Republican Haunted House

I was tired after phone banking on Saturday evening, but after I ate dinner I decided to attend a get-out-the-vote effort sponsored by some University of Minnesota student groups, Substance and Democracy Matters. My curiosity got the best of me; I wanted to see what a “Police State Haunted House” looked like.

The Haunted House was in an old building near campus that is part of the Oakeshott Institute, a nonprofit education and research institute specializing in medieval history and weaponry, but also serves as a community meeting place. I saw some old armor in one of the rooms.

After visitors entered the haunted house, bright lights were shined on us, we were called terrorists, and we were forced to get down on our knees and don black hoods. I saw someone being tortured and the enforcers had guns, clubs; some wore gas masks. Although it didn’t say they were run by Republicans, we all know what has happened to civil liberties under their watch.

The highlight of the evening was a concert that was held in the church that is part of the same building complex. Several groups performed, but I only knew of Kill The Vultures before that evening. It was fun to see that group. Even though two of the performers were missing, Crescent Moon, their lead singer, and the mixer guy didn’t disappoint.

The setting in the church added to the experience. The artists performed from the area of the pulpit. On the wall of the rear of the church was an upside down US flag. Youtube videos of RNC clashes between police and demonstrators were projected onto that same wall. Concert-goers sat in the pews or danced in front of the pulpit.

Here is their performance of Moonshine.



Kill the Vultures finished the evening performing The Spider’s Eye. That performance was interrupted by the arrival of the real police. I assume a neighbor complained about the loud music. The police were polite; everyone left. Here is a link to the video of the last song, including the arrival of the police.

The event cost $5 and the money is going toward the defense of the RNC 8. The League of Pissed Off Voters was also a sponsor. The event was a powerful reminder of what could happen to the nation if the wrong people get elected.

Comments

[Slugbug]

Well that's pretty cool!

[zapata]

That is one groovy beat! (Moonshine). Scary haunted house to say the least.