Protests at DNC to have a daily 'theme'

By Kevin Vaughan, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Activists targeting August's Democratic National Convention are developing a sophisticated protest plan - one including a different demonstration "theme" each day.

In addition, organizers intend to help individual groups aim their protests to specific state convention delegations, and hope to throw a five-day festival in Civic Center with music, a health clinic, and even meals for the homeless.

"We know that people are going to be coming to Denver from around the country for this event, and it seems silly not to take advantage of it," said Mark Cohen, one of those involved in the planning.

"It's an opportunity for those people to make connections with each other and share their concerns."

Cohen's group is one of more than two-dozen involved in protest planning, which is being overseen by an organization calling itself Recreate 68.

Recreate 68's leaders hope to lead tens of thousands of protesters in the city during the convention, Aug. 25-28 at the Pepsi Center.

Developing plans

"The overarching message is that the two parties are not responding to the people's needs any more, and it's time for the people to take over," said Glenn Spagnuolo of Recreate 68.

The group is planning a community meeting Jan. 19 aimed at updating a number of groups about the developing plans. Among them:

* "Days of resistance" beginning the day before the convention. Each day will have a different theme - the environment, or the war, or immigration, or human and civil rights. Protests will be coordinated around the daily themes.

* A list of the hotels where various state delegations will be staying. That will allow protesters to demonstrate outside those hotels.

* A five-day "festival of democracy," possibly held at Civic Center. It would include music and speakers as well as a free health clinic and meal service for the homeless.

"We wanted to build and show what we're for, not just what we're against," Spagnuolo said.

But a number of the details are not settled.

For example, the city and the Secret Service have not yet decided on the "security zone" around the Pepsi Center. The drawing of that line will help define where protesters can and cannot gather.

And the Denver City Council is expected to take up legislation on Jan. 22 that would refine the process used to issue permits for special events and parades.

David Broadwell, an assistant city attorney, said the proposed language would establish a firm timeline for the application of a permit.

It would also set up a lottery system in the event of conflicting applications.

There is also language in the proposal that could be trouble for the protesters who hope to use Civic Center.

That's because the new measure would give precedent to groups that have historically used a park.

Vying for Civic Center

The Taste of Colorado is held each year over Labor Day weekend in Civic Center, and that organization generally starts setting up the Wednesday before. This year, that will be the day before the convention ends - meaning the two groups may be vying for the same piece of real estate.

However, Broadwell said it was not clear whether it would be a problem. The protesters may be able to carry off their events in the park at the same time Taste of Colorado organizers are beginning their setup.

The protest groups have been involved in ongoing negotiations with the city - work that has not directly involved the organizers of the convention.

"I'm not sure they want to even acknowledge our existence," Cohen said.

Natalie Wyeth, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Convention Committee, referred questions about the protest plans to city officials.

"The First Amendment is something that's incredibly important to us as a party, and we want to make sure that everyone who wants to voice their opinion at the convention can do so in a safe and responsible manner," she said.

vaughank@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5019