Meanwhile, Uptown…
How real is the potential for brute ugliness and mayhem, accompanied by a full-scale police state descending uptown when the DNC rolls its party into Charlotte? Plenty real to judge from the DHS ramp-up to prepare not only for the Queen City bash, but also its RNC counterparty down in Tampa.
The Department of Homeland Security has ordered masses of riot gear equipment to prepare for potential significant domestic riots at the Republican National Convention, Democratic National Convention and next year’s presidential inauguration.
…
As the brief explains, “the objective of this effort is to procure riot gear to prepare for the 2012 Democratic and Republican National Conventions, the 2013 Presidential Inauguration and other future similar activities.”
The total amount ordered is about 150 sets of riot helmets, thigh and groin protectors, hard-shell shin guards and other riot gear.
Specifically, DHS is looking to obtain:
– “147 riot helmets” with “adjustable tactical face shield with liquid seal”
– “147 sets of upper body and shoulder protection”
– “152 sets of thigh and groin protection”
– “147 hard-shell shin guards” with “substantial protection from flying debris, non-ballistic weapons, and blows to the leg” and “optimized protective design for severe riot control or tactical situations.”
– “156 forearm protectors”
– “147 pairs of tactical gloves”
The riot gear will be worn by Federal Protective Service agents who are tasked with protecting property, grounds and buildings owned by the federal government.
The urgency of the order can be explained by the fact that there is a growing anticipation that many demonstrators will travel to the Republican National Convention (RNC), scheduled for August 27-30 in Tampa Bay, Florida, and Democratic National Convention (DNC), planned for September 3-6 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
And this presumably on top of the $50M already shelled for convention security. Boy howdy, we’re in for some good times come Labor Day and the Big Circus. At least Charlotte will have some shiny nice taxis out at the airport – hopefully none driven by felons with a penchant for using phony driver’s licenses – to meet and greet all the guests.
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