DNC war protesters might get booted from park at night
By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Brian Lehmann / The Rocky
Roy Bosworth gets ready to catch a baseball at City Park on Tuesday. During the DNC, thousands of people may pitch their tents in the southwest corner of the park.
Brian Lehmann / The Rocky
Tent State University organizers want to use City Park as the base for their activities during the Democratic National Convention.
A group planning to bring 50,000 anti-war demonstrators here for the Democratic National Convention might get to pitch tents in City Park, but they could be knocking on doors for a place to sleep or take a shower.
The city issued an assembly permit in the southwest corner of the park for Tent State University to bring a tribe of college kids from across the country for an "alternative university" Aug. 24-28.
"Come to Denver to end a war!" declares the Web site for Tent State University, which describes itself as "a positive, youth-led initiative to fund education instead of war."
Tent State will be a staging area "to experience real democracy," protests and classes teaching nonviolent anti-war tactics and strategies, the Web site says.
While the city said the permit is for "approximately 20,000 participants," chief Tent State organizer Adam Jung said he dreams of luring up to 50,000 protesters if he locks up hot music acts ranging from political hip-hop to Southern honky-tonk.
The hang-up: Overnight camping is illegal in the park.
That means each night thousands of protesters could be forced to exit the park by 11 p.m. and Jung says there are not enough nearby hotel rooms at prices college students can afford.
"It's not a campout," said City Councilwoman Carla Madison, whose district includes the 314-acre park, home to the Denver Zoo, a golf course, tennis courts, a lake with paddle-boating, and popular music and arts festivals. "The park closes at 11 p.m. and they have to be gone."
"Now, don't ask me how it's really going to shake out," Madison added. "But that's the way it's going to be: that they can put their tents up, but they can't camp out in them."
Organizer Jung is still hopeful that negotiations with city officials will allow the group to camp overnight at the park.
"We've met with the mayor and we've met with police officials, and they're very reasonable people," said Jung, a 28-year-old who grew up on a Missouri farm.
"Our main argument is, if people are allowed to camp, is that we retain control over the entire event," he said. "We're bringing in professional security, so we can direct the energy and we can keep it safe and . . . a very positive event."
But, he added, "If we have to figure out a way to remove all of these people at 10 or 11 at night, it becomes very problematic."
"That's what happened in Chicago," Jung said, referring to the 1968 Democratic National Convention's notorious clashes between Vietnam War protesters and Chicago riot police.
"There was confusion and panic and nobody knew what was going on. There wasn't a good plan," he said. "That's something we're going to avoid."
But what about portable toilets, showers and dining alfresco for 20,000 young people?
Jung hopes the city will provide the outhouses. He plans to ask churches and like-minded Denverites to welcome folks in for showers. As for food, the group will issue participants a list of recommended organic, enviro-friendly local restaurants.
Ultimately, the group must meet a long list of city requirements, including plans to provide security and bathrooms, control concert noise, and monitor alcohol use and parking.
Opinions of several people at the park Tuesday ranged from skeptical to accepting to blase at the prospect of a tent city going up.
Paul Plavetzki, a four-year resident of the neighborhood, had plenty of questions.
"Who is basically paying for the use of the park?" he wanted to know. "If the city of Denver has to recoup all the costs, who's going to pay for restoration?"
His friend, Matt Pickett, was not as concerned. "So long as it doesn't affect me, just do what you want to do," he said.
Staff writer John Ensslin contributed to this report.
Tent State University
Must comply with a list of city conditions for its plan for a tent city in the park, which includes the submission of detailed plans for the following:
* A site plan
* Sound amplification
* Trash collection
* Sanitation (portable toilets) and drinking water supplies
* Vendors
* Setup and teardown
* Parking
* Notification of neighborhood groups
CROWD DENSITY
* A standing crowd of 20,000 could safely occupy an area roughly equivalent to a football field, including the end zones.
* Sleeping in tents, the same crowd would require an area equal to eight football fields, assuming one tent per 60 square feet, and 2.5 people per tent.
* CONVENTION PAGES: Obama's sister visits Denver. 16
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June 24, 2008
7:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
Oh_Wise_One writes:
I hear the cries of "Don't taze me bro" ringing out nightly! hahahahahahahahaha.
June 24, 2008
8:22 p.m.
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smith writes:
Just tell the red shirts and the blue shirts that its JazzFest, problems solved
June 24, 2008
9:36 p.m.
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timeandagain writes:
Glenn Spangnuolo should host them all at his home in Highland's Ranch. That IS where he lives, you know!
June 25, 2008
5:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
plotz writes:
Let them stay overnight and lets see how they stand up against the rival black gangs.
By the way, since Spangnuolo lives in Highland Ranch...is he going to be in solidarity with his "revolutionary" brothers and sisters in a tent? I really doubt it.
Bottom line, if the City lets them stay overnight and all rules, etc complied with...then this will open the door for other groups as well.
June 25, 2008
5:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
plotz writes:
Let them stay overnight and lets see how they stand up against the rival black gangs.
By the way, since Spangnuolo lives in Highland Ranch...is he going to be in solidarity with his "revolutionary" brothers and sisters in a tent? I really doubt it.
Bottom line, if the City lets them stay overnight and all rules, etc complied with...then this will open the door for other groups as well.
June 25, 2008
5:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Shadow writes:
Why should they get to camp there over night? The city won't even let its own homeless sleep there so what makes them think they should? Could it be money perhaps. What was that comment about hopeing that the city will provide them with port a johns? Hell the city doesn't provide this either for most of its residents.
He hopes that the good citizens will open their homes for showers? Thats pretty naive isn't it. To open your home up to a bunch of collage students? Sounds resonable but in actuality a very bad idea.
This antiwar protest looking at the events schedule looks to be more of a lallapolooser.
June 25, 2008
6:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
plotz writes:
Jung wants the residents to open up their homes to sleep and take showers? Hmm, lets see how many are near impossible to get out of the home or how many things end up damaged or missing(of course it is the student/protester's fault...which begs a question, it people do open up their home and their is damage, etc...does the event organization have insurance to cover it?).
Lastly, since this is democracy in action as they say, I propose that Denver's homeless join them and get take advantage of the people good will. Hey we are all equal, right Jung?
June 25, 2008
6:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
Put LSD and other hallucinigens in the sprikler system, while blowing Jimi Hedricks all night long at over 150 decibals, for the sleep deprivation of the protesters. Damn, be smart, "Recreate '68"; in thier state of confusion after the dosed watering with the spinkler systems, we might be able to kick thier confused a$$es. We have a great big water runoff this year, lets green up our city parks folks. I believe the Army tested an LSD gas back in the late '60's, early 70's for crowd dispersion threw disorientation. Where was I?
June 25, 2008
6:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
I'd be scared the city might use some pesticide on the park lawn and trees; damn even Mary and Joseph found a stable.
June 25, 2008
6:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
Bums urine and runny fecal matter, sums up my refusal to sleep in the park. Might even be dung beetles down there. No, sleeping in inner-city parks is like asking me to drink a test tube of hepitittis with a dash of syphillis; I'm on the wagon, thanks pal!
June 25, 2008
6:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
Pidgeons, rule, dogs stools...drools; inner city parks, the sandbox of all Gods innercity creatures to enjoy relief... no, I think there is a cleaner barn for rent somewhere else with a classic barrel shower (hope it's sunny).
June 25, 2008
6:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
Tents will not stop tear gas...
June 25, 2008
6:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
Buckwheat writes:
DNC should pay for the cleanup and security, its' all part of the convention. Without it there wouldn't be a problem. This was to be expected, should have planned ahead.
June 25, 2008
6:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
Buckwheat writes:
DNC should pay for the cleanup and security, its' all part of the convention. Without it there wouldn't be a problem. This was to be expected, should have planned ahead.
June 25, 2008
7:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
LingLingfor_prez writes:
Why not boot them during the day too? How about at random? Sound proof cage might be the way to go as well.
June 25, 2008
8:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
Jimminy writes:
Why don't we just hire Mayor Daley to coordinate?
June 25, 2008
8:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
Shaggy writes:
I wonder if the Looper will have the kahunas to pull the pins on the gas containers.
I can tell he is having second thoughts about this circus now that the guns in downtown are blazing and he still can't raise enough money for this dog and monkey show.
He is going to be held to the hot stove on his promise of not having tax payers pay for this future fiasco.
June 25, 2008
8:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
Cowboy63 writes:
Shaggy writes: "I wonder if the Looper will have the kahunas to pull the pins on the gas containers."
Don't bet on it. Who runs this town anyway?!
Denver is going to be held hostage by a bunch of out-of-state idiots that are going to leave this place in shambles.
Of course none of this will be happening from the view of Hickenloopers porch so I guess it isn't that big of a deal.
June 25, 2008
9:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
rockiesfan05 writes:
After this event, the grass (or lack thereof) will look like woodstock. it's going to be so worn out with all of those tents, stages, and hippies roaming around.
June 25, 2008
9:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
Some capitalist with some vacant land and a few porta-potties should be setting up to make a fortune off this. Tent camping sites, $40 or I mean $100 a night. No campfires.
June 25, 2008
9:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
lencho_elias writes:
Young people should be resisting the Bush family war.
June 25, 2008
9:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
badbob writes:
There was a article in the Denver Post on 1/12/07 "our time proved longtime coming" that will remind you who some of the main players responsible for this fiasco coming to Denver are! Will be interesting to see if they are willing to step forward and take credit after the DNC follies are over!
June 25, 2008
9:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
Cowboy63 writes:
lencho_elias writes: "Young people should be resisting the Bush family war."
Tearing up City Park is hardly effective "resisting". Resistance through vandalism is all this sad generation knows.
The city should make the organizers of this fiasco put down a $5,000,000 deposit against any damages that might occur. That's just $100/head for each protester - a bargain!
June 25, 2008
9:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
vudumom writes:
The area grocery stores would do well if they offered special deals on popcorn and other TV/movie watching foods and drinks. This is going to be great to watch. It might even win a Academy Award like Al Gore's film. The city council should pass a law banning the use of rubber bullets by the police. Things To Do in Denver When Your Dead. Give it a name.
June 25, 2008
9:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
temurlan writes:
Protests these days are a joke as are the protesters. I don't see childish or angry behavior changing anyone's mind.
Remember the civil rights protests? Nonviolent marches (on the part of the marchers) and stirring speeches that became historical? That is the way to do it. Of course you have to actually have a message.
June 25, 2008
9:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
M2 writes:
No one cares what your hand painted sign says.... unless it's a funny one like some of the homeless have. "Ninjas killed my family... Need money for karate lessons". Can someone explain to me the need to camp over night in a park? Go to a hostel or hotel then walk to the park the next morning. And out of curiosity... I wonder how many people at protests really know what they're protesting. Mostly it's just kids looking for something to do. Not ALL.... just a majority.
June 25, 2008
10:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
I wonder if it is legal to rent your yard to campers for the protest. Downtown Denver homes could make bank.
June 25, 2008
10:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
I guess Denver has two options. They can cry like babies and hide in their closets or they can embrace the opportunity of way too many people that need a place to stay. I wonder if you could buy a dozen tents and open your bathroom on a temporary basis legally. I mean with the shortage of space this could be way better than some economic stimulus check. Where are my usual detractors that call me a commie? I guess they just really want control not pure capitalism.
June 25, 2008
10:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
Cowboy63 writes:
Big_D writes: "They can cry like babies and hide in their closets or they can embrace the opportunity of way too many people that need a place to stay."
If they can't afford a place to stay, how can they afford to get here in the first place?
The Denver PD need to keep order whatever the cost. If they need to bring on extra forces or facilities - do it.
June 25, 2008
11:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
rickg19611 writes:
Life under Democrat rule....
FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY BANNED AS DEMOCRAT THUGS REFUSE TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO GO TO A PARK
FREEDOM OF SPEECH BANNDED AS DEMOCRAT THUGS REFUSE TO ALLOW CITIZENS TO VOICE THEIR OPINION OF OSAMA BIN BARAK AND THE DEMOCRAT THUGS
What other freedoms are under attack by the Democrat_Gestapo?
June 25, 2008
11:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
coffman1999 writes:
So now the city has decided to issue a permit for up to 50K people that will have musical acts and camping and trashing City Park
Can someone please tell me how this is any different from the permit the city would not allow for the Mile High Music Fest???
lame
June 25, 2008
11:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
rickg19611 writes:
Every single moron that cheered when Hickenblunder volunteered Denver to be host to the Democrat Drunkfest 2008, should be required to house a dozen of the protestors.
They asked for it, now they should deal with the outcome.
In fact, a reality TV show for MTV in the making..... Mayor Hickenblunder, with a dozen new age hippies that haven't showered in a month, sitting around the Hickenblunder mansion.... smoking stuff and daydreaming about what life will be like under Islamic rule if Osama is elected........
June 25, 2008
11:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
Shaggy writes:
Did "the Mile High Music Fest" have anything to do with Democrats or the city's quest to put lipstick on Denver while their Circus was in town?
June 25, 2008
11:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
freethinker07 writes:
According to the story, they are already planning to violate the terms of the permit. why is this a question? Yank the permit. There is a permit for 20,000 people? How will they get there? How many RTD buses?
But some will just drive over. Add another couple of thousand cars. Where will they park?
Where will they eat and drink?
City Park is 3 miles from the Pepsi Center. Are people going to walk? Do they have a parade permit?
This is a joke.
Big D, no you can't rent out tent space in your back yard.. It's illegal on several counts. It's a health hazard. It's a traffic hazard. It's a safety hazard.
I'm glad I don't live near downtown.
June 25, 2008
11:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
They don't have thousands of dollars but they have enough to eat and pay fifty for a campsite. Maybe they can double up so they can rent a tent.
June 25, 2008
11:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
much ado about nothing is right. i live on the west side of the park and am not worried about a social breakdown. the city is receiving a lot of federal money in order to accomadate these kind of eventualities and i've no doubt that we'll skin some knees while having an overall great convention.
that's not to say that i'm not going to load up the rubber buckshot just in case...but you know what i mean...
June 25, 2008
11:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
Just because it does not fit in your neat box does not mean that some of us can’t make a buck. What do you think you’re entitled to some kind of perfect city during the DNC? Welcome to democracy at its finest, the right to speak and assemble.
June 25, 2008
11:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
"Big D, no you can't rent out tent space in your back yard.. It's illegal on several counts. It's a health hazard. It's a traffic hazard. It's a safety hazard."
Show me the law. What is the exact law that says this? You can provide facilities or pota-potties. The people I know downtown don’t belong to a HOA to worry about the cars. Do you think they will have the manpower to close anyone down?
June 25, 2008
11:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
freethinker07 seems like a closet dweller for the DNC. GO HIDE IN FEAR OF THE DEMOCRATS!!!
June 25, 2008
11:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
You guys hear fear and I hear “ca-ching”.
June 25, 2008
11:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
LingLingfor_prez writes:
Hippies Smell.
June 25, 2008
11:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
allseasonsfan writes:
If this group wants to enact real change, then fly the 50,000 people to Baghdad, and walk arm in arm through the streets there. Maybe all the people there will link arms too. They can come together in unity and say we don't hate anymore. And then a whisper comes from an Iraqi mom to an American protester, and says "you know, we are not at war with you, we just want the extremist to stop killing us". And then it hits, the protestor realizes that they too are an extremist and that if they had only "shut up" 5 years ago, this action would have been over by now. Iraq would have been stable and supplying oil to the world, keeping supplies high and prices low.
But ahhhh, it's for a good cause, they want to get someone in the White House who can enact real change and maybe, just maybe they take that walk........ and hear a whisper.
June 25, 2008
12:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dan2 writes:
Maybe they can all stay in a shelter? And for showering, City Park must have some sort of sprinkler system right? Just turn it on...
Seriously though, this "protest" even for Tent State University (I do like the name), probably will draw 5000 - 65000 people. Even the organizer stated it was his "dream to have 50,000" people there.
And, we all smell (at least if we have noses), but hippies stink...
June 25, 2008
1:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
Proven Fact...
Play Slayer. They will leave.
June 25, 2008
1:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
According to many of the experts the Oil prices are driven by speculation, many of them being funds/foundations/groups unaware of being speculators or the risk they are assuming. The smart money says that oil is only worth about 95 dollars a barrel and everything over that is a bubble that can burst at any time. They said the same thing about the housing market so I think they are worth listening to. They also primarily blame the fed for inflation by not restricting the money enough for our economy to correct.
June 25, 2008
2:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
Big mosh pit or a gas-air bomb.. one of the two!!
June 25, 2008
3:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
temurlan writes:
A gas air bomb wouldn't work. All the pot smokers would prematurely ignite the gas before it was properly dispersed. Have to try something else. I've always wanted to see a C130 Spectre in action...from a good distance away though.
June 25, 2008
3:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
MarineGrunt writes:
The Spooky will make a man shake in his boots 5 miles away! But, Good Call!
June 25, 2008
3:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
CheapEnergyNow writes:
Bus them to Boulder for the night. No one will notice.
June 25, 2008
4:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
don63 writes:
Okay - let them stay and sleep (good luck). Request a $15 million dollar performance bond for the clean up and damage repair. As a taxpayer I need to be protected from unusual and necessary costs to the City. Oil and gas companies place performance bonds for wells drilled in the event a proper clean-up of the site is not done at the time the well is abandoned - this is a prudent business practice.
June 25, 2008
5:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
jjez writes:
Wasn't it the current, Republican, administration who started the war? Why are the war protesters showing up for the DNC? Don't the Dems want the war to end? So, they'll be like preaching the the choir, right? Sounds like a good use of resources, if they even show up. I guess if Obama gets to be Pres, and does end the war, then they'll be able to say it was their protest that ended the it?
June 25, 2008
8:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
rickg19611 writes:
"Don't the Dems want the war to end? "
Obviously not, since they have done NOTHING about it. 2 years of Democrat control of Congress has resulted in 2 more years of supporting and funding for it.
Democrats are just liars. And those who support them are the gullible morons that swallowed their lies.
June 25, 2008
9:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
rickybobby, the dems in congress did everything they could to convince the republicans to do the right thing...up to but not including...forcing their hands by refusing to fund combat troops on the ground.
do you think they should have withheld funding for the troops getting shot at? you seem to if you thinkm they did "nothing" to get us out of the war...
June 26, 2008
8:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
rickg19611 writes:
jay....
"the dems in congress did everything they could"
Even with Democrats in the majority, they still couldn't get a majority of votes to support their own party's positions!!!!! BEWWWAHHHAAA!!!!!!!!!
Those are some bad Democrat party positions if they can't even get their own Democrat party members to support them!!!
June 26, 2008
8:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
alwaysright writes:
Puff the magic dragon ( That's the new spooky)
Would do a nice job at the park.
June 26, 2008
9:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
"Even with Democrats in the majority, they still couldn't get a majority of votes to support their own party's positions!!!!"
sounds like someone needs to take a civics class.
do you know how many votes it takes to overrule a presidential veto, rickybobby or are you just flinging poo here?
June 26, 2008
10:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
temurlan writes:
I thought they called it Puff since Veitnam. Anyway it's still a great name. Imagine how Peter, Paul and Mary feel about the nickname. Ha!
June 26, 2008
10:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
on a serious note for a minute and back on topic a bit.
what happens if this trend of camping/meeting in city park continues outside of the confines of an organization like Tent State U? I don't think it's hard to imagine that the idea of a staging/camping area in city park will catch on to many of the people planning on traveling to denver for the convention. it's very close to downtown and is one of the largest city parks in the country.
it seems as if the city needs to make a decision one way or another before too long in order to have enough time to adequately prepare for the ramifications of their choice.
either they're going to need to have human services on scene on a fairly robust level, or they're going to need the law enforcement necessary to vacate thousands of campers from the park at 11 pm every night and then cope with the ensuing problems of having those folks sleeping on neighborhood lawns.
i don't see the latter happening. a little common sense says that the city isn't going to piss of a large voter bloc by releasing the hounds every night like a ginormous, thompsonesque version of a lodo saturday night. they might as well embrace inevitability and start to prepare for a large scale staging/camping area in city park. it will literally take months to put together the type of resources necessary to accomodate the type of numbers possible during the convention.
no time like the present.