Splitsville--Tent State Severs Ties With Recreate '68 Over "Violent Imagery" And "Heated Rhetoric"

**Update 2--this is getting personal:

Glen Spagnuola, an organizer with Re-create 68, described the split as a mutual one. Spagnuola said that his group had concerns over the images that the name Tent State seemed to convey, because it suggested Kent State, the university where four students were shot to death by National Guardsmen during a Vietnam War protest in 1970.

"There's been so much confusion over the last couple of months. People keep insinuating that we're going to be violent when we've been organizing for a nonviolent protest," he said. "We don't want the image of dead students on a lawn being associated with the positive message that we're putting forward."

Pease countered that Tent City's name has nothing to do with Kent State. It's so named because students taking part in the protest sleep in tents.

She called that fact that tent rhymes with Kent an "immature argument" and said it was not an issue that had come up between the two groups.

First, it's Glenn Spagnuolo. Second, who knew the bad blood between the groups would devolve into attacks--Spagnuolo calling Tent State "hypocritical," and Tent State firing back with charges of "immaturity."

Geez, can't we all just, you know, get along?

**Update--two weeks ago, Adam Jung of Tent State offered this defense of Recreate '68 and Glenn Spagnuolo, over charges from a Truther group about potential violence:

We work with Recreate 68, and we've attended most of the meetings, and I know for a fact nothing of this sort is being discussed. For one thing, our organization has a strict non-violence commitment.

Scroll for more . . .

"Tent State University, a national group represented locally by Adam Jung, says it is having trouble organizing support and bands to perform because of the violent imagery associated with R-68's name, and with recent heated rhetoric from R-68 organizer Glenn Spagnuolo, who has been the face of the local effort to date"--Denver Post

Recreate '68 doesn't play well with others on the left, and now a schism has formed:

A close ally with the local war protest group Re-create 68, which is organizing for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, is severing its ties, the group told R-68 today.

Tent State University, a national group represented locally by Adam Jung, says it is having trouble organizing support and bands to perform because of the violent imagery associated with R-68's name, and with recent heated rhetoric from R-68 organizer Glenn Spagnuolo, who has been the face of the local effort to date.

From the outset, Spagnuolo's group has attracted criticism because of its name, which suggests for many the violence outside the convention hall in Chicago in 1968.

"We don't feel that Re-create-68 is working well with the anti-war left," Jung said.

Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the national group CodePink, seconded concerns over R-68's message and image, saying she wanted to portray the anti-war message as positively as possible. But Benjamin didn't rule out working with R-68, as long as the group's message conformed with CodePink's.

Geez, Glenn. Couldn't hold it together until the convention?

Good lord, making Medea Benjamin sound like the sane one in the room is quite a feat.

It was, however, the fault of the darn conservatives--conservative liberals that is:

Spagnuolo, in anger weeks ago, said the city was creating "a very dangerous situation" because it had given a permit - in a blind lottery - to the committee hosting the convention for use of Civic Center park on the Sunday before the convention. He has since vowed the group would be peaceful.

"We feel like a more positive message would be more attractive to people and we prefer it to be a more positive message," Benjamin said. "We fully intend to work with all the groups, but we want our message to be more positive."

Spagnuolo said Jung's call today was "disappointing."

"This is typically what happens when you have these conservative liberal groups who come in and pressure the smaller groups with their resources," Spagnuolo said. "It's a shame. It's not going to stop us from what we're doing. We have upwards of 40 groups working with us."

When asked to elaborate about what he meant concerning the "conservative liberal groups" Spagnuolo said he would rather refrain from further comment and work to resolve any issues internally.

After reading a press release that Tent State issued Monday afternoon, Spagnuolo said he thought Jung's decision was "hypocritical," because the name "Tent State" conjures up images of college students who died at Kent State during protests of the Vietnam War.

"They really need to look in the mirror," Spaguolo said. "This is something we talked about for quite a while. ... We look at this as a mutual split."

So is Tent State "hypocritical" or is it a "mutual split?" Hmmm.

Not even two weeks ago, on this very blog, Jung publicly defended Spagnuolo and Recreate '68 from accusations of violence by Truther groups:

After reading the smear piece written by jonathan, I was of course
concerned. But upon reading the full text of the article, not only the parts some bloggers are using to create this picture, I saw this as the best example of fabled Cointelpro tactics I've personally seen.

We work with Recreate 68, and we've attended most of the meetings, and I know for a fact nothing of this sort is being discussed. For one thing, our organization has a strict non-violence commitment.

Other things that stood out: "Code Pink was not radical enough for them." What? Code Pink is part of Recreate 68. I also noticed the racist disdain the author held for immigrants and the anger over not having his conspiracy march allowed to displace the peaceful plans already organized.

Tent State University will continue to work with Recreate 68 and others and will rightfully ignore this obvious smear piece. I'd encourage others to do a little research themselves before jumping in with the likes of "jonathan."

Adam Jung,
Tent State University

Thoughts: either the move is strategic--overtly "severing" ties to better diffuse the scrutiny associated with the groups ahead of the convention (although this places Recreate '68 and its head honcho Spagnuolo on the hook should anything go down at the convention), or actually represents a conscious attempt to distance peaceful moonbat groups--the ridiculous but relatively harmless Code Pinkos--from the increasingly suspicious and potentially agitating groups like Recreate '68. Despite protestations of non-violence, it appears Spagnuolo's well-broadcast propaganda message isn't being well-received, even among his erstwhile allies on the extreme left.

Exit question--any other possibilities? Conflict of egos amongst the chief moonbats? Not enough exposure for non-Recreate '68 groups? Something in the patchouli?

Bonus video--Spagnuolo sat down with Politics West (Denver Post) and reiterated the group's "non-violent" intentions just this past weekend (May 2, 2008):

DNC Protester Dos and Don'ts Released

**Update--Jeralyn Merritt at 5280.com has posted a pdf of the pamphlet.

We're waiting for a fuller report including the pamphlet itself, but law enforcement has announced that a pamphlet will be distributed to protesters reminding them of their rights--and their legal obligations--in conducting themselves during the DNC:

Police have issued some advice to protesters at the Democratic convention about what they can and can't do.

A pamphlet tells protesters they can be arrested if they refuse an order to disperse, even if they aren't breaking any law. Other grounds for arrest include blocking streets, sidewalks or parades and disrupting public assemblies.

Police say it doesn't matter if those actions are civil disobedience or symbolic actions.

Police also remind protesters of their rights. They can protest on public sidewalks without a permit as long as they leave enough room for others to pass and obey traffic signals. Speech that angers other people is protected, but speakers can be arrested for advocating violence or breaking the law.

Glenn Spagnuolo of Recreate '68 was quick to reject the pamphlet:

It was put together with the help of the city's Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations and modeled after reminders issued by other previous convention cities, such as Los Angeles, said Lucia Guzman, the agency's executive director. She said thousands of copies have been printed and they'll also be available after the convention leaves town.

Glenn Spagnuolo, co-founder of protest group Recreate 68, said he thinks it's the police, not protesters, who need a reminder about the First Amendment.

"We have a pamphlet called the Constitution. A lot of us have read it already," he said.

Spagnuolo also thinks the pamphlet's arrest warning is intended to discourage people from protesting at the convention, which starts Monday.

Guzman disagreed.

"We've always meant it as a supportive document. I'm sorry people are looking at it the other way," she said.

It is doubtful that any such document, whether well or ill-intended, would do much to sway protesters from their self-appointed demonstrations.

Just as the protesters began issuing their preemptive "law enforcement is to blame" for any violence meme months ago, Denver's law enforcement is trying to do a little preemption of their own by giving protesters advanced warning.

It's gonna be a fun week.

More from Spagz and Unconventional Action:

"We are making a commitment to non-violence," said Glenn Spagnuolo of Re-create '68, a group planning protests for a variety of progressive causes.

"We'd like to see minimal show of force by the police unless necessary," Spagnuolo said. "They could stage out of sight from the protest and be called in case they're needed at a protest."

Asked for a successful example of a mass protest marked by mutual respect between protesters and police, Spagnuolo pointed to a large anti-war rally outside the Republican National Convention in New York City in 2004.

"When people said, 'OK, we're being allowed to protest, we're being allowed to march,' there's no reason to get in that kind of confrontational, adversarial role, and it went off without a hitch," Spagnuolo said.

Ben Yager of the activist group Unconventional Denver hedged when asked if activists planned to be arrested and incarcerated during DNC protests. Asked to define success for his organization, he defined disruption.

"Everything's pre-decided, everything's preplanned," Yager said. "They have a script of everything they're going to say and making them deviate from that script, making them step outside the box of what they are comfortable doing and address what democracy really is."

Still, Yager says he did not see any point in antagonizing police into violent confrontations.

"I don't think anyone gets satisfaction out of getting beat up," Yager said.

Of course, some of the law enforcement buildup and planning stems from the earlier heated rhetoric from protesters like Spagnuolo.

Anarchists, Liberal Moonbats Plan DNC Massive Protest Rallies, Riots (Chicago '68 Style) For Denver

**Update--video of Glenn Spagnuolo:

The 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago ignited riots, violence and arrests.

9NEWS Political Analyst Floyd Ciruli says similar problems in Denver could cause problems for a candidate supporting peace.

“If they actually do turn Denver into Chicago, there’s a very good chance they will turn off the voters,” said Ciruli. “It could be directly counterproductive to what they would like to do.”

Who could ignore the protestors in Boston in 2004, haranguing John Kerry from his left--although this sort of political grandstanding has become so common that most will simply yawn at their presence, unless things really get out of hand.

Here's their plan (via Colorado Confidential, who first broke the story):

People who log on to Web sites with such names as DenverDNC.org or 2008DenverDNC.org will find themselves directed to the site of Recreate68.org, a Web site "created for all the grassroots people who are tired of being sold out by the Democratic Party."

The site goes on to promise demonstrations that will rival those at the notorious 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago, which was accompanied by street battles between police and anti-war demonstrators. There's even a form that allows out-of-town anarchists to reserve a room.

"We got the idea six months ago. We were surprised by the Democrats' lack of planning in reserving the site names. We took advantage of that. The Republican conven- tions are easy to get people to come out for. The Democratic ones are harder."

Here's the moonbat website Recreate68.org:

R-68 agrees with the proposition, POTESTAS IN POPULO, "all power comes from the people." What stands between the people and power are the party machines. The parties were devised as a means to represent the people. Today they represent nobody, not even party members, but only party bureaucracy. The people have been left without appropriate institutions for their representation. We intend to create those institutes!

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!

The list of sites purchased to redirect traffic looking for the actual DNC site:

DenverDNC.org
2008DenverDNC.org
Denver2008DNC.org
Denver2008DNC.com
2008DNCDenver.org
2008Denverconvention.com
NoDNC.org
ChangetheDNC.org
ChangetheDNC.com
Stopthe2008DNC.com
Stopthe2008DNC.org
NoDNC2008.org
NoDNC2008.com
Recreate68.com
Recreate68.org

The actual site for Denver's Democratic Convention: denverconvention2008.com

The "activists" are evasive when questioned about potential violence and destructive behavior:

Asked whether the Recreate ’68 will bring a repeat of the rioting and violence that gripped Chicago during the ’68 convention, Spagnuolo said: "That will be up to the Denver Police Department. Any violence would be at the hands of the Denver Police Department."

True to form, the police are preemptively established as the fomentors of violence, as they are probably just a bunch of "fascist pigs" anyway.

Organizers include Glenn Spagnuolo, a liberal moonbat defender of CU Professor Ward Churchill and annual Columbus Day Protestor:

"Obviously the name of the site has a message in of itself," said Spagnuolo, a well-known Colorado activist who is a key organizer of Denver’s annual protest of Columbus Day "We see a lot of parallels of what will happen in ‘08 to what happened in ’68. Forty years have passed and we still don’t have the government we need. To demonize the Republicans, and say ‘it’s all the Republicans’ fault and hold up the Democrats as the salvation to the Republicans is foolish. The Republicans couldn’t have accomplished what they did without the assistance of the Democrats."

About a dozen core organizers have been meeting for about six months in anticipation of Denver being the likely site of the convention, including a fairly "extensive" amount of outreach to African-American, Latino, Native American, anti-war, labor and civil rights activists, said Spagnuolo.

Others who have been involved in the efforts include longtime peace activists Barbara and Mark Cohen, who were plaintiffs in Denver’s famous Spy Files lawsuit after police targeted them as "criminal extremists," and Larry Hales, who has helped organize local CopWatch efforts. In addition to protesting at the convention, organizers are also envisioning a four-day "counter convention" for youth. The group plans to have its first public meeting in March, to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.
. . .
"I don’t think the message will come down to crack skulls," he said of Denver’s ’08 convention. "We’ll try our hardest to negotiate, but we won’t be having protest zones — you can’t cage democracy."

Not that the Democrats don't deserve their share of protesting.

Holding peaceful, massive rallies is one thing--coordinating anarchists and other "activists" more interested in publicity and destruction of private property (just google any previous large gathering of moonbat protestors, starting with Seattle in '99), not to mention the waste of taxpayer money on police presence, which will be required for the Convention anyway. Unnecessary distractions for security forces, potentially hundreds of arrests, damage to businesses, blocking traffic, etc. are sure to be a part of the activists' "peaceful" plans. Protest signs, puppets, and speeches are one thing; masked hooligans (no doubt in Che gear), property damage, and riots are another.

Early estimates on the number of potential protestors--100,000--should yield at least 20,000 to 30,000 (after figuring the usual moonbat exaggeration factor of 3 or 4 times).

Recreate '68 To Create "Free City" At DNC, Illegally Occupying Civic Center Park; Update--"Nude-In," "Free Love" To Be Featured

"We will be putting up a tent city here that's going to include space for homeless people, too . . . there will be a "nude-in," in which demonstrators will spell out the word "PEACE," using naked bodies . . . Free City is also free of borders . . . Free City is also going to free for political thought, free of commercialism, free of cages and prisons for political prisoners . . . And yes, one of the most fun ones, there will be free love - as long as it's consensual"--Recreate '68 and allies on "Free City"


Recreate '68 spokesflunky and shameless self-promoter, Glenn Spagnuolo







**Update--The adolescents protestors announced yesterday that "Free City" will include just about everything, from a "nude-in" and the word "PEACE" spelled out with naked bodies, free housing "Tent State," and "free love" (you can't "Recreate '68" and not have free love, man)--and the protestors will also have their own "security force" as well (video):

Spagnuolo and other activists have made numerous comments indicating they will not be placing great significance on who holds permits for which park the week of the convention - including Civic Center Park.

"Regardless of the city's claims, we're going to be having free housing here in the park," said Spagnuolo. "We are going to be having free housing here in the park. We will stay past the curfew, we will enjoy each other's company."

He also said, "We will be putting up a tent city here that's going to include space for homeless people, too."

Spagnuolo also claimed that at some point there will be a "nude-in," in which demonstrators will spell out the word "PEACE," using naked bodies.

The activists said "Free City" will operate based on a 10-point program that supports a life without authority.

Or logic/reason. And I didn't know they could count that high . . .

Other issues to be addressed/promoted/strangled in moonbat central "Free City":

"Free City is also free of borders," said Zoe Williams, a member of a group called Colorado Street Medics. "We welcome all people as immigrants, largely, to this country to be a part of Free City."

Adam Jung, representing the group Tent State, added, "Free City is also going to free for political thought, free of commercialism, free of cages and prisons for political prisoners.

"And yes, one of the most fun ones, there will be free love - as long as it's consensual."

The group said their week at Civic Center Park - or, "Free City" - will feature a free university, 5,000 free meals twice a day for whomever wants them, a free concert, free medical care, and other innovations that won't cost a cent.

Getting anywhere near Recreate '68 and "Free City" will, however, cost you your sanity.

Though the police and Mayor John Hickenlooper were silent, his office did release a statement and Councilman Charlie Brown took the opportunity to razz the protestors:

Police referred inquiries to Mayor John Hickenlooper's office.

Katherine Archuleta, a senior adviser to the mayor, issued a statement about the protesters' "intention to ignore the city of Denver's longstanding prohibition against overnight camping" in urban parks.

"We support and encourage people to express their views safely and in a manner that respects the rights of others along with the laws and ordinances of our city," Archuleta said in the statement.

Councilman Charlie Brown laughed when he heard that Civic Center had been christened with a new name, but then said Denver was going to have to be "firm and strong" with protesters.

"As far as I'm concerned, we're not going to back down," he said.

Brown said he was confident that police, the Secret Service and FBI would be ready to handle "what could be a very serious situation."
. . .
Brown said the Re-create 68 protesters need to grow up.

"They acted like children when they lost the lottery," he said. "We need to let some cooler heads prevail here and perhaps get some adults in on this conversation."

More like spoiled brats, but it is good to see a Denver elected official point out the sheer nonsense spouted by these moonbats.

---

The illegal occupation of Civic Center park will be called "Free City" (via Drunkablog):

A new city is coming to Denver, representatives for Re-create 68 and other anti-war activists announced this afternoon at Civic Center park.

“Free City” as the four activists renamed the park, will attempt to open the Sunday before the 2008 Democratic National Convention gets underway, set up tents and exist all the way through convention week, Aug. 25-28.

The activists briefly set up a sky-blue sign with the words FREE CITY in white. Yellow tulip-like flowers that bloomed in the shape of fists brightened the borders. Within seconds of the four’s attempt to hammer the sign into the ground, wind blew it over.

The residents of “Free City” will attempt to occupy the park beyond the legal rights R-68 affiliates have to the park, Spagnuolo said. Last month, in a blind lottery, R-68 and its affiliates won permits to use the park on Aug. 25 and 27, a Monday and Wednesday. By allowing camping in the park after curfew, Free City will also be in violation of city rules that forbid overnight stays.

R-68’s Glenn Spagnuolo last month angrily charged that Denver had “created a very dangerous situation” when it award a permit for the park – as part of the same blind lottery that gave R-68 its permits – for the Sunday to a party planner for the city’s convention host committee. Today he said Free City would be free of violence.

Ask what Free City would do if police tried to enforce the rules and tried to remove the occupants, Spagnuolo would only say that Free City’s occupants wouldn’t leave.

No, of course not. But that's what all that extra equipment and law enforcement personnel is for, right?

Plans, however, always change, and Spagnuolo and Recreate '68 are hedging their bets:

Spagnuolo has said many times in the past that the largest march of the protesters would be an anti-war march that started Sunday morning at Civic Center and made way for the Pepsi Center, site of the convention hall.

Today he said whatever happened Sunday would be organic and without leaders.

Except Spagnuolo, the symbolic martyr, who is merely a spokesflunky for the group. Drunkablog correctly notes that this is merely an attempt by Spagnuolo to preemptively exculpate himself should things, you know, get out of hand.

More from said spokesflunky (also via Drunkablog):

Glenn Spagnuolo says he and his associates have renamed the park "Free City" and plan to establish a tent city in the park to house demonstrators. He says he and his volunteers will provide free food, free love, free medical care and free housing for anyone who wants it. He also says his group will ignore the city's curfew.

Spagnuolo's group attempted to obtain permits for protest gatherings during the convention. The city set up a lottery process to handle all the groups applying for permission to stage demonstrations. Although Spagnuolo's group received two permits, they were not on consecutive days.

At a news conference in the park Wednesday, Spagnuolo outlined his political views.

"We're here today to formally reject societies and governments that celebrate greed and consumption. We reject a society that oppresses its own members and others and destroys its environment for profit. We reject a government that was built upon and commits genocide," he said.

And in case you were wondering, a political science professor helps distinguish between peaceable and non-peaceable assemblies:

Professor Norman Provizer, of the Metro State Political Science Department, says the Recreate '68 group's message may be a little vague. He looked over their Web site, which urges protestors to gather in Denver for the August convention.

"I think there's a recognition that the right to protest is extremely important. But that comes with limits," Provizer said.

Provizer says the government has a strong interest in making sure protestors do not incite violence or illegal behavior.

"That's why there's a right to peaceably assemble. There's a set of limits placed on that right by the Supreme Court referring to time, place and manner. There is no right to assemble in a non-peaceable manner," he said.

Illegally occupying Civic Center Park may force the protestors into the non-peaceable category, as they have no plans on complying with police orders.

Recreate '68: Undercover Audio Reveals Information On "Confrontations" And "Violence" At DNC

. . . developing (amplifying files for better sound) . . . scroll for new updates . . .

Audio files captured by someone from "We Are Change" at the Recreate '68 community meeting held April 13th, 2008, with Recreate '68 speaking candidly at times, guarded at others, about plans for Denver's Democratic National Convention.

On confrontations--
Partial transcript:
Q: "Are you guys planning any confrontations?"
Glenn Spagnuolo: "Something I wouldn't talk about with someone I don't know."



So, Glenn, is that a yes or no answer? Seems as if a truly "non-violent" philosophy would necessitate a default "no" response--therefore leaving you're group "clean" should anything go awry. By leaving the door open with such a vague, if not revelatory answer, a whole lot of questions arise, including your stated commitment to non-violence.

On violence at the DNC--
Partial transcript:
Spagnuolo: "We've always said if there's going to be violence, it will be instigated by the police. There's nothing that we're going to do on that day that's going to cause us to be violently in an offensive way."



These audio bites appear somewhat at odds with a television interview with Spagnuolo and Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown on Jon Caldara's "Independent Thinking" show done at pretty much the same time--about ten days ago--

Highlights version:


Full interview:
Recreate '68


There is a further discussion of the "themes" that will characterize each day of the protests, as well as another clip describing various aspects of the demonstrations, and finally a the complete audio of the meeting (well over 90 minutes).

---

And if Recreate '68 isn't crazy enough for you, here is the new meme circulating around groups like Recreate '68--they are really a "black ops, CIA" front or a "neocon setup."

Yep, this just keeps getting weirder and weirder and . . .

Rush Limbaugh--"I'm Dreaming Of Riots In Denver" Causes Local Stir; Glenn Spagnuolo Responds

We know what he meant, but what he said has stirred the local political gadflys, including Recreate '68 Dear Leader Glenn Spagnuolo, who took his pot shots at Limbaugh's comments (and paraphrased Douglas Bruce to boot!--this story has everything):

Rush Limbaugh says he was not calling for a riot in Denver during the Democratic National Convention — he only "dreams" of it, to the tune of "White Christmas."

The conservative talker discussed the possibility of Mile High unrest this August his national show for a second day in a row today.

"Now, I am not inspiring or inciting riots. I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming of riots in Denver," he said mimicking the holiday tune.

He explained on-air: "Riots in Denver at the Democrat Convention would see to it we don't elect Democrats," Limbaugh said. "And that's the best damn thing (that) could happen for this country as far as anything I can think."

Glenn Spagnuolo, an organizer with the protest group Re-create 68, called Limbaugh "a fool."

"We don't need another 5,000 illiterate Limbaugh listeners coming to Colorado," he said, mocking a comment this week by State Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, calling migrant workers "illiterate peasants" as he debated a bill to accommodate up to 5,000 guest workers in the state.

You can listen to the audio here.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper added this comment--"Anyone who would call for riots in an American city has clearly lost their bearings."

What Limbaugh was of course referring to were the implicit threats issued by Democrat firebrands like the Rev. Al Sharpton, and of course the agitation of the local moonbats, led by none other than Recreate '68:

On Wednesday, Limbaugh had been discussing comments by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who had warned of "trouble" at the convention if the nomination was wrested away from Barack Obama by superdelegates.

Local conservative talk show host and GOP activist John Andrews saw what he believes Limbaugh was getting at.

"Look, nobody seriously wants violence and civil disobedience at the Denver convention," he said. "Rush is just saying, 'Make our day'; if, in fact, the Re-create '68 hooligans or the Al Sharpton street toughs or anybody else wants to disrupt the convention, they're going to hurt Democrats' chances in the fall."

Aside from Sharpton, we have followed other calls to wreak havoc in Denver--including a plan to "destroy the party"--should Obama fail to capture the nomination.

And that doesn't include the Recreate '68 and affiliated groups' shenanigans that could easily devolve into angry mobs and worse--despite Spagnuolo's vehement protestations of a commitment to "non-violence."

Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown, however, rejected even the perception of "wishing" for riots:

Denver City Councilman Charles Brown, a Republican and Limbaugh listener, was outraged. Brown was a school teacher in Illinois during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968. He recalled the injuries, chaos, lingering tear gas and national disgrace for Chicago as a result of the riots.

"What an insult," Brown said of Limbaugh's flippancy. "Regardless of political labels, for any radio announcer to wish a riot on a city so his party could win, that's disgraceful and it's absurd."

He said he has found Limbaugh to be a "great entertainer, but he's really gone too far. It's almost juvenile."

Brown said he did not think Limbaugh was speaking for Republicans when he made the comment.

"I don't believe there is a Republican in this state that would agree with his comment."

We certainly agree with Brown--no one wishes for a riot, for political or any other reasons.

SP and our allies, as well as our committed opposition, all call Denver home. I know I speak for many in the Denver area who would like very much not to see violence, mayhem, and property damage--a black eye for the lovely "Queen City of the Plains."

We continue to hope that groups like Recreate '68 keep their word. Protest, assemble, and demonstrate your First Amendment rights to the full extent of the law.

Just don't trash the city in the process.

DNC Protestors Facing A Crackup As Recreate '68 Struggles To Retain Power; DNC Sponsors Bring Money To Politics

"The conflict was over R-68’s unfortunate name – a reference to the bloody 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago – and the rhetoric of the group’s leadership, interpreted by many as needlessly aggressive and reckless. Despite this blatant rift, Spagnuolo and the Cohens stuck with their assertion that their group would be playing host to “tens of thousands of protesters” this August"--Westword

Things aren't going well for Glenn Spagnuolo and his allies at Recreate '68--seems a rift in the movement has developed as power struggles plague the groups preparing for the Democratic National Convention:

So Tent State University is on the outs with their protest brethren at Re-create '68. What gives? Last Friday, when the ACLU held a press conference to declare it had filed a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Denver and the Secret Service, it seemed that all was well in the land of DNC protest. On hand at the confab were representatives of Re-create '68 – Glenn Spagnuolo and Mark and Barbara Cohen – as well as those of Tent State University, Code Pink and Escuela Tlatelolco and the American Indian Movement of Colorado. But more significant were the additional groups listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit: United for Peace and Justice, the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, and the American Friends Service Committee.

This list was important because all three of the pacifist outfits had told Westword last October that they were NOT interested in working with R-68, which had pronounced itself the umbrella organizer for DNC protests as early as January 2007. Leaders of the Colorado Progressive Coalition, the Colorado Green Party and the national ANSWER Coalition expressed similar sentiments about R-68. The conflict was over R-68’s unfortunate name – a reference to the bloody 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago – and the rhetoric of the group’s leadership, interpreted by many as needlessly aggressive and reckless. Despite this blatant rift, Spagnuolo and the Cohens stuck with their assertion that their group would be playing host to “tens of thousands of protesters” this August.

So the fact that orgs like United for Peace and Justice – a national network of 1,400 groups – had signed on to the ACLU lawsuit suggested that R-68 and the peaceniks had resolved their differences. But appearances can be deceiving. In advance of the lawsuit filing, apparently critics of R-68, as well as some of their former supporters,had been quietly lobbying Spagnuolo and the Cohens for weeks to back off their leadership roles -- but the trio declined to transfer organizing authority.

Now it seems that the shit has hit the fan for R-68. Sources within the DNC protest movement say that assorted organizers are meeting today at an undisclosed location to discuss building a network outside of R-68. But things could get tricky when it comes time to divvy up the park event permits that Spagnuolo and company hold after winning them in a city-sponsored lottery. Will R-68 go quietly into the good night? Stay tuned.

So despite all the protestations of non-violence and the assertion of working together to achieve their radical left goals, they continue to face inequalities of power within their own movement.

Apparently the moonbats have their eyes on the prize--and it isn't fighting against imperialism, capitalism, or any other -ism. The prize is the coveted media spotlight, and the preeminence available to the group who asserts authority first. Spagnuolo and company have attempted to seize control for themselves, and it now appears that that tactic is beginning to backfire.

How exquisitely ironic. Radical socialists and anarchists facing internal turmoil because of power struggles.

Meanwhile, Drunkablog takes a look at modern convention financing and corporate sponsorships for the DNC:

Everything is for sale, and this summer's Democratic National Convention in Denver is no exception.

More than four dozen national corporations have signed up as sponsors of the convention - everyone from Allstate to Xerox. And almost all of them have the same thing in common: They either have business with the federal government or they lobby on pending issues.

And that prompts a myriad of questions.

Are the big companies simply being good corporate citizens? Or are they looking for access - maybe not to the presidential nominee, but to members of Congress and party officials who can help make sure their issues get heard?

The answer is simple, said former Denver City Councilwoman Susan Barnes-Gelt: "It's always about access."

"Here's the reality," Barnes- Gelt said, "and this comes from the experience of an old fundraiser: The first people you go to for money are people who have an interest in making sure you're in a decision-making position. And that's true whether you're the DNC, the president of the United States or the local city council person."

Seems that even Democrats aren't immune to having money in politics.

Shocker.

And conflict is arising between the city and the DNCC, over fundraising priorities:

The committee staging the Democratic National Convention is concerned that Denver's fundraising efforts have been hampered because local officials also are raising money for several cultural events that are expected to be part of the week-long event.

The host committee was about $5 million short of its March fundraising goal of $28 million, and is supposed to have about $40 million raised by June. Meanwhile, the city is planning and trying to raise additional money for several cultural events.

"Every host city can and should develop a plan to showcase its culture, diversity and attributes on the international stage that a political convention offers," the DNC Committee said in a prepared statement Friday. "Numerous host cities from conventions past have had tremendous success in this regard, and we think that's a good thing.

"But to ensure a successful convention for all parties, fulfilling the contractual obligations that brought this convention to Denver in the first place must remain the top priority.

"Given all the host committee and the city have to support during convention week, we would hope they would be very selective in limiting both the number and costs of any auxiliary events requiring their support."

The DNCC's concerns have raised some internal conflict.

"They should call me and talk to me about it," Mayor John Hickenlooper said. "I'm happy to sit down and explain to them that obviously we understand the importance of putting on a good convention.

Obviously! Can't have those Democratic delegates and the media thinking this is some sort of cow town . . .

**Update: DNC Permit Lottery Awards Parks; Recreate '68 Whines, Threatens A "Dangerous Situation"

**Update--Recreate '68 organizer Glenn Spagnuolo threatens City of Denver over loss of Civic Center space:

Denver could face a "dangerous situation" on the first day of the Democratic National Convention, war protesters said Thursday, after losing a coveted permit for Civic Center to the convention host committee.

"When things blow up because the police have to enforce a permit that the Democrats got, don’t blame us for that," said Glenn Spagnuolo, an organizer for the Re-create 68 Alliance.

"Blame the Democrats for trying to silence dissent in the city of Denver."
. . .
But when Jenny Anderson, event planner for the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee, won the permit for Civic Center for a kick-off Aug. 24, Spagnuolo accused the committee of creating a "very serious, dangerous situation . . . for everybody."

Re-create 68 - which has promised demonstrations that will rival those at the bloody 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago - will be at Civic Center on Aug. 24, with or without a permit, he said.

The group, which is expecting up to 50,000 protesters from across the country, plans to march from Civic Center to the Pepsi Center, where the convention will be held, on Aug. 24, even though a parade route or a security zone hasn’t been announced.

Thus, the meme of violence and mayhem laid at the hands of the City of Denver--because of a lottery snafu Recreate '68 calls evidence of bias against the group--and the police sent in to enforce permits. Expect a planned occupation of the Civic Center by Recreate '68 and its allies for the duration of the Democratic National Convention, and the moonbats agitating for engagement and media exposure.

Don't be fooled. They want this. Peaceful, boring protests get little or no attention. Recreate '68 (its name should explain a great deal about their mentality) craves the spotlight, and confrontation and mayhem are the best avenue for achieving their moonbat goals.

The Denver Post has more details on the park allocations.

---

Glenn Spagnuolo said it was unfair, since the group already had control of the Pepsi Center. He warned that protestors from around the country are coming to Denver and will ignore the permitting process.

He said his group was willing to make Denver "ground zero" for the fight over freedom of speech.

Guess it doesn't always pay to stuff the "ballot box" by submitting multiple identical permit requests in an attempt to game the system (video):

Mark Cohen got there early. He's with Recreate '68 and wanted to make sure everything went smoothly because the group was left out on Tuesday due to a problem with the sorting process.

"We did come early to double check because the last time, the city said they had safeguards in place," said Cohen.
. . .
In all, the city received more than 800 requests from groups who wanted their claim at some 12 parks around Denver for the DNC.

"We're hoping to get Civic Center Park for all the days that we applied for," said Cohen.

About an hour into the lottery, the process appeared to be working as intended, but it didn't all go Recreate '68's way.

The group wanted to hold all of its demonstrations at Civic Center Park since it has the largest capacity, but the luck of the draw only granted them half of their requests.

"That's the problem with this process is a group brings tens of thousands of people and you have somebody who doesn't have an audience who wants to show there art somewhere and they are getting the same amount of space in the city," said Glenn Spagnuolo, also with Recreate '68.

The city says it is willing to work with applicants who didn't get their first pick.
. . .
Recreate '68 says it's been patient and it is going to make a statement, permit or not.

The city estimated that only 50 percent of the dates available would be filled today due to the number of applicants so groups could have a shot at different sites and dates than what they originally requested.

It's called fair and equal access, Glenn, no matter what the size of your group. Quit whining.

Not that you're likely to honor the City's regulations, or properly distributed permits to rival groups, in any event:

Glenn Spagnuolo said it was unfair, since the group already had control of the Pepsi Center. He warned that protestors from around the country are coming to Denver and will ignore the permitting process.

He said his group was willing to make Denver "ground zero" for the fight over freedom of speech.

Meanwhile (via the Drunkablog), the Democrats have declared the Hyatt Regency Denver their official hotel, and the Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post will be hosting a "media party" for over 15000 members of the decaying MSM, 6000 delegates, and other Democrat "VIPs":

Held on the Saturday night before the Aug. 25-28 convention, the party kicks off a week of reveling. Denver's host committee is responsible for arranging the fete, as well as parties for the delegations. Private parties also will abound. In all, more than 1,500 parties, large and small, are expected in and around convention week, but none approaching the scale of the media party.

On the other hand, if you are not into Easter, but would still like to go on a "hunt" of sorts, then join "Revo the Rabbit" and Recreate '68 on the "Great Camera Hunt":

Join “Revo the Rabbit” and Recreate 68 as we search downtown Denver for hidden spy cameras that have been installed by the City to keep an eye on activists! Come with a group or join-up with one and see if you can win the Great Camera Hunt! To win, your team needs to locate the most spy cameras in your designated area. Meet back with R-68 at Civic Center Park for a potluck picnic. Celebrate the resurection, the resurection of a revolutionary spirit.

WHEN: SATURDAY - MARCH 22, 2008 CAMERA HUNT 1 - 3 PM
PICNIC 3-5PM
WHERE: STARTING POINT: SKYLINE PARK AT 12:45pm
PICNIC: CIVIC CENTER PARK

All intelligence gathered will be used to develop an
interactive map for the community.

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING AND WE
HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW WHERE!

Photo of flyer swiped shamelessly from the Drunkablog

Democratic National Convention Countdown, No. 17--Protestors To Appeal "In The Streets Of Denver," Obama's New Salute

"We'll file our appeals in the streets of Denver. We intend to march, and we still intend to go to the Pepsi Center"--Glenn Spagnuolo of Recreate '68, after a judge ruled against a lawsuit filed by the ACLU on the protestors' behalf, won't appeal (in court)

"We are going to file our appeal in the street. Do not blame us for the confrontational situation that may come. This will become ground zero for the fight of our civil liberties"--Spagnuolo, again

Democratic National Convention Daily Digest and Open Thread
Friday August 8, 2008--No. 17

DNC:

•Drunkablog analyzes Spagnuolo's veiled threats, the decision not to appeal, and found a list of the ways that Denver and the Secret Service have provided an even bigger platform for the protestors, who will be saying "no" big time:

"We try to remain non-violent in the face of overwhelming oppression and violence. But, you know, we do expect the police to get violent. They train for it every day. They're spending millions of dollars to get weapons to act violent every single day. So we expect them to act in that way. It's a testament to when protest becomes effective, governments become repressive. And that's exactly what's happening. And like I said, revolution starts with one word; that word's no. We're saying no to the federal courts, basically."

No to non-violence too Glenn? Spagnuolo claims mantle of Martin Luther King, Jr.

•Jeralyn Merritt at Elevated Voices (among the best lefty bloggers in Colorado) has a lengthy legal analysis of the judge's decision

•You have got to be kidding . . .right, right? Nope, it's serious (h/t Gateway Pundit):



A "sign" of a lot of things--lack of historical context, arrogance, and general moonbattiness--but "progress" definitely doesn't come to mind . . . Michelle Malkin has few alternate suggestions, and a roundup of blog reactions

•All are welcome--Raelians, illegal aliens, Recreate '68/Tent State/Anarchists in the DNC's daily parade-a-palooza

•While your busy trying to make that symbol with your own hands (admit it, you tried it), here's the DNC platform to chew on, all 54 pages of socialist claptrap and bumper sticker philosophy!

•"Wait list" for those stragglers who haven't yet applied for "community credentials" for Barack Obama's Invesco Field speech; "Top dollar" already being offered on Craigslist for Invesco tickets that haven't even been distributed, and officials face a mountain of difficulty in preventing scalping

•Obama's least favorite candidate spouse (Bill Clinton) will appear on Wednesday of the convention, before the as-yet-to-be-determined VP

•A list of all the parties none of us are invited to (not without celebrity or less than $10k) at both the DNC and RNC (more here); Not on the VIP list? Young Dems are having a party, and everyone is invited

•For some reason we can't understand, Denver residents living near parks and other DNC venues are concerned about protestors, traffic, and least understandably, their property--but Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper assured us everything would be alright!

•The SUVs at the DNC are hybrid, of course, but the irony is "delicious" according to Independence Institute's Jon Caldara, who pointed out the hypocrisy

•See the entire convention (or as much as you can stomach) online in HD

•Oprah drops $50k on a house for DNC week

•Pepsi Center preparations continue apace:

---

All previous Daily Digests can be found here.

**Update: Moonbats Plan To Throw Bags Of Urine And Blood At Police At Denver's DNC; Hospital Security Threats For DNC Revealed

. . . developing . . .

**Update--Good God, these people are sick, and this information is coming from peace groups and 9/11 Truthers like We Are Change Colorado who are opposed to the potential violence planned by the moonbats under the Recreate '68 umbrella:

After speaking with RAIMD, We Are Change Colorado became aware that they intend to throw bags of urine and blood on cops at the DNC protests, all under the name of the umbrella organization ReCreate 68.
. . .
ReCreate 68 has massive organized effort and finances coming from donations across the country. Glenn Spagnuolo, the coordinator for the group, has been traveling around the United States speaking with every activist group you can think of to coordinate them under his group. Code Pink, Food Not Bombs, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Green Peace, Scholars for Peace and Justice, and many famous immigration groups, unions, and anti-globalist activist networks are all working under ReCreate 68 with the thought that this group is just a peaceful festival of celebration. This is untrue. Every activist group coming into Denver will be greeted by a person representing ReCreate 68 at hotels and so fourth and given an itinerary of demonstrations to attend.

By attending, these groups do not yet realize they will be giving up their message and name for the ReCreate 68 name which is permitted to protest. The problem with this is that ReCreate 68 has been inviting more radical groups and violent anarchist groups as well. To add to this, ReCreate 68 has not told other activist groups the extent of which these demonstrations will endanger the safety or security of any peaceful demonstration.
. . .
The rhetoric heard from the Recreate 68 people, the attraction of the young people to the charisma of Glen Spagnuolo, the focus on doing battle with the police and the confronting attitude--while losing sight of the issues, the revolutionary fervor, the attitude that groups like Code Pink, etc. just aren't radical enough, the peer pressure to be more radical, the disinclination to disavow violence with the pretext that they want to be "inclusive," --all this is deja vu. It happened in 2000 with DAN. It is happening again stroke for stroke, word for word.

Only this time, because of the scale of the DNC protests, there is the potential for massive chaos, massive arrests, detentions, serious injuries of idealistic but naive young people, and loss of legitimate messages from all groups.

It says a lot when even similarly-oriented organizations who actually have plans to organize and demonstrate in a non-violent manner feel threatened by groups like Recreate '68 who appear now to not only be completely untruthful about their commitment to non-violence, but tacitly encouraging engagement designed only to bring confrontation with the Denver Police Department. RAIMD, in the first quote, stands for the Revolutionary Anti-Imperialist Movement-Denver, a fellow traveler organization allied with Recreate '68 and populated with some of the same moonbat morons.

---

"SECURITY ALERT: Hospitals in the Denver area have reported suspicious activity. Reports have included individuals posing as members of a federal agency to gain access to a facility and people watching hospital entrances and exits for several hours and taking notes"--Colorado Emergency Management memo regarding Denver hospitals and security threats during the Democratic National Convention

This memo details just a few of the emerging security concerns for local Denver hospitals ahead of August's DNC:

Full memo--


Closeups--

Professor: Groups Protesting 2008 Denver DNC "Peaceful, Creative"

A political science professor (University of Florida) has met the activists planning to disrupt Denver's DNC and says their agenda is, like, totally "non-violent":

Despite threatening words from one of the groups planning to protest during the 2008 Democratic National Convention, most of the anti-war protesters eyeing Denver this summer are peaceful and creative, an expert says. [Riiight--ed.]

Glenn Spagnuolo of Re-create 68 said Thursday that city officials were "creating a very dangerous situation" after the convention host committee was selected by lottery for a Civic Center park permit for the eve of the convention. He said his group would not "give up" the park for its demonstrations, which he hopes draw 50,000.

R-68 has been meeting with groups such as United for Peace and Justice, which organized 500,000 protesters for the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City, and CodePink, a women's movement against the war that is another top-tier organizer.

"None of the mainstream organizations have any agenda like property damage," said Michael Heaney, a political science professor who has studied the anti-war movement since 2002 and who was in Washington, D.C., last week observing the many protests marking the fifth anniversary of the war.

No agenda for violence or property damage? Then why "Recreate '68"?

"What they are planning on doing is peaceful protests," Heaney said. "Basically their objective is to get media attention for their issues. They want to demonstrate to the Democratic Party that they have support for their positions."

Wow. You need a PhD to come to that conclusion? Thanks Captain Obvious.

R-68 organizers were furious Thursday when a party planner for the Denver committee hosting the convention won — in a random lottery — the right to a permit for Civic Center on Aug. 24, the Sunday before the convention starts. The convention runs Aug. 25-28.

The organizers want to start an anti-war march at the park and continue to the Pepsi Center, which is to serve as the convention hall.

Heaney met Spagnuolo and R-68 organizers Mark and Barbara Cohen in Atlanta this summer during a convention of progressives, and found them serious and well-organized. He said he thinks that, depending on the nominee and whether the convention will be brokered, Denver could expect between 10,000 and 50,000 anti-war activists.

Plus the assorted moonbats who have other agendas. Denver's DNC won't just be a target for the anti-war crowd.

Anti-war organizers say that if Sen. Barack Obama is the nominee, they expect much lower protester turnout at the Democratic convention. Heaney, who has surveyed the movement, says four of five anti-war activists support Obama.

CodePink's co-founder, Medea Benjamin, greatly doubts the 50,000 figure and says an Obama nomination could reduce interest to but a couple of thousand. Then again, Benjamin said: "We don't feel that either of the candidates will get us out of Iraq without strong pressure."

"(House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi will be the queen bee at the convention, and she has really disappointed us," Benjamin said.

Benjamin met with Spagnuolo in Denver several weeks ago and toured Civic Center and other sites. She said Denver's host committee shouldn't get the park and agreed with R-68's plan to occupy the grounds, but stressed CodePink would do so without violence.

Determining numbers this far out is pure speculation. The Democrats' own intraparty squabbles and the evolving campaign itself will only play one part in determining protestor levels. Given the activists' proclivity to inflate their own numbers, and the MSM's eagerness to play along, just a few thousand protestors could easily become "tens of thousands" in media reports.

And besides, it only takes a handful of crazy moonbats to stir up trouble.

Recreate '68 Splinter Group "Alliance For Real Democracy" Promises Non-Violence, Won't Discuss Split

The non-violence is in their bylaws--take that Glenn Spagnuolo!

A new coalition of protest groups promises free concerts, art displays, classes for activists and a "massive" anti-war march during this summer's Democratic National Convention.

The Alliance for Real Democracy is made up of 12 groups, many led by activists in their early 20s and 30s.
. . .
"This is as much a part of the process as going to a very formal convention," said Jojo Pease, an organizer with Students for a Democratic Society.

Some of the groups were previously affiliated with the Re-Create 68 Alliance, but split off after a disagreement over tactics.

Re-Create 68 has promised demonstrations that will rival those at the notorious Democratic convention in Chicago held in 1968, which was accompanied by street battles between police and anti-Vietnam War demonstrators.

Members of the Alliance for Real Democracy wouldn't talk Tuesday about Re-Create 68 or the split.

But they released bylaws that say the group "will not use or return violence - verbal or physical - toward any person or other creature," and will not damage property, bring weapons to protests or use illegal drugs or alcohol during events.

Re-Create 68, meanwhile, has said that if confronted with violence by police, members will defend themselves.

Who they are and how they party:

The Alliance for Real Democracy includes groups such as CODEPINK, the Green Party, Tent State University, the Denver International Socialist Organization and Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Members declined to say how many people they are expecting at their events, and some details - such as dates and locations of concerts - have not been finalized.

The anti-war parade is scheduled for the Sunday before the convention, which starts Aug. 25 and runs through Aug. 28 at the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver.

The concerts will include a guitarist who played in protest of the Vietnam War during the 1968 convention in Chicago, as well as a local hip-hop group, according to organizers.

Among other events planned is an "aerial image," in which thousands of people will use their bodies to form a message to release detainees at Guantanamo Bay and to stop torture, said Zoe Williams, a member of CODEPINK, an anti-war group whose name is a play on President Bush's color-coded terror alert level.

Alliance for Real Democracy--the kinder, gentler version of Recreate '68.

Same moonbats, minus the heated rhetoric. And bodies, lots of bodies, apparently

**Update--Drunkablog has another Recreate '68 roundup, and asks the question no one else would (or wants the answer to, really): But will they be naked?

My eyes, MY EYES!

DNC Meme In Action--Law Enforcement, Not Protestors, To Blame

Drunkablog and SP have been detailing the extent to which the anti-war, anti-capitalist, anti-American moonbat protestors led by Glenn Spagnuolo, Recreate '68, and others at this summer's Democratic National Convention have denied any violent intent--they claim to be pursuing the First Amendment freedoms they are guaranteed (and rightfully so).

If there is any violence, it will not be the protestors, but law enforcement cited as the instigators of the resultant mayhem, mass arrests, and possibly worse.

So today, at the Colorado Democrat party state convention in Colorado Springs, two such protestors engaged in a "dry run" to test police reactions--claiming that they were completely unaware of any such plan, and were instead the helpless victims of a twitchy law enforcement "dry run" instead:

Reporters kept asking me if the local Colorado Democratic State Convention was going to be a “dry run” for groups planning something big at the national convention in August. Perhaps their curiosity was peaked* by our mention on Michael Moore’s list of DNC dry run opportunities. I told them I was aware of no such plans, but it became clear to me today that my callers had been on to something. There was a dry run in the works, and it was being carried out by law enforcement.

I was arrested today, through no planning of my own. There was confusion over where the First Amendment applied and where it did not. The police seized upon the chance to arrest, process and hold us, until our opportunity to be heard had passed. We were mighty confused at the time, but in retrospect the police maneuver was carried out like clockwork.

Yep, those dastardly law enforcement officers went out of their way to personally target the two moonbats who were merely confused about what was going on, and where they could and could not protest.

It is a certainty that similar arguments will be leveled at the security detail surrounding the various venues of the Democratic National Convention. Claims of ignorance (on the part of protestors), lack of consultation with the protest groups, ill-defined "secure" areas, etc., are sure to be the order of the day. "Provocative" acts will be redefined as tests of freedom, and outright refusal to obey lawful police orders recast as the usual illegal oppression, silencing alternative viewpoints, yada yada yada.

Spagnuolo himself has stated, "if there's going to be violence, it will be instigated by the police." Even the law suit filed by the ACLU on behalf of the protesting groups positions the muddled moonbats as preemptive victims of a conspiracy by law enforcement and the Secret Service to keep them intentionally ignorant of the exact security parameters as a way of justifying the protestors' subsequent arrests.

Riiight.

*By the way, it's "piqued" not "peaked."

Glenn Spagnuolo, Charlie Brown Square Off On Jon Caldara's "Independent Thinking"

Recreate '68


Meanwhile, Drunkablog highlights the report of the subsequent Spagnuolo-Brown face-off at DU yesterday--no cages (Brown), no violence (Spagnuolo).

Somehow the former seems plausible (until things get out-of-hand, of course), but the latter is quite dubious.

**Update--more reflections at RedState.

Columbuspalooza 2007: Violence At Columbus Day Parade In Denver?--Update: Dozens Arrested, Parade Delayed More Than An Hour

**Update--videos of protestors and arrests, Russell Means speaks; more photos


Blood and babies (both fake) in the streets

**Update--Columbus Day 2007: dozens arrested including Glenn Morris and Russell Means; parade delayed over an hour; photos and video have been loaded on their own separate pages--Columbus Day photos part I; Columbus Day videos part I

Media--Glenn Morris and Russell Means interviewed by Caplis and Silverman, later joined by parade organizer George Vendegnia for a contentious exchange--Means: "You're worse than a German!"

9NEWS reports 83 arrested, "most, if not all, of the people arrested will be charged with interference with a parade route and interference with a lawful assembly . . . 10 of the 83 people arrested may face additional charges of resisting arrest."

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.
. . .
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.
. . .
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.

Rocky Mountain News:

George Vendegnia, one of the organizers of the parade, said the protest and delay was planned for and caused minimal disruption.

"With this protest, it's just motivating people more to be back next year and exercise their right to participate in an American holiday," Vendegnia said.

---

Russell Means--"This is only the beginning, the frustration has reached critical mass"




Organizer Glenn Morris arrested


Protest leader and Ward Churchill lackey Glenn Spagnuolo, also arrested




The inevitable Che t-shirt


Che gets quoted

---

"This year, we will end it"--Transform Columbus Day/RAIMD

"This holiday is going to die here. The time for talk is over"--Glenn Spagnuolo

". . . an end to the Colum-Bush legacy . . ."--TCM



Slapstick Politics covered the protests in 2006, and Drunkablog was there in 2005. Slapstick's operatives will be at the parade today, check back later for photos/video after the parade. The parade begins at 10 a.m., starts at 15th Street and Court Place, and ends at 14th Avenue and Broadway.

Organizer and CU Denver professor Glenn Morris claims that groups opposing the Columbus Day parade will use "nonviolent, constitutionally protected" methods to oppose the 100th anniversary of the holiday, but a new report indicates that there may be something more than just another "peaceful" protest:

Despite their persistence, the protestors haven't accomplished much in those seventeen years. Morris, a high-ranking member of the American Indian Movement of Colorado, points out that some of the children who attended those early actions with their parents are now adults with kids of their own.

But this protest could be different, and the September 24 meeting was buzzing with anticipation. Heads of various protest "departments" stood to report on everything from the street-medic team (first-aid training was going well) to the squad of legal observers (just look for the bright-green hats). Pamphlets were passed around detailing the legal procedures involved in being arrested, from booking to bonding to trial. It was announced that a private security crew would be provided by Colorado AIM.

One important change this year is that TCD organizers have chosen not to meet with police beforehand to work out the ground rules for peaceful "orchestrated arrests," as they did in 2004. About 240 demonstrators were arrested that year for blocking the parade route by sitting in the streets.

Additionally, because this is the 100-year anniversary of the holiday, hundreds of activists are expected to travel to Denver from San Francisco, New York and severals out-of-state Indian reservations. A few are also flying in from other countries to take part.

Some of those groups may be planning "direct action" confrontations — a clear escalation in the type of engagement TCD has employed in the past. The group's leadership acknowledges that they are undertaking a shift in strategy. Toward what, exactly, no one is willing to say.

Of course what all this means will only be revealed Saturday at the parade.

Denver Post columnist Al Knight notes Denver's mixed response to AIM's strident demands and the rights that the Italian parade organizers are in danger of losing:

It is clear that when it comes to AIM's hatred of the Columbus Day Parade, the law doesn't much matter. The parade protesters are planning to converge on downtown Denver in a show of force before the parade on Oct. 6. However, when asked if they had applied for parade permits, they grandly announced that no permits were necessary because "we are on native land."

This is not just nonsense, it amounts to the purist form of ethnic intimidation, the type that is punishable under state and federal hate-crime laws.
. . .
Columbus may have been less than perfect as a human being, but that is no excuse for denying Italians hundreds of years later the rights of assembly guaranteed under the U.S. and Colorado constitutions.

When and if the Columbus holiday is ended, it will be because the people of Colorado, through their elected representatives, decide to end it, not because CU-Denver professor Glenn Morris and other members of AIM think otherwise.

The Post also cited the new ordinances in its earlier editorial supporting the parade:

Italian-Americans, and anyone who supports the Columbus Day holiday — a federal holiday for more than a generation — have the right to parade, peacefully, through our city streets.

The parade must go forward, but without violence.

American Indians and their supporters have every right to protest the parade, but they should do so without interfering in the activities that so many Coloradans want to enjoy. They should not be able to block the parade from taking place without some consequence.

The City Council in 2005 passed two ordinances that make it illegal for protesters to physically or vocally disrupt lawful assemblies, while prohibiting obstruction of public passageways, such as streets.

AIM and TCD failed in their bid to have the Columbus Day parade renamed, watered down, or abolished.

---

Even the Colorado Historical Society feels the pressure, as the Colorado History Museum which it runs has pulled the decidedly inflammatory "Homeland Security" t-shirt (including a well-armed Geronimo) so popular with Ward Churchill-types until after Columbus Day because of the stir caused when patrons visiting the popular Italians of Denver exhibit noticed the shirt.