August 28, 2008
Posted: 11:00 PM ET

From

DENVER (CNN) — The celebration of Barack Obama’s presidential nomination brought people to their feet inside INVESCO Field.

Outside it just made their feet hurt.

As 75,000-plus spectators filed out of the stadium, they walked straight into mass confusion.

Those who arrived by shuttle bus were led through an obstacle course created by law enforcement, barriers and port-a-pottys, only to find that transportation coordinators did not know where those shuttle buses were. Many were directed to different lots. Others were told to walk to their destination.

Law enforcement officers added to the confusion by blocking off routes into and out of INVESCO Field, causing pedestrians to change routes often – turning them around and around.

Most people were frantically looking for their buses, talking on cell phones, asking police for help. There were handicapped people struggling to maneuver wheelchairs and walkers through grass and down stone paths.

Some police officers admitted that they were unprepared for the situation, saying that a month was not enough time to plan for such a large event.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Democratic National Convention


Scott   August 29th, 2008 3:53 am ET

Typical disorganized Democrats.

me   August 29th, 2008 3:41 am ET

sounds like any parking lot after a big event w/75k people all excited. Why make it sound so wrong and unexpected? I bet lots had a fun time walking to their "destination" amidst the chaos.

John Smith   August 29th, 2008 3:39 am ET

The problem with America is that "credit is never given where credit is due." Look at the bullying in schools; our children have learned from us, constantly tearing down each other. We rather praise athletic folks than "praise" a family member or neighbor.

Obama wrote and edited his speech. This man is a "constitutional scholar" not a moroon like Bush or McCain!!! Oops, I forget, but then, he is a Black man–

lou   August 29th, 2008 3:22 am ET

I am sorry for my typo's.

lou   August 29th, 2008 3:21 am ET

its a story,it makes me feel a little bit better about not being at this historic event. I would;ve waited on a 10 mile line if I knew it led me inside. Cmon America… Dont let Fear be your god. It is time for Change…Obama Bidfen 08

stuckatinvestco   August 29th, 2008 3:17 am ET

thousands of people stuck at the stadium for hours with no signs, no direction, and very little help. We left th stadium with hope and soon were hopeless.

Bob in Austin, TX.   August 29th, 2008 3:09 am ET

I think a month should have been plenty…. Ridiculous.

Latino for Obama   August 29th, 2008 2:58 am ET

Just as the Republicans are not prepared for what is coming to them. They won't even know until it hits them.

uh. ..   August 29th, 2008 2:52 am ET

so it was crowded afterwards? Like any other big event.

"People were frantically looking for their buses, talking on cell phones, asking police for help."

That sounds like any city after a game or concert, or at bar close. I don't get the point. Is the reporter mad bc he couldn't get a cab?

Dylan in CA   August 29th, 2008 2:35 am ET

This is a metaphor for what the country would be like under a McBush administration.

maripil   August 29th, 2008 2:20 am ET

This is the most emotional and very touching event for all Americans. It is history right before everyone's eyes. People are looking forward for real change and for this reason everyone wanted to be in Denver.

Obama 08/12   August 29th, 2008 2:18 am ET

Lets have some news why spend time on such we sure cannot do anything about it and its not news in my book .
80000 plus is a lot of people what else would you expect its just they dont print this as news about people coming or leaving a sports arena for a ball game or such
You wait your turn in a large crowd is that new or news?

***** A.   August 29th, 2008 2:17 am ET

Wow! A monumental moment in history and this is the story you guys write? You're scraping the bottom here people.

Cartman   August 29th, 2008 2:16 am ET

Parking lot chaos, oh my!

larry   August 29th, 2008 2:14 am ET

Obama, got it right, he did not disappoint us, so Democrats, it is our time, it is our turn and it is our moment

John MacDaniel, Huntsville AL   August 29th, 2008 2:07 am ET

If the police in Denver can not handle a stadium full of Democrats on a Thursday evening, how, in the name of reasonableness, do they handle a crowd of football fans on the week ends?

It was said that they only had a month to get ready for this event, but even with the interference posed by the Secret Service agents and/or FBI agents, what is the difference between a political rally and a football game?

Peter (CA)   August 29th, 2008 2:06 am ET

But, somehow, it will be Obama's fault and proof that he can't lead.

RyanD.   August 29th, 2008 1:56 am ET

The Denver Broncos sell out every home game, so what are these cops talking about exactly?

dan   August 29th, 2008 1:56 am ET

we did fine in portland (75,000) with less than a month…..

Nova   August 29th, 2008 1:51 am ET

I think people will be more confused once Obama's tax increase hit them.

Obama/Biden 08   August 29th, 2008 1:43 am ET

No offense, CNN, but this really isn't a story.

Frank, Dayton, Ohio   August 29th, 2008 1:43 am ET

Give me a break. The fact that the police at a major sports venue can't figure out how to manage a crowd with a month's notice is incompetence in action. It should be their bread and butter jobs with Invesco Field in their front yard.

SM   August 29th, 2008 1:43 am ET

Do the cops need a month the get ready when there's a football game at the stadium?

Nevada dude   August 29th, 2008 1:42 am ET

is this all you have left to complain about?

hahahaha   August 29th, 2008 1:41 am ET

"crowd"

hahahaha   August 29th, 2008 1:40 am ET

A month not enough time? Don't they have football games there? Is that team so bad that it doesn't draw a croud?

Rave   August 29th, 2008 1:40 am ET

If Colorado votes Democrat this year, the police will be trained better for the next convention.

Texan   August 29th, 2008 1:35 am ET

It was just so weird.

Magister   August 29th, 2008 1:34 am ET

Don't they play football and host concerts in that stadium? It seems to me that though the actual event may ahve required extra security, what happened afterwards should've been close to what happens for every event.

Lim   August 29th, 2008 1:29 am ET

This scene will be played out again in November the day
after the election. The DNC and Obama campaign will
abandon these people after they're no longer needed, just
like today.

Sheeples!

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