But nearly all criminal cases have been rejected. Critics say the city traded civil liberties for peace. After police made nearly 400 arrests during the Republican National Convention over the summer, police commanders and city officials congratulated themselves on a job well done. Impatient visionaries struggled to expand their political space In Philadelphia and the nation, we're failing to nurture our political imagination. The visual media love a message that is simple and direct.
Some protesters still wrestle with it.
During the last two decades of the 20th century, the world watched with amazement as one popular nonviolent uprising after another helped topple the old-guard leadership in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, South Africa, the Philippines, and most recently in Serbia against Europe's last despot. I was unaware of the charges . . There were so many cops around looking for anyone' More convention coverage. . . Convention analysis by the dean and students at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.