Thousands of placard-waving marchers on Sunday snaked through the streets of Manhattan in a boisterous, yet orderly, demonstration against the policies of the administration of President George W. Bush.
The Republican National Convention opens on Monday in New York, and could be the most divisive political convention since the Vietnam era.
While Republican strategists originally chose New York in a bid to co-opt the raw patriotism unleashed by the September 11 terrorist attacks, Sunday's demonstrations underlined the political risks of holding the convention in a predominantly Democratic party-supporting city. The Bush campaign has sought to use the television images of mass demonstrations to the president's advantage, painting the protesters as members of the Democratic opposition, disrespectful of the president and out of touch with mainstream opinion.
Protesters united by hatred of Bush policies
New York's decision to not to allow protesters to hold a giant rally in Central Park on the eve of the Republican Convention seemed to provide some with even more incentive to march.
But the size of the crowd and variety of protesters, estimated by the United for Peace and Justice coalition at more than 400,000 people, which thronged through New York streets yesterday, underlined the polarising quality of the Bush presidency. An official tally of was not available, but police put it at more than 100,000.
Tim Healy, who served in Vietnam and is now protesting over the war in Iraq, said of the Republicans coming to New York: “It is so calculated it is repulsive.” He has sent back a Bronze Star won in Vietnam in protest at Mr Bush's policies.
Rabbi Marcia Rappaport agreed: “I'm furious they have the nerve to come here, and use the emotion of 9/11 for politics.”
One wheelchair-bound woman held a placard that read, “97-years-old and outraged” while nearby a young girl held a sign reading “One-term president”. Security was tight as demonstrated by thousands of New York police officers and the constant din of NYPD helicopters.
The Republican convention is intended to showcase Mr Bush's leadership in the war on terrorism, and his handling of events since September 11, 2001 will be central to the message.
At the opening at Madison Square Garden this evening, three relatives of 9/11 victims will address the convention. In what the Bush campaign is billing as a “celebration of American courage”, Rudolph Giuliani, the former mayor, will recall the day and Mr Bush's leadership.
On Thursday night Mr Bush, who continues to campaign in battleground states, will accept his party's nomination in a speech that will lay out detailed plans for a second term in office.
The president is expected to emphasise a world changed by the war on terrorism, as well as the sweeping changes to lives in the workplace and at home that need to be met by reforms in tax, tort and social security. The Republicans are also seeking to use the convention to continue to undermine John Kerry's campaign, by portraying him as a man given to “nuance”, a “sensitive” approach to tackling terrorism, a liberal, out of touch with the mainstream America, and a man who changes his mind.
