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Protesters Disrupt Convention Access; At Least Two Arrests Before DNC Begins
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ShareAugust 24, 2008 4:18 PM
ABC News' Rick Klein, Herran Bekele, and Jennifer Parker report: A large anti-war protest disrupted access to the site of the Democratic National Convention for about 40 minutes Sunday afternoon -- a full 24 hours before the convention even begins.
With a crowd of about 1,000 protesters massing on Auraria Boulevard, directly in front of the Pepsi Center in Denver, Secret Service and local police locked down the security perimeter about 12:30 p.m. MT, shutting down the only access point for media and most staff to get into or out of the site.
Anti-war protesters -- carrying signs reading "Send Them Home," "No War on Iran," and "Do-Nothing Democrats" -- marched in front of the convention site while police in full riot gear -- many displaying their weapons -- looked on in a tense scene.
Several protesters taunted police by waving cameras in their faces or yelling, "Police state," but no clashes erupted. While the scene remained painful in front of the main entrance, at least two protesters were arrested several blocks away.
One was told he was being arrested for having his face covered with a black scarf on convention grounds, and another was placed into custody for not cooperating with police after coming to the first protester's defense. Both were placed in plastic handcuffs and escorted to a police van.
Earlier, several dozen protesters sat on the street directly outside the convention entrance point and engaged in several minutes of chants: "We won't be silent," they said. The group dispersed without incident after a few minutes.
About 1 p.m. MT, leaders of the protest said their march would continue, and warned those who stayed would probably be arrested. Police began letting reporters and convention staff back through the metal detectors about 1:10 p.m. -- with the backup delaying some people more than an hour.
Among those caught on the outside: Time columnist Joe Klein and Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter. Among those caught on the inside of the security perimeter, while police refused to let anyone in or out: Gov. Deval Patrick, D-Mass., a close friend of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.
Several protesters held signs evoking the famous clash with police outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
"We just finished a peace march recreating the '68 protest, marching for peace," Dan Manzanares, 61, of Denver, told ABC News. "We're here trying to hold the parties' and the platforms' feet to the fire on getting out of Iraq," he said. "I'm encouraged by Obama, but I'm becoming convinced that, once these candidates get in the White House and the money and power starts rolling in, they forget, and we're here to make sure they remember."
August 24, 2008 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (59)
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End the war!!!!!!! I want this wasteful war to end too. Can't believe we are pouring billions of dollars into a black hole that we could use for domestic funding in the U.S.
Posted by: Mike | Aug 24, 2008 5:46:51 PM
oh boy, we are working on it mike.. its being accomplished as we speak. some college kids marching at the convention dosnt help... lol
Posted by: tim | Aug 24, 2008 5:48:07 PM
Tim
What nonsense? Do think the Republican Party would embrace, listen, or otherwise acknowledge, anyone who doesn't strictly believe in it's policies?
The Democratic Party has been the big tent party, it is one of it's problems, but then again one can not talk about freedoom and not give a voice to that freedom.
Please refrain from the personal attack.
Posted by: Thinking | Aug 24, 2008 5:53:55 PM
The Democratic party really is the party for twelve-year olds!! I can't wait to see the little PUMAs in action. Guess Obama needed 12 year olds to get his "text mext" idea to work. But then, anything a liberal touches turns to c@#%!
Posted by: 1968 | Aug 24, 2008 6:02:04 PM
ahhh look at who is our presidential nominee thinking!! he 's not much better than arnold... you dont make a valid point...
Posted by: tim | Aug 24, 2008 6:07:53 PM
Debra- You are getting on my last nerves with you misinformation you idiot! Joe Biden ,like others who voted for the war regret it, but McShame don't not. Bush lied and was able to convience many to vote for the vote, but Obama, like always, used his good judgement! McShame is a war monger not Joe Biden you idiot! YOu still never answere my question why you hate Obama so much.
Posted by: gl | Aug 24, 2008 6:21:49 PM
Debra - Obama will bring them home sooner when is become the President.
Posted by: gl | Aug 24, 2008 6:23:07 PM
Tim,
forget it.
Posted by: Thinking | Aug 24, 2008 6:23:37 PM
These kids are mad as hell and who can blame them. The Bush administration has made darn sure that these young people are have a massive debt hanging over their head. Plus, the kids are old enough to be sent to war in a draft (which is gonna happen if war monger McCain is elected). If you think the Denver protest is huge, wait until you see the one the GOP is gonna see.
Posted by: Sam | Aug 24, 2008 6:26:56 PM
Why put Hillary's name on the nomination?
Even her name on the ballot and people vote for her, doesn't mean she will become the President.
That's only the DNC's trick to get Hillary's supporters vote for Democrat instead voting for McCain.
I guess!
Posted by: catleya | Aug 24, 2008 6:27:55 PM
The only true antiwar candidate was Ron Paul. After all he has nothing to gain by going to war. We have been duped yet again. Obama's language in the beginning was hopeful, but now it is much worse, and don't get me started with warmongering McCain.
Posted by: antenian | Aug 24, 2008 6:32:05 PM
Nader/Gonzalez 08
Posted by: tww | Aug 24, 2008 6:34:02 PM
When kids see the situation in the USA as hopeless this is what happens. GW's & McCain's generation is robbing them of any future they had hope for. The GOP is a group of greedy meme's that have destroyed the wealth, good will, and creditability of the USA.
Posted by: Sam | Aug 24, 2008 6:36:48 PM
Since Ron Paul is gone, antiwar types should look at a 3rd party candidate such as Barr, McKinney, Baldwin or Nader. The top two parties have become corrupt to their core, and we the people should recognize this fact.
Posted by: Ben Straub | Aug 24, 2008 6:57:58 PM
I remember such scens on TV, as a kid in 68'. It turned me to consevatism. I was a peace and love, hippy, and still believe in some of the greater ideals. But as time and maturity revealed to us, without a safe, reasonable soceity and the rule of law, you have choas.
Such irresponsable behavior simply reiterates these realities to all of us. These people and their leaders are clueless.
Lets learn from our experieince and history, and choose leadership with experience and integrity and forsight.
McCain for a safe rational fair society!
Posted by: reason we can believe in | Aug 24, 2008 7:02:59 PM
Mccain sends out an Ad, saying Clinton was Snubbed !!!
What a Stretch...
What Next, I guess the Obama Camp will release a Commercial, after McCain Confirms "Mormon" Mitt Romney or "Joltin" Joe Lieberman or "PiYush" Bobby Jindal, as his Vice Presidential choice....
By Implying that Mike Huckabee was in fact Snubbed by McCain nor was Huckabee Vetted or Invited to the Casa De McCain, for his Barbeque "Meet in Greet Weekend" a few Months back.
------------
PS: McCain is Desperate for Clinton female Votes, He'll Never get them...
Unless Clinton Switches parties an becomes Mccain's VP candidate...
That Mystical, Majical, Majestical Moment happens...
McCain will get Squat !!!
Democrats will Bemoan, Squabble, Dissent, but come November, they'll Vote for Obama-Biden...
Simple and Plain
------------------
Posted by: o. | Aug 24, 2008 7:17:21 PM
reason we can believe in - McCain for a safe rational fair society broke from war extravaganzas!
Posted by: Huh | Aug 24, 2008 7:17:43 PM
Ron Paul for peace, personal responsibilty, fiscal responsibility, rule of law. Obama for free stuff that China will loan us. McCain for crushing other nations with different views with that crushing financed by money borrowed from China. Boy are we stupid!!!!
Posted by: Huh | Aug 24, 2008 7:25:11 PM
War protesters at the dem convention. I don't get it.
Posted by: Bea | Aug 24, 2008 7:25:54 PM
JT - Biden's net worth is somewhere between $100,000 to $150,000. He is certainly more in touch with average Americans than warmongering McCain. Ron Paul.
Posted by: Huh | Aug 24, 2008 7:34:07 PM
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