Denver rules on tools could handcuff DNC protesters
Items to thwart police, like chains, would be barred
By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The prospect of protesters linking themselves with devices that bolt cutters can't sever or throwing buckets of feces on police has Denver considering putting a new law on the books before the Democratic National Convention.
Demonstrators would be banned from having items such as chains, quick-setting cement, homemade locking devices that are resistant to bolt cutters and "any noxious substance," City Council members said Monday.
"Protesters are getting pretty sophisticated," said Councilman Doug Linkhart, chairman of the council's safety committee.
"In other cities, they're not just handcuffing themselves to each other," he said. "They put their handcuffs inside PVC tubes, which are inside concrete. They've figured out ways that keep the police from just using bolt cutters to cut them apart. They also use buckets of urine and feces and various noxious substances to pour on themselves or the police."
Denver's proposed ordinance would make it illegal to carry any "tool, object, instrument or other article" that can be used to obstruct streets, sidewalks and entry or exits from buildings or for hindering emergency equipment.
"We're just trying to very narrowly define an area where, if they have these kinds of tools and we can prove intent, then we can arrest them," Linkhart said.
Councilwoman Jeanne Faatz, another safety committee member, said Denver's proposal is "more restrictive" than an ordinance approved by Arapahoe County, where some of the convention delegates will be staying.
Last month, Arapahoe County commissioners passed an ordinance that makes it unlawful for demonstrators to carry shafts, rods, projectile launchers and other potential weapons at picket lines and other public assemblies.
While the Arapahoe County ordinance deals with specific weapons, Denver's focuses on tools that could impede police.
The ban in Arapahoe County also includes gas masks.
Linkhart said Denver police wanted to include gas masks and bulletproof vests in the list of banned items, but council members saw those more as items for personal protection than something that could be used for disruptive purposes.
Linkhart has requested a public hearing on the proposed law, which would stay on the city's books after the convention Aug. 25-28.
A special safety committee meeting has been scheduled for July 23.
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July 15, 2008
4:18 a.m.
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solar_satellite writes:
Denver Post: "Ban on protest tools mulled" -- this is an outrageously inappropriate headline! Chains and weighted pipes are not "protest tools"! Apparently you equate protest with illegality and mayhem -- this is absolutely un-American and wrong! You reflect the sociopathic tone of your deranged posters.
On another note, this action of the City Council reflects its paranoia. The City has received $50,000,000 for security and there are already an abundance of laws on the books, not requiring the proving of intent, which proscribe the conduct described by Councilman Linkhart and confer special status on law enforcement and emergency personnel, exacerbating the penalties imposed on those who would attack (or look cross-eyed at) them. This is not simply a matter of the City Council wasting time and money concocting pointless laws; this pandering serves to divert attention away from the oft-expressed and very real concerns that some among the droves of police (from Denver and elsewhere) may fail to respect the right of Americans to protest the D.N.C. and may even attack them without justification. It lends credence to the notion (among Denver's Good Germans) that protestors somehow represent a criminal assault force. What catastrophe impends should the police not be able instantly to remove chained protestors anyway?
Attention Craven Linkhart et alia: your unctuous ministrations to the D.P.D. are noted. Your actions in this regard are at best useless and could be counterproductive. Consider the wisdom of Matthew 6:34, "... sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." The City's loins have already been girded sufficiently. Instead of considering your idiotic proposal, review police conduct and comport yourselves so as to help prevent violence perpetrated by them.
July 15, 2008
4:53 a.m.
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roger44 writes:
Maybe they should borrow some tanks from the national guard and do like the Chinese did to stop the gatherings of people who are sick and tired of politicians who have done nothing to right things in this country. Gas and food prices getting crazy, politics as usual, wages stagnant, and they wonder why people are getting irritated by the lack of concern from our so called leaders. I don't want to see anyone get hurt, but boy, I wonder what it's going to take to get their attention.
July 15, 2008
5:22 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
If the city council goes this route, almost everything becomes illegal, and non-protesters will be caught up in an unjust law. Treat it like aconcert, ban items not desired from being near the event. Bolt cutters are not illegal unless I am carrying them around in the middle of the night without purpose. Then they become burglary tools. If there are articles that security at any event wish to ban, I believe they have the power already to do so in the intrest of public safety. No new laws are needed, that's a knee-jerk reaction. The DNC is no different than the pope having come to Denver for World Youth Day; public safety already gives law enforcement the latitude to ban certain items that interfere with public safety. No new laws please.
July 15, 2008
5:31 a.m.
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drkenne writes:
It appears that Denver didn't need any protests to start in order to get a bad name. By passing these ordinances, the city fathers have already seen to it.
Say why don't they just pass an ordinance that makes it illegal for more than two people to congragate.
To all protesters: Why don't we show the world that we can change the course of this nation through peaceful demonstrations and that we are the better persons for doing so.
July 15, 2008
5:35 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Mr. Linkhart is the same man on the council who wanted to raise our taxes to cover for the lost sales taxes in this bad economy. Instead of loosening up and letting businesses thrive, he wanted to choke businesses in Denver for even more taxes, resulting in more lost jobs, just so the city can keep on spending as usual. This man needs to be examined closely in his re-election bid. Taxes kill business Mr. Linkhart, but what do you care? He made his tax raise suggetion just in the last week publicly, thanks Mr. Linkhart for being honest with your agenda, but as an employer in Denver, maybe you should come to our business and pick who'll be out of a job. It's time the city reign in it's spending, businesses are struggling as it is in this bad economy. Must be great to be king, eh Mr. Linkhart?
July 15, 2008
5:39 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Don't worry Mr. Linkhart, my family has never laid anyone off; we have a heart to absorb the loss, do you?
July 15, 2008
6:11 a.m.
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Oh_Wise_One writes:
If they use "protest tools", taze them until they unchain, take a shower, etc. Stop believing that we have to be nice to anarchists.
July 15, 2008
7:07 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
The police are there to protect free PEACEFUL SPEECH. This law is meant for those that would disrupt the vent through ILLEGAL activity. Good for Denver for trying to get a handle on this before the events.
July 15, 2008
7:35 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
Solar, I'm sure you would be the first to complain when these idiots block the street you need to use to get to work.
July 15, 2008
7:47 a.m.
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rwmorrisonjr writes:
Maybe Denver should just cancel the convention, that would definitely solve the security and protester problems.
July 15, 2008
8:04 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
I like the fact the Mayor, Mr. Hinkenlooper, must now rely on the very people he has long forsaken to keep this major event under control: the Denver Police Department. Good luck mayor!
July 15, 2008
8:21 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
I think Denver should stop trying to legislate protesters. Have security where needed and let them do what they will. Then the world can see how crazy these loons really are. Is Denver trying to suppress protesters so the world cannot see what the left wing of the Democratic party is really like?
July 15, 2008
8:35 a.m.
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oofda writes:
Pajama, I know! there is no difference, they both have long hair and still cant play a guitar!
July 15, 2008
8:36 a.m.
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ISKIFREELY writes:
At least their pot will be legal.
July 15, 2008
8:38 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Hey, don't knock the canon; it's better than metamucile it making the bowels regular.
July 15, 2008
8:48 a.m.
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DenverDan writes:
vudumom
Denver trying to suppress protesters so the world cannot see what the left wing of the Democratic party is really like?
People on the left dont protest there own party! It the hate freaks on the right that will protesting. I say put them all in a train to Utah.
July 15, 2008
9:05 a.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
Just stick to the old tried and true methods - fire hoses, tazers and batons if necessary. They will get themselves unchained quick enough. Why should innocent bystanders have to be gassed?
Freedom of Speech does not mean people have to listen to you.
July 15, 2008
9:07 a.m.
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uskam writes:
I was in Chicago in 1968 during the "convention." Mob action was more like it. People were hurt. People were killed. The security detail for this convention will have more than enough real threats to deal with and don't have time for self-absorbed, media-seeking protesters who behave like spoiled brats. No, I'm not against civilized protest but, let's face it, they usually don't stay that way. I applaud any law enforcement entity that tries to keep any and all safe by barring these "tools" of protest. Whatever happened to voting for what you want or don't want?
July 15, 2008
9:10 a.m.
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NeilT writes:
Oh Wise One says, "Stop believing that we have to be nice to anarchists."
Are you British, Wise One? Are you getting your red coat pressed and ready for the big event?
July 15, 2008
9:11 a.m.
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DenverDan writes:
PajamaPulitzer
Sorry, You sound like your from Utah. You voted for Bush "twice" and you question me education!
July 15, 2008
9:26 a.m.
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fraudcop37 writes:
Denver is paying $225 an hour - or $9,000 a week - to Ellis M. Stanley Sr., an emergency management consultant who has been tapped to serve as director of DNC planning for the city's Office of Emergency Management.
Stanley, stands to make up to $280,000 while under contract with the city through August. That is TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THOUSAND TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOLKS.
In addition, the city is reimbursing Stanley for lodging and a rental car and providing him Southwest Airlines travel vouchers.
Sue Cobb, spokeswoman for Mayor John Hickenlooper, said Stanley is leasing an apartment for $2,250 a month, which she said is cheaper than a hotel. She could not immediately provide rental car costs.
(Above is from a story appearing in the Rocky)
Ellis is making $225 an hour plus expenses, plus room and board, plus transportation, all on the public dime and no one is asking for his input on these issues? For someone making that kind of money, he has been laying very low on the media horizon.
What exactly, if anything, is Mr. Stanley developing as far as any emergency plans that were not already in place before he came here.
July 15, 2008
9:29 a.m.
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DenverDan writes:
I know, thank you Gene.
July 15, 2008
9:32 a.m.
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SickNTired writes:
"and you question me education!"
Are we a tad Irish?
July 15, 2008
9:52 a.m.
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O_TRAIN writes:
If they are going to ban Bolt Cutters, they should ban Nut Cutters too. (Insert your own Jessie Jackson joke here)
July 15, 2008
9:54 a.m.
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RickyLee writes:
'...They also use buckets of urine and feces and various noxious substances to pour on themselves...'
Wow, they're serious!
July 15, 2008
9:57 a.m.
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jacka writes:
More like Silence of the Lambs
July 15, 2008
10:01 a.m.
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18Zwife writes:
Oxymoron:
Peace—Protest(er)
July 15, 2008
10:55 a.m.
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JP1985 writes:
Somebody tell me:
Does DenverDan really think it's not going to be people on the left that are protesting? I can't tell if he's joking or not. Since when did groups like Project Pink become "hate freaks on the right"?
July 15, 2008
10:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
FlyfishDude52 writes:
fraudcop37 - Whatever Stanley is developing is none of our concern unless it violates constitutional rights.
It's kind of like, "Let's publish our exit strategy and schedule from Iraq so the bad guys can really get the last punch in!"
July 15, 2008
11:07 a.m.
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jaymoveonorg writes:
Did you just hear that? That was Hickenlooper and Ritter opening up a can of worms when they were so excited about the Democratic convention coming to Denver. Sounds like it will be a lot of fun!
It sounds like these protestors are really creative. Too bad they don't take this creative part of their brain and actually use it to be constructive and solve problems instead of creating problems.
July 15, 2008
11:48 a.m.
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Konyok writes:
Try as I may, I just can't understand why protestors need to carry around bolt cutters.
July 15, 2008
11:55 a.m.
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FlyfishDude52 writes:
So let Denver ban bolt-cutters & many other construction related tools from the city. What are they planning a "temporary suspension of constitutional rights?" Then after the convention repeal the ban? This is ludicrous. If there already isn't, soon there will be the law according to Denver and then the law as it applies everywhere else. Wouldn't that be special?
How do they know what's being planned by the protesters? Have they infiltrated these "organizations?"
July 15, 2008
12:55 p.m.
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BMat writes:
If you believe that throwing a bucket full of excrement on a police officer is not already illegal, then go out and throw a bucket full of excrement on a police officer today.
You would be arrested and incarcerated before you could say, "Do you want fries with that?" I promise.
Get ready for all sorts of solutions in search of problems and needless legislation in which the democrats take such pride. And they have a true friend in Mayor Lickenpooper.
July 15, 2008
1:10 p.m.
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SickNTired writes:
Isn't even just spitting on someone illegal? You would have to get tested for all kinds of things. How disgusting! I'll be staying far, far away from Denver for sure.
July 15, 2008
1:11 p.m.
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JSeifert writes:
IF they pour Urine and other things on themselves they need to be handcuffed and taken to a rubber room for a long long time. To hell with the protest.
July 15, 2008
1:18 p.m.
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Colorado_Bill writes:
Laws written in fear and panic are ALWAYS a bad idea, and too often bad laws as well.
The proper action to take is to round up all the protesters and give them a free bus ride to Minneapolis. Let them vent on the people who have been in charge, trampling roughshod over American values and liberties, the last eight years.
July 15, 2008
1:49 p.m.
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cterryr2 writes:
Welcome to the new Communist China!
July 15, 2008
2:07 p.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
I doubt the "protesters" will even be able to articulate what exactly they are protesting against.
The majority of these episodes will be nothing more than juvenile, "look at me" tantrums.
I still say fire-hoses are the best remedy - the spray will feel good on one of our 100-degree Coloado Summer days and the water should ruin any cameras or cell phones. Just what a professional agitator fears most.
July 15, 2008
2:29 p.m.
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FlyfishDude52 writes:
But do we really want to expend some of our precious water resources on these pukes? I'd rather water my lawn...
July 15, 2008
3 p.m.
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HSTOWEL writes:
DenverDan says:
"People on the left dont protest there own party! It the hate freaks on the right that will protesting. I say put them all in a train to Utah."
DenverDan you better educate yourself on the groups coming here. There are no right wing groups involved. Go to the Recreate 68 and other like web sites. The 1968 convention mess was created by left wing protest groups and not right wing groups. Code Pink is hardly a right wing group and neither are the rest of the antiwar protest groups. The anarchists are supporters of neither party however they are far closer to the left than the right. As usual your post contains no fact whatsoever.
July 15, 2008
3:19 p.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
FlyfishDude52 - I second that! Just keep them in their pen and get a good laugh at them on your lunchhour.
July 15, 2008
3:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
FlyfishDude52 sez: "But do we really want to expend some of our precious water resources on these pukes?"
EXCELLENT POINT! Given the location of the Pepsi Center, have DFD pump some water from the nearby South Platte river and use that. The runoff from the hosing down will flow back into the South Platte hence no "water rights" issue. On the other hand, the pollution issue from hosing down so many geriatric hippies ..... ;-)
Scott
July 15, 2008
6:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
sqjnk writes:
hate, no free speech for those who don't agree with me, attack messenger superficially, make fun of others to make self feel better, herd mentality, it's good to know nothing's changed on the rocky comments pages.
July 15, 2008
6:50 p.m.
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Skyebeader writes:
Wow, what a bummer. I simply never go out to my party's convention without my handy, 80-lb sack of Qwik-crete. This is too funny.
July 15, 2008
8:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
Transaction7 writes:
I'm not sure what police powers exist under existing Colorado state law and Denver city ordinances, so cannot be sure how much of this would be necessary and not duplicate existing law, which might make it void. Neither the rights to assemble, petition for redress of grievances, and of speech and press, nor any other right, covers violence, force, obstruction of others' free use of the streets and sidewalks, interfering with a political convention or other lawful assembly, including the right of anyone to hear whoever he or she wants, criminal trespass, possesion or throwing of urine, feces, noxious fumes and chemicals, etc.
The right to speak, write, or otherwise express one's opinion, and its most often exercised corrolary, the right to make a fool of yourself, does not include the right to compel anyone to listen, much less to take you seriously or believe anything you say. Of corse, they also do not require the news media to cover your staged media event.
Of course, the party conventions, which used to decide who the nominees would be, are now staged media events, too, about as predictable as cartoon reruns.
The protesters' game is to try to get the police to over-react. I don't think defending oneself from these kinds of assaults is over-reaction.
By the way, do the characters behind Recreate 68, etc., not remember or know that the 1968 convention protesters helped elect Nixon and Agnew?
July 16, 2008
2:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
Patron_Drinker writes:
They're not talking about banning bolt-cutters, Konyok. They are trying to ban devices made to foil the use of bolt-cutters by police to restore access to/through the convention/protest area.
July 16, 2008
11:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
Juspassinby writes:
personally I think the Denver politicians and cops should keep their hands off everyone's tools.
July 19, 2008
4:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
jamespattygracie writes:
i sent the following email to mr. linkhart. i'm not holding my breath that i'll get a response.
dear sir:
you were quoted in the july 15, 2008 rocky mountain news as follows:
"In other cities, they're not just handcuffing themselves to each other," he said. "They put their handcuffs inside PVC tubes, which are inside concrete. They've figured out ways that keep the police from just using bolt cutters to cut them apart.
i look forward to learning specific instances where protestors have handcuffed themselves together with concrete-filled pvc pipe, because i assume that you would not make such a claim unless you had specific instances of this occurring.
i've googled "handcuffs pvc concrete" and "protest handcuffs pvc concrete," and this is only reported as having happened once, in 1997 (that's eleven years ago), as part of a protest of the building of the "nevada test site highway."
who do you contend will be using this and the other tactics you cite? democrats? republicans?
you seem very invested in ginning up hysteria where none exists. please explain your reasons, including specific evidence to back them up, for participating in this pre-convention slander of fine americans who will be traveling to denver to participate in our 236 year old democracy.
sincerely,
karen marie.