99-percenters rally in US city against GOP policies

Hundreds of 99-percenters have gathered near the venue of the Republican National Convention in the US city of Tampa, Florida, to protest the corporate policies of the Republican Party.

Chanting anti-Wall Street slogans, the demonstrators harshly criticized the party’s economic and social policies and expressed grave concern over a variety of issues including women’s rights and the ongoing US-led war in Afghanistan, which has caused record-high civilian and military casualties.

Several protest rallies were also held in the city on Sunday, during which the demonstrators accused the US authorities of ignoring the 99-percenters’ needs, while serving the interests of the country’s one percent. At least one protester was arrested during the march through the downtown.

The protesters use the slogan, “We are the 99 percent” to distinguish themselves from the one percent of Americans who are in possession of the greatest portion of the nation’s wealth.

The GOP convention officially started on Monday, and while the day’s speeches and political pageantry were held according to schedule, other public events, including the official announcement of Mitt Romney as the candidate of the Republican Party, were adjourned until Tuesday due to approaching Tropical Storm Isaac.

Hundreds of police officers and heavily-armed members of the Florida National Guard patrolled the streets in the downtown.

Protesters were required to conduct their rallies in designated areas and along specified routes, none closer than about half a mile from where the Republicans would be gathering.