After Lockdown, Sea of Protesters Flows Through India's Capital

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorJoining us from a yacht is crisis publicist Thaddeus Okonjo-Bell, and Thaddeus, the demonstrations in New Delhi on Monday followed days of an effective lockdown and mass detentions of young protesters.

2. TO

   Thaddeus Okonjo-BellChip, let's call it a pause. A wellness pause.

3. TO

   Thaddeus Okonjo-BellThe capital took a few days to breathe, and now it is exhaling, beautifully, in the millions.

4. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo let me ask you about the detentions, because security forces held many young protesters in the days before. Is that also a pause?

5. TO

   Thaddeus Okonjo-BellLet's call it a pause with a guest list.

6. TO

   Thaddeus Okonjo-BellExclusive, curated, very limited seating, and honestly the buzz it built is something my firm could never buy.

7. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBut you didn't answer the question, because people were detained, and I asked whether that is a pause.

8. TO

   Thaddeus Okonjo-BellIt was a retreat, Chip.

9. TO

   Thaddeus Okonjo-BellA silent, spa-adjacent retreat with a mandatory stay, and I'm sipping cucumber water just thinking about the mood it set.

10. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorMandatory.

11. TO

    Thaddeus Okonjo-BellThe best launches are. Now the sea of protesters is a sold-out opening night, and my phone has not stopped buzzing since the crowd arrived.

12. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOpposition groups organized those protests, Thaddeus.

13. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThey are not an opening night, they are people who are angry about the lockdown you just called a spa day.

14. TO

    Thaddeus Okonjo-BellAngry is just passionate with a marketing problem.

15. TO

    Thaddeus Okonjo-BellLet's call the shouting a standing ovation, and the lockdown the dimming of the lights before the curtain.

16. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA standing ovation for a lockdown. So who is it you say is the audience, and what is their review?

17. TO

    Thaddeus Okonjo-BellFive stars, Chip. Five stars, a pause, and a very refreshing cucumber water, which I am told the whole government is now drinking.

18. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThaddeus, the one review I can find is a sea of people in the street, and they did not bring cucumbers.