop. Do we continue our protests? During what could be another Gulf Coast disaster? What, then, is our message? And how does CODEPINK, as an anti-war group dedicated to capturing media attention on behalf of the rest of the movement, continue that work when we’re all aware Gustav should remain our focus?

But the parade, as they say, must go on.

While much of yesterday was spent in pow wows, on the phone with other organizers, in deep deep discussion while driving to and from training sessions, with an unfortunate two-hour window during which 12 headstrong activists each claimed to know in what direction in downtown Minneapolis we should turn, today we will parade. Today, activists will dance with charming dove puppets, call the Republicans out for the continued occupation of Iraq, underscore the importance of funding relief efforts in the Gulf Coast–still in need of work following Katrina–and work toward a future where Republicans behaving appropriately does not shock.

Keep up with us here and on Twitter.