Protests and actions swarm ASU and Tempe during final presidential debate

For those who watched the three presidential debates on TV, it was like watching marionette puppets with tape recorders predictably reciting silly quips and quotes like “I’m going to kill the terrorists,” and “I’m going to create new jobs.” But it was outside the debates, past the layers of fences and secret service, that people addressed real issues with real dialogue. Although not moderated like the boring and predictable debates held indoors with only the wealthiest allowed to watch – the events in the streets illuminated the real issues that Americans are concerned about.

In Tempe, the October 13th alliance organized an entire week’s worth of events that led up to the final presidential debate. Their web site boasted their motto: Democracy for a Change. They brought in an impressive array of individuals to speak in forums and join in the marches. Medea Benjamin (Global Exchange and Code Pink), Norman Solomon (Institute for Public Accuracy), Fernando Suarez del Solar (lost his son in Iraq), David Rovics (political folk singer) and Michael Hoffman (Iraq Veterans Against the War). The O13 Alliance also set up a convergence space next to Gentle Strength Co-op, which contained meeting rooms, an arts-n-crafts room and an Independent Media Center.

October 13 saw an array of events and actions – all carefully watched by several police agencies from ASU cops up to FBI and secret service. Gammage Auditorium, where the debates were held, was secured days before by two layers of fencing and roving patrols of Tempe Police and SS. Dozens of corporate news trucks were locked inside the gates, comfortably isolated from the real action occurring outside. Although cops weren’t quite adopting the Miami Model of pre-emptive suppression, there were obvious similarities, like psyching up the cops with lies about protestors. ASU police commander John Sutton told the ASU State Press that “disruptive groups have been known to throw urine and paint-filled jugs into police.” Sound like John Timmony, anyone?

In the morning, the now infamous “unemployment line” lined Mill Ave with hundreds of people holding large pink slips to represent the job loss and high unemployment characteristic of the Bush administration.

The rest of the day was protest as usual. Every intersection had a handful of cops on the corners, roving gangs of bicycle police patrolled well into the evening and plenty of other surveillance was set up around the city.

The O13 main march started at 4:00 pm and worked its way past Gammage and into ASU’s campus. Only a couple arrests were made, making the day easy for the AzCLU legal observers and the street medic crew. The march arrived at Hayden Lawn to find a dozen or so Bush/Cheney supporters (including the Protest Warriors) and a CNN stage doing a live broadcast. People crowded the back of the stage, trying to get their signs on camera, and kept chanting and yelling until the broadcast was completely disrupted. Oddly, no police were present. Anarchists, greens, liberals and republicans clashed, each trying out out-chant the other. Many heated arguments ensued as protestors of all varieties mingled for at least two hours.

The night’s climax – while Bush was speaking at Bank One Ballpark and Kerry joined the Foo Fighters for a lake-side rally – was the Joe 6 Pack party. About 50 protestors headed to the Mission Palms hotel, where Gov. Napolitano and Sen. McCain were throwing an upscale party for the wealthy debate watchers. They arrived outside the doors of the hotel and nearly made it into the lobby before bicycle police, armed with pepper spray, shoved everyone back.

Below is a list of everything that has been uploaded to AZ Indymedia for all the events:

Pink Slip Action – photos 1 2 3 | audio 1
March - articles 1 | photos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | audio 1 2
Joe 6 Pack - video 1 2