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Written by Andy Aplikowski
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Sunday, 24 August 2008 21:42 |
On the eve of the Democratic convention in Denver this week, we get a glimpse of what is to come to the Twin Cities next week.
Protesters disperse, only to blockade again
A group of Democratic National Convention protesters have been gathering to block major arteries in downtown Denver, moving each time as police demand they disperse.
First the marchers blocked traffic at the intersection of Broadway and Colfax Avenue and briefly refused to move.
The protesters, chanting, "no more presidents, no more wars," disrupted traffic along both streets as police tried to move them into either Civic Center or Lincoln Park.
After 10 minutes or so, police gave an order to disperse, and the group barely moved.
Several officers on horseback arrived and began moving the crowd out of the street.
"Double wide!," one officer ordered, and police lined up to move protesters.
Just as it appeared they would disperse peacefully, a small group of about eight protesters ran into traffic on Lincoln Street and sat in the street.
They chanted "our streets!" in front of Capitol.
The war protesters chanted "Two, four, six, eight. This is a police state!" as they moved down Lincoln Street to the 16th Street Mall after officers made at least one arrest.
At 4:30 p.m., the same group, though smaller, briefly blocked traffic at Stout and 16th streets and was once again was ordered to disperse.
"I don't want to be part of any violence but where are we supposed to go?," pleaded a young man wearing a bandana.
An officer on a microphone announced that they can walk out west on Stout Street, away from the mall. But some of the protesters ran into a parking garage instead before they finally dispersed.
They also shut down the light rail transit system. Don't you dare think these people are here to exercise speech rights, they are here to disrupt the lives of everyone they can.
Thuggish behavior from a minority of people. |
