Civic Center protest subdued
Steve Myers, Rocky Mountain News
Published August 24, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.
Updated August 24, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.
Photo by SUE LINDSAY/THE ROCKY
Denver police on horseback get together at the city and county building before the next round of protesters take off Aug. 24.
Photo by Sue Lindsay, Rocky Mountain News
Police check out a U-Haul truck across from the city and county building Aug. 24.
CIVIC CENTER — Hundreds of anti-war protesters rallied on the steps of the state capitol, as hundreds of others strolled through booths lining Civic Center walkways, giving downtown Denver a street-fair like atmosphere on the eve of the Democratic National Convention.
"It's important to be here because what transpires in the world will be left to her," said Nicole Coffelt, of Denver, gesturing to her 3-year-old daughter, Camile, at the ant-war rally sponsored by Re-create '68. Camile carried a sign saying "Kids for peace."
Music blared in the background as hundreds of protesters joined in the chorus of a song: "Burn it down! Burn it down!"
"I want to be president," said Camile. "But Barack Obama beat me to it. I'm a better girl than him."
Kitty-corner from the Capitol at Pioneer Square, a score of pro-troop supporters gathered in Pioneer Square to show an their opposition to the anti-war demonstrators.
"My son is in the Marines and did two tours in Iraq and will be going to Afghanistan," said Dale Parrish, of Lasalle. "We don't support political parties. We support our troops. We're just here as a patriotic demonstration, to show another viewpoint."
Clusters of police on foot and bikes roamed the capitol grounds and park looking for troublemakers but no confrontations were apparent. "It's been uneventful so far," reported a state trooper on bike.
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August 24, 2008
11:57 a.m.
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SL10 writes:
Wow! There is a chance we will see an uneventful DNC? Without any violence? Time will tell.