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Allard investigates lack of arrests at protest

M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 29, 2007 at midnight

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WASHINGTON — Sen. Wayne Allard has demanded a meeting with U.S. Capitol Police Chief Phillip Morse after reports officers were ordered not to interfere with anti-war protesters who spray-painted graffiti on the historic west front steps of the capitol building on Saturday.

Tens of thousands of anti-war demonstrators descended on Washington, D.C., over the weekend, and most of their march went off peacefully. But near the end of the march, a small number of protesters reportedly broke from the group and approached the Capitol building, spray-painting graffiti on the historic west front steps.

Allard, ranking Republican on the appropriations subcommittee that oversees the Capitol complex, sent a letter to Morse on Monday, saying he was "dismayed," demanding a full report and explanation for a lack of arrests.

"The media have reported that U.S. Capitol Police were given specific instructions to not interfere with or confront these actions," Allard wrote. "It is my understanding protesters were allowed to spray paint the Capitol steps and deface buildings around the area while Capitol Police were instructed to not arrest anyone engaging in these unlawful acts."

"On a day when thousands came to Washington, D.C., to exercise their First Amendment rights, the actions of a select few have tarnished their efforts by defacing the United States Capitol and several other government buildings," Allard wrote. "I am disgusted by these actions, and lack of efforts to protect public property."

Allard chief of staff Sean Conway said that individual officers told Allard that "even though they wanted to detain individiuals ... they were told by folks upline in the chain of command that they were not to do so."

Conway said it was healthy for democracy to have public demonstrations. "Unfortunately, the actions of a few have tarnished, in many people's minds, that demonstration," he said.