Thousands march to protest Republican policies

By Teddy Woodward, Photo by Angela Zhang

A strange sight confronted protesters who gathered on the Capitol lawn the first day of the Republican National Convention: a polar bear.

Minneapolis resident Mina Leierwood painted her body white, her nose and lips black, donned a white polar bear cap, a white tutu, and roller blades to protest Republican vice presidential nominee and current governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin during the protests on the opening day of the Republican National Convention.

Leierwood’s costume was a comment on Palin’s opposition to putting the polar bear on the list of endangered species and her support of drilling for oil in the Arctic, Leierwood said. Leierwood’s costume reflected the festive atmosphere at the Capitol mall before the protest began.

Apart from a small group of protesters speaking passionately to those gathered through a microphone on a stage built on the Capitol’s steps, the mood on the grounds was relaxed and low-key.

Some sat on the plush lawn enjoying the afternoon sunshine while some painted each others’ faces with symbols of peace and love. Others socialized and talked about politics.

Cami Gysland, 18, of St. Paul, summed up the feeling at the Capitol: “We’re just enjoying ourselves as we shout out for peace.”

When the clock struck 1 p.m., the mood immediately changed. Those who weren’t committed to a long, hot walk toward the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center left.

Ushering in an aura of intensity and seriousness, a police helicopter flew toward the Capitol and hovered directly over the protesters.

I walked to the beginning of the route and moments later was overtaken by a mob of people. The line of people stretched as far as the eye could see in front and behind me. Media reports put the crowd at 10,000 people.

Ben Butler, 20, said he spent six to seven months gearing up for the RNC. “This is the perfect opportunity to voice dissent,” he said, “I was hoping that this large of a crowd would crash the convention.”

The carefree mood on the Capitol lawn quickly turned to shouting and chanting. Imposing police officers, some clutching batons, some with shotguns, many dressed in black riot gear, lined the route. About 100 protesters were arrested after blocking freeway ramps or smashing windows in other parts of downtown St. Paul.

There was a strong feeling of camaraderie during the protest. Protesters chanted in Spanish and English phrases like “Billions for the war, still nothing for the poor,” and “The people, united, cannot be defeated.”

Emily Muelken, 19, was protesting the war in Iraq but expressed amazement at the myriad of people. “We all came together with a bunch of different views and united,” she said. “We all felt as if we shared a sense of purpose which transcended whatever differences we may have had as individuals.”

Within about 100 yards of the Xcel Energy Center the protest turned back the way it came. On the way back, the fervor began to die down and after a couple of blocks people began to look for ways that they could break off the main route.