2000 Republican National Convention

POLITICAL CONTEXT

Bush, eldest son of the 41st President , was identified early as the party establishment's frontrunner and turned back a strong primary challenge from John McCain , a Vietnam War hero and U.S. Senator from Arizona . At the convention, the party and campaign sought to showcase Bush's slogan of Compassionate Conservatism while reassuring undecided voters of Bush's qualifications for office by highlighting respected, experienced individuals who might serve in a future Bush cabinet and delivering a strong acceptance speech.

PROTESTS

There were mass demonstrations organized against the Republican policies that drew tens of thousands of protesters. On Sunday, July 30 , a multi-issue march and rally drew nearly 50,000 participants from a wide variety of liberal causes. The rally, called Unity 2000, was organized by labor, peace and civil rights organizations under the leadership of Michael Morrill of the Pennsylvania Citizen Action Network. Other demonstrations were organized by the Kensington Welfare Rights Union under Cheri Honkala 's direction, direct actions led by the Philadelphia Direct Action Group and numerous smaller protests. There were many arrests as the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania State Police. Almost all of the charges from those arrests were later dismissed. La.

SPEAKERS

July 31