No waiver for Tent State crowd
Rocky Mountain News
Published June 29, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Denver needs to take a firm stand in negotiations with the anti-war group Tent State University.
The student-run organization recently received a conditional assembly permit to bring potentially thousands of protesters to Denver and set up a tent city in a corner of City Park during the Democratic National Convention. But one of their leaders seems less than thoroughly committed to abiding by the terms of the deal.
How many protesters might participate isn't clear. The permit sets aside space to accommodate 20,000, but Tent State organizer Adam Jung says he wants to bring 50,000 here. Such talk may be nothing more than PR, but that's why as negotiations move forward, "conditional" is the term to remember.
The city expects - as it should - the Tent Staters to abide by all 11 conditions set forth by the Parks and Recreation Department in an order it issued June 20.
Among them: No camping. No alcohol. Get the approval of neighborhood associations, the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Make sure PA systems for music and other performances don't disturb the neighbors. Provide portable toilets, drinking water and trash collection for the site.
In other words, satisfy the same expectations any group hoping to bring a large number of people to occupy a major portion of a Denver park would have to meet.
We're not confident Tent State can meet those goals. Indeed, Jung told the Rocky that he hopes for flexibility. Perhaps the city could provide outhouses and churches and nearby residents could offer their showers, he said. As for camping, which is prohibited by ordinance in City Park: "If we have to figure out a way to remove all of these people at 10 or 11 at night," Jung said, "it becomes very problematic."
It's only problematic if the city issues the permit and the Tent Staters don't live up to their end of the bargain. Tent State shouldn't have applied for a permit if its leaders doubted the willingness of protesters to clear out of the park every evening. A city park is not the place for a large crowd of campers.
To their credit, city officials assured us they have no plans to grant any sort of waiver. If Tent State can't satisfy all the conditions placed on the permit - and it must fully document its plans two weeks before the Aug. 23 setup date - the city won't grant final approval.
Denver has every right to expect that those who wish to use public facilities will not damage them, trash the surrounding neighborhood or stick taxpayers with a cleanup bill afterward.
Denver Zoo CEO Craig Piper told us he communicated several reservations about the event to the city. They included the sound levels from amplified performances, the safety of animals, zoo staff and visitors, and the financial impact on the zoo if people can't get there during the event, which is scheduled during the zoo's peak season.
These objections are reason aplenty for the city to expect regular updates and progress reports from Tent State organizers between now and the deadline.
If any of the affected parties makes a good case that the group cannot occupy City Park without significant disruptions to the immediate neighborhood, Denver officials should have no qualms about revoking the conditional permit.
Better safe than sorry.
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June 29, 2008
3:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
Roy writes:
I live a couple blocks from City Park and I'll probably check it all out. I say let 'em camp. I saw one of the organizers on tv and he seemed sincere enough. Made a good point. Where can they send people? I'd rather they all hang out at the park then snarl traffic up around here!
June 29, 2008
6:42 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
The city should not grant final approval to this group. It is insane to think that 20-50,000 people are going to abide by all the rules set forth in the permit application. Most are looking for a party and could care less about politics. This is a very bad idea from the beginning. If the city allows this event to go forward it will be a nightmare. How do you get 20,-50,000 people to leave every night, clean up , not overrun the toilet facilities, keep the noise down, allow the residents and visitors to get into the area, (parking? ), what about the food situation?, and what about security?
Denver is not smart enough or equipped to deal with this type of situation. Say no to the permit.
June 29, 2008
7:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
Michael writes:
OK....give them the permit...with these conditions:
1. The organization and the person(s) who apply and sign for this permit agree to accept ALL responsibility and liability for ALL actions and results during and caused by the event.
2. The organization will provide for and/or pay for ALL security, services, equipment, damages to public and/or private property associated with the event.
3. The organization shall post a minimum $1,000,000.00 bond to cover items 1 & 2.
4. Realizing it will be impossible to expect this area of the park to be returned to the exact state it was in prior to the event, the organization will post a non-refundable bond of $100,000.00 for grass reseeding, tree replanting, and general grounds restoration work that is always required after an event such as this. If there is anything left over, it will be donated to a local charitable organization as a fee for allowing this event to occur against standing City of Denver Ordinances and Laws. (If they are expecting 20,000 people, $5 a head is not too much to ask)
5. If the organization hosting the event cannot meet items 1 - 4, then they are not in a legal and/or financial position to be granted permission to host this event and put the City of Denver and its citizens at risk and liability for their actions and the permit shall be DENIED.
June 29, 2008
7:47 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
The parks are already stressed out; they look terrible. I believe they'll even look worse letting thousands camp in them. Make Tent State post a cash bond with the city, to assist the taxpayers and the city in the restoration of the parks after they leave. We made the race promoters resod the capitol after the Denver Gran Prix, and clean up thier mess, why not Tent State? The sheer number of people living in the park, will stress the ecostructure of an already stressed out park, to a degree many times it's ability to withstand. If they can't post a cash bond with the city, no waiver. If they do destroy the park further, and this mayor didn't protect the taxpayer, lets hold the mayor responsible. After all, he said this convention wouldn't cost the taxpayer, didn't he? Destroying stressed out ecostructures in our parks by allowing tens of thousands to camp there and create greater stress than the park is capable of handling, is not going to cost the taxpayers and the city? The Gran Prix people did a great job of cleaning up and resodding, the people were protected financially. John Hinkenlooper, as mayor, are you scared or what? Protect our parks, we the taxpayers of Colorado payed for them, not some out of state Tent State; what is Tent State going to do to reimburse us Mayor Hinkenlooper? Democrat or Republican, what gives any politician the right to destroy the crown jewels of our city without reimbursement from the liable party(s); our parks are already hurting Mr. Hinkenlooper! As our mayor, as a taxpayer, protect our assets please! Use that business accument of yours, and secure an insurance bond or cash bond, something to protect the taxpayers assets.
June 29, 2008
7:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
Prefer a cash bond posted with the city Mr. Hinkenlooper, that way the city doesn't have to fight the insurance companies.
June 29, 2008
9:16 a.m.
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bxwatso writes:
Denver hosts a DNC once every 100 years. I really don't care about disturbances that happen once a century.
How about enforcing the camping, drug, alcohol, loitering, and disturbing the peace laws when the DNC isn't in town?
Many of our parks and trails (cherry creek for instance) are overrun with drunks and druggies 24 / 7.
It really shows Denver's political true colors when the Dems fret only when a few thousand of their own Bishops and Cardinals come to visit.
What about law and order the other 99 years of the century?
June 29, 2008
10:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
The pope himself, John Paul II, came to Denver for a week of World Youth Day, "once every 100 years", (first time in Denver's history I believe), he cleaned up after his act. G-8 came to Denver "once every 100 years", a lot of large events come to Denver every "100 years", don't mean they trash the city. They do enforce the laws in Denver parks, everyone gets tossed at curfew, the cops bust drug dealers everyday in the parks, cops patrol and write people up every day in our parks. Even the gays in Cheeseman park get tickets. "once every 100 years" is weak, just like the arguement the police don't enforce the laws daily in our parks. Are the police making any progress? That we can debate, a lot of pro's and con's to that question. There is no excuse to allow any organization trash our parks without repairing the damages they cause. A lot of events happen "once every 100 years" in Denver. Gran Prix would qualify as "once every 100 years", they still had to clean up and resod the damage thier bleachers caused to the capitol lawn. The only thing that should come "once every 100 years" to Denver without paying for damages is Haley's Comet!
June 29, 2008
10:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
Soon "once every 100 years" happens every year in Denver.
June 29, 2008
12:40 p.m.
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7_ogNiOj writes:
A fee to protest...nonsense. I say they just occupy the park with permission or not. I would like to see the police try to evict the Tent Staters at 11 at night while R68 and Co. are working the downtown area. Best of luck.
June 29, 2008
1:09 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
7_ogNiOj, somehow I got a feeling your right; it will be the gift we'll never forget. To be truthful, with all the extra pepperballs and gas, the whole city should be crying. I've never seen DPD stand down. I don't think a lot of rank and file in uniform care much about Hinkenlooper anyway, especially after his illegal dishwasher shot and killed one of thier boys, and ran back to Mexico. Your words may ring true, and that is sad; a lot of people love this city. It's a great place to live. I think you'll find there is a large number of people who back DPD; to bad Dill isn't chief, I'd garantee it'd be a fight to the finish. Ain't that America, if they won't give it to you, take it! The mantra of every criminal. In prison the words change from your blood on a knife, or your poop on a stick. Either way, it's taking something that doesn't belong to you. Sad.
June 29, 2008
1:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
7_ogNiOj writes:
I think the argument of the protesters is in general that their right to protest and the space to do it without fear of state violence shouldn't have to be taken. I'd tend to agree. And I don't think support for DPD is anywhere near uniform after their STASI-like escapades over the last few decades. No one in Denver is fooled by their "commitment to justice" any longer.
As a native I hope their points get made with the least amount of chaos. But it still is the Wild West after all and we certainly don't like the state telling us what to do.
June 29, 2008
2:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
7_ogNiOj, I agree with the right to protest, I agree it is eccential to our constitution to protect that right. I don't think you should be limited as to where to protest unless it obstructs the rights of another. My disappointment comes when R68 threatens to hold this beautiful city and it's people hostage to violence and destruction of property. That is not a right, that is a crime. You'd be supprised at the silent support DPD recieves; I raise money each year for the widows and children of slain officers. This community steps up for them, it amazed me; I used to think the same way you did on the community support issue. With all the drive bys, children being killed, shootings in LoDo, more people are coming onboard every day. No, this town bows it's head when one of St. Michael's soldiers falls in the line of duty. You just don't know, I never realized just how many people support them. They are loved by a majority whose voices you'll never hear.
June 29, 2008
2:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
7_ogNiOj writes:
"My disappointment comes when R68 threatens to hold this beautiful city and it's people hostage to violence and destruction of property."
I've been following most of the press release, lawsuits, and some of video/radio of the various groups organizing the protests but have yet to see any statement from R68 that they intend violence or vandalism. Is there a specific interview, writing, etc., to which you're referring?
June 29, 2008
4:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
GetReal writes:
To all the "protesters" coming to Denver-
Obey the law and you wont have any problems.
Break them and expect the legal consequences, just like anyone else.
As far as food and a place to sleep, make arrangements beforehand like any normal adult would before travelling.
I am sick of hearing the whining and moaning about how we should suspend laws to cater to these "activists", and it is somehow Denver's responsibility to specially accommodate and take care of them all.
Are these people so pathetic they are unable to care and take responsibility for themselves?
If so, they shouldn't bother coming.
June 30, 2008
6:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
Alive writes:
The times have changed since '68. The technology available today will be able to track down every individual who gets violent. Cameras everywhere, and who knows what kind of undisclosed technology. If the protesters riot, things will be VERY different from the sixties. Watch and see.
June 30, 2008
7:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
anarchist writes:
Froward, june 26th, 7:31am, Girding for the protests, "For their part the police used the projectiles as a starter gun to begin rounding up everyone with long hair.
Unfortunately Identifying the republican troublemakers will be far more difficult this time around." , can we expect your apology also?
June 30, 2008
7:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
7_ogNiOj writes:
You seem to forget tactics like black bloc. The protesters will certainly be aware of big brother and have ways to circumvent.
June 30, 2008
7:15 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
Which gets more news media coverage, a peacful uneventful demonstration, or a riot? When a city has a team that wins a major event, does the quiet neighborhood celebration make the news, or the overturned cars and arrests? Party affiliations aside, news coverage is attention, and attention is what the protesters seek.
June 30, 2008
7:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
Hambone writes:
Damn those fools that fought to bring the convention here. What a frickin' mess!! Let them set up shop at Elba Wedgeworth's house.
June 30, 2008
7:26 a.m.
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Alive writes:
7_ogNiOj,
What is black bloc? I find this sort of thing interesting. Tell me more about the tactics.
June 30, 2008
10:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
the city is going to need to come to terms with some basic facts.
the campers are coming.
kicking them out at 11 pm every night isn't going to work.
they are going to need city assistance with sanitation and security.
there are going to be a lot of them.
June 30, 2008
10:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
7_ogNiOj writes:
Alive, a google and/or youtube search on 'black bloc' should give you plenty of info on what they do.
July 1, 2008
5:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
Shadow writes:
Michael is right, and Getreal is right. There should be conditions to obtainning a permit for their gathering. Just like all others have to do. Columbus Day, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, the Gay pride thingy. All had to obtain permits. Each permit has certain criteria that has to be met.
If you do not meet this criteria then no permit. If you break the law then you are held accountable. How hard is this to understand.
There is nothing in life that is free. You have to earn it. For the tent city to expect the good citizens to open their doors for them to shower, are they going to clean up the bathrooms afterwards for the good natured people. Are they going to offer to take out the trash in exchange for use of someones house/lawn. Why should Denver taxpayers have to pay for their (tent city) protest support.
Sounds like a lot of poor planning on tent cities part.
As to the expected violance, well only time will tell who is right on this. Anarchist is correct. If it bleeds it leads in the news.
July 1, 2008
8:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
arby writes:
As an English friend of mine is fond of saying and it applies to the Tent City Committee to a T. "These guys couldn't organize a piss off in a brewery" Denver is taking the right approach. "Here are the rules. Can you gaurantee your people will abide by them?" The answer is almost certain to be "No". "Sorry no permit." Problem solved. Maybe?
July 1, 2008
8:05 p.m.
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arby writes:
Hambone
Who is Elba Wedgeworth?
July 1, 2008
8:23 p.m.
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arby writes:
I just looked up Black Bloc. It refers to the color of their clothes and the masks they wear. They are a pretty scary bunch of anarchists. Not the kind of guys we want in town. If they show up Denver better ask for some help from the surrounding communitees. They could ask for the Guard but they occupied elswhere.
July 2, 2008
10:31 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
arby, "They are a pretty scary bunch of anarchists. Not the kind of guys we want in town.", what makes them scarier than Nancy Pelosi? I swear I seen a picture of her in a black dress.