TUCSON DNC SOLIDARITY PROTEST

Solidarity Protest in Tucson attracts activists and police, but not press.

TUCSON --  Approximately 35 protesters gathered in the late afternoon on Wednesday to protest in solidarity with other Arizona activists in Los Angeles. 

Acitivists held signs touching on a variety of issues. Examples include "OXy will get you al GORE'd," "Don't settle, Vote Nader," "Bush-Gore just Corporate

Puppets," and the hands-down favorite at the protest, "Al Gore-- Corporate Whore."

Police arrived early, at first outnumbering the protesters 2-1.  But activists quickly arrived and overtook their numbers.  The officers were friendly, offering to bring the protesters water from the Democratic

Headquarters.  An employee of the Democratic Party joined the protesters with sodas, an American flag and a "Vote Gore" sign.  He was quickly outmaneuvered by the gentleman with the "Al Gore, Corporate Whore" sign.

Motorists reacted favorably to the demonstration, honking and waving in support.

Noticeably absent from the protest was the press (with the honorable exceptions of the Arizona Daily Wildcat and the Tucson Citizen).  One television station claimed they had to divert a camera crew to interview John McCain about his skin cancer.  One station said they were simply short-staffed, while another said they just didn't think it was newsworthy. 

This opinion was shared by the Arizona Daily Star who

continued to insist that DNC protests are not

newsworthy.  The general opinion was summed up by one reporter who predicted, "unless LA burns,

you're not going to see any coverage of the protests, local or otherwise."

Bypassing the mainstream media, Arizona activists will be appearing on KXCI 91.3 FM Tucson tomorrow evening, at 6pm for the program "A View From Slightly Off-Center."