Democratic National Convention: Not Only a Place to Hear Kerry/Edwards
Melissa A. T. Kotulski '05
Issue date: 8/3/04 Section: News
John Edwards spoke at the Democratic National Convention on the night of July 28 amidst much pomp and circumstance. However, his speech was not the only thing that happened in and around the FleetCenter, flanked by the pyramidal peaks of the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge.
"It's a delight to be here." Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Gary Hawley stated on the floor of the DNC on Wednesday, July 28. The smiles on the faces of the people in the FleetCenter were as illustrious as the spotlights in the convention hall.
"Kerry is the right man because of his position on Veteran's issues," said Hawley, a Vietnam veteran. "I can't believe that there is no support for them in Iraq. I just want people to be treated as human beings, not a number." A labor man, he hopes Kerry will bring jobs that men can be proud of.
Many people in the convention had glowing words for Kerry; they projected the optimism that the Bush camp has been deriding. Andy Ford of Jacksonville, Florida, smiled when he stated, "This is my third convention, and Kerry is wonderful."
Hanging chads were not the first thing on Ford's mind. The most important issue to him is Education. He believes there needs to be "...a total commitment to build quality schools. I believe in assistance from the government, and not to dictate to the local schools."
And while Ford admitted to being nervous because "The people of Florida's trust has been severely tarnished," he was more interested in talking about his hopes for the Democratic presidential nominee. "I would like to see Kerry fully fund No Child Left Behind."
Such hopefulness was also echoed in the multitudes of protests throughout Boston. In Copley Square, a group of Boston and nationally based leaders convened for an anti-war, progressive Democratic rally. One of the rally's contingents hauled a 70 foot puppet in the shape of the backbone, which represented The Backbone Campaign. Smiles were projected on each of their faces as they went forward with hope in their American dream. One puppeteer stated, "Democrats need to get a backbone in their stance on issues like poverty and war."
At the same rally, one man stood up to the supposed peaceful protesters. He held a large sign over his head with his left hand heavily donned by a gold watch. The sign heralded: "Peace and Freedom has never been cheap." Photographers and cameramen surrounded him and a number of pacifists, while the police kept a watchful eye on this verbal argument.
Police and other law enforcement officers were everywhere in Boston, but most notably in the area immediately surrounding the Fleet Center. The first security checkpoint to get into the convention stood 25 feet from the entrance of the convention hall itself. Around the corner from the Haymarket T-stop stood a free speech zone, what many protestors termed "The Pen."
"I don't care what they say!" One woman shouted, "I consider all of Boston a free speech zone!"
Back in the convention, Maria Rivera was content with the proceedings. Hailing from the metropolitan San Juan area, she pronounced that "Kerry's vision is for everyone: black, white, rich, poor, and special interests."
Like Ford, she believes that the nation should work more at education. Unlike Ford, she was proud of Puerto Rico's protests to free Vieques, an island that was recently turned back over from the US Navy to the commonwealth. "The people worked hard at getting their message heard in Washington. And Washington listened."
On that Wednesday of the DNC, Rosa DeLaura, a Democrat from Connecticut, passionately spoke at South Church in Copley about the people as well. She urged Democrats to remember to fight for poverty-striken neighborhoods with Let Justice Roll, the church-based initiative against Against Hunger and Poverty.
And all of this was before John Edwards even spoke a word.
Click here to see pictures of Boston during the DNC.
"It's a delight to be here." Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Gary Hawley stated on the floor of the DNC on Wednesday, July 28. The smiles on the faces of the people in the FleetCenter were as illustrious as the spotlights in the convention hall.
"Kerry is the right man because of his position on Veteran's issues," said Hawley, a Vietnam veteran. "I can't believe that there is no support for them in Iraq. I just want people to be treated as human beings, not a number." A labor man, he hopes Kerry will bring jobs that men can be proud of.
Many people in the convention had glowing words for Kerry; they projected the optimism that the Bush camp has been deriding. Andy Ford of Jacksonville, Florida, smiled when he stated, "This is my third convention, and Kerry is wonderful."
Hanging chads were not the first thing on Ford's mind. The most important issue to him is Education. He believes there needs to be "...a total commitment to build quality schools. I believe in assistance from the government, and not to dictate to the local schools."
And while Ford admitted to being nervous because "The people of Florida's trust has been severely tarnished," he was more interested in talking about his hopes for the Democratic presidential nominee. "I would like to see Kerry fully fund No Child Left Behind."
Such hopefulness was also echoed in the multitudes of protests throughout Boston. In Copley Square, a group of Boston and nationally based leaders convened for an anti-war, progressive Democratic rally. One of the rally's contingents hauled a 70 foot puppet in the shape of the backbone, which represented The Backbone Campaign. Smiles were projected on each of their faces as they went forward with hope in their American dream. One puppeteer stated, "Democrats need to get a backbone in their stance on issues like poverty and war."
At the same rally, one man stood up to the supposed peaceful protesters. He held a large sign over his head with his left hand heavily donned by a gold watch. The sign heralded: "Peace and Freedom has never been cheap." Photographers and cameramen surrounded him and a number of pacifists, while the police kept a watchful eye on this verbal argument.
Police and other law enforcement officers were everywhere in Boston, but most notably in the area immediately surrounding the Fleet Center. The first security checkpoint to get into the convention stood 25 feet from the entrance of the convention hall itself. Around the corner from the Haymarket T-stop stood a free speech zone, what many protestors termed "The Pen."
"I don't care what they say!" One woman shouted, "I consider all of Boston a free speech zone!"
Back in the convention, Maria Rivera was content with the proceedings. Hailing from the metropolitan San Juan area, she pronounced that "Kerry's vision is for everyone: black, white, rich, poor, and special interests."
Like Ford, she believes that the nation should work more at education. Unlike Ford, she was proud of Puerto Rico's protests to free Vieques, an island that was recently turned back over from the US Navy to the commonwealth. "The people worked hard at getting their message heard in Washington. And Washington listened."
On that Wednesday of the DNC, Rosa DeLaura, a Democrat from Connecticut, passionately spoke at South Church in Copley about the people as well. She urged Democrats to remember to fight for poverty-striken neighborhoods with Let Justice Roll, the church-based initiative against Against Hunger and Poverty.
And all of this was before John Edwards even spoke a word.
Click here to see pictures of Boston during the DNC.