The St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Frederick Melo has been following cops and protesters around the Twin Cities: “St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington said at this morning’s press briefing on Republican National Convention security that the concert is “the one element today that is being discussed as being a possible area of disruption.”

Asked whether he had concerns about a riot that happened in Los Angeles after Rage Against the Machine played during the 2000 Democratic National Convention, Harrington said, “I wouldn’t say that I’m not concerned because I’m concerned about a large number of things. … I’m not hearing anything so far on the wires that this should be an event that gives anyone any reason for fear.”

More than two dozen police officers are across the street from the Target Center tonight, and others are circling on bicycles.

As people wait in line, a few anti-war activists are passing out fliers about a march in St. Paul on Thursday. Nine members of Iraq Veterans Against the War are hoisting a banner.
“The level of intensity I’ve seen from police officers, it’s not even on this planet,” said James Gilligan, one of the people holding the banner. Gilligan, of Philadelphia, said he had served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Cuba.

Referring to Tuesday’s march in St. Paul, Gilligan said, “These guys are treating civilians like you would Iraqis.”

Domestic Insecurity