Invesco protest zone to be in VIP parking lot

By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 4, 2008 at 5:25 p.m.
Updated August 4, 2008 at 5:25 p.m.

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The protest zone at Invesco Field on the final night of the Democratic National Convention will be located in a VIP parking lot north of the stadium, and will have a clear view of Invesco, city officials said today.

The fenced-in area will be about 53,000 square feet in Lot J.

Delegates entering the convention will pass by the area from between 200 and 400 feet away after they are dropped off for the night's speech by Sen. Barack Obama.

Protesters will be allowed to use bullhorns, and the city will provide a stage, amplification equipment, and at least two speakers that will be located outside the zone and pointing toward Invesco Field at Mile High.

The site will be accessible from the designated parade route, city officials said.

The parade route starts at Mariposa Street and 13th Avenue, and travels north to Colfax Avenue, then west on Colfax to Federal Boulevard and 19th Avenue.

People wanting to proceed to the protest zone may then travel east on 19th, then north on Mile High Stadium Circle to 20th Avenue and Lot J.

Handicapped access will be available via Clay Street.

A separate protest zone and parade route have been designated for the first three days of the convention, which will be held at the Pepsi Center.

Those areas were the subject of a federal court trial last week, when the American Civil Liberties Union argued that they violated free speech rights of protesters.

A separate hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12 to consider challenges to the parade route and protest zone for Invesco.

• August 4, 2008

  6:12 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Scott writes:

  If Denver is going to all the effort to build a hippie cage, for lack of a better term, then I'll offer up an idea.

  A number of aquariums, e.g. Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, have a "tunnel" that observers can walk through. Both sides and the top of the tunnel are surrounded by a contiguous aquarium tank. As the observer walk through the tunnel they can observe the various creatures swimming along side and over them. Therefore, Lickenpooper needs to set up the hippie cage in a similar manner. The delegates can walk through a "tunnel" constructed of chain-link fencing. The geriatric hippies and other assorted creatures will be on either side and on top of this tunnel. This way the ALWAYS caring and listening democrats will be able to hear and observer their fellow libs whilst walking into the Pepsi Center to anoint the new messiah.

  What da think, does my idea have a chance? ;-)

  Scott

• August 5, 2008

  8:40 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Scott writes:

  Gene,

  Chain-link is the whole idea. I want the s#ck ups to the DNC to "experience" all of the "feelings" of their minions ;-)

  Scott

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