Скачать или смотреть Walking the Security Perimeter at the Democratic National Convention, August 22, 2024

On the last day of the Democratic Convention, August 22, 2024, I walked all the way around the security perimeter. As you can see by the date stamp at lower right, even with the wrong turns and detours, it took just about an hour. Interesting walk, and I met some interesting people on the way. The important thing: the security perimeter worked nearly flawlessly.

The only problem: this time around, a budding Haskell Wexler wouldn't have had much to make a movie out of. And that's a GOOD thing.

During the video, I mention Malcolm X's 1963 Oldsmobile 98 sedan, which is on display in the lobby of the Malcolm X College building. To se pictures of it, click here: https://flic.kr/p/YJg1Pq

0:00 Let's get started!
0:28 DNC Road Restrictions Map provided by the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Secret Service
0:38 Dressed like a Conventioneer - red striped polo shirt, khakis, tan boat shoes. The gray hair didn't hurt, either, lol
0:44 Those station stairs!
0:58 Out the station door, walking south on Damen
1:28 Security Area, walking east on Maypole
2:43 Had to shut the sound off
3:10 Sound back on!
4:58 From Maypole, north on Wood
5:28 Down the alleys to Lake St.
6:01 My limited memory of the 1960 convention
6:19 Memories of the 1968 convention - Walking east on Lake, then south on Hermitage
7:34 "Medium Cool" (1969) A movie that contains guerilla footage the director, Haskell Wexler, shot during the 1968 unrest in Grant Park and areas south of the Loop. "Look out, Haskell! It's real!"
8:55 Line to get in to the Convention -- crossing Paulina
10:24 "Delegates, go all the way around to the middle!" The Daily Show truck makes a cameo appearance
13:11 Union Park, where protestors had an effigy of Jimmy Carter's head, then south on Ashland
14:06 Crossing Madison -- my memories of the 1996 Convention. Not many - I had local neighborhood stuff to worry about that summer. And Clinton was a lock for a second term.
14:50 Going down Ogden (southwest), then west on Monroe
17:03 Turning south on Paulina
17:07 "Which way is Jackson?" Turned out there were entrances to United Center at Madison and Jackson.
18:05 Lemme get the Map out.
19:59 The Medical Center on the corner was taking no chances on a possible repeat of 1968. Before the convention started, they barricaded their glass doors with plywood.
20:34 Back on Ogden, crossing Adams
21:37 Clean VW New Beetle Convertible (2nd Gen)
22:05 Turning onto Jackson
22:31 Beautiful yellow-brick vintage building
23:00 5/3 Arena: Chicago Blackhawk Community Ice Rink
23:08 Lines of conventioneers. Must be the south entrance to the Convention
23:46 Malcolm X College - Malcolm's '63 Olds 98 is on display in the lobby
https://flic.kr/p/YJg1Pq
24:41 Approaching Damen (blocked off for buses north of Jackson)
25:31 "Can I get through here?" The age-old question, lol
26:01 Back to Jackson -- walk west
27:25 Turning north on Hoyne
28:33 Chicago Bulls College Prep: a Noble School
29:23 "The Whole Perimeter"? Not quite. But getting there.
29:48 James R. Jordan Boys and Girls Club at Monroe.
30:04 Emergency vehicle speeding north on Hoyne
30:10 Gas meters! (14, if I counted right)
30:54 Madison - can't get through.
32:07 Back north on Hoyne
32:51 View of United Center -- east on Warren
33:57 Security gate on Warren
34:26 Vintage turn of the last century flats.
35:07 Can't get through at Damen - back west on Warren to Hoyne
36:33 North on Hoyne
36:58 Beautifully restored turn of the Last Century Building at Hoyne and Washington
37:25 East on Washington "Can people get thru over here?"
37:43 Police staging area
38:16 Suder Montessori Magnet School
39:33 Back north on Damen
40:44 And back at the CTA Damen Green Line Station
41:19 THOSE STAIRS!!