Tempe:Activists Want Voice at Presidential Debate Oct. 13
by the Trib
Monday, Jul. 26, 2004 at 2:04 PM
They still refuse to use AZ IMC,so here is corporate media story:A group of Valley activists want to make sure their voices are heard Oct. 13 when the attention of the world will be focused on Tempe for the third presidential debate.
Valley activists want a voice at debate
By Bryon Wells, Tribune
July 26, 2004
A group of Valley activists want to make sure their voices are heard Oct. 13 when the attention of the world will be focused on Tempe for the third presidential debate.
Dubbing themselves the October 13th Alliance, the loose collection of activists believes that if past demonstrations across the country are any indication, protesters will likely be corralled in "free speech" zones out of view and out of earshot of their intended targets.
In response, the alliance is planning more creative ways to voice their issues during many events scheduled from Oct. 9 to 13, when presumed Democratic challenger John Kerry will debate President Bush at Arizona State University’s Gammage Auditorium.
The activists say that presidential debates are reduced to glorified news conferences where the candidates recite prepackaged sound bites.
"We declare our independence from passively watching this take place. We will create real dialogue on issues which really matter and we will exemplify the just, democratic and sustainable world we want to create," the group states on its Web site http://www.oct13alliance.org.
The issues will vary from opposition to the war in Iraq, the environment, gay and lesbian rights and the viability of third parties that could break the current stranglehold of the two parties on the political process, said freelance writer and researcher Robert Curry of Tempe.
"We’re also celebrating models of what type of world we’d like to see. Not having two monolithic parties having the election wrapped up," Curry said. "The idea would be to have our forum be more of a freewheeling democratic (participation)."
Besides the typical street marches and large puppets that have become the staple of demonstrations, the alliance hopes to host informative forums, concerts and gatherings at public places like Tempe Beach Park.
The alliance also hopes to book Gammage Auditorium one or two days before the debates and invite speakers to host fully interactive "alternative" debates.
The activists have been using the Internet to coordinate their actions, and meet frequently at the Gentle Strength Cooperative in Tempe for planning.
Organizers don’t know if they will need permits, and are still working to secure venues for some of the events.
They also expect roadblocks. At past antiglobalization demonstrations in Georgia and Miami, Fla., officials made it difficult for demonstration organizers to get permits, and media coverage before the events spread fears of demonstrators rampaging through the streets, Curry said.
Contact Bryon Wells by email, or phone (480) 898-6536
