Lawrence activists will gather today in front of the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass., to protest what they say is an “extraordinarily high incarceration rate” in this country.

The protest is being called a “rally for justice” and will be organized by Lawrence Anarchist Black Cross (LABC), but anyone can participate. The event will coincide with a march in Washington, D.C., by a group called Family Members and Friends of People Incarcerated.

Protesters say the United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world, with more than 2 million prisoners and rising. LABC wants to educate communities about prison issues and alternatives for incarceration.

GOP mini-convention today in Topeka

The Kansas Second Congressional District Republicans will host an educational mini-convention with the theme “Let us live to make men free” beginning at 1 p.m. today in the House Chamber of the Statehouse in Topeka.

U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, Kansas Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, Kansas Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, Kansas House Speaker Doug Mays and district party chairman Joe Patton are scheduled to attend.

The educational workshops will also include a session on school finance, agricultural policy issues, taxes and the Kansas economy and navigating Social Security reform.

For more information, contact Patton at (785) 273-4330.