Fart-ins? Hassle Lines? At the Convention?

[MineralMan]

I've seen mentions of such things here, on reddit and elsewhere. I'm not sure what the goals of protests like those might be, but I'm sure they won't be happening anywhere near the convention venue in Philadelphia. Security at that venue is going to be very tight. If someone doesn't have credentials to be there, they aren't going anywhere near the place.

The bean eaters will have to enjoy their gaseous output for themselves. Those setting up hassle lines will only have themselves to hassle. And forget about doing such things at hotels where credentialed convention attendees will be. There will be security at those, too.

Now, all of this might be just bluster, with no such activities actually being planned, but if not, it's clear that those doing the planning have no experience with a major party nominating convention. If you don't have credentials, you're not going to be near the convention. If you do have credentials, but think you're going to do something like this, take the time to read the civility section of the convention rules.

There's nothing wrong with public assembly and protests. They're useful and important. But, planning to disrupt the convention in Philadelphia? Not useful and not feasible, either. It's not happening anywhere near the venue.

[Trust Buster]

1. It just shows that such people are just immature radicals and nothing else.

[MineralMan]

5. Well, at the very least it shows that they have no experience

with party national conventions. We had one here in St. Paul in 2008. Anyone with any sense simply avoided the entire area near the venue for several days. That's what I did.

[NurseJackie]

6. ⬆⬆⬆ THIS ⬆⬆⬆

Thank you.

[randome]

13. Their embarrassment and resentment will grow as they age until they become the New Republicans.

[riversedge]

2. The poverty group that is sponsering this--or at least of the groups-is asking for bean can

donations. I would think that for a group concerned with poverty--it would be better to ask the people to donate the beans (along with other items) to a food pantry!

[CorkySt.Clair]

11. It's probably because they're really not all that concerned about poverty.

[FSogol]

3. Reddit's mentality/age - 13-year old white male

[Andy823]

4. Anyone that participates in such BS

Are NOT real Democrats, Liberals or Progressives. How stupid does one have to be to join such a childish demonstration of immaturity? If I were Bernie I would be ashamed of this kind of action. These people never were supporting Bernie, they are trolls, trouble makers and idiots.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. Those ideas fail the smell test.

[MineralMan]

10. Well, hassle lines have been used here and there.

Forcing people you disagree with to pass between protesters on both sides is a pretty common strategy. It's just that it won't work at the convention, since you can't get there. I suppose it could be tried at the airport or at hotels used by attendees, but I doubt that would be tolerated either.

The bean-eating fart-in, though, seems pretty much like an attempt at humor.

[brooklynite]

16. Again, what would be the purpose?

To tell delegates that the protestors support Bernie Sanders? So what? We've made our choice; nobody will change their mind because some protestors only support democracy when their side wins.

[MineralMan]

20. Hmm...excellent question.

I don't know what the purpose might be. I guess that depends on who's doing what. I do know that hassle lines are designed to intimidate and create anxiety among the people who have to pass through them. They're pretty good at doing that, but not very good at changing outcomes. I've never participated in one. I've had to endure a few.

Still, security at the convention will prevent any such things near the venue. I suppose one might happen at a hotel or other location. But they're useless in changing anything.

[cwydro]

26. Third grade humor perhaps.

I thought it was the Onion when I first heard about the fart thing.

Smh.

[Gothmog]

8. I will let you know I see any of the Sanders protests

I doubt that I will see any of the protests at the national convention unless
I leave the convention site

[MineralMan]

9. We're all counting on you for Convention reports.

[brooklynite]

18. But you will...

The convention site will only be accessible during convention sessions in the evening. Caucus and Committee sessions will be held at the convention center. Attendees will basically spend all of their daylight hours in Center City where the protestors will endear themselves to the working class locals by blocking traffic and cluttering up the parks.

[tammywammy]

12. What's a "hassle line"? n/t

[MineralMan]

14. It's a protest method. It involves

having protesters line both sides of a route into a venue. The tighter the quarters, the better. As attendees at an event are forced to pass along that route, the protesters verbally and physically crowd them and shout at them. Signs are waved and the more disruption, the more successful the hassle-line is considered to be.

It's nothing new. However, in Philadelphia, such protests can't succeed, because access to the convention venue area will be heaviliy restricted. Delegates and other credentialed attendees will be staying at hotels that are not close to the venue, and will be bused to the convention venue. There will be no opportunity to set up a hassle-line bottleneck area.



The most commonly-seen hassle lines have occurred at Planned Parenthood clinics, where major protests have forced women to pass through them to gain entry. They are also used at campaign events, etc.

[geek tragedy]

17. Hopefully convention delegates have been advised on safety protocols

including not displaying credentials outside the convention etc.

[brooklynite]

19. I'll be wearing by credentials all day long...why should I be afraid of obnoxious juveniles?

[geek tragedy]

23. Who knows what fanatics are capable of? nt

[MineralMan]

22. I'm sure they will be advised.

On the other hand, there will also be delegates there to support both candidates. The convention rules, particularly the decorum rules are going to be challenged at times, I'm sure. Many national delegates this year are first-time delegates, unfamiliar with major political party conventions.

I'll be watching the process in action whenever I can, as always. CSPAN usually has pretty decent convention coverage, without too much noxious commentary.

[tammywammy]

21. Ahh, okay

I've heard of that in front of Planned Parenthood, but never realized it had a name.

[MineralMan]

24. Hassle lines are also used for training purposes

by various organizations, to help people learn to cope with harassment. I've never liked their use for any reason, though. My days of active protests and demonstrations have been over for a few years now, though, so I don't deal with such things any longer.

[obamanut2012]

25. Like what happened at the Hillary event in CA a few weeks ago

Basically, having to run the gauntlet to get into a venue.

[MineralMan]

38. Yes. That's a good example.

[MyNameGoesHere]

15. Well a fart pretty much says it all about Sanders supporters

they like the smell of their facts, everyone else finds them really stinky.

[riversedge]

32. Chuckle. Good one.

[Scuba]

27. Can you say "false flag?

[brooklynite]

28. Can you say "provide evidence"?

[Scuba]

29. You too.

[riversedge]

33. Do your own work. These upcoming events are in the news and posed on DU

[oasis]

34. "False flag". What's to be gained?

[Scuba]

36. Beats me, but there's been a lot of effort spent trying to smear Bernie's supporters.

[Matt_in_STL]

30. So childish. Reminds me of the time some one here accused Bernie of grabbing an actress's ass.

So many childish things on both sides. Really needs to stop.

[geek tragedy]

31. What begins as Woodstock ends as Altamont Speedway nt

[swhisper1]

35. there is a wall

[Nye Bevan]

37. Those Bernie supporters have so much fun with their huge rallies and fart-ins!

I almost feel a little boring for being on the "grown-ups" side of the contest!

[Iliyah]

39. Hey the big FHs

Farting and harassing Democrats at the Democratic Party' Convention gets a big from me!

[Freddie]

40. Indeed

I posted the article about the fart-in on FB (an attempt to share some humor) and it got "likes" and the usual HRC-hating comments from my few RWNJ "friends". They obviously didn't read the article to note that the gaseous protest was coming from "our" side.