Tent State University group decides it's camping at Pepsi Center
By Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 6, 2008 at 7:09 p.m.
Updated August 6, 2008 at 8:25 p.m.
Ken Papaleo © The Rocky
Karen McGuire, left, plays a flute Wednesday near Parking lot A at the Pepsi Center, while Tent State's Adam Jung talks to the media.
Video: Organizer Adam Jung discusses Tent State's plans to bring the protesters to the protest area at the Pepsi Center each night Watch »
The Tent State University organizers say they believe they have resolved questions about what to do once the curfew strikes at 11 p.m. at City Park: Pack their belongings and tents and march every night to the Pepsi Center's protest zone.
While at the Pepsi Center's demonstration site, organizers said during a news conference Wednesday, they plan to continue to demonstrate against the Iraq war and then feign sleeping as part of their act of protest. The protest zone will be open 24 hours.
Adam Jung, an organizer for Tent State University, mocked the city's allocation of the protest zone for demonstrators at the southeast corner of the arena's parking lot, near Seventh Street and the Aurora Parkway. Nonetheless, he said, the demonstration site would be the location in which hundreds — or thousands — of protesters would converge on once they're booted out of City Park and they begin the 2-and-a-half-mile trek to the Pepsi Center.
"We have felt that the city's stance on this issue was based on their desire to suppress the demonstrations and any message that exposes the Democratic Party's refusal to end the war," Jung said as another protester, Karen McGuire, clad in full Revolutionary War regalia, played the "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" on a fife.
"But we were not seeing the big picture. The city of Denver does not oppose free speech. They love free speech so much they just want to protect and secure it with razor wire and caging. Because of their passion for the First Amendment the city has provided one place for demonstrators to be overnight — the freedom cage. Each night demonstrators will take the freedom cage and transform it into the 'Freedomville Shantytown.' "
By morning, protesters plan to pack up their gear and head back to City Park where they will set up their camps, continue their anti-war messages and be entertained by music and speeches.
Jung, clad in an Old Glory scarf, said his group has spoken with Denver police representatives but has not talked to Mayor John Hickenlooper about the plans to walk every night to the Pepsi Center.
The demonstrators plan to occupy City Park's southwest corner, along East 17th Avenue, from Aug. 24-27. They say they expect about 50,000 people to be at the park during the four days.
One of the protesters will be Jared Hood, 25, who served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Kuwait in 2004. "To see protestors that want to have peaceful demonstrations be shamed by the city I live in, I think that's despicable," Hood said.
Sue Cobb, the mayor's spokeswoman, said structures, including tents, would be banned at the Pepsi Center's demonstration zone because of "security considerations and the need to ensure everyone's right to free expression." However, Cobb said that demonstrators wouldn't be violating any laws if they bring in tents into the public demonstration zone but don't erect them.
Cobb reiterated that city officials have met with Tent State University organizers and will continue to do so.
"We will continue to work with Tent State University organizers to identify other alternatives for accommodating the camping needs of their participants," she said.
The Denver Parks and Recreation Department has given Tent State University representatives a conditional permit for the demonstration at City Park. Organizers have until Friday to meet conditions imposed on them by the parks department. The group's permit could be revoked if it doesn't meet those conditions.
Staff writer Abigail Curtis contributed to this report.
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August 6, 2008
8:59 p.m.
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olderandkindofwiser writes:
WHY are they demonstrating at the DEMOCRATIC ntnl convention? Because Denver is nice in August? Someone needs to direct these kids to the Republican Ntnl Convention. Free speech doesn't include the right to trash others' parks.
August 6, 2008
9:12 p.m.
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pgrampp writes:
Well, at least the daily hiking will be good for them.
Call it the "Freedom Diet".
August 6, 2008
9:50 p.m.
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NotSoros writes:
What did they say:
Re-evaluating Weapons of Mass Destruction
"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line." - President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998
"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program." - President Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998
"Iraq is a long way from [here], but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face." -Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998
"He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983."
-Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998
"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." -Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others Oct. 9, 1998
"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." - Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998
"Hussein has ... chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies." -Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999
August 6, 2008
9:59 p.m.
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Mike846 writes:
The only "free speech" Hizzoner the Mayor and his minions endorse is if its illegal aliens marching through the streets. Of course, anything that might embarrass the local lightweights in front of the DNC big boys is NOT free speech. What I don't get is why the Dems, the majority of whom probably marched and protested sometime between 1966 and 1974, are so damned afraid of THIS years group. You don't suppose its because the Dems made all those promises about ending the war before they took over Congress two years ago, and since then haven't had the guts to cut funding to stop it, do you? In fact, about all the Pelosi House has managed to "clean up" was the names of some 72 post offices around the country. And you want THESE people to run the country? Mike
August 7, 2008
7:21 a.m.
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MrJim writes:
Wiser, they are protesting here because plain and simple, the Dem's promised to end the war as soon as they took control of congress, and they haven't done so after 2 years of power. They lied to get elected, and now they will be reminded of those lies.
August 7, 2008
9:59 a.m.
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YourNeilness writes:
“near Seventh Street and the Aurora Parkway”
Where’s that? I’ve never heard of Aurora Parkway. Is Aurora anywhere near the Pepsi Center? I think if they’re in Aurora, the delegates will have a REAL hard time hearing them.
August 7, 2008
11:33 a.m.
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dwo writes:
Anyone else find it ironic that a war protest group makes its statements while in Revolutionary WAR attire while playing the BATTLE Hymn of the Republic?
August 7, 2008
12:07 p.m.
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n_jared writes:
They look like people in my high school who dropped out. They smell like shrimp and cheese with a little bit of onion. Who is the lady blowing the flute? Oh, its the main guys mom in the white shirt. Thats cool that she can play with them too, she looks like this lady i gave eight dollars to on the bus once.