Boulder Artist Among 1st Demonstrators At 2020 DNC In Milwaukee

A Boulder artist hauled a dozen large banners and a 10-foot helium balloon to Milwaukee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Stephen Parlato, an artist who writes and illustrates children's books, was among the first — and only — demonstrators to take up residence outside the security fence Monday morning, keeping a 7-foot-long banner aloft by hoisting its support wire over his shoulders.

"I still have faith in the press and that the press would be here," he told Patch Editor Scott Anderson. "It's the one bulwark that we have left that we can use to circulate our views every chance we can get."

Parlato said he knew in advance that Milwaukee's convention would be of the scaled-back variety but wanted to come nonetheless. He said he took a Frontier Airlines flight out of Denver to get to Milwaukee two days in advance. He booked a room at a hotel just down the street and dined at a local Subway sub shop.

"I've prepared about a dozen large banners," he told Anderson Monday. "If things go right, I have a 10-foot helium balloon that I'll use for a celebratory ceremony during the coronation, so to speak."

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The convention wrapped Thursday night after former Vice President Joe Biden formally accepted the Democratic nomination for president. Biden also shared screen time with Sen. Cory Booker, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg as well as U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.

California Sen. Kamala Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president Wednesday night.

Wednesday night's speakers list was headlined by former President Barack Obama, former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Patch Editor Scott Anderson contributed to this report.