Late Night Police Escort

We began the day in the midst of a demonstration, and we ended it at the sight of another.  Protesters marched down Tryon Street, taunting police and chiding democrats during the keynote convention speeches.  While we were tucked in the Rock Bottom cafe, police set up barricades and sent dozens of bike officers to the street outside the windows. Earlier that day we had seen the beginnings of the anti-movement, when a converted truck sported protest images and signs.  Some marchers were from the self-proclaimed "America's media watchdog", a conservative group called the Media Research Center that bashes the "liberal media", democrats and their kind.  Others from Occupy Wall Street and related groups railed against capitalism.  Police escorted protesters along the demonstration rout, many reportedly taunted by marchers along the way.  Turns out there was more smoke than fire -- police outnumbered protesters by the time the demonstration died down.  No surprise that things ended just about the time Michelle's speech did. (bottom photos Charlotte Observer)