Jul 23, 2008 6:29 pm US/Mountain
Demonstrators, Denver Spar Over DNC Plans
DENVER (CBS4/AP) ―
A judge has rejected a request for Denver to list how many police officers would be needed to staff potential routes for protest marches around the Democratic National Convention.
Groups planning protests had sought the information as part of a lawsuit challenging a designated public demonstration zone and route for marches during the convention Aug. 25-28. They say the zone and route will not be within earshot or view of delegates attending events at the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field at Mile High. Glenn Spagnuolo of the Recreate 68 Alliance says it's not close enough for the first amendment.
"They're putting us in the far corner of the lot, over two football fields in length away from the entrance of this building, on the other side of these massive tents that are being erected," Spagnuolo said. "Unless you have some kind of superhuman sight and super human hearing, you're not going to see or hear that a protest is even occurring at this location."
City Councilman Charlie Brown disagrees.
"It's 50,000 square feet," he said. "They will be allowed to use bull horns, which I'm certain they will, and so we think it does meet the sight and sound criteria."
The city says protesters will also have the opportunity to approach delegates in the city on the sidewalks and during other public functions. The groups who want access to delegates at the Pepsi Center say that's not good enough.
The groups argued that knowing staffing plans would help answer whether more officers would be needed if protest or parade areas were moved.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Tafoya said Tuesday that some requests were not relevant to the lawsuit and said there were safety concerns. Denver had argued that releasing officers' staffing plans could allow someone to plan to overwhelm forces.
Arguments on the lawsuit are set to be heard July 29.
Separately Tuesday, anti-abortion groups asked City Attorney David Fine whether they could conduct a prayer vigil at the Pepsi Center on Aug. 23. They threatened to file a lawsuit if Denver does not respond.
Fine said public sidewalks would be open Saturday for a vigil and that he was continuing to talk with the groups.
Additional Resources • For complete coverage of the planning for the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver, as well as information about how to volunteer and for a list of helpful links, visit the Denver 2008 DNC Convention Section.
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