West 7th Fort Road
West 7th Fort Road
RNC Welcoming Committee: Meeting the press at last
Another police blockade of the High Street bridge did not stop media intent on finally having a look at the RNC Welcoming Committee space and members. On Thursday morning, six RNC-WC members explained their commitment to welcoming and encouraging a variety of protesters, but disclaimed any direct role in the week’s street protests. MORE »
Pre-emptive police raids on protesters, journalists
Protesters, journalists and old-style hippies were among the targets in the first 24 hours of police raids in preparation for the Republican National Convention.
Sheriff Bob Fletcher claimed that his operation targets only the RNC Welcoming Committee, a local anarchist protest group. However, police also targeted journalists from I-Witness video and a family traveling in a green bus and demonstrating environmentally-friendly practices such as solar panels, hydroponics and composting. MORE »
A West End Arts Scene Is Born
You may have heard the buzz about it at coffee shops and eateries in Saint Paul’s West End, or seen “Call for Entries” flyers posted along West 7th Street. Now the West End Arts “Scene-and-be-Scene” visual arts showcase is rapidly approaching. At the opening night festivities on Saturday, July 12, you’ll have a chance to view a rich variety of art produced by people across the street and around the block from the gallery space. You’ll be able to mingle with painters, photographers, sculptors, digital media designers, and all-around creative movers-and-shakers in the West End community. MORE »
Tea and talk at the Mad Hatter
An underlying current of social justice and activism runs through the Tuesday night gatherings at the Mad Hatter’s Tea and Coffee House on West 7th in St. Paul. A core group comes weekly for the Pax Conversational Salons organized by Patty Guerrero. Attendance mirrors that of any local peace vigil—more than half are women and the majority are 50 and up. During introductions at a recent salon, a 60-ish man said he attended every week, and then promptly fell into a nap. But the variety of topics— ranging from the arts, to self discovery to international solidarity efforts—continually draw in new people who discover the salon through calendar listings in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Highland Villager, Twin Cities Daily Planet, local event list serves, and word-of-mouth. MORE »
