August 24, 2008 5:07 PM
Protesters block Broadway, Lincoln, then march to Pepsi Center
(Unedited video of protesters stopping traffic for several minutes on Broadway).
I was standing a few yards west of a group of protesters in Civic Center Park Sunday afternoon when the crowd suddenly moved onto Broadway, shutting traffic for several minutes.
Police gave them 10 minutes to disperse, then moved in and herded them off Broadway. The group then migrated a block to Lincoln and blocked it for another 10 or so minutes, chanting "This is what a police state looks like."
They moved forward toward a line of police officers in riot gear including helmets, shields, baton and shin guards, but stopped about 15 feet away. That space was quickly filled by photographers and reporters.
Some of the protesters wore bandanas to cover their faces. One guy wore a Cubs hat.
One man shouted at poilce, "Get a real job. Plant a garden."
The chant, "Whose streets? Our streets!" reverberated off and on.
One sign exhorted: "Drop pants, not bombs."
The protesters moved north on Lincoln to 16th Street, down Cleveland Place to 15th, up to the 16th Street Mall and down the mall to Stout where they briefly blocked traffic. They continued to the Pepsi Center where they sat down, then dispersed when police asked them to.
August 24, 2008
8:41 PM
Kevin J Jones writes:
"The chant, "Whose streets? Our streets!" reverberated off and on."
So, how many of them are from out of town or out of state?
I saw at least part of this group as they turned onto the 16th street mall, after the free shuttles stopped due to police order. I'd say there were only about 40-60 of them.
I don't think the troublemakers want to get arrested at the start of the convention. If they turn nasty, they'll do it after they spend a few days partying, networking, and feeling self-righteous in their tent "cities."
Their insults to the police show they want to pick a fight. I trust the Denver PD is adult enough not to grant them their wishes.
August 24, 2008
9:25 PM
Verlyn Regehr writes:
If all those that protest would pick up a paint brush, mow a yard for an elderly person. Take out trash and clean up a neighborhood instead of this mindless moaning about things they can't control I would respect them. Wondering about the streets with signs and costumes is no way to change the state of the nation.
August 24, 2008
10:20 PM
DenverGuy writes:
They remind me of the Republican staffers that were sent to "protest" at the statehouse in Florida in 2000. I would be interested to know what they were even protesting. They didn't seem to have any kind of issue other than that it was their streets. These right wing nuts are just trying to stir up trouble.
August 24, 2008
10:54 PM
MileHighPatriot writes:
Right wing nuts? I think I saw posters for 'impeach bush'... that always comes from left wing nuts....
'eff the police' they say... also something left wing idiots say who want to smoke their bud and eat it too.
I agree with the Verlyn... do something productive instead of trying to relive or retrace the 60s.
August 25, 2008
12:54 AM
brainofjfk writes:
theres video of the protesters yelling
f fox news
f corporate media
on youtube.
sooooo funny
August 25, 2008
5:49 AM
drkenne writes:
Democracy and free speech in action. The freedoms the wars are allegedly being fought to preserve. It's great to see people still believe in, and exercise, the rights and freedoms that are ours now, but are slowly being eroded. The voices of dissent. All power comes from and lies with the people. And yes, a peaceful protest it was. BTW, it doesn't matter where they came from, all that mattered is they came to "our streets."
August 25, 2008
8:33 AM
Shaggy writes:
I really liked the reporters trying to interview these protesters.
When asked what they are protesting about every other word had to be bleeped, somehow the word "everything" surfaced.
All they are are a bunch of little Ward Churchills.
August 25, 2008
9:32 AM
history buff writes:
Impeach Bush? Who could argue with that? Unfortunately, it's too late. A better message would be, executive privilege is not a defense to crime. Put the criminals in jail.
August 25, 2008
9:57 AM
JW writes:
"Take out trash and clean up a neighborhood instead of this mindless moaning about things they can't control I would respect them. Wondering about the streets with signs and costumes is no way to change the state of the nation."
The saddest part about this statement is how true it is. That the poster feels we cannot control our own government, that he feels freedom of assembly and speech and the process of political dissent are useless...
Just tells you how far we have fallen from the standard our forefathers set.
August 25, 2008
10:52 AM
KW writes:
Something tells me you might still have a good chance at finding tickets to this thing. The polls are showing a decline, rather than a boost since the Biden announcement was made.
At this rate they may have to go door to door handing out tickets in order to fill Invesco.
Just make sure all of you folks who go sit together in the seats behind Obama. This way at least the camera view won't make the place look so empty.
August 25, 2008
11:23 AM
Tbone writes:
Not another "Obama's lead in the polls is good for WcCain!!11!" post, KW.
Really, with all WcCain's experience, shouldn't he be trouncing Obama in the polls?
If WcCain isn't ahead by 10-15 points in the polls, its a guaranteed landslide victory for Obama.
OBAMA LEADING IN THE POLLS IS BAD FOR HIS CAMPAIGN!!!11!ONe!!
Is there anything that's not good for WcCain? Yesterday someone even tried to say WcCain's housing gaffe was good for.....WcCain.
August 25, 2008
11:37 AM
JW writes:
His lead is going down because hes pissing off people like me. If he keeps pushing this "Tax the crap out of Business!" stuff, I wont vote for the man.
August 25, 2008
12:28 PM
history buff writes:
If McCain would be honest about the state of the economy and the cost of the war on terror, I might gain some respect for him and vote for him. But he denies that we are experiencing financial problems. He denies that the war on terror requires a financial commitment from the nation. He denies that Bush and his buddies have rigged government contracts and land sales to enrich their friends. I guess if reality doesn't fit, then deny it.
August 25, 2008
12:46 PM
JW writes:
Strictly speaking, McCain has recognized the economy is in trouble.
And if you look at his tax plan, its the opposite of Barak's. His personal income tax cut amounts to yet another handout to the people who dont need it, but his business taxes are spot on. He wants to reduce the corporate tax rate to 25%, which should have been done years ago.
August 25, 2008
1:56 PM
history buff writes:
The problem the Democrats have is how to frame the debate about deficits. Bush and the boys believed tax cuts were good no matter what. But that is far too simplistic and it only panders to people who don't want to pay taxes. The Bush policies have resulted in huge deficits that need to be paid and also to a failing infrastructure that has not been funded.
The Democrats balanced the budget by using a pay as you go system. Projects were not passed unless appropriated. But the large deficits makes it very difficult to return to that program. If the public is persuaded not to care about deficits, not to care about the cost of the war on terror, or to not care about infrastructure and the burden imposed on future generations, then we surely are going to have a meltdown of our monetary system much like the meltdown of the real estate and mortgage market. The surge of inflationary pressure may be a harbinger of things worse to come.
August 25, 2008
6:53 PM
Hogar De Vuelta (العودة) Conservative because both parties are a bunch of whores writes:
HB,
The problem is that the mortgage and real estate adjustment was not a meltdown. In spite of the pravda chanting that it was so. Some irresponsible lending and borrowing that caused a hiccup and a correction, but there is no recession and no meltdown.
What we need is to remove all thieves from both sides of the isle and cut back the size and scope of our nanny government. Ron Paul would have done that big time, but McCain will at least not put the pedal to the metal on socialising our government the way Comrades Obama will. And I think Michelle is the more dangerous of the two.