From:
Neala Schleuning
Date:
Sep 06 19:06 UTC
Short link
It's interesting that no one has commented about the "support our troops"
people occupying the traffic island at the parade route turnaround at the
Xcel Center. At the turn, the whole parade was funneled (literally) through
a narrow passage with 8 or 12 ft high metal mesh walls on either side. The
marchers had to slow down, and almost come to stop before proceeding into
the turn. Right at this exact point, there were 30+ individuals standing on
the small island in between the two lines of marchers approaching and
leaving the Xcel area. They were carrying "support our troops" signs with
lots of angry looks on their faces. As marchers went by, many raised their
hands in the peace sign. There were no problems. I repeat, no problems (at
least in my section of the parade).
Now. I would like to know. Why were they allowed to be there, when the
rest of us were constantly advised to "keep moving, keep moving?" Did they
have a permit to be there, to stand there to deliver an alternative message
to the peace march? It felt like a provocation approved be someone or not
stopped by other someones, that never, thank goodness, materialized.
Oh, and by the way, not a police officer in sight.