Lawyers ready to defend protesters who land in jail
By Katie Kerwin McCrimmon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 18, 2008 at 4:20 p.m.
Updated July 19, 2008 at 12:35 a.m.
David Lane says if police are ill-trained, 1968 "may very well be recreated."
Free speech rights are personal to Denver criminal defense lawyer Sean McAllister.
During a protest in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, McAllister, 35, was serving as a legal observer.
"The police came out of nowhere and I was karate-chopped in the neck. I have been personally assaulted by the DPD (Denver Police Department)," McAllister said.
He is concerned that First Amendment rights could take a back seat during the Democratic National Convention. That's why McAllister said he helped found the DNC-People's Law Project and will be volunteering his time to help protesters during the convention. The People's Law Project held a training session Friday to focus on protecting civil rights and quickly springing protesters from jail during the convention.
Mayor John Hickenlooper has said that all police on the streets during the convention will have attended training classes to help them defuse violence.
Civil rights lawyer David Lane spoke during the training session where about 60 lawyers learned how they can help defend protesters who tangle with police.
Lane said police reaction to protesters will determine whether rallies are peaceful or violent.
Lane said he witnessed some restraint by Denver police at a recent Columbus Day parade.
But, he said, the brass will set the tone in August. "If police are ill-trained and ill-led, '68 may very well be recreated in Denver," Lane said referring to riots during the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago.
The People's Law Project will provide pro bono attorneys to help jailed protesters during the convention.
The group will also staff a hot line where protesters can call for help and will field teams of neutral legal observers who will attend rallies and videotape protesters' interaction with police.
mccrimmonk@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2502
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July 19, 2008
7:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
drkenne writes:
On civil disobedience: “people should not permit governments to overrule or atrophy their consciences, and that people have a duty to avoid allowing such acquiescence to enable the government to make them the agents of injustice” HDT 1849
“We are resolved that our group will not instigate violence against human beings as a means to end this system of violence and injustice.” Recreate68
Passive (peaceful) civil disobedience practiced by Gandhi and the civil rights movement were effective in bringing about great change. Violence only serves to alienate those who support the just cause, thus diminishing the prospect of affecting real change.
As protesters, we are obligated to demonstrate to the world how true free speech and dissent in democracy works in a non-violent manner in order to expose how our elected officials have allowed the hijacking of the constitution.
I challenge protesters to leave the poop and pee, and other items of “protection” at home. Let the police be the purveyors of violence on peaceful protest. Practice passive resistance, suffer police brutality, for the movement will gain more respect and its message will resonate louder. Remember, “the whole world is watching.”
July 19, 2008
8:50 a.m.
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Scott writes:
Just like their namesakes on East Colfax the "prostitutes" (lawyers) are lining up to "service" their clients.
Scott
July 19, 2008
8:50 a.m.
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DenverReader writes:
First Amendment rights? What about Fourth Amendment rights? With the ordinance banning certain items it is quite likely that there will be many unreasonable searches all in the name of "security".
July 19, 2008
10:35 a.m.
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sheepherder writes:
drkenne...you have kind of got it. Peaceful protests are the American way, but when the morons in the group get out of control, IT'S NOT POLICE BUTALITY! It's called enforcing the law! No cop is going to do anything to a protestor who isn't breaking the law.
July 20, 2008
7:39 a.m.
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Mike_In_Hartsel writes:
sheepherder is right. There will be cameras everywhere and the police know it. If it gets out of hand it will be because the protesters refused to obey orders. Twill be a loverly time in Denver this summer with all the bloomin' idiots carrying signs of protest.