Michele Bachmann’s Christian counseling clinic, Bachmann & Associates, became the fourth victim of the “glitterati” on Thursday morning after more than a dozen “barbarians” — to use a term clinic head Marcus Bachmann reportedly used for LGBT people — stormed the facility’s waiting room. The group protested the clinic’s alleged practice of offering “reparative therapy” to “cure” gays and lesbians of their homosexuality and also the fact that the clinic has taken in more than $137,000 in government funds despite Bachmann’s strong opposition to government involvement in health care.

The group was attempting to throw glitter on Marcus Bachmann, who was not available. So the activists glittered the waiting room while shouting, “You can’t pray away the gay — baby, I was born this way!”

The event was orchestrated by Nick Espinosa, who was behind the glittering of Newt Gingrich at a Minnesota Family Council fundraiser in May and assisted with a glittering of Rep. Bachmann in June. Also in June, an activist in San Francisco glittered Tim Pawlenty at a book signing.

Thursday’s action was in response to news of the clinic’s government funding and controversial practices as well as Dr. Bachmann’s 2010 statement on Christian radio in which he appeared to call gays and lesbians “barbarians.” (He has claimed that his words were misinterpreted and that audio of the show was doctored.)

“Michele and Marcus Bachmann think gay people are barbarians?” asked Espinosa. “I think it’s clear to everyone who the real barbarians are, based on the Bachmanns’ archaic views on LGBT equality. It’s time for Michele Bachmann to stop running away and to take responsibility for her destructive clinic. She, of all people, should not be abusing medicare and wasting taxpayer dollars to practice quack science that endangers her patients.”

ThinkProgress got a hold of some photos from the protest:

Updated: The “barbarians” captured this video:

At a book signing in downtown Minneapolis on Tuesday, presidential candidate Newt Gingrich found himself covered in glitter. Gingrich was in town raising funds for the Minnesota Family Council along with fellow presidential contender Rep. Michele Bachmann. Prankster Nick Espinosa shouted, “Feel the rainbow, Newt,” as he poured glitter on the former Speaker of the House. “Stop the hate. Stop anti-gay politics. It’s dividing our country and it’s not fixing our economy,” Espinosa said.

It’s just one of several headline-grabbing stunts by Espinosa. Most famously, he dumped two thousand pennies on GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer last summer and challenged Emmer to a debate on immigration.

Here’s video of Tuesday’s incident:

Though Gingrich has been married three times, twice to women he cheated on previous wives with, he has criticized gay marriage and the LGBT movement. That prompted his sister, Candice who is a lesbian, to pen an open letter to him on Monday:

What really worries me is that you are always willing to use LGBT Americans as political weapons to further your ambitions. That’s really so ’90s, Newt. In this day and age, it’s embarrassing to watch you talk like that. You should be more afraid of the new political climate in America, because, there is no place for you in it.

In other words, stop being a hater, big bro.

Update: The AP has another angle:

Several hundred protesters flooded the Minnesota Capitol outside the House chambers on Monday morning to urge members to forgo a vote on a proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would bar same-sex marriage. As the protesters demonstrated, House members of the Rules Committee moved to put the issue on the agenda for Wednesday morning.

Protesters chanted, “No Amendment,” “Gay, Straight, Black White: Marriage is a civil right,” “We are Minnesota,” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, bigotry has got to go!” as House members walked into the chamber. Supporters cheered on legislators that support LGBT rights.

Here’s video of the rally:

During the House Rules and Administration Committee meeting, which was held in the room adjacent the protesters, Republican leadership moved to hold a vote on the marriage amendment on Wednesday at 8:30am.

The bill has already passed the Senate with all Republicans and one DFLer voting for it. If it passes the Rules committee it will be taken up on the House floor this week.

In a Friday afternoon interview with Fox News, Rep. Michele Bachmann took on the White House for siding with tens of thousands Wisconsinites who are protesting a proposed repeal of bargaining rights for the state’s public employees. Bachmann called President Obama’s support “shocking” and said the protests remind her of those in Greece last year. She also said teachers who called in sick to protest are doing it “so they can make more money.”

On Thursday, Obama addressed the ongoing protests in the Badger State:

“Some of what I’ve heard coming out of Wisconsin, where you’re just making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain generally seems like more of an assault on unions. And I think it’s very important for us to understand that public employees, they’re our neighbors, they’re our friends. These are folks who are teachers and they’re firefighters and they’re social workers and they’re police officers.

“They make a lot of sacrifices and make a big contribution. And I think it’s important not to vilify them or to suggest that somehow all these budget problems are due to public employees.”

Talking Points Memo provides this transcript of Bachmann’s Fox appearance:

“They have the support of the White House. But I don’t believe that they have the support of the people of Wisconsin. Again, remember what we’re talking about. These are public servants — they serve the people of Wisconsin.

In Greece, for instance, in the streets, what we saw were beneficiaries of government checks, who took to the streets because the retirement age was going to be raised from 61 to 63. In this instance, Eric Bolling was on earlier showing that this is simply, a contribution is being asked on the part of public servants, to pay for part of their health insurance. Not even the full part that their private sector counterparts pay for, and part of their pension. This is something that happens everyday in the private sector.”

So now we are at the tipping point. This debate needed to come, it’s good that it came. What’s shocking is that the White House is weighing in, taking sides, and bringing in a campaign apparatus to set this up.

If we look back to what President Reagan did, President Reagan fired the air traffic controllers. We’re now on day three of Wisconsin teachers leaving their post, and leaving the children that they are tasked to serve, and not teaching them, so that they can go out and protest, so they can make more money.

This is beyond conscionable, and I’m urging Governor Walker and the legislators to hang tough, because I believe the people are with the governor and with the legislature.”

Here’s the video:

Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, as well as DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton, are pressing the Democratic National Convention Committee to host the DNC in Minneapolis in 2012. The state’s most populous city is on the short list along with Charlotte, N.C., St. Louis and Cleveland. Also shortlisted in 2008, Minneapolis lost out to Denver, but partnered with St. Paul in hosting the same year’s Republican National Convention. Protest groups are opposing any efforts to bring the DNC to Minneapolis.

Anti-war groups filed for a permit to march on opening day of the DNC should it come to town, but were denied by the City of Minneapolis. The RNC in 2008 resulted in more than 300 arrests; of those, 15 people were charged with wrongdoing and only five were convicted.

Here’s the letter from Franken, Klobuchar and Dayton:

To the Members of the Democratic National Convention Committee,

We are writing to you on behalf of the State of Minnesota urging the Committee to select Minneapolis as the host city for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Each finalist city presents valid reasons politically, socially and economically as to why it should be chosen to host the Convention. As you know, Minneapolis is resourceful, reliable and ready to serve Democratic National Convention goers. With vibrant cultural attractions, efficient transportation and world-class dining and hotel accommodations, we would be thrilled to host delegates, nominees and attendees alike. But, you know this and we know this decision has as much to do with politics as it does with logistics.
To that end, please keep in mind that history shows the national political convention site doesn’t necessarily influence the outcome of the election. In fact, only half the time has the state in which the DNC was hosted, went for the Democratic Party in the general election.

The objective now is to select a city that will establish the proper political setting for the 2012 election. With this in mind, we firmly believe Minneapolis is the best choice for the Democratic Party. Located in the country’s heartland, Minnesota is often on the list of swing states and winning the heartland has proven to be a key region in many presidential elections. Key constituencies for the Democratic Party, including labor, have a strong presence in this region and are eager to serve as hosts of this convention.

Like many others, we have seen a significant shift in our political atmosphere following the mid-term elections. Our state legislature turned from Democratic to Republican control for the first time in 38 years. We lost a 35 year veteran of the U.S. House and our congressional delegation is now split evenly between Democrats and Republicans. The one positive coming out of the election is that we appear to have elected a Democratic governor – a significant victory and one that no other finalist host city can boast. Minnesota proved that despite a tough election year across the country, Democrats can still win here – in a place Democrats will need to win to be successful in re-electing President Obama.

Remember, not only is Minnesota the state in which President Obama decided to accept his nomination but it’s also the state Republicans chose for their National Convention in 2008. Our state is in play and has political importance. It’s time again for Democrats to lay claim to Minnesota and help regain control in 2012.

We respectfully urge you to select Minneapolis as the site for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Sincerely,

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Senator Al Franken
Mark Dayton

Photo: wdcpix.com

A coalition of groups has announced plans to protest an appearance by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee at a fundraiser for the Minnesota Family Council Monday evening. The groups say the protest was sparked by the signing into law of an anti-immigration bill in Arizona; Huckabee, who stirred controversy recently when he compared same-sex marriage to drug abuse, polygamy and incest, is targeted because he has “a long track record of anti immigrant sentiment,” according to a statement about the protest.

The protest on Monday will occur outside the Minneapolis Hilton. Groups listed as supporting the protest are Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Coalition, SEIU, La Asamblea, Workers Interfaith Network, and FMLN-MN

Here’s the press statement on the protest:

A coalition of community organizations is holding an emergency vigil and protest after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law the most extreme anti-immigrant legislation in the country (SB-1070) on Friday. This disgusting bill legalizes racial profiling, and mandates local law enforcement to check proof of citizenship of anyone they encounter.

10 other states are currently considering similar legislation

We will gather to protest a fundraising event for local religious right outfit the Minnesota Family Council attended by national level republican politicians Mike Huckabee and Governor Tim Pawlenty, who have a long track record of anti immigrant sentiment, to send a strong message to the politicians of Minnesota, and the United States.

“Along with Maggie Gallagher and Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, instigators of California’s Proposition 8, are coming to the University of Saint Thomas to bring their campaign of discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people to Minnesota,” Amy Johnson, executive director of OutFront Minnesota, said in a statement. “Fair-minded Minnesotans who agree that all families should be protected under law are speaking out.”

The protest will take place in front of the University of St. Thomas on Saturday, April 17, at 9:15 a.m. at Cretin and Summit Avenue.

“We ask Archbishop Nienstedt to join us in speaking out against discrimination of any kind. Polls show that Catholics in the pew support equality of GLBT people more than any other Christian tradition,” Michael Bayly, Executive Coordinator of the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities, said. “Historic Catholic teachings value both faith and reason. We value human rights, but our Catholic officials ignore these values when it comes to the lives of GLBT people. It is time for Catholic officials to support justice and fairness for all people.”

The protest has drawn support from a number of organizations including All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church, the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities, Dignity Twin Cities, The Institute for Welcoming Resources of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, OutFront Minnesota, and the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual.

Photo: The Washington Independent

At least 10 individuals attending Rep. Michele Bachmann’s “House Call” event to protest health care reform have been arrested outside an office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The protesters were among the several thousand Tea Party activists that Bachmann invited to storm the Capitol on Thursday.

“They were inside an office and didn’t leave,” Sgt. Kimberly Schneider of the Capitol Police told the Washington Post. They were being charged with disorderly conduct and unlawful entry.

Talking Points Memo contributor Christina Bellantoni described the “strange scene” where the the protesters were being loaded into transport vehicles.

Like a bad game of telephone, the crowd spread rumors without anyone having witnessed exactly what happened.

Several people said the group had been arrested for praying. Others said the group was arrested for ripping up pages from the nearly 2,000-page health care bill.

“This is America, this is not the Soviet Union,” one woman said.

That woman later told the officers, “I know you guys are just doing your job but don’t you hate your job?”

“I’m embarrassed,” another woman told her friends.

“Read your history books,” another woman shouted at the officers.

“Thugs from Chicago,” a man shouted at police.

“Arrest Nancy Pelosi for treason. You’re arresting the wrong people,” another shouted.

They’re wearing riot gear in London and they’re talking recounts in New York. It’s all so St. Paul, last fall.

St. Paul to London

Demonstrators, massed in the capital city to protest a gathering of people who wield political power, met police wielding riot-control weaponry. A bank’s windows were broken. Peaceful crowds were trapped by police moving in pincer formations.

It could have been the Republican National Convention (RNC), September 2008, in  St. Paul, Minn.. But it was the G20 Summit, April 2009, in London, England.

Differences: A man died in London after he collapsed in an area police had hemmed in. (Natural causes, one protester said; thrown bottles hampered police medics’ efforts, police said.) And the United States of America has a Bill of Rights that’s supposed to guarantee freedom of speech; England doesn’t.

Uncanny similarity: For their summit, the G20 leaders selected a London location that people call the ExCel Centre. The RNC took place at St. Paul’s Xcel Center.

Minnesota to New York

As Election Day turns into The Day After (and the day after that), the margin between two candidates dwindles to less than a half-percent of the total votes cast. Fundraising for a recount and charges of election-stealing ensue.

Sounds like the Minnesota U.S. Senate election, November 2008 — but it’s New York’s special congressional election, April 2009, where Democrat Scott Murphy leads Republican Jim Tedisco by a mere 25 votes.

Differences: New York doesn’t count its absentee ballots until after Election Day and gives overseas ballots an extra couple of weeks to arrive — leaving thousands of votes still to include in the canvass. (Minnesota counts all absentee ballots on Election Day and accepts none that arrive any later.) And President Obama made a last-minute robocall that could have made the difference with Election Day returns. (Candidate Obama made no such pitch for Franken.)

Uncanny similarity: The parallel universes are converging as Republicans fall back on discredited election-stealing charges from the Al Franken-Norm Coleman dispute to prime the cash pump for New York’s post-election drama. (Democrats, presumably slightly less prone to getting riled since they hold slim leads in both races, are so far making a more generic fundraising pitch in New York.)

Marchers praised the Minneapolis Police Department for their swift action in investigating the incident, and organizers urged participants to obey traffic laws and to thank local businesses, including Dunn Bros. Coffee and Bryant Lake Bowl for their support.

Several speakers addressed the crowd, sharing a unified theme: “It’s a woman’s right to walk at night.”

Kelly Lewis, a community organizer from Outfront Minnesota spoke about a large increase in hate crimes against LGBT people in Minnesota last year.

Several women addressed the crowd, many invoking the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the struggle for equality for the LGBT community.

Many demonstrators created homemade signs that decried violence directed toward the LGBT community.

Speakers shivered in the cold as they addressed the crowd.

Sweet Pea, a local burlesque celebrity, expressed outrage over the attack on Boynes.

Volunteers in yellow vests handed out glow sticks and made sure everyone stayed safe during the march.

The message for the night.