Last day of the circus

A lot of the interesting pictures are from Public Square, which has just re-opened after major reconfiguration, and construction. The one thing that has not been moved, is the massive monument (and museum) memorialising those who fought and died for the Union. Supra is part of a statue group.

One of the added items is a group of water spouts. See the shirt the girl is wearing, most probably not a Republican.

PETA can be interesting, or stupidly provocative. There were two stilt walking 'sisters' (the second a guy with whiskers--not cool).

A lot of police, a lot of good pictures. One Michiganer told me twenty one states. A Hoosier told me he wasn't allowed to share the information because of security concerns.

These anti-Catholic bigots made sure they would be seen on the live teevee feed. There were signs on both sides of the picket stick.

The little Don the Con's head is too small. The vendor said he's going to Philadelphia. The picture taker had a media badge, and proclaimed her hatred for the 'liberal media'.

 

 More expensive cameras, bigger jerks attached, this guy squatted and took a minimum of a dozen shots, also used the movie function. My one picture is better than his.

 These kite puppets are with the Cleveland Museum of Art.

With all the partisan strangers in town, a little local balance is needed.

Cleveland RNC Day 3

 Captain America is a Sikh

 Code Pink Beauty Pageant

Early, a wall of cameramen blocked sight of the girls. Someone engaged the girl on the left, about where she came from, "Los Angeles". Someone next to me was impressed she came from so far away. I says to him, "This is a circus. In the 19th century circuses coming to town were entertainment, and when they came to county seats, transportation allowed people to travel from nearby counties to see. To-day, transportation allows people from all over the country to see the circus".

A lot of shirts sold were rude and/or vulgar concerning Hillary. The souvenirs were meant for rabid Republicans. This El Chapo the only shirt making fun of Trump. Only two designs had Cleveland and the elephant.

 Free Hugs, yes from Cleveland Cuddles

 All Lives Matter -- no exceptions

 The guy with the guitar said he was Sylvia Plath's granddaughter 'Mary Ann', he invited people to kick his baby for Trump.

 

 Wall Off Trump

This guy, i was told, was with CNN. His plates were from D.C.. He was waiting for Trump's aeroplane to come in. Later people were shooed away from the edge of City Hall's outside parking. A little while later the plane came in whilst i was in Willard Park.

Cleveland under occupation/surveillance

 

 Patriotism, Progress, Culture. Guys watching from rooftops.

Snowplow ready

National Police Convention Cleveland 2016

There are police, especially different state police in downtown Cleveland. A fashion show of uniforms are on display. These Smoky the Bear hatted police are from Indiana? Y'no so far this circus has been peaceful. There has been a flood of police in NORMAL uniforms (with exceptions). I think this has mellowed the atmosphere. Ridiculous, and threatening riot gear does not make things better. A troop of bicycling police are very mobile downtown, and the bicycles become an instant wall.

 I think, the Michigan State Police are the motorcycle escorts for wagons load of Republicans.

"Who you gonna call?". Florida State Police look like the movie's Ghostbusters.

Seeing the Elephant

Well, i went to see the elephant to-day. [re: click] That is a 19th century term. A big thrill of entertainment had been to see a traveling circus. This was also a term for the first sight of battle. All this anticipation, and then the let down.

Well, i was not sure i was going. I missed the first day. Lots of out of town police, state police units waiting about in groups. When i walked by, the malls were empty. Public Square was very busy, as was East 4th. It was like a sideshow carnival:  a lot of vendors, a few barkers. So, i saw it as an opportunity to view people. I was not there long. All the asphalt, cement, and sun did not make me comfortable with the July heat.

The essence of it all.  #RNC2016 #ThanksRNC #ClevelandUnderOccupation

list of prohibitions, this was on the Lorain Bridge side

item#26 "There is no constitutional right to carry a tennis ball, however. (V)" — Votemaster

 (blues men) Indiana State Police

 

 Mounted police from Ft. Worth Texas

 Peace soldier, Viet Nam, Lou Pumphrey on E. 4th

 vendor on Public Square

Well, yeah

Circle the City with Love

Monday, the Republican Convention begins in Cleveland. Friday night, they had already taken the streets of downtown. Traffic will be greatly constricted. Some roads will be inaccessible. There are more snow plows in Cleveland now, than in a blizzard. Snow plows blocking highway ramps, on Public Square, along highways, and driving on highways. There are helicopters in the sky, and planes trailing banners.

Sister Rita Petruziello of the Congregation of Saint Joseph is the chief organiser for a statement of peace for the city. Sunday afternoon in mid 80's heat, thousands of people held hands in an half hour of silence on the Lorain Carnegie Bridge. The Carnegie side is  mostly verboten, and leads to the Republican Convention Arena.

  Lorain side

 

Sister Rita explains the programme. It is billed as non-sectarian, non-partisan; but it does have a large Catholic essence. It does not have many Republicans in the crowd of thousands. There was a lot of foreign press, the foam rubber on their microphones, and their security clearance tags told where (AFP, Global, Al Jazeera, and so on). Local teevee included Kristin Volk (WEWS), and Dawn Kendrick (WKYC). The feeling on the bridge was very good, and even serene; but not everyone viewing was interested in that, an aeroplane was constantly over the bridge with a "Hillary for Prison" banner. At the end, i noticed a couple of Republican tourists wondering at the event. This was not an RNC sponsored event. To call it a protest event would be false. The point was to create positive energy, and this flows from God.

  taking the pledge to act in a peaceful manner 

 walking to spread out on the Lorain Carnegie Bridge

 Carnegie side
 
After the horn sounded to end the half hour silence, "Hell-o I 'm Marianne".