Comments on: RNC Protesters & the Stormtroopers http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/ Minneapolis Photography Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:20:07 +0000 hourly 1 By: Peter http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/#comment-1247 Peter Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:09:20 +0000 http://www.mitchster.com/?p=498#comment-1247 Great shots Mitch! I was down there with you that night. But last night was crazy near Mickeys Dinner. Great shots Mitch! I was down there with you that night. But last night was crazy near Mickeys Dinner.

]]> By: Snapshutter http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/#comment-1246 Snapshutter Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:13:20 +0000 http://www.mitchster.com/?p=498#comment-1246 Great series of photos. I'm glad one can get down over there and actually take photos like this. There were reports of photographers getting harassed and even arrested, maybe those were overblown. I work just across the river from that spot, maybe I'll stay late on Thursday and walk across the bridge with my camera. Great series of photos. I’m glad one can get down over there and actually take photos like this. There were reports of photographers getting harassed and even arrested, maybe those were overblown. I work just across the river from that spot, maybe I’ll stay late on Thursday and walk across the bridge with my camera.

]]> By: Kris http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/#comment-1245 Kris Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:31:29 +0000 http://www.mitchster.com/?p=498#comment-1245 Man, it looks crazy out there. Very brave to get in amongst it! Man, it looks crazy out there. Very brave to get in amongst it!

]]> By: Hilda http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/#comment-1244 Hilda Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:06:18 +0000 http://www.mitchster.com/?p=498#comment-1244 Images like these make my stomach churn badly. I'm glad your riot policemen seem so calm and even the protesters don't sound violent. Take care please. Images like these make my stomach churn badly. I’m glad your riot policemen seem so calm and even the protesters don’t sound violent. Take care please.

]]> By: Mitchster http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/#comment-1243 Mitchster Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:56:53 +0000 http://www.mitchster.com/?p=498#comment-1243 Slinger - If you want to go on Thursday, let me know, we can meet there. I have a great place to park. Everyone: here's some survival tips for photographers: Always know your exit strategy, whether chasing a protest march or a tornado. It's a dangerous game, but I'm pretty good at not getting into trouble. I've been a lot of places I shouldn't be and if I get caught, the worst I get is a nice conversation as I am walked out. Remember, the cop/security guard/watchman is just doing his job. He doesn't want to arrest you or hurt you; he just wants you to not do anything that will get him in trouble. Always be polite, don't mock or condescend. Ask if you are in the wrong. Ask where the line is and go back to it or just apologize and leave. If you can strike up a conversation and have a laugh together, he might let you stay or at least tell you where the good/safe places are to look from. It's the Golden rule, stupid. Be nice. - Mitch Slinger -
If you want to go on Thursday, let me know, we can meet there. I have a great place to park.

Everyone: here’s some survival tips for photographers:
Always know your exit strategy, whether chasing a protest march or a tornado.

It’s a dangerous game, but I’m pretty good at not getting into trouble. I’ve been a lot of places I shouldn’t be and if I get caught, the worst I get is a nice conversation as I am walked out.

Remember, the cop/security guard/watchman is just doing his job. He doesn’t want to arrest you or hurt you; he just wants you to not do anything that will get him in trouble. Always be polite, don’t mock or condescend. Ask if you are in the wrong. Ask where the line is and go back to it or just apologize and leave. If you can strike up a conversation and have a laugh together, he might let you stay or at least tell you where the good/safe places are to look from.

It’s the Golden rule, stupid. Be nice.
- Mitch

]]> By: slinger http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/#comment-1242 slinger Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:34:08 +0000 http://www.mitchster.com/?p=498#comment-1242 6 photos for an event like this and the story behind it, I'm sure you could have added quite a few more. It was well worth it. I too didn't get to the area until after the capital protest and the march had completed. It was quite a site to see, the transformation of the area from what I am used to seeing. I can tell though, I was on the wrong side of the Xcel for photo taking. I could hear things going on, but for the life of me couldn't figure out how to get to 7th and Kellogg on foot. I was tired, hot, sweaty and was done for the day around 6:00. Hopefully I can get back down there Thursday evening after work. Tuesday and Wednesday evening are booked solid already. I was talking with another photographer down there, he said the worst of the protests should be Thursday, Monday's was just the warm up. He was calling Monday's events the Kiddie protest. Looking forward to more photos. 6 photos for an event like this and the story behind it, I’m sure you could have added quite a few more. It was well worth it.

I too didn’t get to the area until after the capital protest and the march had completed. It was quite a site to see, the transformation of the area from what I am used to seeing.

I can tell though, I was on the wrong side of the Xcel for photo taking. I could hear things going on, but for the life of me couldn’t figure out how to get to 7th and Kellogg on foot. I was tired, hot, sweaty and was done for the day around 6:00. Hopefully I can get back down there Thursday evening after work. Tuesday and Wednesday evening are booked solid already.

I was talking with another photographer down there, he said the worst of the protests should be Thursday, Monday’s was just the warm up. He was calling Monday’s events the Kiddie protest.

Looking forward to more photos.

]]> By: Mitchster http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/#comment-1241 Mitchster Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:39:02 +0000 http://www.mitchster.com/?p=498#comment-1241 Jared - Thanks, I had fun as well, how did your photos come out? If you post them on flickr or somewhere, let me know, I'd like to see them! Mr. Mustache will probably end up on the blog tomorrow, he didn't fit in with today's story. I normally don't do more than one photo, six was really pushing it. - Mitch Jared -
Thanks, I had fun as well, how did your photos come out? If you post them on flickr or somewhere, let me know, I’d like to see them!
Mr. Mustache will probably end up on the blog tomorrow, he didn’t fit in with today’s story. I normally don’t do more than one photo, six was really pushing it.
- Mitch

]]> By: Jared http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/#comment-1240 Jared Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:30:45 +0000 http://www.mitchster.com/?p=498#comment-1240 Solid photos all around Mitch. It was a pleasure shooting with you last night. I was surprised to not see Mr. Mustache and his pink friend. Take care, and keep up the good work. Solid photos all around Mitch. It was a pleasure shooting with you last night. I was surprised to not see Mr. Mustache and his pink friend. Take care, and keep up the good work.

]]> By: Rob http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/#comment-1239 Rob Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:02:25 +0000 http://www.mitchster.com/?p=498#comment-1239 Great pics, Mitch! Dang this cold and fever. I really wanted to get over there and get some photos of the feral youths. Great pics, Mitch! Dang this cold and fever. I really wanted to get over there and get some photos of the feral youths.

]]> By: bluemoonpaul http://www.mitchster.com/2008/09/02/rnc-protesters-the-stormtroopers/#comment-1238 bluemoonpaul Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:31:29 +0000 http://www.mitchster.com/?p=498#comment-1238 Yeah, you missed the earlier disturbances, which got a little hairy. There was no big problem with most of the 10,000 peaceful protesters, but it was another story with the 200-300 masked anarchists who threw rocks, broke windows, attacked people and overturned things. Yikes. I'm glad you weren't down there for all that, actually. Nice job capturing the aftermath, Mitch. Here are a couple links on the story: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/01/rnc_day1/ http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/01/anti-war-protest-at-gop-convention-turns-violent/ Yeah, you missed the earlier disturbances, which got a little hairy. There was no big problem with most of the 10,000 peaceful protesters, but it was another story with the 200-300 masked anarchists who threw rocks, broke windows, attacked people and overturned things. Yikes. I’m glad you weren’t down there for all that, actually. Nice job capturing the aftermath, Mitch.

Here are a couple links on the story:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/01/rnc_day1/

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/01/anti-war-protest-at-gop-convention-turns-violent/

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