The beginning of the US Republican Party convention in Philadelphia today has been greeted with threats of escalating street protests. Several thousand activists staged a peaceful march in the city yesterday, but police are bracing themselves for possible violent confrontations later this week. However, the Republican convention, which culminates on Thursday night with the nomination of George W Bush as Presidential candidate, is carrying on regardless.
Mr Bush wants the convention to reflect the softer side of the Republican Party, to match his campaign slogan “Compassionate Conservatism”. So far, that approach seems to be working. Mr Bush leads his Democratic opponent, Al Gore, in all the latest polls. One poll gives Mr Bush a 16-point lead.
Some 45,000 convention participants arrived over the weekend. These included 4,132 delegates and alternates, some 3,000 journalists, 10,000 volunteers and thousands of lobbyists. A protest demonstration was already underway, early on Sunday in the centre of the city, drawing together thousands of activists opposed to the republicans on issues ranging from nuclear arms and gun laws to abortion and the death penalty. Representatives from more than 200 separate groups have united in an umbrella coalition dubbed Unity 2000.
"Stop The Death Penalty", "Stop Police Terror" and "Star Wars: New Arms Race" were among the slogans scrawled across placards and flags. Anarchists and socialists stood side by side with members of the powerful Teamsters union and the National Organization of Women. Organisers were expecting tens of thousands of protesters to show up during the four-day convention, which officially kicks off on Monday.
