Monday, August 25, 2008

• Protesters Descend on Denver Ahead of Denver's DNC
• Democrats Stress Unity and Diversity
• Michelle Obama Inspiration for African American Women
• Denver, Saint Paul Spend Millions on New Police Equipment and Weapons
• Update from  War-torn Georgia
• Free Gaza Boat Challenges Israel's Blockade

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Protesters Descend on Denver Ahead of Denver's DNC

According to sources from the National Lawyer's Guild, there have been four arrests so far: two people were taken for refusing to show identification; two more were detained for failure to follow a lawful order. Thousands of protesters are descending on Denver this week, to voice their concerns on a range on topics, including the economy, health care, and the Iraq War. All day Sunday, Recreate 68, Code Pink and many other groups kicked off their demonstrations and took to Denver's streets. Grace Hood has our report on the day's rallies.

Democrats Stress Unity and Diversity

It's opening day of the Democratic Convention in the Mile High City, and Democrats are stressing diversity, but most of all, unity – repeated enough, hoping to make it reality. The Democrats moved one step closer: Michigan and Florida delegations were restored their full representation Sunday. Leigh Ann Caldwell has that story.

Michelle Obama Inspiration for African American Women

Tonight's featured speaker on the DNC floor is Michelle Obama – and people around the nation and the world are tuning in to hear from the women who could be the country's next first lady. FSRN caught up with Clementine Clarke, a political fund raiser and consultant that works in San Francisco; she says that Michelle Obama is a big part of the reason why many people are taking personal role in this election.

Denver, Saint Paul Spend Millions on New Police Equipment and Weapons

Denver, host to the DNC and the city of St. Paul, host to Republican National Convention next week, are getting $50 million in federal money for security expenses during the Conventions, but what are they spending the money on? Well, some 20 million dollars are slated for police equipment and weapons. However, St. Paul is the only one willing to tell the public what they are buying, while Denver has chosen to keep their expenses under tight wraps. FSRN's Blake Wesley is in the Denver and files this report.

Update from  War-torn Georgia

Russian lawmakers approved a resolution Monday in support of independence for Georgia's break-away regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The non-binding votes come as the US State Department accused Russia of violating the ceasefire agreement with Georgia. More than two weeks have passed since the confrontation over Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia erupted into open warfare. Since then, the Russian military has taken control over much more than South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which seceded from Georgia in the early 1990s. FSRN's Deborah Wild is the Gerogian capitol of Tbilisi with the story.

Free Gaza Boat Challenges Israel's Blockade

198 Palestinians were released from prison in Israel today and returned to Ramallah – half of them were already scheduled for release within the year.  According to the Israeli Prison Authority, some 9,000 Palestinian prisoners remain incarcerated – Palestinian authorities put the number closer to 11,000. In another developing story from the occupied territories, Gaza welcomed the Free Gaza Boats today, a group of 44 internationals, who have made their way there after a two-year-long preparation. The arrival of the boats at Gaza's shores signified a symbolic breaking of the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip for more than a year now.