City releases more details on DNC protest route, venue

By David Montero, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 23, 2008 at 7:33 p.m.
Updated June 23, 2008 at 7:33 p.m.

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City officials released a few more details Monday for groups that want to protest outside the Pepsi Center during the Democratic National Convention, including the fact a wire mesh fence will be used to mark the protest area.

But other key components — including what portion of the parking lot will be designated for protest groups and how high the fence will be — were not disclosed. However, the city said it didn't plan on topping the wire mesh fence.

And then there was the issue of the marching route for protest groups and how far away it would be from the Pepsi Center during the convention Aug. 25-28.

Apparently, it was far enough to bring howls of protest from some of the protest groups.

"New York City let us march right in front of Madison Square Garden. I could put my foot on the first step," said Glenn Spagnuolo of Recreate 68. "If New York can let 600,000 people march in front of Madison Square Garden, then they should let 25,000 people march in front of the Pepsi Center."

But city officials assured protest groups that delegates going to and from the Pepsi Center during the convention would be within earshot of protestors and that there would be plenty of other chances for protestors to speak out throughout the city.

Katherine Archuleta, senior policy advisor to Mayor John Hickenlooper, said in a statement that the so-called "public demonstration zone" would allow the views of protest groups to be heard by delegates. She also said the protest area of 50,000 square-feet would accommodate several thousand people.

"Our intention is to maximize opportunities for people to express themselves in a safe manner that also respects the rights of others as well as local, state and federal laws," Archuleta said.

According to Denver City Attorney David Fine, the city won't treat the protest area any differently from other public sidewalks and walkways in Denver. The city will not require permits to enter or use the area and will not allow others to obstruct the viewing area.

Fine also said that people using the protest area may be subject to search and seizure laws under Constitutional standards but would be protected from unreasonable search and seizure.

Spagnuolo said the city's action was designed to "chill free speech" and that it was setting up "freedom cages" in what he viewed as a disregard for First Amendment rights.

"It will make us look like animals in a zoo," he said. "Don't touch the animals behind the cage."

U.S. Secret Service and city officials are also trying to keep some other aspects of the protest area under wraps — including the actual height of the fence and how close the demonstration area will be to delegates.

But based on information released by the city, the marching route ends at the entrance of the public demonstration zone in Lot A at 7th Street and Auraria Parkway — the far southeast corner of the 350,000 square-foot lot.

U.S. District Judge Marcia Krieger has set a June 30 hearing to consider if those details will remain secret.

The federal lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and a series of protest groups including the American Friends Service Committee, CODEPINK and Troops Out Now Coalition.

• June 24, 2008

  10:01 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  timeandagain writes:

  I think Spagnuolo should put his foot on the first step of the Highlands Ranch Recreation Center because that is where he lives in his little suburban cookie cutter home.

  What is he going to be doing all the way up in Denver anyhow?

• June 24, 2008

  10:29 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  sheepherder writes:

  I like the idea of Spagnuolo in a cage...if ya act like an animal, you should be treated like one!

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