Although police publicly won't say how they'll handle protesters, some privately admit that if any trouble arises during the convention, it likely will be on Aug. 1, when sentiment is strong against police. After all, the convention's star is Bush, who has signed off on more executions as Texas governor than any other governor since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1978. Ridge, who has signed 205 death warrants and oversaw three executions since he took office in January 1995, also has a strong record of supporting the death penalty. Gov. Bush has signed off on 136 executions. He has killed more people than the Oklahoma City bombing, which we deplore as the biggest domestic terrorist event.
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely.
Garis' group will gather Aug. 1 at the Friends Center at 15th and Cherry streets for prayer and a strategy session. Other groups have scheduled press conferences and talks. Some activists have more aggressive plans. Members of Philadelphia Direct Action Group, the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition and other groups promise to disrupt the convention to ensure that they're heard, although they refuse to reveal specifics. The possibility of protests hasn't shaken some GOP leaders' commitment to the death penalty.