Dissent in Denver

On the eve of the Democratic National Convention demonstrators gathered in Denver. Some were calling for an end to the war in Iraq; others demanding more open debates. Their promise was to "Recreate '68," but a relatively small turnout and an intensive effort by the Democratic Party to keep protesters out of the media eye raised the question of the efficacy and meaning of protest at the 2008 DNC. The Nation hit the streets to speak with demonstrators, exploring their goals for the convention and their thoughts on protest and dissent around the 2008 election. The Nation's Brett Story spoke with Cindy Milstein, an activist and writer from Vermont and Nic Veroli, a professor of Political Philosophy in New York along with other protesters from groups like Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), the Alliance for Real Democracy, the Recreate '68 Alliance and the immigrant coalition the We Are America DNC Alliance. Produced by Brett Story

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• denver
• protest
• recreate
• 68
• democratic
• national
• convention
• demonstration
• obama
• brett
• story

[gotconstitution2008]

How 'bout WE THE PEOPLE show up at our marches and rallies with helmets, batons, pepper spray, flak jackets and gas masks? We could even dress in black.

It is time to do away with our police state.

R3VOLUTION

[Caeridwyn]

That's what's sad. What needs to happen is exactly what will never happen. We have a brainwashed, apathetic populace that continues to hover around their TV's for answers. We blindly follow leaders over a proverbial cliff. You think Obama will bring change?  He might; but not the kind we're looking for. Our nation is well on it's way to complete economic collapse and we as a people are powerless to stop it. Why? Because we can't unite. Better start growing those gardens; you'll need them.

[Billyyank1]

DISSENT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF PATRIOTISM!!

THOMAS JEFFERSON

[69coquito]

@Caeridwyn Wow, Very well sed, People just Don't get it do they, I will not vote republican or Dem again, Not until we get someone that will Stand up to the powers the Be, Washington was bought and paid for a long long time ago.

[yappertrap]

you guys have Ron Paul what the hell is that granola eater talking about??? :21 wake up please...both party's are owned by the elite. They win who ever you vote for. break the paradigm. Democracy is not good. You want a Republic. read the constitution

[Ebsil0n]

Yeah! So glad we elected Obama. Cuz he has done sooo much great stuff so far. Yeah. Big Change around here.

[JG573]

So basically the woman is saying she is voting for Obama because he is black. Ya, lets not vote for the best candidate but vote because there has never been a black president. The police are there because people get out-control and they want to be ready if it happens. I don't blame them for not wanting you in a park. I don't want to take my kid to the park and find a bunch of hippies sleeping in tents

[Nathano27]

thank all these dumbasses for electing Obama and killing the U.S.A.

[Christoppher1994]

wow, he isn't white so lets vote for him because black people can't be racist.

Lady at the begging

[He101A]

Obama is part of the system. He is one side of the same coin. If he doesn't it will be in the form of social welfare, heavy taxation, more entitlement programs which is destroying this country. More industries will leave America. Maybe, the ignorant people who voted for Obama will be really happy when their income tax goes up to 50%.Vote for a 3rd party people, and you can bring forth real change. Stop supporting corporate capitalism, it is crony capitalism. America is too polarized for unity.

[Caeridwyn]

Don't mistake my anti-Obama comment as my being for McCain or my being racist. The government corruption runs deeper than most people care to realize. When protests like this went on, most American's were in front of their TV's. American the Destitute; America the Police State; that's our future.

Get used to it people, our fate has been sealed. Do now what you can to survive; those are the options we have left to us.