DNC protests: continuing the fine tradition of left splintering and liberal-left selling out

As the headline states, the DNC protests have continued the fine tradition of left-wing organizations splintering into factionalism, in this case caused by the usual liberal-’left’ sellouts. For those of you who have missed it (it certainly isn’t getting much in the way of media attention-surprise surprise), the protests, originally organized under the (rather clever, I have to say) Recreate ‘68 banner. What the organizers are referring to with ‘recreate’ is the protests against the Vietnam War at the 1968 DNC, and presumably, the broader history of left activity in 1968.

Of course, nothing like this could go on without some splintering. In this instance, we had the reformist wing of the protest organizers branch off into a new grouping, Alliance for Real Democracy. According to this article on Dissident Voice, the split centred around the groups approach to the Democrats and their response to police violence;

While the Alliance for Real Democracy consists largely of white liberals who are trying to influence the hopelessly corporate run Democrat Party, Recreate ‘68 is made up primarily of minorities, socialists, anarchists, communists, and other radicals who have fewer illusions in reforming the Democrat Party and who instead want to organize the power of the people.

Glen Spagnuelo, spokesperson of Recreate ‘68, says he’s not bothered by the formation of the Alliance for Real Democracy, because both groups oppose the war in Iraq and neither is advocating a violent protest.

Yet, the Alliance for Real Democracy has gotten extensive coverage in the corporate media of Colorado for their violence baiting Recreate ‘68. The stand of Recreate ‘68 is, however, one where they simply explain that they are not planning violence, but if the police attack them, they do not disavow the right of protesters to self-defense.

The article also contains the full text of (the Green’s presidential candidate) Cynthia McKinney’s clarification on her involvement in the R68 events. She essentially takes apart the Colorado Green party (part of ARD) for their attempt to use McKinney to screw over R68 – some stuff about McKinney makes me pretty wary, but she’s really pretty good for a U.S. Green, and it’s good to see her do the right thing.