August 29, 2004. NYC Says No to the RNC

The Lower East Side feeder march leaving Tompkins Square Park. I think that guy holding the peace sign is giving the "No W" hand signal. You spread your fingers wide, point them to the ground and posture like a rap star.
"NO MO" WOE" Sounds good to me. Their umbrellas were a good idea, the back of my neck is red this morning. It was sunny, hot and humid for the march. Going up Seventh avenue at noon there was no shade at all. It took roughly three hours to get from 21st Street, where the Lower East Side contingent congregated, to the first shade of 34th Street.
His lips aren't moving so he may not be lying.
Get Bush out of my bush. I saw many women making variation of this pun. It's always good for a laugh.

Homemade sign: "Koch said we should show the GOP dels the ropes. Here's the rope Ed." Combined with a vile Abu Graib photo. Supposed Democrat, paid spokesmodel, former mayor Koch has endorsed Bush.

Earlier in the GammaBlaBlog.

I can't quite make out what the girl's drawing is, but it looks like a war scene. It breaks my heart.

"I'm 6 and even I know better! NO BUSH NO!"

"RNC: go mess with Texas." "Don't blame me I voted with the Majority."
Bush/Pinocchio, blowup dolls were everywhere.

This one made me laugh. "Look at the mess you've made, you dirty, dirty man."

Friends don't let friends vote Republican.

Dear George: If Crawford, Texas ever gets attacked, we promise we won't go there and throw a party. Sincerely, The people of NYC.

A spirited group. "Drop panties, not bombs." "Bring the beautiful boys home."
Dancers.

The red and blue state of the world. It says it all.

A bit tasteless, but so is the Prez.

Save America - Defeat Bush. Giant banner on Seventh Avenue a few blocks south of Madison Square Garden, where the RNC is holding their convention.

The jacket belonged to a Marine killed in Iraq. "He is our guardian angel." Gregory E. MacDonald - 1978 - June 25, 2003.

Drummers from the Rhythm Workers Union. "Jamming for Justice" They have a rolling cart of drums and always put out a good beat. I followed them for several block playing along on my small homemade kit.

I walked ahead whenever I could pass through the dense crowd, to capture as much of the march as I could with my camera.
Dick and Bush had their own contingent of Secret Service, keeping an eye out for them. Dick bends down and squirts, Bush just wanders around looking clueless.

"Down with Elitism"

I was stuck behind the giant banner of this dragon for a long time. It's tail was a bunch of paper mache spikes waving around at eye-height. I had to dodge them several times. But I was able to pass it before I got to Madison Square Garden. So I missed seeing it burn. My first thought when I heard that it caught on fire was technical incompetence, an electrical fire. The head was full of a blaring sound system. It seemed unlikely that this group would want to purposely burn their audio equipment. But who knows. If they did torch it on purpose, they are idiots.

"Raging Grannies" singing "Which Side Are You On?"

MSG
"Corporate Whore"

Cops guarding the Republicans.
"Worst President Ever."
Favorite Chants:
  • "Yee Haw is not a foreign policy"
  • "Fox News Sucks"
  • "Bush is scary, vote for Kerry"
  • "We're here, We're hot, George Bush can rot!

When we got past the convention site and turned onto 34th Street we encountered a small group of ineffectual Protest Warriors with their lame signs, protected by cops. They weren't even interesting enough to waste a picture on. This lonely Bush lover further down the block was also ignored.

Earlier in the GammaBlaBlog
"If you can read this you're not the president." Fifth Avenue, heading back down towards Union Square Park.
"One term president." "I want to believe in my country again." "Christian Conservative Terrorists."
" Fire Bush." Code Pink gives Bush a pink slip.

No Bush banner on Broadway.
The Billionaires for Bush had police protection, almost like the Protest Warriors. In case, I guess, someone doesn't get the joke.
"Let's Kerry Bush out of the White House!!"

Cool photos, story and Bible Citations - patriot.biz - Twelve "Texans for Kerry hop in a van and come up to help us unwelcome the RNC.

Favorite slogans they found:

©2004 Michael Natale