Rumblings of disapproval began almost immediately following the announcement of New York City as the host of the 2004 Republican National Convention, held from August 30th to September 2nd. The overwhelmingly Democratic leaning city took umbrage to the notion that George W. Bush would return to the site of the September 11th tragedy merely to exploit the feelings of fear and loss that help propelled him to his then highest approval ratings as a president.

It was not only the...
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Rumblings of disapproval began almost immediately following the announcement of New York City as the host of the 2004 Republican National Convention, held from August 30th to September 2nd. The overwhelmingly Democratic leaning city took umbrage to the notion that George W. Bush would return to the site of the September 11th tragedy merely to exploit the feelings of fear and loss that help propelled him to his then highest approval ratings as a president.

It was not only the residents of New York City that were aghast. Nationwide George W. Bush was drawing the ire of most left of center citizens and many vowed to descend upon the city to voice their displeasure. Record crowds of protests and arrests were predicted and they were fulfilled- at the United for Peace and Justice march on August 29th alone there were over 500,000 people in the streets of New York. Over the course of the week of the convention over 1,800 people were arrested, although the numbers of those committing "illegal" acts were inflated as the NYPD acted very aggressively towards the protesters- indeed in the aftermath 90% of those arrested had their charges dropped. This aggressive posture and beefed up security did have its intended effect though as on September 2nd George W. Bush accepted his party's nomination and the week concluded largely without any hindrance to Republican plans.
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