Opposing RNC 2008: "The Triangle of Hell" And Other Nuggets From Protest Marshal Training

Photo by John Hoff

Protest Marshal training just wrapped up at Room 25 of the Humphrey Institute, concluding with such mundane and necessary things as t-shirt distribution. The deal is you can have a shirt for free, yes, BUT IF YOU TAKE A SHIRT YOU...


...HAVE TO ACTUALLY DO THE JOB.

Some of the things covered at the training were as follows.

* Counter-protesters will be there, of course. Do not get into a verbal back-and-forth with them, you're not going to change their mind and they certainly won't change yours.

* In an attempt to be "fair and balanced," the media will probably give coverage to the counter-protesters who are protesting on behalf of, for example, MORE WAR. Get up close to the counter-protesters and get your own signs in the frame of the picture, to compete with their message.

* There is an area on the march which is messy and has gained the nickname "Triangle of Hell." This area could become quite problematic with expected protest crowds of 50,000, plus police, plus counter-demonstrations. Be aware of this problematic area.

* The powers-that-be, in their wisdom, have created a LOTTERY SYSTEM for the protest. Yes, some individuals will be allowed to "take to a stage" inside an area close to XCel Center and be up there saying whatever they want to say, whether it involves talking about their Masters thesis or whatever.

No, seriously. The Masters thesis is a real example.

This will be going on right in the middle of the march. Best to ignore it.

* A question from the crowd: what is the deal with the time allotment? What if the protest march goes very slowly, and it drags over into the time allowed? The answer appeared to be the police won't be hard-nosed about it.

* An analysis of the police tactics: the police have tried to do everything possible to scare people out of protesting. But once people are actually there, in front of the media cameras of the world, it's really not in the interest of the police to let loose on the crowd.

* A question from the crowd: are there not some OTHER persons who are trying to fulfill a "peacekeeper" role who will be present? The response was kind of sharp: the people in question were invited to be part of this training, but they aren't here. If they're not here, they're not looked upon as official marshals.

* The police say no bikes will be allowed along the protest route. Wow. First I'm hearing of that. That's just stupid.