The word of the day is: Anticlimactic.
After an entire day of "will-they, won't-they" political tension, it was ultimately a bust. The police presence successfully quashed any hopes of an organized march. Any pockets of protest were small and disorganized, often collapsing or so earnest that it came off forced.
The majority of people we've met over the past couple of days were awaiting word on which plans would be realized, which were canceled, and which couldn't get off the ground.
It's less laziness and more fear. You cannot walk a block in this city without coming upon dozens of police. The protesters want to actively pursue their message, but are left unable to, by the fear of more unprovoked arrests like the first day.
The greatness of today came from the vibrancy of the streets, and the interesting people we met on the way. Jeremy and I networked with many people, musicians, web-designers, photographers, makeup artists, and just all around cool dudes, who were all just as in awe of this as we have been. From my what I've observed both last year and this year, Denver is typically a Libertarian city, not necessarily in its politics, but in its ideals: "I'll let you do your thing, you let me do my thing." In comparison to Portland, the city is a place where most don't wave and chat with random people on the street. They just don't.
The Convention has brought to Denver what snow storms bring to suburbs: something to talk about. And regardless of this, or the politics behind it, it has, at the very least, allowed a lot of our citizens to feel comfortable talking to people on the train, or in the streets. Everything from active political dialogue, to simple Hellos and small talk, to friendships and relationships and everything in between.
An authentic New Orleans Brass Band marched through the 16th St. Mall this afternoon. This is music born from the soul, not from technical ability (of which each player had a great deal). You can't teach, nor learn this type of beauty.
Most resonant was their final song of the set, which featured a call-and-response chorus of handclaps and vocals, singing out: "No matter what they say, we are one."
It's the kind of observation, the kind of simple lyric that is so obvious, yet always, always uplifting. And I could think of nothing truer.
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