On September 4th, 2008 I covered the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN. I blogged in real time via Twitter, shot video and took thousands of photographs. Below find my real-time twitter entries along with photos. On day 4, the largest mass arrest took place with police arresting 300 marchers, shoppers and journalists. This brought the total arrests up to almost 900 of the estimated 15,000-20,000 protesters all week combined. In comparison, 1,800 of over 500,000 were arrested in New York in 2004.
Video: University Ave concussion grenades and tear gas (Short version)
Video: The march and the clash on University Ave (Long version)
The 2008 Republican National Convention - This is what I saw.
All photos copyright Chad Davis
04:11 Overheard at Super America..two cops getting gas talking to another pumper “one day to go..we will see what happens tonight..”
04:57 Got totally screwed by traffic. Walking over 35E now and up to capitol. Cameras in hand..
05:03 Bridge over 35E behind United Hospital is blocked off.
05:30 No one allowed to cross on John Ireland and Kellogg. About 50 riot cops in army suits with body shields waiting on Kellogg and Mulberry.
05:34 10 riot cops literally walking with me up to John Ireland Blvd over I-94..
05:36 Just got up to the bridge by walking around the museum..I’m behind the horses and I don’t know how many riot police..this does not look good.
05:40 Thinking to myself…there is no way they will gas the entire bridge..
05:53 Video rolling from roadway overlooking I-94 and John Ireland Blvd.
05:54 I can confirm plows are coming down John Ireland Blvd.
06:03 Marchers are moving off the bridge!
06:12 I see two being carried away in plastic cuffs walking toward plows into unmarked van.
06:12 They have allowed more access to bridge as police move to middle of bridge. Now standing behind them on bridge.
06:20 Cops in khakis and walkies with metal cuffs pushing us off the bridge back towards Kellogg on John Ireland..bridge being cleared.
06:22 Just spoke to officer who said we have to either be behind the wall by museum or by fence on other side on John Ireland.
06:23 I’m watching a man get into a bomb suit on John Ireland in front of museum.
06:30 Bomb squad is approaching a bag on the bridge.
06:30 We are now being pushed all the way back to the True Blue Minnesota sign on Kellogg and John Ireland.
06:38 Metro bus rolled up..says POLICE BUS. Parked at John Ireland and Kellogg
06:46 Ambulances pulling up on Kellogg and John Ireland.
06:47 Riot cops have now formed a line across the Kellogg side of the bridge.
06:49 Plows are back! Driving onto bridge.
06:52 Plows and Ambulance with flashing lights at Kellogg and John Ireland…plows blocking access to bridge.
07:00 Reinforcements arrived at Kellogg out of about 5 minivans. Full riot gear..looks to be ready to march.bridge completely blocked by plows.
07:00 Bag still in middle of bridge…
07:02 The reinforcements have now formed a line right on Kellogg. There is now a line on both sides of bride and in between the bag and first line.
07:05 Bomb squad guy in rubber suit went to put robot back on sidewalk..why have a robot?
07:24 Seems to be ppl moving around on other side of bridge.
07:32 There are two robots..they have bag now.
07:37 Things calm for now on Kellogg side of bridge.
07:40 Walking down kellogg to get to other side of bridge by capitol.
07:42 Secret service driving down Kellogg towards bridge in golf cart.
07:46 Was able to walk down Kellogg to Marion St….nevermind..new thought..just hear loud bang.
07:47 Was able to walk down Kellogg to Marion to St. Anthony..now on other side of John Ireland bridge..crowd is marching strong!
07:49 “this is what democracy looks like” marching down St. Anthony to Marion to get over bridge.
07:51 All the way up to in front of Sears..still peaceful. Police are creating the tension.
07:52 Our street they chant as cops on bikes fly by blowing whistles…barricades on Marion and St. Anthony now.
07:53 “if you do not leave to north other measures will be used” protesters marching down away from I-94 on Marion.
07:56 “This is what democracy looks like” “Who’s streets? Our streets!’
07:57 March is now up to Aurora and Marion..
07:58 Up to Marion and University..traffic stopped…
08:02 Tear gas smoke bombs cucussion bombs.
08:06 Major clash on University..attacks on media as well. Smoke bomb thrown right at protesters.
08:08 More concussions…”where do we go” ppl scream.
08:09 Plows clearing Marion.
08:10 Chants are back..”who’s streets..our streets!”
08:15 People are told to go on bridge..everyone is afraid if they do they will be arrested.
08:16 Everyone on bridge..trapped. They continue to throw gas and smoke.
08:18 Everyone on bridge sitting down..hands on head.
I found out today Obama will be making a campaign stop here in the Minneapolis area on Tuesday. The rally will be held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, the same location as this years GOP national convention. The rally coincides with the last democratic primary in South Dakota. To make it even more exciting, it seems very likely Senator Obama will claim victory against Hilary Clinton and will mark the end of the democratic primaries. This is actually pretty exciting and I will definitely be attending. This will be the first political rally on this size scale that i’ve attended. Apparently back in February over 20,000 people filled the Target Center in Minneapolis for a similar Obama event.
Of course, I will also be attending the Republican National Convention on September 1st at the same location. I will not be supporting though. Feel free to check out Protest RNC 2008.
More Info: Star Tribune - Obama will appear at Xcel on Tuesday, may claim victory
Monday we had some severe storms here in Minnesota. I can’t remember the last time i personally heard a tornado siren. I didn’t hear one this time but under 20 miles from me a tornado hit ground. I was able to grab some photos of the aftermath:
