Friday, August 29, 2008

part of history


On Wednesday, I ventured to downtown Denver to experience the street scene that was present due to the Democratic National Convention taking place. And what an experience it was. My words here cannot do the scene justice but I'll try to describe some of what I saw.

The convention took place at an arena where the Nuggets and Avalanche play. It is located just down the street from what is called the 16th Street Mall (outdoor, not indoor, mall). That's where all the people congregated. And there were a lot of people.

Some protesting. Others publicizing their cause. Some shopping and eating. Others selling their wares. Some performing for money. Others performing to send out a message. Some worked there (it is a business district). But most were there to just be a part of it all.

There were reporters with big video cameras and mikes. There were a lot of people with the official passes hanging on lanyards from their necks. There were those who looked like they were someone special and should be known, but I didn't recognize them. A majority of the people walking around had cameras taking pictures of anything and everything.

And there was police everywhere! It was understandable why they were there in such force. And during this last week, there were very few incidents where any kind of force was taken. Their presence was all that was needed.

What was strange is that all the shutterbugs snapped pictures left and right of the police in whatever they were doing. They could have been on horses, or bikes, or motorcycles; or standing at attention overlooking a protest; or walking amongst the crowd; and even posing with those who had the nerve to ask to pose with them. I was one such shutterbug. It was like the police were the celebrities. They didn't pose (unless asked), but they couldn't do anything about all the people taking picture after picture of them. I'm sure it felt weird for them.

They're nothing special, but you can view all my photos on my Flickr photostream. There is a slideshow option.

I'm glad I went downtown to be part of the crowd. This kind of event doesn't happen in one's backyard everyday. And I am proud of the city of Denver for doing such a good job at hosting such a monumental and historical event.

No matter what party affiliation you're a part of, you can't deny that this convention and Barack Obama's nomination is historical. In the future, I can say I was a part of that history.

9 comments:

Heidi Jo Comes said...

i so enjoyed your pictures. what an experience that must have been, so colorful and full of life!

Just Mom said...

I'll let you in on a little secret. I LOVED covering politics when I worked for the paper. It was always fun to see the crowds, all that red/white/blue and feel the excitement -- no matter which party the candidate belonged to.

Scribbit said...

Oh definitely historical--and I felt warmer just looking at your sunny pictures!

MightyMom said...

well, I"m glad you went, as I'm afraid I would have broken out in hives....

by the way, the horse poop pic is my absolute FAVORITE!!

Barb said...

Your pictures made me feel like I was there! What a cross section of people. Loved the last yellow T-shirt picture.

Interesting about so many police. I understand the need though.

I'm really glad you went!

Susan said...

I enjoyed reading your account of your going. Yes, it is certainly history in the making. I am sooo very thankful there was no major "incident". I would have been much in prayer for Gods will as I walked around there :o)
Susan

Momma Roar said...

I'm so glad you went down - How neat for it to be so close to you!

My little piece of history, McCain came and talked to the football team at the little itty bitty high school I went to. I wasn't there ... but was just 5 minutes away - LOL!!!

Great pictures Diana!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

How great to be a part of history and to make a moment of it. "I was there" WOW!

Unknown said...

I went downtown on Thursday night and I'm glad I did. The energy was electric and it was great to people watch!