Ramin Talaie | the BLOG

It is a beautiful day here in St. Paul. A few clouds and blue sky provide the backdrop to a small group of demonstrators on the day before the start of the Republican National Convention (RNC). War veterans of various U.S. conflicts lead a peaceful march to the RNC site from the Minneapolis State Capital building. Names of dead American servicemen and women along with dead Iraqi civilians are read aloud as they make their way slowly along the route.

By all standards, it is a small demonstration for a Republican convention. Still, it is a typical rally with a large number of police and security watching at a close distance. Overzealous photographers get in each other’s way. No more than three hundred people participate in this short and slow march. The convention itself is getting a reality check from a category five hurricane called Gustav. The huge hurricane is making a direct hit on the Gulf Coast including New Orleans. As a result, the Republicans have scaled back the first day to the hours of 3 to 5 pm for convention business only.

Another demonstration is scheduled for Monday. I assume more of the same.