Badnarik To Address G8 Conference Protesters

While supporters, protesters, and curious bystanders converge on Sea Island, Georgia for the upcoming G8 Summit, volunteers from the Libertarian Party will be among the crowds – not to take part, but to recruit membership. The Libertarian Party's presidential nominee Michael Badnarik, a constitutional scholar from Texas will address attendees twice on June 8. He will be addressing the Libertarian Party Rally at approximately 1:00 PM at Morrell Park, and speaking from the Global Community Stage in Forsyth Park at 5:30 PM. Both parks are in downtown Savannah.

“The Libertarian Party views this event as an outstanding opportunity to introduce a variety of people to the concept of a Constitutional government,” says Chris Panos, South Carolina Libertarian Party Chairman. “Most American voters do not know what a constitutional government should look like simply because they haven’t witnessed one in action for decades,” said Panos.

“We’ll be there with literature and membership forms”, says Cheryl Bates, SCLP Vice-Chairperson. “No doubt the secret service will deny people of their right to free speech by herding protesters away from public view.” “We’ll be there to reassure them that there is a political party that still cherishes the Constitution of the United States - the Libertarian Party,” said Bates.

In spite of rumors of the development and enforcement of "Free Speech Zones" that caused the ACLU to file a lawsuit against the City of Savannah, Chris Forehand of the City's Parks and Recreation Department was quick to help Libertarian organizers to not only access the desirable property along the riverfront, but also to advise and assist with the permitting process. "We were wary of the reports and rumors of Constitutional violations, but they simply were not true in Savannah," said Stephen Gordon, Vice Chair, Libertarian Party of Alabama.

The 30th G8 Summit will really be held at secluded and heavily protected Sea Island, Georgia, just off the coast of Brunswick, on June 8-10, 2004. However, many summer tourists are still flocking to Savannah in hopes of a glimpse of delegates and the protesters that always attend the G-8 to make their opinions known. The United States assumed the Presidency of the G8 from France at the beginning of 2004. The G8 Summit brings together the Leaders of the world's major industrial democracies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union also attends the G8 Summit, represented by the President of the European Commission and the Leader of the country holding the Presidency of the European Council. At previous Summits, Leaders have discussed a wide range of international economic, political, and security issues.