Scenes from Outside the Convention

These images were taken on Thursday night outside the perimeter fence and checkpoint that guards entry into the Xcel Energy Center complex, site of the Republican convention.

Other than these hilarious street performers, I saw no other protesters anywhere near the perimeter checkpoint.

Security throughout the city was extremely tight. Helicopters hovered overhead. In the late afternoon, there were reports of a tense standoff between police and protesters who sought to march to the convention site. The protesters were persuaded to turn back, according to news reports, though it was unclear where they would end up.