Posted on 09/02/2012 5:27:24 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Reuters) - The big protests that were planned outside the Republican National Convention last week in Tampa, Florida, never really materialized, doused in part by a tropical storm. But activists say they expect a stronger showing this week, when Democrats gather for their nominating convention in Charlotte.
If Sunday's march in Charlotte was any gauge, those predictions might fizzle. Police said about 800 to 1,000 demonstrators paraded through the city, far less than the thousands some had predicted would gather to protest everything from big banks to the deportation of immigrants.
The 80-plus groups that make up the Coalition to March on Wall Street South held a 3-mile (5-km) march on Sunday aimed at putting a spotlight on Charlotte as the United States' second-largest financial center, behind New York. Activists stopped in front of the headquarters of Bank of America and utility Duke Energy to speak out against what they see as a range of injustices, including foreclosures and high student loan debt.
Organizers had expected several thousand people to participate, including some coalition members who were involved in much smaller protests last week in Tampa, during the convention where Republicans nominated Mitt Romney for president.
On Sunday, demonstrators carrying signs and bottled water gathered on a hot, humid day as organizers said they were not disappointed by the smaller-than-expected crowd. "We are happy with the turnout," said Bryan Perlmutter, 21, a North Carolina college student who has helped organize the event. "We are here to raise up the demands of the people."
Captain Jeff Estes of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said the event went smoothly, with only one arrest as the march was winding down.
"This is the Constitution in practice," he said. "People were out here exercising their free speech."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Freeloaders always take advantage of holiday weekends.
The OWS folks know they have the allegiance and love of the Democrat delegates. Besides, it'll be a break for them from having to pretend to love America and hold those abominable American flags.
Obama will wave his hand, and calm the raging storm god Occutardious.
Dear Colleen and Jeff
Charlotte IS NOT READY.
The DEMS don’t even have a schedule of events in place.
Their speakers’ list reads like a bunch of special-entitlement groups. Their Caucus meeting have every agrieved group under the sun except THE UNEMPLOYED.
What kind of political party are you? You’re NOTHINGS.
No one from our side would bother...
That's still 5-10X what they had in Tampa most days.
The city gave them a camp. If they think this is Oakland they have another thing coming. Busted knees for life comes to mind, brain hemorrhage is next. State your piece and then go.
Biden and obama on the stage at last day of democrat convention.
The non-union sound man starts playing the Spaghetti Western theme song over the speakers.
Non-union light man dims the lights.
Non-union special effects men pumps cigar smoke through the ventilation system.
Clint-look-a-like walks through front door in full dress.....boots, buckskin trousers, shirt, neckerchief, well-worn hat, poncho swept back exposing a holster with single-action Colt .45 and a slim cigar in his mouth. Light man shines huge spotlight on him. (He's wearing a hidden mic)....slowly says toward the stage: "This is our country...not your's....now, get the hell out of here and go back where ever the hell you came from or I'll come back and make my own day."
Lights go out completely for 20 seconds, then turn fully and brightly on.
Pomade scent and pimp-perfume are quickly pumped into the ventilation system and Al Green is playing on the sound system.
Ahhhhhh. life would be soooo good.
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