Tent Staters pulling out of City Park site
Activists will ditch original digs, settle in at Cuernavaca
By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 8, 2008 at 12:12 p.m.
Updated August 8, 2008 at 11:54 p.m.
Tent State University folded its plans for large demonstrations in City Park just hours before the anti-war group's Friday deadline to submit plans for providing such things as portable toilets and security for thousands of people.
The group's organizers said they will instead use Cuernavaca Park near lower downtown as their base during the Democratic National Convention and plan a large concert Aug. 27 at the Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt St.
In turn, the city said it would move some trucks that were going to be parked in the coliseum parking lot so that protesters could camp overnight.
But protesters laughed at the offer, saying it came with a steep price: $1,000 a night, which they said was too expensive for what amounted to a bed of pavement.
Protest organizer Jojo Pease said protesters still plan to march to a public demonstration zone outside the Pepsi Center after 11 each night of the convention to "feign sleep."
But "we are actively looking for other places, including churches and large buildings, that people can be safe in," she said.
Moving the protests to Cuernavaca Park near Coors Field and the concert to the coliseum brought a collective sigh of relief from city officials, people living near City Park and even the protesters, who said the new venues were a much better fit.
The group's original plans to lure up to 50,000 protesters to City Park and camp there overnight was met with concerns from people living nearby and a warning from the city that the 11 p.m. curfew for people to leave the park would be enforced.
"While we're incredibly disillusioned and disappointed with our government, this will not paralyze us," Pease said during an afternoon news conference at City Park, which is surrounded by mostly single-family neighborhoods.
"In two weeks, we will be standing in Denver in direct opposition against an unjust war in Iraq and Afghanistan," she said.
Roger Lawson, vice president of the South City Park Neighborhood Association, said some neighbors will have mixed feelings about the group's decision. While some residents are expected to applaud the move, others had an interest in attending the anti-war events, he said.
"If they would have gone through and met the conditions imposed by the city, I'm sure we would have rolled with it as we do for other events," he said. "We're kind of used to big events in the park, and we would have adjusted and gone along with it."
Councilwoman Carla Madison, whose district includes City Park, said residents' concerns outweighed their interest in participating in the festivities.
"I know the neighbors will be greatly relieved," she said.
Tent State had until 5 p.m. Friday to submit a detailed plan for handling the crowds before the city issued the protesters a permit to assemble at City Park.
Pease said the group had met all of the city's conditions and was ready to submit documents.
However, she denied a reporter's request to review them.
Pease said the group learned Friday morning that it had secured permits for Cuernavaca Park for the four days of the DNC, prompting a change in plans.
"This park is going to provide plenty of space to house our free university, have a stage for our artists and our speakers, and most importantly, it puts us downtown where it will be easier to encourage people to participate in spontaneous demonstrations throughout the week," she said.
chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5099 Staff writer Hector Gutierrez contributed to this report.
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August 8, 2008
12:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
clyde writes:
Boulder
August 8, 2008
12:29 p.m.
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SickNTired writes:
Hey Hick. You got em here, why don't you let them hang in your yard?
August 8, 2008
12:30 p.m.
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redpoppie writes:
Thank GOD. I am running the 5k (Erace Homelessness) down there on the 23rd and actually considered NOT going because of all those hippies!!!
August 8, 2008
12:37 p.m.
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me2 writes:
Don't you think calling `08 college students hippies just dates you? Hippies dropped out of society, they didn't protest any thing but the Nam war.
August 8, 2008
12:40 p.m.
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Videobarbs writes:
I think the group is very wise to find other "digs". I'll be interested to see where they'll be.
But for a city supposedly known for "Western Hospitality" and a convention promoted as "transparent" and full of "change" - I don't think this has been handled in the most diplomatic of ways.
If free speech is one of the corner-stones of these 2 parties, they could have shown alittle more sensitivity to the situation.
That said, watch out for trouble makers - sometimes known as "agents provocateurs" who aren't even part of these groups, but give them a bad name.
August 8, 2008
12:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
ripcord writes:
duncan, why would you want to waste the Denver PD's energies? Are you like 15?
August 8, 2008
12:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
P_Denver writes:
A few weeks ago, jay and I were blogging on a related story. I opined that the "let them camp out, don't let them camp out" might turn out to be much ado about nothing.
Maybe - for once - I was right.
Of course until they announce their new target, we'll have to wait and see if the alternative is worse than the original.
August 8, 2008
12:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
BroncoRick69 writes:
Denver PD is going to have its hands full with recreate '68. The group is already threatening to "push the limits" with their protests. I personally hope the PD nukes them. Freedom of speech is one thing. Disturbing the peace and trying to make a point by "pushing the limits" is asking for it.
August 8, 2008
12:55 p.m.
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Brain writes:
Just a thought; can't they have their demonstrations without "camping"? Get a room/house or camp at campgrounds.
August 8, 2008
12:57 p.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
P_Denver you were right.
Video, How would you approach this differently? They were given a permit, with 11 conditions to be met. They did not meet those conditions. The TS group wisely pulled back and are now looking at alternative plans that can fit the # of people expected to attend.
August 8, 2008
1:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
HolierThanThou writes:
These are a cool bunch of young whippersnappers.
Bush has saddled them each with an average of $40,000 additional debt not counting student loans. Yet they maintain their cool. There's hope for America after all.
August 8, 2008
1:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
sheepherder writes:
I suggest they go to Highlands Ranch and stay in Glenn's back yard...oh wait, they didn't want anything to do with R68! Once again, showing that Tent State is run by intelligent people.
August 8, 2008
1:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
GeeTee writes:
The thing is -- will their "protest" have any real positive effect on the war? Nope -- they'll just irritate whoever lives around where they decide to roost. Typical of modern day society -- all show and no results.
August 8, 2008
1:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
sheepherder writes:
I dont know GeeTee, the hippies in the 70's were definately instrumental in our withdrawl from Vietnam. I think they have a good cause, we will just have to see if their voices are heard. At least they are protesting within the law, that gives me alot of respect for the group.
August 8, 2008
1:33 p.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
Sheepherder, Agree. They did not start out so hot in my book, but they have gained my respect as they work with the community.
I admit I openly criticized them about the lack of planning and communication. I truly thought that they would ignore the city and community and cause a lot of problems for both the city and the safety of the Tent Staters.
Cudos Mr Jung. I hope you have found a safe place to stay for you and your group. Welcome to Denver
August 8, 2008
1:41 p.m.
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sheepherder writes:
I was critical of them before too...they proved me wrong.
August 8, 2008
2:29 p.m.
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FlyfishDude52 writes:
All were not hippies that protested the vietnam war. It's easy to put that moniker on them as most of us (men) had long hair at the time. And... Their voices were eventually heard.
So I hope the close proximity to I-25 isn't a safety issue for them or traffic. Glad to see the city park issue minimized.
August 8, 2008
2:38 p.m.
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sheepherder writes:
You are right FlyFish. I'm not using hippie as a derogatory term though. I think that was pretty good of Denver to offer them the parking lot...wow, a little conversation can take us a long way!
August 8, 2008
2:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
timeandagain writes:
Maybe they ought to consider getting a hotel or arranging other accommodations? Would that be too hard for the pinheads? I know, I know, hotels are expensive but - just a thought - maybe if these worthless pinheads got a JOB they wouldn't need to camp out in our public places.
Or, god forbid, they could just STAY HOME...
August 8, 2008
3:02 p.m.
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Hambone writes:
Oh man, now they're going to be in my neighborhood!!! Lame.
As to staying in a hotel, did you see the prices for rooms over the DNC? The Sleep Inn is $350 a night, so even with a job, everyone is S.O.L.
August 8, 2008
3:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
peter303 writes:
I think its a better idea than City Park.
The Colliseum has lots of room, water, toilets, parking and few residential neighbors. It will be a lot more comfortable for the campers.
August 8, 2008
4:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
DD8 writes:
In Test State University's defense, they have been singular in their effort to fulfill the myriad requirements of a park permit, including courtesy conversations with City Park South, East High and an open meeting at the Museum of Nature and Science. No other protest group has worked so hard to stage a lawful and legitimate protest of the war. I am how-ever thankful for the work the city has done to help them get a permit inside the "extraordinary event zone".
My first concern was that as a Free Speech assembly they were not required to have a damage deposit for City Park. The second concern was the nightly 3 mile parade through residential areas to Auraria.
Cuernavaca park is a great solution. It is closer to Downtown, is less residential and being in the EEZ, the city will pay for some amenities from their DNC budget.
The Wednesday night concert at the Coliseum is also a coup. It will reduce the security, logistics and equipment concerns to a minimum.
Perhaps the most generous consideration is the ability to camp at the Coliseum parking lot. Close, safe, spacious and free.
I am appreciative of Park and Recreation, the Permit Office, the Mayor's Office and Councilwoman Madison's effort to support TSU in a successful and peaceful expression.
On the other hand, TSU is demonstrably without appreciation of the city's efforts. Denver is in no way obligated to provide for Tent State beyond its commitment to the law, the safety of the community and the success of the DNC. Unfortunately, Recreate68, dncdisruption08, Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army and other groups have promised disruptions and illegal activities and TSU includes them as allies.There are links to maps and handbooks on "disrupt the DNC" on the Tent State website. This has hurt the support many of us originally had . Adam and JoJo, organizers of TSU, have continued to criticize Denver for not changing its laws to accommodate their poorly planed event, have not acknowledged the support several city agencies have given them behind the scene and have expressed no realistic view of local, state or federal laws protecting other legitimately permitted events.
August 8, 2008
4:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
FCZ writes:
" go to Highlands Ranch and stay in Glenn's back yard "
August 8, 2008
6 p.m.
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carryBIGstick writes:
To Duncan,
The manpower and resources you want Denver to waste keeping up with the maggot-haired protestors will come out of the city budget and will cost more money for all of us. Look, I understand you want to show your support for these spoiled to the spleen college students, however, when it costs the citizens of the Denver area thats when it goes to far.
I have no use for Political Street Theater, I also think that these protester types have given nothing to their country or even their community. They, for the most part, are spoiled college kids who think they should have things their way because, well, THEY WANT IT!!
To those of you planing protests, stay off 'private property', this is Colorado, people here carry guns!!
And Stay the H#ll out of my way!!!
August 8, 2008
10:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
I wonder if my ancestors who fought to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.
Would understand the war that is being waged against these rights by so many.
I may not agree with what you may say but I do respect it.
So why try to silence these people for what they believe in.
I want my country to enjoy it's freedom fought for by my ancestors and my family for the last two hundred and thirty years.
I worry these rights are being taken away from us slowly and one day at a time.
Freedom of speech means for everyone and no ne has a right to own or control our thoughts and words.
August 9, 2008
9:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
sheepherder writes:
nobody has tried to silence anyone! They just have to obey the law while protesting! What is so hard to understand here? TSU has taken the high road on this one, agreeing to obey the laws. Where I used to think they were punks, I now have respect for them.
August 9, 2008
11:49 a.m.
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h8r writes:
Well, I'm not sure if it makes me a maggot haired hippie, or a pinhead, or what, but my total disgust with both parties makes me want to show up in Denver for the DNC and make my voice heard. The only thing that is going to protect me when I do so is the sheer number of people coming to town.
Without all of these people, I will have to go into my freedom of speech cage, and if I get out of line, I will get arrested. With 50,000 tent state people downtown, the police will be unable to stop me from showing up, and the odds of me being beat up are lower with a higher turnout.
August 9, 2008
11:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
h8r writes:
sheepherder-following the rules is not a part of civil disobedience, especially when the rules are wrong. The Rev. Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out repeatedly about people's responsibility to disobey unjust laws.
Any law that limits freedom of assembly is unjust......
August 9, 2008
10:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
h8r writes:
I wonder why one would think that protesters are necessarily spoiled college students. Ever heard of Iraq Veterans Against the War? These spoiled brats did 15 month tours in Iraq and know what sacrifice is, and they are going to make a showing in Denver.
Anyone want to speak out about how these guys should be beaten down for expressing their point of view? Or can you see that these men and women actually earned the right to demonstrate?
Just because you won't be bothered to defend this country while it is under attack doesn't mean that you should feebly attempt to justify violence against these people that have done so. These veterans are volunteering again when this country needs someone to stand up and say "enough," and you have the nerve to call for their blood to be shed again?
Shame on all of your ignorance and complacency. Shame on your callus calls for violence against the students, youth, and veterans who refuse to sit idly by while this country is destroyed from within.
August 10, 2008
9:41 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
h8r...we are talking about different things. You are speaking of civil disobiedience, I am speaking of lawful protest. The vetrans are LAWFUL protestors. R68, anarchists, black block want to use violence, and for that, yes, I would like to see the coppers club them.
August 10, 2008
7:19 p.m.
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h8r writes:
Sheepherder- This country has a pretty good record of violent struggle against the state and a pretty good record of nonviolent civil disobedience against the state. Both methods were illegal and both methods were met with state violence.
The anarchist block, R68 included, claims that they are actually not going to use any violence as a tactic and they have no plans to do so. They do, though, expect state violence and have made it very clear that they have a right to defend themselves.
That is the only real difference between R68 and the tent state people. The city of denver is going to use violence against any and all protestors, and the anarchist block is going to fight back.
Neither group is going to use violence as a tactic, but both groups are going to get clubbed because neither group is going to comply with illegal police orders....