Denver Post excerpt:
More than a thousand protesters marched to the gates of the Pepsi Center today, temporarily closing down access to the site of the Democratic National Convention. Protesters from the Recreate 68 anti-war rally and march briefly sat down, but dispersed peacefully when police asked them to disband. There were no arrests.
Police officers, some on mountain bikes, some on horses, escorted the marchers from the steps of the Capitol down Colfax Avenue and Speer Boulevard to the Pepsi Center.
"No cops, no KKK, no fascist USA," some marchers chanted as they walked in the bright, noonday sun.
Organizers reconsidered at the last moment not to march across Civic Center, which had filled with conventioneers, marketers and opportunists with booths and tents. Instead, they marched under police escort down Colfax Avenue to Speer Boulevard, then turned left on Auraria Parkway to 9th Street, where the march ended.
Recreate 68 and other protest groups said months ago they would occupy Civic Center park in violation of the host-committee permit. Recreate 68's Larry Hales says early threats to take Civic Center were meant to start a dialogue.
Officials estimate up to 1,500 protesters took part. Despite taunts and threats made to police, no one was arrested and the marchers disbanded 30 minutes after arriving on Auraria Parkway.
Our South Dakota blogosphere colleague Todd Epp is liveblogging from the convention in Denver, and notes that the leftist ex-professor Ward Churchill and anti-war protestor Cindy Sheehan are also in attendance. Also, don't miss some video from the streets.
UPDATE: Doh! Todd emails that's he's safe and sound in the Sioux Empire and that he has two people sending him reports from Denver, Barry Foster and Joe Prostrollo. My apologies for the confusion. Be sure to check out the liveblogging thoughout the week.
UPDATE: Free speech, Denver style.
Recent Comments