Indeed it was. It was more like a Lollapalooza festival with extra-tight security. There were drum circles, food booths and enough information about leftist causes to fill the First Union Center. This is the place where people can bring their children. People who want to make their voices heard can be there to present their ideas even though we all have different issues.
People are here in solidarity with all of the groups in terms of their issues.
But just because the event was one giant warm fuzzy, Oboler said it didn't necessarily follow that all would remain calm throughout the week. I know that several of the groups and several of the people will be involved in other actions later on in the week. Others involved in the protest movement here say there has been a misguided slant in the stories about what will happen outside the convention hall. They insist that story is being whipped up by a news media that is interested in a cops vs. protesters drama, complete with billy clubs, tear gas and dreadlocked kids being dragged off to jail. Of course, Oboler acknowledges, some people on the streets of Philadelphia this week will be out to wreak havoc.