USA: Republican National Convention kicks off in Florida with a welcome event for attending delegates

Record ID: 702330

  • Title: USA: Republican National Convention kicks off in Florida with a welcome event for attending delegates
  • Date: 27th August 2012
  • Summary: PEOPLE GETTING PHOTOGRAPHED PEOPLE ON FLOOR
  • Embargoed: 11th September 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA7OV145SZ1QA0VGV43OHSOIRR7
  • Story Text: As the threat of Tropical Storm Isaac forced the postponement of the Republican National Convention by a day, thousands of guests and delegates gathered at a stadium in St. Petersburg for an official kick-off party on Sunday (August 26).
    Sponsored by the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee, more than 20,000 guests had been invited to The "Welcome Event," featuring country music singer Rodney Atkins and singer Karla Davis from the television show "The Voice," as well as cheerleaders, dancers, acrobats and other performers.
    Ken Jones, president of the Host Committee, was confident the weather would not dampen the party.
    "After this week, I think there is going to be a lot more looks at Florida in particular a lot more looks at Tampa Bay notwithstanding that there is maybe a little bit of rain that is going to hit Tampa. We do, we know how to deal with hurricanes in florida very very well." Jones said.
    Held under tight security, the event aimed to highlight the history and culture of the Tampa Bay region and gave many delegates a chance to eat and drink together ahead of the convention.
    "I sit on the state Republican executive committee in Texas and we are very excited to be here and support Mitt and get him elected. I am excited," Texas delegate Becky Burger said.
    The event took place at Tropicana Field, a baseball park with a domed roof and home to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, about 23 miles from the convention site.
    Meanwhile, a few blocks outside of the wide security perimeter around the stadium, dozens of demonstrators identifying themselves with the Occupy Movement gathered.
    "I started with Occupy Orlando when they first set up ground and I am here today to stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters," Katrina Oaks, 22, from Deland, Florida, said.
    The group, which came to the area on two buses, said they planned to demonstrate during the convention.
    "We are here to protest the fact that the Republican National Convention will not be focusing on any of the real issues that matter to the American people, such as unemployment, such as gender inequality, income inequality, and the fact that we should be bringing money from overseas to home." Yoni Miller, 26, from New York, New York, said.
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