Coalition Of Protest Groups Promises To 'Influence Outcome' Of DNC
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Protesters from near and far are ready to take actions around the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Most say they plan peaceful, non-violent acts of civil disobedience.
On Wednesday, a coalition of protest groups gathered at Arch Street Methodist Church on Broad Street, near City Hall, to talk about their strategy for DNC-related events.
The DNC Action Committee and affiliated groups plan a range of protests, according to organizer Brianna Jones.
"We're going to help influence the outcome of the convention," Jones said, "make history, and shape our future."
Jones promises "to disrupt, discredit and delegitimize the Democratic National Convention."
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Kai Newkirk of Democracy Spring says they will fight to "end the corruption of big money in politics." His group wants the DNC to pledge to commit to reforms in the first 100-days of a new administration that include voting rights protections, public funding of elections, and eliminating the use of superdelegates at conventions.
"If they don't do that at the start of the convention, we will do mass non-violent civil disobedience each day to disrupt business as usual, until and unless they meet that demand," Newkirk said.
Cheri Honkala of the Poor People's Human Rights campaign is setting up a tent city for visiting protestors.
"A modern-day Shantytown. We're going to call it Clintonville. It's in Kensington," Honkala said. "The city is right now fencing up vacant lots, but my son made a joke to me the other day, he said 'mom, we actually live in a gated community now.'"
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"I'm very proud to be a part of this coalition," said Black Lives Matter activist Asa Khalif, "with such great activists, who have different methods, but the same goal, which is justice."
The coalition has produced "The People's Guide," a pocket-sized resource that lists a schedule of protest-related events.