A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

Leaders of the "global justice" protest movement that crowded Seattle last fall and Washington, D.C., last weekend are warning that more than 100,000 demonstrators could flood the streets of Philadelphia this summer, targeting the Republican National Convention as their next large-scale disruption. Demonstrations are also expected in Los Angeles for the Democratic convention two weeks later. Approximately 500 Philadelphia-area activists traveled to Washington, D.C., to study the protests and take notes. They weren't alone in their mission, however. Police officers from both Philadelphia and Los Angeles also visited the nation's capital to observe local law enforcement tactics.

"We're talking about Tweedledee and Tweedledum here." Green Party presidential hopeful Ralph Nader, on Vice President Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush. (Lexington Herald-Leader, April 21),

• Activists Have Eyes Turned to GOP Convention
(Philadelphia Inquirer, April 19)
• Protesters Plan to Target Political Conventions
(Los Angeles Times, April 18)
• Philly, LA Study D.C. Protests
(Los Angeles Times, April 19)

N.Y. Conservatives Wait for Bush,
Plan Around a Troubled Giuliani
An apparent scheduling conflict caused George W. Bush to back out of a planned appearance at the New York Conservative Party's annual dinner next month. Bush's is generally considered to only have an outside chance of winning New York in the fall election.
• Bush Expects to Miss Conservatives' Party
(The New York Times, April 19; registration required)

Meanwhile, the small but influential group plans to move ahead with finding an alternative candidate to support in the state's high-profile Senate race. Conservative Party leaders have been unable to agree with Republican candidate and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on terms of an endorsement.
• Conservatives' Search Is On
(New York Newsday, April 19)

Giuliani's troubles are continuing in wake of the recent police shooting that caused the mayor's public opinion numbers to plummet. Friday morning, more than 2,000 protesters marched to City Hall demanding Giuliani's resignation.
• NYC Protesters Denounce Mayor
(The New York Times, April 20; registration required)
• Giuliani Approval Rating Reaches New Low in Poll
(New York Daily News, April 20)

Jesse Jackson Joins Flag Fray
Another day, another spin to the Confederate flag controversy plaguing South Carolina. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a native of Greenville, S.C., spoke out Thursday against the compromise bill passed last week by the state Senate.
• Jesse Jackson Joins Effort to Kill Flag Compromise
(The State, Columbia, S.C., April 21)

Also, Jackson is planning a "March Toward Destiny" in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday to protest police tactics and raise awareness of African-American issues. Michigan Rep. John Conyers, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, may join Jackson's protest.
• Key Lawmaker May March With Jackson in Louisville
(The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky., April 21)

In Kentucky, Nader Lays Out Limited Goals
Consumer advocate and presidential candidate Ralph Nader said Thursday he didn't expect to win his longshot bid for the White House but hoped to gain five percent of the vote, pull the Democratic Party to the left, and get a shot at Bush and Gore in the fall debates.
• Nader Will Be Happy if He Takes 5% of Vote
(Lexington Herald-Leader, April 21)