Charleston, SC was the second stop of the Nikki Haley / Mitt Romney on Saturday, Dec. 17. Heavy security surrounded Memminger Auditorium, a performance space ironically constructed by the WPA during the FDR administration. The construction of Memminger auditorium was the sort of community friendly, positive jobs project that both Haley and Romney oppose.
Seven demonstrators leafleted people coming to the event, getting many turn downs, but handing out over sixty fliers highlighting Romney and Haley’s practice of destroying official records while serving as Governor to groups which included over 150 participants. Copies were also handed out to the media, including a photographer for the New York Times.
The flyer was a rush job, a little rough in the typo dpt, but here is a link to the PDF verson of the Flyer
Gov. Haley clearly noticed the protestors as she entered, exiting a large, black SUV. It wasn’t clear when or how Mitt Romney entered the building.
Several handmade signs were on display highlighting Romney’s history eliminating American jobs while working at Bain Capital, removing hard drives full or records at the end of his administration as Governor of Massachusetts and reminding those attending that an Active occupy movement is on the ground in Charleston.
It was hard to tell how many people attended the Romney Haley event, but the behavior of those coming to the event was subdued and it could not have been a capacity crowd for the large space.
Relations with the police were cordial. They had been provided with advance notice of the demonstration. About 15 minutes after the event had started, the demonstrators went to a nearby tavern to enjoy a $1 breakfast special and discuss strategy. Occupy Charleston had another march/rally planned for noon Saturday, showing that a diverse and active community of dissent and challenge to a conservative status quo is on the ground in the Holy City.
For an event organized on 36 hours notice during the holidays, the participants felt it was successful. We look forward to building on our new relationship with Americans United for Change and making use of the materials they’re providing during the busy weeks between now and the Republican Presidential Primary here.