Liberal Protester's Guide to the 2008 DNC

  • by leigh
  • -
  • September 03, 2008
Rate Guide Rating_5_0 (46)
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Here in Denver for the convention? Mock up your signs and prep your voice for the week-long event. Here's the news on what's happened and what can be expected during the rest of this vital week in politics.

Guide icon © Jonathon D. Colman, jcolman

Protests and Arrests

What’s happened during the convention so far?

Thursday

As Obama’s speech at INVESCO nears, hundreds of protesters are getting ready to march towards the stadium. It is unclear how far they will get, as security near INVESCO is tight.

Groups involved include pro-marijuana activists and assorted other parties which have not been identified.

Wednesday

Although an impromptu march of thousands of anti-war protesters was not authorized ahead of time, it was allowed to follow a course through downtown to the Freedom Cage without incident.

Later that evening a crew of bicyclists for Critical Mass wound its way through Denver’s streets, interrupting traffic and eventually getting dispersed by authorities, although with virtually no violence.

Tuesday

Two protesters of the Backbone Campaign were detained at Civic Center Park, which prompted a march by some 200 other protesters.

At approximately 2:00 p.m., around a dozen anti-abortion protesters were arrested for blocking a security gate.

Cops Putting on Gas Masks at the DNC

Monday Night

Approximately 100 protesters were arrested in downtown Denver near the City and County Building. Many more were hit with pepper spray while being pushed out of the Civic Center and blocked from the 16th Street Mall. Oh, and now the city’s had the chance to test out its new temporary detention center, called “Gitmo on the Platte” by locals and protesters alike.

Get Informed, Get Involved

It’s all about making sure you’re protesting for the right cause.

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Postcard from the 1908 Denver DNC

Recreate 68's Planned Days of Protest

Each day of the convention, Recreate 68 plans to have a major protest addressing an injustice. These are not yet set in stone, but proposed are the following:

  • Sunday – End All Occupations at Home and Abroad
  • Monday – Human Rights/Free All Political Prisoners
  • Tuesday – No Borders
  • Wednesday – No Warming
  • Thursday – No Racism/Imperialism

Major Locations During the Convention

Where you can yell and carry signs. Or at least try, security will be pretty tight.

Pepsi Center

1000 Chopper Cir, Denver, CO 80204

At heart of the event, the Pepsi Center is hosting the 2008 DNC.

At heart of the event, the Pepsi Center is hosting the 2008 DNC.

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The Pepsi Center

Named the official hotel headquarters of the DNC as of March 19, 2008.

Named the official hotel headquarters of the DNC as of March 19, 2008.

Make a Sign

After all, what’s a protest without clever signs? Here’s where you can find all the necessities.

Meininger H R Co

499 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203

All the art supplies you could possibly need. Paint your sign, paint yourself, paint everything!

All the art supplies you could possibly need. Paint your sign, paint yourself, paint everything!

Fedex Kinko's

1509 Blake St, Denver, CO 80202

For all your expensive printing and copying needs. Easily reached by foot from the Pepsi Center.

For all your expensive printing and copying needs. Easily reached by foot from the Pepsi Center.

Office Depot

1350 16th St, Denver, CO 80202

Office Depot has lots of things… some might even be useful.

Office Depot has lots of things… some might even be useful.

By Bus - Along the 16th Street Mall

The free bus that travels along the 16th Street Mall affords a quick, easy trip to dozens of restaurants and shops. That’s right. For free.

Blogger's Paradise - Free wifi

Maybe the best place from which to keep the world (or your two readers) updated on the convention. The mall offers free wifi, and with Colorado’s warm summer days and evenings, this might just be the perfect place to connect at no cost.

U.S. Post Office - Merchant Station

535 16TH ST DENVER, CO 80202

Send out that last-minute mailing or buy tape to attach your sign to a wooden stake.

Where to Crash

Hotels are booked solid. Maybe you have a friend in Denver?

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Tent, the other alternative.

 

DNC News and Updates

Looking for the latest news flash? Here are recent articles and podcasts that might be of use in understanding Denver’s convention procedures and planning your protest trip.

News Sources

Even I can’t be on the ball with all the breaking news about the convention. Here are a few dedicated sites to check out for the most current updates.

Foot Traffic - Locations in Easy Reach

Positioned near one of the most popular areas of Denver, the DNC is occurring within walking distance of the LoDo Historic District, rife with shops, restaurants and bars. Lots of bars.

Coffee Shops

Liberals love coffee shops, right? Find kindred souls and pick up a cup of coffee or a latte to start the day at these nearby locations.

Starbucks Coffee Company

1490 16th St, Denver, CO 80202

Oh my god massive corporate America coffee shop. Whatever, it’s closest.

Oh my god massive corporate America coffee shop. Whatever, it’s closest.

Tattered Cover Book Store

16th & Wynkoop, Denver, CO 80202

Primarily a bookstore, Tattered Cover has a decent little coffee shop inside. Get together with like-minded locals and discuss global warming, politics, the economy.

Primarily a bookstore, Tattered Cover has a decent little coffee shop inside. Get together with like-minded locals and discuss global warming, politics, the economy.

It’s local. Coffee is good. Takes little longer to reach it on foot.

It’s local. Coffee is good. Takes little longer to reach it on foot.

Restaurants

Everyone’s got to eat…

Market the

1445 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202

A coffee shop and a deli-style establishment, The Market serves up delicious fresh sandwiches and other lunch-worthy dishes.

A coffee shop and a deli-style establishment, The Market serves up delicious fresh sandwiches and other lunch-worthy dishes.

Wazee Supper Club

1600 15th St, Denver, CO 80202

Good food, though the wait tends to be very long. Order ahead.

Good food, though the wait tends to be very long. Order ahead.

Illegal Pete's

1530 16 St 101, Denver, CO 80202

Pete’s is best known for its tasty burritos. Though quick-moving, the line gets a bit extreme during lunch hour.

Pete’s is best known for its tasty burritos. Though quick-moving, the line gets a bit extreme during lunch hour.

Everywhere - on one map

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Discussions

-620533598

Great guide! Wish I could be there (but hey, at least now I know where to hang with the liberals in Denver!)

-620113628

Leigh – have you seen this? http://www.meditate08.org/ to go along with the DNC

-620769588

LOVE OR IT LEAVE IT, MISSY