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Activists to stage protest outside National Constitution Center

By ERIC TUCKER

The Associated Press

7/1/2003, 4:45 p.m. ET

PHILADELPHIA (AP) � Activists are planning a large protest in Philadelphia on July 4 to coincide with the opening of the National Constitution Center, a demonstration that organizers say is backed by national and international groups and could attract several thousand people.

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"Our movement is not going to be celebrating over these July 4 holidays," said Larry Holmes of International Answer, an anti-war group, in announcing the demonstration Tuesday afternoon. "But we're going to be coming in significant numbers to Philadelphia on July 4 to protest (President) Bush's war abroad as well as the war at home."

The Constitution Center, a $185 million museum at the northern end of Independence Mall, will open Friday in a midmorning ceremony expected to be attended by three Supreme Court Justices, and a host of politicians, celebrities and journalists.

The protesters say they plan to stage a rally between 10 a.m. and noon at Franklin Square park, near the Constitution Center, before embarking on a two-hour march around downtown Philadelphia. Another rally is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., also at Franklin Square.

The protest is organized by the July 4th Mobilization, a committee of regional activist groups. The protesters themselves, for advocates for homosexuals to opponents of war, reflect a variety of agendas.

Indeed, those planning to protest Friday include environmentalists; relatives of Sept. 11, 2001, victims; supporters of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a one-time radio reporter convicted of killing a Philadelphia police officer in 1981; and staunch defenders of civil liberties.

"We intend to continue that spirit of resistance," said Robert Smith, staff coordinator of the Brandywine Peace Community, a faith-based peace activist group. "We intend to continue to put the light on the injustice that is the Bush administration, that is its corporate allies and arm makers. ... We intend to put a light on this contradiction between our constitutional protection and the USA Patriot Act," referring to the federal law that provides the government with broader surveillance power.

Robert McIlvaine, 58, said his 26-year-old son, also named Robert, was killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center. The incident, McIlvaine said, represented a "perfect opportunity" to promote peace and global unity � but has failed to do so.

"While we have always condemned the brutality of Saddam Hussein's regime, it does not justify the brutality, death and destruction being visited upon Iraq and its citizens by our own government," McIlvaine, a member of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, read in a statement Tuesday.

Though the activists are protesting together during the museum's opening ceremony, smaller demonstrations sponsored by individual groups are scheduled throughout the week. On Sunday, for instance, several religious organizations are holding a candlelight procession for "peace, justice and freedom" in Old City.

Guests at the dedication ceremony include celebrities Richard Dreyfuss and Ray Charles, as well as Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia, Stephen Breyer and Sandra Day O'Connor. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and Sens. Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter will also be on hand.

The police department is aware of the protest and is planning to deploy extra manpower, while remaining in touch with demonstration leaders, said Sgt. Roland Lee, a police spokesman.

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On the Net:

U.S. National Constitution Center: http://www.constitutioncenter.org