I understand people hearing about tear gas and the like may be outraged, but I thought I would give a first-hand report of what I saw today in Saint Paul.
My wife and I went down to the march route around 1:15. It had been going on since about 1, and we watched (and handed out water to grateful marchers) for another 40 minutes while people came by. It was a nice sunny day, although too hot (~85) and humid for this Minnesotan.
My wife was initially nervous about going- she thought it would be an angry mob. But it was more like a parade- some of the marchers had wonderful costumes, and there were mega-puppeteers "flying" doves of peace. Code Pink was an absolute hoot, but also sobering; they had "Miss America", but when you looked closer, you saw that the sign said "I Miss America". That was followed by "I Miss Democracy" and several others. There was just a constant stream of people, everyone was friendly and having a great time. and I would guess that the estimates of 10,000 that I heard were reasonably accurate (if not a little understated).
Where we were (a few blocks down from the Capitol grounds) the police just stood by and watched. Most were on bikes. They let us park in a normally-no-parking zone so we could bring our water over to the watchers. We gave out 7 24-bottle cases of water in around 10 minutes, and we received wonderful thanks from the peaceful and cheery sea of humanity passing by. We spent the rest of the time just saying hi and waving to the marchers (some of whom were very grateful for the ice in our buckets that was left over after the water was gone).
My wife was particularly impressed by the wide age range of the marchers. Lots of kids and young families, but also lots of white haired ladies and at least one older gentleman in a coat, tie, hat and shorts (!) that was bent over but proudly marching on. There were hippies, and doctors, and everyone in between.
My kids were marching, and they went down the whole route and back to the Capitol. My son recognized a guy from the Daily Show (apparently he's known as the 'Senior Black Correspondent"- I don't watch the show much) and went over and greeted him (and gave him a "terrorist fist bump"-ha!)
This YouTube video from quasiguy is the most representative one I've seen yet:
Anyway, the bottom line is that something like 10,000 people marched entirely peacefully, and we all had a wonderful time. My wife the swing voter even said she was glad she came.
After the march and entirely separate from it, there was a comparatively tiny group of people that were looking to cause trouble and did. (They are now describing these as "six groups of 20-30 people each"). They took off through the streets of downtown and started damaging property. All I've seen of this is on the news...which of course was the main story- not the 10,000 who marched peacefully before, only the much smaller and entirely separate group that later went looking for a confrontation.
Regarding the latter, I wouldn't be surprised if some were from the other side, because their actions were what got reported, and it tarred the rest of us with those actions. On NBC tonight, I heard something to the effect of "there were 10,000 marchers, and police had to use pepper spray on some".
In fact, there were 10,000 entirely peaceful marchers, and a separate, and later group of jerks who ruined the day. I understand civil disobedience; I don't understand willful mayhem, and I don't have any sympathy for this at all. It certainly doesn't help the cause of peace or change, and only serves to fire up the Republican base and give Fox News more slime fodder. As I mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised if some of them were plants from the other side, but in any case, I'm personally glad that the police did what they could and what had to do- I haven't heard that anyone was hurt, and I think they were pretty restrained overall.
If people are interested in this diary, I'll add pictures later, and if anyone would like to add their two bits or pictures they're more than welcome.
Okay, some pictures:
As I said, it was a beautiful day for a march. Ten thousand folks gathered on the Capitol grounds, and then set off down the street toward the RNC:
This poor woman (in the left-middle, in black) was trying to do a video report (don't know who for), but this bunch was beating out a terrific rhythym and she couldn't hear herself. So on request, they stopped and kept the same beat, only really, really quiet:
Code Pink was great. The doves on the left side were "flying" and swooping up and down and around:
After (I) Miss America came (I) Miss Democracy:
and (I) Miss Justice and (I) Miss Clean Air:
This guy flew in for the occasion:
And some more (in)dignitaries:
I especially loved Bush's poodle (or should that be McPoodle?)
And this was the march that had gone by, stretching on forever, it seemed...
Thanks for you kind words. I still don't understand the concept of a tip jar, tho. : /