Public protest site set at DNC
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published June 9, 2008 at 2:50 p.m.
Updated June 9, 2008 at 5:40 p.m.
The public demonstration area at this summer's Democratic National Convention will be 50,000 square feet in Lot A at the Pepsi Center, and surrounded by a "transparent and sound-transparent fence," an attorney for the protesters said today.
Steven Zansberg said the city disclosed the information to the ACLU and other protest groups prior to a court hearing this afternoon.
U.S. District Judge Marcia Krieger is considering questions raised by the protesters who plan to gather during the convention Aug. 25 to 28.
The city did not give the precise location of the area within Lot A, which Zansberg said is about 350,000 square feet, but it will provide information by June 23 on the precise location and any restrictions placed on protesters.
Proximity to the Pepsi Center has been a hot button issue for protest groups leery about a possible repeat of what happened at the 2004 Democratic convention in Boston, where cage-like areas made of concrete barricades, netting and razor wire were established for protesters.
Denver officials have said since last summer that protesters will be allowed closer to the Pepsi Center since it is not next to a freeway and railroad tracks like Boston's FleetCenter is.
The city and the U.S. Secret Service want to provide some of the information to attorneys for the protesters under a protective order, meaning they could not share it with the protesters of the public. For security reasons, they do not want to publicly release the height of the fence or how close the area will be to delegates entering and exiting the arena.
Lawyers for the protesters opposed that idea, and they're asking for a hearing on the issue.
Attorneys also are studying a schedule to argue the merits of any restrictions, such as the type of fencing, what can be brought into the area, the type of security, and any limitations that would be placed on them. Attorneys for the protesters are concerned that restrictions might violate their First Amendment rights to free speech.
In addition, the city is scheduled to release the route for any parades during the convention on Thursday. It also will begin processing requests for groups to participate in parades.
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June 9, 2008
3:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
DenverDan writes:
GOP Beat-down inside and outside.
Colorado will host the next Pres. OBAMA "08"
June 9, 2008
3:07 p.m.
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temurlan writes:
What is a sound-transparent fence?
June 9, 2008
3:10 p.m.
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davies writes:
50,000 square feet? 200' x 250' - roughly one acre? That's not enough room. These protesters need room to breath. They're probably going to have performance artists. Maybe a Gay Pride parade. Even a guy with a giant papier-mache George Bush head, with the mouth dripping blood. What about PETA - they'll say it's cruel to keep their mascots penned up like that. These guys need more room.
June 9, 2008
3:19 p.m.
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olsonmt writes:
A 50,000 SF political zoo. I'll take my kids and we can marvel at the wild and wacky beasts.
June 9, 2008
3:24 p.m.
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FlyfishDude52 writes:
I think they need Chicago Transit Authority (Chicago) performing while the wackos are chanting, "The whole world is watching..." Isn't that part of the recreat '68 thing? Oh, that's right, they're running out of money...
June 9, 2008
3:26 p.m.
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Acemon writes:
Would that also be tear-gas transparent?
June 9, 2008
3:29 p.m.
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jbartholomew42 writes:
This way all they will have to do is close the gate and they will have an instant jail.
June 9, 2008
3:32 p.m.
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Scott writes:
Is the "transparent and sound-transparent fence" eco friendly? Were any of our brother mammalians hurt in designing and testing this fence? Will the fence be recycled/composted after the circus? ....
Scott
June 9, 2008
3:37 p.m.
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davies writes:
Hey! I know what the transparent fence is! They're going to have a bunch of mimes do that thing where they act like they're trapped inside an invisible box.
June 9, 2008
3:39 p.m.
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davies writes:
All the protesters will howl and raise their fists and burn flags for being trapped inside the invisible box...
June 9, 2008
3:54 p.m.
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DenverDan writes:
MarineGrunt
Drop and give me 50. At ease. I have read a lot of your angry crap.
what makes you so mad? I think it's because a black man is going to be the next Pres. This is 2008 not 1948. You will be ok.
June 9, 2008
4:03 p.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
Never mind about the transparent fence.
They're going to need tents, umbrellas, lawn chairs, hats, sunscreen, and bluegrass music.
June 9, 2008
4:24 p.m.
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Scott writes:
"... what makes you so mad? I think it's because a black man is going to be the next Pres."
And DenverDan plays the "race card" first for this article.
Now where were we talking about race before DenverDan brought it up? Yup, that's what I thought, WE WEREN'T!
Scott
June 9, 2008
4:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
TheDenverB writes:
"Only the Democrats and the leftwingnuts would need a enclosure like at the Denver Zoo Primate Park to be able to protest anything and everything."
actually, this has more to do with the fact that the Pepsi Center is private property and they don't have to allow ANY room whatsoever to protesters. The fenced-in area (while admittedly comical) is simply a way of giving them a space where they can be heard without 'trespassing'. (it also gives police a lot more room to arrest those that aren't in the 'pen')
June 9, 2008
4:29 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
and Dan2, it's clear that you need to go sit in on a high-school level civics class.
June 9, 2008
4:48 p.m.
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DenverDan writes:
To all the angry freaks on the right, dont you have real issues to talk about like Pins on a coat, Pastors and mad wifes. Because that is what i am voting on.
June 9, 2008
4:55 p.m.
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Acemon writes:
The Deomocratic party says they're the party of the people and they're trying to be inclusive. It might not look that way, but they're working with the Secret Service and the Pepsi Center to provide an area for "peaceful" protests to be heard. Why would they want a riot? Why would they want bloodshed or teargas or a repeat of Chicago's mayhem? Nobody wants a black eye at their big celebration. I'm more Libertarian than anything else, so the protest zone doesn't really matter to me, but I can understand their concerns. There will be plenty of room to protest outside the Pepsi Center as the VIPs arrive and depart, so the fenced-in area means even less. Then again, 350,000 square feet is a LOT of space, especially on private property. I guess all I can say is that if you're not going to protest, go have a beer and give it a break. There's more important things going on.
June 9, 2008
5:23 p.m.
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Alive writes:
I'm glad they have a protest area. 'Gives the kids somthin' to do.
June 9, 2008
5:37 p.m.
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Diff writes:
Sounds like one more small step towards having an SS squad "Ve must hav das paa-pers! Are you loyal to da fure?
and you say yes to keep from getting the crap beat out of you.
Sad.
Our rights that our founding fathers fought for in this country are being very slowly eroded away.
Soon it will be the constitution itself, and we'll be wondering what happened.
June 9, 2008
5:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Ken writes:
I can't for the life of me understand why you republican extremists are so pompous and hateful. Our country is in a state of turmoil because of Bush and his administration. Please explain to me what you hate so much about the traditional democrat politician. And please try to do so without just saying they're wackjobs or idiots. Try using your big boy brain.
June 9, 2008
5:59 p.m.
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ManginoTorreta writes:
"I think it's because a black man is going to be the next Pres. This is 2008 not 1948"
I see DenverDan is already breaking out the "If you don't vote for Obama, you're racist!" shame tactic.
Geez, Dan, pace yourself. The convention hasn't even taken place yet--you have all that time between August and November to accuse those who won't vote for Obama of being lynch-happy KKK members.
June 9, 2008
6:09 p.m.
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ManginoTorreta writes:
Ken begins his argument by stating:
"I can't for the life of me understand why you republican extremists are so pompous and hateful."
Then ends it by stating:
"And please try to do so without just saying they're wackjobs or idiots. Try using your big boy brain."
Looks like projection isn't just for movie theaters.
June 9, 2008
7:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
The_Punnisher writes:
Hmmm, a PRIVATE selection on PRIVATE property...
So much for OPEN Government and the Constitution...
Oh well, It's just a G*dd*mmed piece of paper anyway...
June 9, 2008
8:01 p.m.
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rdamurphy writes:
I guess the queston one has to ask one's self is: Why don't they need a cage for the moonbats at the GOP convention? Maybe because GOP voters are grownups?
June 9, 2008
8:26 p.m.
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GetReal writes:
Anybody want to see the freakshow that is really coming? (GRAPHIC)
http://zombietime.com/hall_of_shame/
{I know I've linked to this before, but if you haven't seen it you should!}
T-Bone 6:01-
Take a breath buddy.
June 9, 2008
9:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
davies writes:
Ken: "Please explain to me what you hate so much about the traditional democrat politician."
Well, I read all the posts above yours and I don't find a single thing critical of any particular Democrat politician.
The comments, including my own, appear to be directed towards the liberal extremists that make the Dems look bad, just like the religious fundamentalist/far righties makes the Republicans look bad to most people.
So lighten up, or if the shoe fits, wear it.
June 9, 2008
10:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mike846 writes:
So Mayor Hick leads the party of inclusion and diversity, eh? First they plan to sweep up all the drunks and druggies downtown and put them in "emergency shelters" (read: lockdown for four days), now they're going to pen any protesters inside some kind of plexiglass sty (bet there aren't any porta-potties in there)and no doubt the next thing will be setting up approved "camera locations" to "protect" the media so they can't film the trouble when it starts. Nice try, boys. As usual, fascism always, always comes from the Left, and this mess in August is just going to make that point quite clearly. Not to mention the fact that the taxpayers of Denver are going to get stuck footing the bill when its all over for any shortfall in funding, and right now, it looks like it might be as high as $25 million. Wise up, Coloradoans, and take a real good look at what your Democrat-controlled state house, governors office and city have done for you. Next time around vote all these fools out of office. Glumly, Mike
June 10, 2008
1:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
clyde writes:
"Tbone writes:
What do they hate about democrats, Ken?
Geez, the list is endless. The good looks, the smarts, the pay, the fact that we get all the girls, we're more popular, we don't live in our mother's basement, we don't have body odor, we don't scare small children, we don't fog up the monitor because of the mouth breathing, the lack of bad breath, our hair doesnt smell like dandruff shampoo, we cut our fingernails, the whole education thing, we can use indoor plumbing, logic, ration, and an ability to use teh google, we don't live in a van down by the river, the lack of spittle that exudes from our lips while talking, the ability to stand up straight, the ability to use tools, not being lazy eyed, no nose or ear hair, the whole having a job thing, we don't have cars on blocks in the yard, we're not afraid of our shadows, but mostly, they hate democrats because that's what rush told them to do."
And you say Conservatives like to stereotype and insult... WOW!
You forgot Hep C, AIDS, Herpes, Dementia and all other bains on society. Don't forget Downs, Spina Bifida and any other problem. You know you can smear it all on Conservatives. The only really sad part of your comment is that you actually believe it.
June 10, 2008
8:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
rickg19611 writes:
ROFLMAO.....
Some nut made the following claims about Democrats!
"The good looks"
Leave it to a Democrat to consider Henry "Nostrildamus" Waxman to be "good looking". Or how about Michael "Rotundo" Moore? Are there ANY Democrats that don't look like the stuff you clean out of a genetic pool filter? Anyone stupid enough to consider those "Elephant Man" looking genetic rejects to be good looking is proof that an IQ test should be required for voting.
"the smarts"
"I've travelled to 57 states". How about a bunch of circus clowns that nominated a retard that thinks there are 57 states in the USA. Are there ANY Democrats with an IQ above 80?
"the pay"
You mean the loot? From stealing from taxpayers?
"we get all the girls"
Just ask Gavin Newsom. Or how about Jim "Democrat Aides" McGreevey.
"we're more popular"
So popular they've lost 7 out of the last 10 elections. So popular they have HALF of the approval rating of George Bush!!!! So popular that with the best political environment in decades, Democrats are still losing to McCain!!!!
Democrats.... with that bunch of circular firing squad, circus clowns, the only thing funnier is...... well..... nothing!
June 10, 2008
8:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
davies writes:
Yeah Clyde, I'll add to the above that I'd love a statistical study of the political affiliations of those living in their mother's basements. Dems are the party of dependency after all. Republicans? They would put Mom in the basement, and live upstairs ;-)
June 10, 2008
11:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
Heidi writes:
davies, exactly! And she would still bake cookies for everyone and do their laundry.