Police block off streets to protesting veterans
By Paul Anthony, Rocky Mountain News
Published August 27, 2008 at 7:37 p.m.
Updated August 27, 2008 at 7:37 p.m.
Photo by RYAN SABALOW/THE ROCKY
Lnc. Cpl. Jeff Key
Photo by Judi Villa
Police in riot gear watch war protesters leave through Auraria Campus.
Photo by Judi Villa
Protesters line up on Speer Boulevard during a protest by Iraq war veterans.
MARKET AND SPEER -- A large number of police and sheriff's officers in riot gear have blocked off Market and Speer streets in a continuing and seemingly escalating confrontation with Iraq war vets who have been protesting all day.
Negotiations between officers and vets have not made progress. Veterans are frustrated that officers will not allow them to sit in the street, deeming it an escalation of the protest.
The vets continue to try to get a letter read by Barack Obama or one of his aides. It is unclear if any progress has been made. "Our plan is to stay here" until obama reads the letter, said former Marine Lance Cpl. Jeff Key.
"I believe he is a good man. I believe he wants to read my letter," said Key.
While officers stand on Speer, a large number of cops in riot gear have closed the intersection. More than a dozen are overlooking the intersection in elevated vehicles, including one SWAT truck.
A large number of spectators have gathered around the scene while a still larger group of original protesters who marched from the Denver Coliseum remain as well.
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August 27, 2008
7:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
OPN3rdEYE writes:
Zach is God...
Here is something you can't understand....
August 27, 2008
8:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
Keith43 writes:
I sincerely hope, for everyone's sake, that cool heads prevail. DPD has a monumental and stressful challenge. But, our vets have paid a heavy price as well - their voice should be heard. Why not suggest to the DPD that they personally deliver the Vets letter to Obama. That would be a great gesture on our part and it would help tremendously in keeping the peace and improve DPD's image.
August 27, 2008
9 p.m.
Suggest removal
maithoughts writes:
too bad these vets were taught honor and discipline or dpd might just get an overdue lesson.
August 27, 2008
9:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
Hambone writes:
ummmm, have you seen both the vets and the police. The vets didn't seem to want a violent confrontation, especially with heavily armed policemen. The police are armored, armed with riot weapons and number in the hundreds.
My props to this protest/march. It was organized, it didn't seem to have the fools looking for trouble and it was a cause that I support.