The third day of the National Homeless Convention closed with an amazingly successful candlelight procession. What started with 150 supporters at the Dome Village swelled to over 300 chanting "Al Gore, open this gate" in a overly hopeful attempt to enter the Priveledged Zone surrounding Staples Center. Ted Hayes goal was to "circle the convention center not to complain about what we well know is wrong, but to offer a solution".

Hayes emphasized the direct link between the most popular issues of the protest, Mumia, labor, environment, and the fact that the largest concentration of homeless people in the western world, 40,000, live in the area that immediately surrounds the DNC.

The NHC had gotten off to a self-admittent rocky start, with ample mis-communication between Hayes, D2KLA, and the IMC in the weeks before the convergence. Then on Monday, the first candlelight procession had the misfortune of marching directly into the post-concert chaos and police attack. In the confusion and mayhem, Hayes was shot with high-velocity beanbags and hospitalized.

The National Homeless Conference has high hopes that the fourth and final candlelight march on Thursday. All are invited to meet at the Dome Village any time (on Golden between 8th and 9th, west of Staples). The procession starts at 8pm.