As the start of the Republican National Convention rapidly approaches, New York City is heating up. United for Peace and Justice, organizers of a massive demo on 29th August, and the National Council of Arab-Americans are both suing the city to be allowed to protest in Central Park. Meanwhile, Mayor Bloomberg and tourism officials are offering "well-behav ed protesters" baby blue buttons saying "peaceful political activists" that will give them discounts at restaurants and museums. The NYPD is "shadowing" 56 activists from around the country.

A Life After Capitalism conference is going on August 20-22, Time's Up is holding a Bike National Convention from August 20 to August 29, an Immigrant Worker Speak Out is happening on August 27 and a Books not Bombs Youth Convergence is being held on August 28. Numerous calls for (direct) action have been issued, including one for a day of direct action on August 31. This is not to mention the rallies and marches being organized by United for Peace and Justice, Still We Rise, the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign and other groups.

The Indypendent, NYC IMC's paper, has printed 200,000 copies of the latest issue of its paper, believed to be the largest printing by a radical grassroots newspaper in decades, and is planning to print at least 100,000 copies of its August 25 paper while 25,000 copies have been printed of the People's Guide to the Republican National Convention. An Indymedia Infoshop and photo exhibit have just opened and a Convergence Center is soon to follow.

Links: |RNC Watch | RNC Not Welcome | counterconvention.org | NYC IMC