Without comment, I offer up this interview with a filmmaker who was out with the protesters in town for last week’s Republican National Convention, conducted via e-mail over Labor Day weekend. He’s the guy on the right in the picture above (which I snapped last Monday), and he answers my most pressing question, “Starbucks: evil or delicious?”

Please state your name, hometown and occupation for the record.

Ryan Junell, San Francisco, Media Designer

How long were you in NYC for the convention, and where were you holed up during that time?

Aug 5th thru Sept 30th
subletting in brooklyn

I understand you were working on a film project related to the convention. What is that all about and where might it eventually appear?

the film project’s full description is up at http://www.junell.net

the show is booked at a space called monkeytown in williamsburg sept 23rd, 24th, and 25th; october 1st onwards we are booking a swing state tour across the country with the idea of showing it in 30 cities in 30 days.

When we ran into each other, you were interviewing conventiongoers (were some of them delegates?). What were you asking them and what did they have to say for themselves?

I interviewed dozens and dozens of people over the 9 days I was shooting; I was trying to learn who attends the convention and why; I wanted to know why they will vote for bush and what their vote entitles them to; I wanted to know where they were from and why things are so great in their world.

I generally found that these people were self-identified as very happy and in pursuit of happiness through freedom in business and faith-based values. almost all convention goers are politicians or seeking political office or political geeks or the spouse/child of one of these people. their joy of attending was mostly an emotional one not really based in reality or facts; few could quantify “why” things work they way they do; most seemed anxious to lead the privileged life that bush and his family seem to exemplify

What did you think of how the police conducted themselves?

I spoke with dozens of police officers and all seemed mostly friendly until they received orders to block in demonstrators and break out the plastic handcuffs or orange nets. I was bodychecked by an undercover cop at one point which stunned me more than hurt - I was videotaping some bumbling officers trying to get their riot gear on. my friend and I were immediately followed by four riot cops and two undercover cops shouting our descriptions into a cellphone. my friend is dark complected so they were paying extra attention to his dress.

I saw an over-excited police captain with a megaphone clear three city blocks near 42nd and broadway. when a protestor yelled “this is a police state” the cop ran an entire block to grab him and pull him down with the help of three uniformed cops. I’m sure they arrested him. its not the cops themselves, its the attitudes about demonstrators coming from the top that I find really despicable.

I spent weeks with demonstrators getting organized and preparing for peaceful protests and yet the police treated these people like they were carrying ak47s and threatening to immolate themselves. there seemed to be a total intellectual disconnect between the right to free speech and what cops were calling “parading without a permit” and “disorderly conduct” and “blocking a sidewalk” — all the most bogus charges for what happens in new york everyday. and they don’t lock up those people for more than 40 hours without seeing a judge or a lawyer.

the nypd will eventually have to admit that they illegally held people and all this stuff will come out in court and policies will change.

A number of people I talked to during the protests complained about the size of the security perimeter around Madison Square Garden. Did you find it unreasonable? If so, why? Were concerns about the potential for a terrorist attack valid?

there is not a SINGLE THING a new york city cop or homeland security officer can do about a terrorist threat. would shutting down all those blocks have prevented the envelopes of anthrax being mailed to capitol hill? can riot cops on the ground prevent a plane or helicopter from crashing into the building? I was amazed at how much money the government is willing to spend on bullshit. fucking build a park or spend that same money creating a climate of peace. the militarization of american culture sucks and is the wrong way to solve our problems.

From what you’ve seen of the Big Media coverage of the protests (if you’ve seen any), do you think the protesters were treated fairly?

I have really stopped watching big media. I was really disappointed to see newspapers publish inaccurate numbers as to the numbers of people that attended any given event. There was obviously over 500,000 at the UFPJ march on sunday. most career journalists don’t seem to be quick enough or smart enough to follow the stories of the protestors. there was at least one good article written in the new york times, but honestly if you’re looking for the real scoop on this material, go read indymedia.org and read first hand accounts and watch first hand videos and audio streams that were gathered on site.

you have to do a little work, but at least the internet lets people hear this stuff from the horse’s mouth rather than through the filter of a journalist who may or may not be in a position to accurately tell the story.

What was the best protest sign, or street theater, you saw?

I saw a pretty good “die-in” online… about 40 people just walked out into the middle of the street when the light turned green and laid down on the pavement. not much cars could do. took the cops a long time to get out there.

I also really loved the “radical cheerleaders” on friday night as they cheered on the critical mass bike ride in the east village. I thought ALL of the signs and the street theater was the best. beats ANY of this signs you’ll see in times square or the cow poo poo on broadway.

Do you think any of the more “extreme” groups in the streets (if you see them that way) hurt or distracted from the protesters’ cause?

no. and there isn’t just one cause. I’m cool with just about ANY body hopping up and speaking their minds in public. I happen to think there are more effective ways at getting people over to your way of thinking, but if a soapbox is all someone’s got then they should use it to the fullest extent of the law. and that means in nyc during the convention.

the police effectively came by and just kicked the soapbox out from beneath some people. MEANWHILE they were providing escorts and blocking miles of traffic for the wealthy conservatives to stand on the most expensive soap box in the world. I think that’s a shitty double-standard!

Starbucks: evil or delicious?

its fucking coffee. who gives a shit.

Free trade: free or costly?

I don’t fully understand the whole merchant world. I’m into art and fun and self sufficiency. if people need our resources then I think its worth working something out. I’m against exploiting third world economies with first world economies though. western civilization is destroying other parts of the world right now.

Weapons of mass destruction or weapons of mass *deception*?

the united states has the weapons of mass destruction AND deception.

Bush: dumb or evil?

its not the heat, its the stupidity. very dumb. he creates evil unconsciously.

The Nation’s Katrina vanden Heuvel: hot or really hot?

amy goodman… hot but too old for me. bernardine dohrn in her sds
days… scalding!

What was your last protest?

I had to protest my boss for the time I’ve taken off to accomplish this film project about the RNC. I’m thinking about picketing.