You've been warned...

As part of my work, I receive various security bulletins usually dealing with threat assessments, natural disasters and other assorted disruptions to daily life. Today's notice was particularly striking for it's depth of insight (hmmmm...) and also it's subtle undercurrent that large crowds of Obama supporters might be prone to violence in the Chicago area. Read the bulletin for yourself:

United States - U.S. to Hold Presidential Elections:

Today, Nov. 4, the U.S. is holding nationwide elections. Due to the historic and emotionally charged nature of the vote, authorities are preparing for possible localized security disturbances across the country in conjunction with potential post-election celebrations or protests. Serious violence appears unlikely but local and federal law enforcement agencies are tightening security in potential trouble spots as a precaution. These sites include several large metropolitan areas that have experienced unruly behavior and security problems in association with past sporting events, political rallies, court rulings and other tense events.

Rally in Chicago Tonight - Grant Park in downtown Chicago will host a large rally this evening. Authorities expect more than 70,000 people to gather in Hutchinson Field at the south end of the park for a ticketed event, while they anticipate that thousands of other participants will gather around the park. As many as 1 million people could attend the event. Security will be extremely tight, and police will block entry to the Hutchinson Field and Buckingham Fountain areas to anyone without a ticket. Expect severe travel disruptions in downtown Chicago. Heightened security measures are expected to be in place around the venue. As the rally has the potential to turn violent, particularly if Obama does not win, it is best to avoid all demonstration areas.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this but the most anger I've seen this election has been at Republican rallies! The Obama rallies have been about coming together and making a positive change with no mention or threat of anarchy and violence if he isn't elected. This bulletin makes inferences that sound stereotypical and potentially racist. Is the message that a "diverse" crowd is more likely to riot if they don't get their way as opposed to the predominantly white Republican audience? Maybe I'm making something out of nothing but the glaring lack of reference to the Republican rally raises my suspicions.

11/5/2008 Update: No scenes of violence amid the ocean of people gathered at Grant Park...black, white, hispanic, young, old...just people peacefully embracing a moment in American history. Last night's gathering was very different than the violent protests in Grant Park in 1968 but times, attitudes and opinions have truly changed in some respects...but, unfortunately, we are still short of the goal.