Another report from NYC

[KurtNYC]

Today actually kicked off last night in a sense when I met a bunch of fellow DUers at the LynneSin organized get together on the East side. DUers from Seattle, Louisianna and generally all over. We were all surprised and relieved when LynneSin made her fashionable entrance around 9 -- she didn't have a pendicitis (sp?) afterall. Yeah!!

This morning I went straight across town by bus to get the train south on Lexington. The city was extra quiet, I really think a lot of locals have cleared out for the duration. Waiting for the bus a woman came by with a dog, "Charlie". She saw the stickers on my shirt and arms and asked if I was going to the march. I said sure. We talked a little she was kind of mixed, said that Bush had a right to have his party here. I said it was a bad idea. She was worried about violence at the march. I told her I thought that was mostly hype.

From the bus I could see cops at the entrances to Central Park but people were walking in and out of the park without restriction it looked like. At the Lexington Ave subway station things were different. The station was pretty busy. Two girls from Montreal spotted my stickers and asked how to get to Union Square. They confessed that their father (they were like 17 or so) asked them not to go near the demonstrations but of course they couldn't help going to check it all out. We talked a little about Montreal (I love that city). The train comes in and it is half full of protestors -- couples of various ages, many mature. Some families with smaller children, teens and college aged people. So then it is like a moving cocktail party, everyone comparing shirts and strategies for how to watch, meet up with people or otherwise join the march.

I passed through Madison Square Park (that is PARK not garden) looking to meet up with other DUers but was too late I guess so continued on to 7th and 23rd. Got there just in time to see the police open the barricades and let the march proceed. It was like the start of an Indy race, "Gentlemen, start your protest!"

Overall a great march. Better than the pre-Iraq march near the UN that the police worked their butts off to keep from coming together. People seemed very relaxed, especially considering the build-up and rediculous permit fight that preceded this event.

While waiting, I was interviewed by a reporter for a Japanese newspaper. Q: What is your biggest objection to Bush? A: After hearing from Richard Clarke that the first meeting after inaugaration, before 911, was on how to invade Iraq, it seems like everything this administration has done is a lie that was designed to get us into Iraq. (I have other objections of course but I thought that bit kind of reaches to the middle) Q: What brings you out here today? A: We need to show America and the world how many people are against Bush. A march this big makes it harder for the media to say this is going to be a close race.

Okay, they weren't tight soundbites but the guy was doing print so I figured I could give him more to work with.

Did the march. C-SPAN's coverage was great, really captured the feel. Unfortunately one of CSPAN's cameras was right under a HUGE obnoxious Fox News banner so a lot of people assumed it was Fox's camera. Group after group as they got up near the banner would chant "Fox News sucks!" and the like. Then some, tipped off by cell phone users, changed to "CSPAN rocks"

No one seemed want to hang in Union Square Park. I went home for a shower and a quick break. Caught some of the CSPAN coverage then into Central Park. It was awesome. The energy was even better than the march. Music and dancing. "Street" theater, Clown army, etc.

[oasis]

1. Wow. You and Bleachers 7's reports have put me right there. thanks.

[EST]

2. Many thanks!

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