Democratic National Convention(DNC), Denver 2008 (part 1)

Aug. 24-28 A total of 152 people were arrested during the Democratic National Convention -- far fewer arrests than many had expected. Still, attorneys for the protesters are criticizing the way the city is handling these cases. Some attorneys believe many of the young men and women are being coerced into pleading guilty. The vast majority of the arrests stem from the melee at Civic Center Park Monday night, when police used pepper spray on a group that took to the streets without a permit. Rory Gravelle was arrested this week. "Suddenly, out of nowhere, all these riot cops swarmed on top of us," said Gravelle. "Denver's a cool town, but you guys are wasting a lot of money on innocent people. And in this courtroom they're only allowing people to plead guilty," said Richard Warner, who also appeared in court Friday. Those in court said they feel coerced into pleading guilty because their only other option was to come back next Tuesday, an impossibility for some who live on the other side of the country. "The judge and the city attorney have refused to allow them, essentially, to plead not guilty today," said Brian Vicente with People's Law Project. "This is not what democracy is all about," said attorney Robert Corry. But the judge, the city and the mayor said security in Denver was a success. Seven of the 30 protesters who appeared in court took the plea bargain. Most pleaded to a charge of obstructing a city street. The city attorney's office said they staffed the court just like they always do. Denver's police chief said the reason that there weren't more arrests was because demonstrators kept in touch with officers by cell phone. During their protests, the leaders of these groups had the phone number of a police liaison officer assigned to them so that they could continually update their plans. Source: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/politics/17339372/detail.html?rss=den&psp=news _______________________________________ The 2008 DNC in Denver is being promoted by activists as "Recreate '68," referring to the 1968 DNC in Chicago, where Abbie Hoffman and the Yippies nominated Pigasus the pig as their presidential nominee, and riot police got a good fill of hippie-head-cracking. A diverse national collective is now organizing to bring large-scale uprising to Denver in 2008. As their website states: Join us in the streets of Denver as we resist a two-party system that allows imperialism and racism to continue unrestrained. We will demand change by making the Democratic Convention of 1968 look like a small get together in 2008! Additional information can be found by visiting the group's virtual community convergence center at www.recreate68.org. Source: http://shiftshapers.gnn.tv/headlines/13701/Denver_Massive_Protests_Planned_for_DNC _______________________________________ DENVER Wed. August 27th - There were some tense moments at the Unconventional Denver convergence space Wednesday morning when police set up a perimeter around it and attempted to enter and search the building. Security at the space demanded a search warrant when police asked to enter the space. Legal aid was called to the scene immediately where video and written accounts were taken. Police were unable to obtain a warrant and left after some time, but not before arresting 2 activists outside the center. It is unclear what the charges were. Fears of a full scale raid were raised later in the day when police parked multiple SUVs and other vehicles with multiple detachments of riot police outside the center. But no raid occurred. At this time the center is open and operating. In the afternoon a Rage Against the Machine concert concluded with fans marching to the Pepsi Center. Rage band members are said to have joined the march the march lead by Iraq Veterans Against the War. An Estimated 3,500 people took part in the march. Source: http://dncdisruption08.org/

YouTube | August 30, 2008