Tent State to give up DNC protest permit for Civic Center
By John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 11, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Organizers for Tent State University said Sunday they'll relinquish a permit they hold to stage a protest in Denver's Civic Center on Aug. 20 during the Democratic National Convention.
The move came after a brief dust-up over the permit during a meeting of about 50 people representing several groups that plan to stage protests in Denver during the DNC.
A Tent State organizer obtained the permit following a lottery staged by the city in March. At the time, Tent State was allied with the Re-create 68 Alliance. However, the two groups went their separate ways in May after disagreements over tactics and strategy.
Meanwhile, Tent City organizers opted instead to stage their downtown event at Cuernavaca Park, leaving no scheduled activity for Civic Center that day.
During Sunday's meeting at the Tivoli Student Activities Center on the Auraria campus, members of Re-create 68 questioned why Tent City had not given their permit to the other groups.
"That permit is going to go to waste," said Jill Dreier, a member of Re-create 68.
After the meeting, Tent State organizer Adam Jung said his group would turn the permit back to the city.
He said that would enable it to go to the next organizer on the list, which he said was someone from Re-create 68.
During the otherwise collegial two-hour meeting, members of several groups compared notes and shared ideas.
The groups ranged from Code Pink, which hopes to disrupt traffic with random groups of cyclists and in-line skaters, to Food Not Bombs, which hopes to supply meals to the protesters on two days that week.
Housing was one common concern, with organizers suggesting they approach family members who might be willing to host some of the thousands of protesters during the convention.
Lydia Giordano of Code Pink said her group hopes to attract about 160 members from across the nation. Some will dress as beauty pageant contestants wearing sashes that read, " I Miss Justice" and "I Miss Liberty."
Another group is also organizing a caravan of protesters who plan to travel from Denver to Minneapolis/St. Paul in time for the Republican National Convention.
As the meeting ended, one group unfurled a banner that read "Our Future Shall Be Decided for Ourselves." They donned bandanas on their faces and marched about two blocks to the Pepsi Center, where the convention will be held.
Steve Wangh of the Progressive Democrats of America said he found the meeting to be both useful and interesting. His group is planning four days of talks at the Central Presbyterian Church, including speakers such as Rep. John Conyers and former prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi.
Other groups plan to bring in people such as Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader, Iraq War protester Cindy Sheehan and Vietnam War veteran and protester Ron Kovic.
Wangh said he was struck by the diverse aims of the various groups in the room.
"I was in the 1960s," he added. "It's interesting to hear people aspiring to the '60s."
ensslinj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5291
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August 11, 2008
3:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Roy writes:
Cynthia McKinney is the Green Party Candidate. Ralph's running as an independant.
August 11, 2008
7:53 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Jill Dreier wants the permit so R68 can cause even MORE trouble? Great!
August 11, 2008
8:04 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Class move by Tent State people, they've shown a lot of respect in the last weeks leading up to the convention. Now, unlike Recreate68, I will take the time to consider thier side of the issues. It shows they do truly care about others who would have been severly impacted by thier prior decisions. Recreate68, has much to learn from from others like Tent State; to protest and still respect the rights of others. I will listen to thier arguement now that they have shown respect for others. Spag, Recreate68, you live in the splendor of your nations wealth, and selfishly so.
August 11, 2008
9:13 a.m.
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lwirbel writes:
Louie, I've observed both groups and tend to agree with you. I'm wondering about that date - neither R68 nor Tent City had talked about anything before Aug. 23, and the convention doesn't start until Aug. 26. The Aug. 20 date would assume activists get started awfully early.
August 11, 2008
10:48 a.m.
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7_ogNiOj writes:
Tent State has shown nothing but gutlessness.
August 11, 2008
11:21 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
No, they've shown the ability to present thier views, without the threat of violence, and it consideration for the rights of others who may have been adversly impacted such as the residents around city park. Took a lot of guts to make a stand that even those who disagree with them will respect. Thus, unlike Spag, who seemly thrives on adversity amongst people, they will have gone a long way to building bridges with this respect for all men. Spag is an opportunist, Tent State truly is seeking the larger masses with thier arguement by accomendating the concerns of others. Because they stepped up to the plate in such an honorable manner, thier message will now reach more people, like myself, instead of being lost in negativity and violence. Spag lives with all America has given him, and all he has desired to do is hold it hostage. I oppose Tent States views, but I will also listen to thier views, as thier words won't be drowned out by threat of violence if things don't go thier way. The city park, the civic center park, and thier ability to respect all people in thier recent decisions show an effort on Tent States's part to be sincere in bringing thier message to all people. Hell, Spag wasn't even a glimmer in his ole man eye in 1968; but many of us remember 68 well. It's Spag's idea of what 68 was, not the truth of the events that occured. Spag in a middle class opportunist with a following of sheep. Maybe Spag and the servants of Spag's endless ego, can jump on one of these shooting stars were having lately, kind of in the fashion of of those folks who jumped on the comets tail.
August 12, 2008
10:34 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
WOW! I agree with LOUIE!