Being journalists, we're drawn to the exceptional, unusual, troubling and so forth.
In reporting the trouble spots, we run the risk of losing the forest for the trees.
So yes, while rocks were thrown through windows, and numerous arrests were made, it bears emphasizing that the overwhelming majority - to the tune of thousands - of demonstrators were peaceful, and serious, and committed to their cause.
Of course, as in Denver, we got the usual jokers and the like (video to come), but we wouldn't want to create the impression that the city fell into a state of anarchy. It didn't.
That said, it is also fair to say that the amount of police on the streets is frankly staggering. St. Paul feels a bit what I imagine a medieval castle must've: bustling with modern-day version of the palace guard, who have such a dominant presence one would have to be immensely foolish to think of attempting to interfere with any one of them.
We saw literally hundreds of police, including some wearing camouflage fatigues and driving around in Humvees. Their sheer numbers are frankly remarkable.
In Denver, there was a sizable police presence, to be sure. But it comingled with the people on the street. St. Paul is different: there are far fewer people on the street, so the sheer amount of police seems more vast. It is no exaggeration to say that this city seems occupied - phalanxes and squads of police linger on corners, wall off blocks and so on.
Police led the March On The RNC, today's big protest, in a small vehicle with a large digital sign on it that said "March Route This Way" flashing on it. At one point, the car made a right turn, while thousands of protesters followed behind. If the protesters had been full of ill will, they would not have turned off to follow the police. But they did, and all went smoothly.
At least until a number of protesters took to hurling rocks and the like.
- posted by Jesse Zanger