DNC - Ethan's First Concert & Protest March

It seems amazing to think that a week ago our town was abuzz with the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Most of us avoided downtown. Many of the businesses had their employees take the week off or work from home. The DNC took over the town, literally. The organizers even added 40 vendor carts on the outdoor mall and added many beautification's like 200 new boxes of flowers. On Wednesday Ethan joined Aubrey, Jesse and a few others to attend a free concert at the Denver Colosseum (intended for things like rodeos and cattle sales)and then they marched to the Pepsi Center. It was Ethan's first concert. (I think that was a pretty cool way to start your concert-going experience!) There were four bands playing. Two were good local bands (whose names I can't remember). The big bands were "Rage Against the Machine" and "Flobots." Ethan likes the "Flobots" and was excited to see them live. The quality sound of the music was poor, but he still had a grand time. Larr went to the concert with the kids, just in case something went awry and people got arrested. The concert was so loud that even as Larr had his hands over Ethan's ears he could feel the bass sound waves travel through Ethan's mouth and nose, bounce against Ethan's eardrums and exit. Ethan thought it was awesome. Each of the bands announced that they would help lead the non-violet protest. After it was over they meet thousands of people for the four hour + march to the Pepsi Center.

The weather was hot but the marchers did not seem to care. The streets were lined with police in riot gear, swat members riding the streets on horses, motocross motorcycles and on foot. The horses had their own special gear, as you can sort of see in the photo. Ethan says the horses also had massive shin guards. Most of the policemen were pretty cool about it all, as you can see in the photo with Ethan and one of the officers. They all looked like Stormtrooper, so much so that the crowd began chanting the "Star Wars Imperial March" theme song. As the crowd moved down the street the Swat and police members would line the streets and follow behind them. When they passed alleyways they would see groups of 15-20 of them peacefully standing in wait. The business areas had been blocked off with chain link fences. There was also a group of police officers who would move the barriers so that people could not double back. The organizers had created a place called the "Freedom Cage." The idea was that people could go there to protest, but the protesters would have none of it. Ethan says that people only went into there to party. It was a large (say 1/2 block) surrounded by a very high chain link fence, barred wire and concrete barriers. About eight feet out there was another set of fences, barriers,etc. so that the media could not get close to those in the "Freedom Cage." However, the protest remained peaceful so it was never needed for the intended containment purpose. Ethan was just part of the march. I don't think he was actually protesting. However, many of the marchers made an effort to take part in the cause they feel strongly about. The protest was lead by the Iraq Veterans Against War (IVAW). In the end they were allowed to send one member into the main office to talk with someone in charge about their concerns. I think everyone was pretty happy with how it all unfolded.

I think it was pretty cool that Ethan could take part in these historic events. I wish I could have been part of it, too. Don't you think that was a neat way to go to your first concert?!