Back up one photo to see what this place looked like a few seconds earlier .
Almost everyone you see is a protester with our group.

At a signal from the leaders, our group broke out banners (see below) and started singing. A few, who had volunteered to be arrested if needed -- were near that white tent -- the tent housing the security guards, scanners, etc. This security checkpoint was one of seven access points to the parade route. We managed to block it completely for a short time.

After the cops (all seemed friendly to us) broke us up, I moved out to the side to get the next few photos.

Before moving on, please see the video I made from my position in the protesting group, CHECK THIS OUT.