Boston dances with the Democrats

David Benaym · July 30, 2004

Translated from the French. Original: La Dernière Heure, July 30, 2004 · French version

(30/07/2004)

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES,

DAVID BENAYM and BENJAMIN COHEN

Here in Boston, in New England, people are more used to Harvard-style suits and ties than to T-shirts covered in political propaganda.

Yet for a week now, slogans have been displayed on every street corner: “Kerry-Edwards for a stronger America”, “Unions for Kerry”, “Bush must go”... Cafés, restaurants and shops of all kinds have dressed up for the occasion. Leaflets, badges and stickers are handed out to passers-by, most of whom are already in favour of a new face in the White House.

Near the Fleet Center, the heart of the political stage, the most extreme protesters gather in 200 square metres to spit their venom at certain sections of the American population. The loudest are those who compare Democrats to “fags”, the ultimate insult aimed at gay people. In the name of the First Amendment of the Constitution, these demonstrators can say whatever they want in this heavily protected enclosure.

Once past security to enter the convention’s den, it is all excitement. The 5,000 delegates who came from the fifty states to support John Kerry’s candidacy are having the time of their lives. Dressed in the colours of the American flag, hats, clownish glasses: nothing is too ridiculous to show their support.

Peggy, who came straight from Ohio, has a front-row seat. Active in her union, this woman in her fifties says she “supports the economic plan and freedom of expression”. She came to Boston to “learn and educate herself in order to convince everyone to vote for Kerry” as soon as she gets back to New Philadelphia.

Politics and partying

Further on, in the middle of the jubilant crowd, we spot Jessy, 19, with a hippie look and an anti-war sticker on her arm. Unleashed, she takes advantage of every musical break between two speeches to dance with her neighbours. The young activist from Seattle is part of a Washington State delegation. “It’s great to be at the centre of the campaign,” she exclaims.

“We party all night and the next day you have to be fit for the political debates and listen to the speeches. Not easy, but exciting.”

Because here, when the convention’s official spotlights go out, the lights of the support parties take over. Tonight, Jessy suggests skipping a Sex and Politics party to join the Puerto Rican Night for Kerry, in a club in the south of the city. There again, the same fervour. People exchange business cards while discussing the evening’s speakers, never missing a chance to toast the Democrats’ success.

The political passion of these activists almost makes you forget that the convention is above all a big media show. Around the central dome, the cameras and microphones are countless, giving the city the look of the Cannes Film Festival. 15,000 journalists made the trip to cover the event. Besides the political icons, stars of the small and big screen such as Ben Affleck or Michael Moore walk up the convention steps. Boston and its Democratic supporters are savouring their hours of glory, hoping that on November 2, election day, their candidate will be celebrated by the whole country.

D. B. - B.C.