Protesters pour fake blood on dismembered dolls to symbolize Columbus' genocide of Indigenous Peoples; more than 80 arrested in Denver
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Denver: Pain Compliance holds used against Non-Violent Prote
stors
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Sunday, October 07 2007 @ 09:51 AM PDTContributed by: strongwindsahead
DENVER: 10/6/07 Riot-clad Denver police officers moved quickly and violently against non-violent protestors this morning in downtown Denver. Over fifty people sat down in the street to protest the Columbus Day parade. Unlike past years when officers and protestors cooperated during the arrests, officers moved in quickly and used violence against the protestors. Many ofthose arrested were led away by two officers, both using pain compliance holds on the detained person. Those arrested were clearly in pain as they were pushed, pulled and dragged to two Denver Sheriff's Department buses.The use of force by police, particularly the extended periods those detained endured pain compliance holds, constitutes a significant human rights violation.CopWatch observers report that the sit in protestors did not use violence.At least a dozen other arrests were reported as well. After the initial arrest several other protestors ran into the street to block the parade, these individuals were also forcibly arrested. Several of those arrestedwere not participating in the sit-in. At least one arrest by Denver Sheriff's deputies did not appear to have any reason at all.Although police routinely have worn riot gear during the annual protest, this year CopWatch observed a clear escalation in the show of force by police. Riot sticks were being brandished by officers rather than remainingin their belts. Denver Sheriffs actually had an officer armed with a shotgun facing protestors.Denver CopWatch believes that an excessive amount of force was used in detaining and arresting the protestors. Although the sit-in was blocking acity street, those participating in the sit-in did not use violence. The organized nature of the arrests suggests that the use of force was plannedand approved in advance by the command staff of the Denver Police Department. Chief Whitman was on scene during the arrests.The actions by the Denver Police and the Sheriff's Department was a serious and unnecessary escalation in the use of force. Today's police action was a clear departure from the tactics they have used in previous years which quickly and peaceably removed protestors. The new tactics resulted in the spectacle of people crying out in pain with tears on their cheeks while their hands and arms were being bent backwards by Denver Police Officers.Denver CopWatch will be issuing pictures and video clips of today's violent events in the coming days._________________________________________________________________Denver CopWatch - Stephen Nash 303-742-9928From the news wires ...
PHOTO: Denver police drag a Columbus Day Parade protester away across fake blood in Denver, Colo., on Saturday morning, October 6, 2007. Demonstrators poured fake blood on the street to protest the parade. (AP Photo/Peter M. Fredin)
Parade greeted by protests
By Tom McGhee The Denver Post
Police arrested American Indian Movement leader Russell Means and 83 protesters at today's Columbus Day parade for blocking the route.
But there were no major incidents or violent behavior, police said.
At least 500 people protested, and many of them came prepared to draw attention and go to jail over their belief that the Italian
American celebration has racist roots.
After marching from four separate locations in Denver to converge on the state Capitol for a rally, the demonstrators walked to the parade route at Stout and 15th streets.
Glenn Morris, a member of the American Indian Movement of Colorado's leadership council, urged those willing to face jail to block the parade route. Other demonstrators were told to remain on the sidewalk and out of the way of police.
"We can either watch history or we can make history and today we intend to make history," Morris said.
Others just enjoyed the parade.
Jeff Miller of Denver was among the several hundred revelers. He held small American and Italian flags as he watched Italian Americans on motorcycles, in cars and riding on flatbed trucks, move along 15th Street after police cleared the way.
Miller said he isn't Italian but came to show support for the celebration.
"I am tired of these lefties trying to put these guys out of business," he said.
Denver Cop Watch accused police of using painful holds to move peaceful demonstrators, some of whom cried as they were carried away, the group said.
Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said officers used "appropriate measures" for the situation.
Demonstrations at the parade have become routine. Last year, only three people were arrested, but in 2004 about 300 were hauled away.
Protesters chanted "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Columbus Day has got to go," and carried signs accusing Christopher Columbus of beginning a genocide against Native Americans.
Some carried bandanas to hold to their faces and protect them from tear gas if it was used by police.
"We don't want any harm here," said Carlos Castaneda,50, a member of Grupo Tlaloc, a Native American dance troop.
Protesters sat down in the street to face off with police after Morris poured a bucket of red liquid bearing pieces of dismembered toy dolls.
"This is only the beginning. The frustration has reached critical mass," Means said as police led him toward a pair of buses on Stout Street they used to transport prisoners.
Tom McGhee: (303)954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
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Denver: Pain Compliance holds used against Non-Violent Prote
storshttp://www.infoshop.org/
Sunday, October 07 2007 @ 09:51 AM PDTContributed by: strongwindsahead
DENVER: 10/6/07 Riot-clad Denver police officers moved quickly and violently against non-violent protestors this morning in downtown Denver. Over fifty people sat down in the street to protest the Columbus Day parade. Unlike past years when officers and protestors cooperated during the arrests, officers moved in quickly and used violence against the protestors. Many ofthose arrested were led away by two officers, both using pain compliance holds on the detained person. Those arrested were clearly in pain as they were pushed, pulled and dragged to two Denver Sheriff's Department buses.The use of force by police, particularly the extended periods those detained endured pain compliance holds, constitutes a significant human rights violation.CopWatch observers report that the sit in protestors did not use violence.At least a dozen other arrests were reported as well. After the initial arrest several other protestors ran into the street to block the parade, these individuals were also forcibly arrested. Several of those arrestedwere not participating in the sit-in. At least one arrest by Denver Sheriff's deputies did not appear to have any reason at all.Although police routinely have worn riot gear during the annual protest, this year CopWatch observed a clear escalation in the show of force by police. Riot sticks were being brandished by officers rather than remainingin their belts. Denver Sheriffs actually had an officer armed with a shotgun facing protestors.Denver CopWatch believes that an excessive amount of force was used in detaining and arresting the protestors. Although the sit-in was blocking acity street, those participating in the sit-in did not use violence. The organized nature of the arrests suggests that the use of force was plannedand approved in advance by the command staff of the Denver Police Department. Chief Whitman was on scene during the arrests.The actions by the Denver Police and the Sheriff's Department was a serious and unnecessary escalation in the use of force. Today's police action was a clear departure from the tactics they have used in previous years which quickly and peaceably removed protestors. The new tactics resulted in the spectacle of people crying out in pain with tears on their cheeks while their hands and arms were being bent backwards by Denver Police Officers.Denver CopWatch will be issuing pictures and video clips of today's violent events in the coming days._________________________________________________________________Denver CopWatch - Stephen Nash 303-742-9928From the news wires ...
PHOTO: Denver police drag a Columbus Day Parade protester away across fake blood in Denver, Colo., on Saturday morning, October 6, 2007. Demonstrators poured fake blood on the street to protest the parade. (AP Photo/Peter M. Fredin)
Parade greeted by protests
By Tom McGhee The Denver Post
Police arrested American Indian Movement leader Russell Means and 83 protesters at today's Columbus Day parade for blocking the route.
But there were no major incidents or violent behavior, police said.
At least 500 people protested, and many of them came prepared to draw attention and go to jail over their belief that the Italian
American celebration has racist roots.After marching from four separate locations in Denver to converge on the state Capitol for a rally, the demonstrators walked to the parade route at Stout and 15th streets.
Glenn Morris, a member of the American Indian Movement of Colorado's leadership council, urged those willing to face jail to block the parade route. Other demonstrators were told to remain on the sidewalk and out of the way of police.
"We can either watch history or we can make history and today we intend to make history," Morris said.
Others just enjoyed the parade.
Jeff Miller of Denver was among the several hundred revelers. He held small American and Italian flags as he watched Italian Americans on motorcycles, in cars and riding on flatbed trucks, move along 15th Street after police cleared the way.
Miller said he isn't Italian but came to show support for the celebration.
"I am tired of these lefties trying to put these guys out of business," he said.
Denver Cop Watch accused police of using painful holds to move peaceful demonstrators, some of whom cried as they were carried away, the group said.
Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said officers used "appropriate measures" for the situation.
Demonstrations at the parade have become routine. Last year, only three people were arrested, but in 2004 about 300 were hauled away.
Protesters chanted "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Columbus Day has got to go," and carried signs accusing Christopher Columbus of beginning a genocide against Native Americans.
Some carried bandanas to hold to their faces and protect them from tear gas if it was used by police.
"We don't want any harm here," said Carlos Castaneda,50, a member of Grupo Tlaloc, a Native American dance troop.
Protesters sat down in the street to face off with police after Morris poured a bucket of red liquid bearing pieces of dismembered toy dolls.
"This is only the beginning. The frustration has reached critical mass," Means said as police led him toward a pair of buses on Stout Street they used to transport prisoners.
Tom McGhee: (303)954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
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