Champagne Glasses Fly as Republicans Stagger Out of Town

By Editing Team
September 03, 2004
NEW YORK -- After months of preparation, thousands of arrests, and a week of non-stop protest, the 2004 RNC ended much like it began: with an unpermitted march through Manhattan and with Republican delegates fleeing under a hail of abuse.

The fountains of New York were dyed red to protest the crimes of the Bush administration.

International ANSWER held, to quote one IMC reporter, "the angriest rally I've seen," outside Madison Square Garden. At the stroke of 10pm, however, the rage melted away as chanters returned home.

Meanwhile, though, in Union Square, thousands of ordinary New Yorkers made the decision to march, unpermitted, up to the steps of the Garden. One march participant called it "the best thing we've done all week." As Bush spoke, the marchers marched.

Once the march reached the frozen zone it was cut in half by barricades and participants braced themselves for yet another a mass arrest. But the barricades went down and the crowd rejoined, savoring a few brief moments of freedom.

As its final act, protesters continued their harassment of RNC delegates streaming out the Garden. One group descended on Limelight, host to the RNC after-party, where drunk Republicans tossed glasses of champagne at them.

So ended the 2004 RNC.


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