The Holding Pen is Mightier than the Sword

An
article in today’s Boston Globe describes the area being prepared
for the Democratic National
Convention protesters resembles a concentration camp, complete with
tall chain-link fences, stretches of barbed wire, armed guards, and even
a roofing net to prevent "objects" from being thrown over the fence into
crowds.  In addition, 2500 jail cells have been cleared out and
made available for the expected arrests. Sure sounds like a lot of fun,
and a must-see for the well-rounded convention blogger…

Much of the area is located under abandoned elevated
Green Line tracks that slope downward. The setup, which one netting installer
called ”an internment camp," will force tall protesters at the
southern end of the zone to lower their heads to avoid banging them on
green metal girders.

”We were given every assurance that there would be an adequate space
for people to assemble for purposes of protest that is within sight and
sound of the convention and the delegates," said John Reinstein,
an ACLU lawyer representing activists planning to protest at the convention.
“This is neither. . . . It’s a pen.")

from the
Boston Globe