The reality is that the policies of the Democrats have not been supportive of people in this country, of common people in this country, nor have they been supportive of people around the world. But the chairman of the Democratic National Convention, Terry McAuliffe, says the protesters concerns will be addressed inside the convention hall. But certainly we'll be engaged with demonstrators. You have to walk right by them to get into the Staples Center. A parking lot across the street from staples has been designated a main protest area.
Demonstrators plan several marches a day to the site.
But many businesses in the neighborhood are fearful of violence and are boarding up their windows. Many shops in the jewelry district are closing for the week. As seen in this Los Angeles Police Department video, law enforcement has been preparing to deal with protesters. At the same time, transporting 300 bus loads of conventioneers across LA's sprawling geography creates major challenges for police, as does the fact that protest sites could be far and wide, according to police commander David Kalish. In Philadelphia, the convention was actually held outside of downtown, with water on one side, and a Navy base on the other.