RNC Protests

So this week is the week the Republican National Convention here in Saint Paul. There have been a lot of protests against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as other issues. I've been a part of some of them. I'm a former Marine and a member of Veterans for Peace. All the media coverage has been focused on a small number (a couple hundred) of anarchists (not peace advocates) who've attacked police, delegates, and property, or just been hanging around in the wrong place at the wrong time and accused of such. As usual, the 10,000+ of us who have peacefully protested are barely mentioned.

The police have been restrained for the most part, although there have been some incidents which have shown an abuse of their powers. There is certainly a feeling of intimidation, however. The number of riot control, Swat teams, and homeland security (?) is pretty amazing. When they fly 5 black attack helicopters low over a completely peaceful march, repeatedly, you know what they're attempting to do. 

So here's some pics for you all. It'll give you a little flavor of what it's like here, if nothing else. Peace out, friends.

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