Occupy Denver: Biggest riot squad presence to date, pepper bullets, multiple arrests (PHOTOS)

Philo99

One of the Occupy members has just been arrested for arson in Fort Collins. 10 million dollars in damage and multiple families left homless from the Occupy terror cell attack.

So much for the lies about peaceful protestors.

spectrewriter

http://wp.me/potXC-16This explains how the 1st and 14th Amendment combine (along with the Due Process requirement) to guarantee that the RIGHT to Peaceful Assembly, Free Speech and expressing grievances with our government are not infringed upon in ANY way. In short it explains how and why the #OWS movement is entirely protected and lawful.

Michael Roberts

Thanks for the link, Spectrewriter. Much appreciated.

Nwmlobo

Mam has dominated man to his own injury. Man can not rule himself or others. ALL PEOPLE were ment to live in freedom, NOT to be handled for mans demise.

Dorian Graham Muncey

Attorneys are going to make a fortune from the city of Denver.

612jams

This is disturbing and repressive behavior by Denver Police. They should be standing in solidarity with the protesters and the rest of the 99%.

Anita Zortman

I am glad to see the effort here, but it makes me wonder what comes next. These protestors have some powerful message, but how do WE as concerned citizens, who are not in a position to protest....do? Is there a vita role we can play? Inquiring minds wanna know.

Denveater

I admit that this is slightly goofy—but nonetheless may prove effective:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/4507924...

Rob

Could we please get an explanation about the use of pepper ball projectiles to shoot protesters in the face from DPD? I believe the manufacturer specifically advises against such use and warns of possible serious bodily injury if they are used that way. Also, if DPD is going to claim that this was inadvertent, I'd like to point out that the pepper ball guns and CS launchers had Eotech holographic weapons sights mounted, making an inadvertent or accidental face shot HIGHLY unlikely. Finally, is it in line with DPD's use of force policy to use motorcycles for crowd control? Can an officer run over a protester who obstructs him? Is deadly force now the curbside punishment for obstructing police?

Robert Chase

DPD and the City Attorney should get to work on any explanation they can come up with for how they hired and armed these yahoos in the first place.

phloxie2000

Wow ! Looking more like the 60's everyday

not 1% not 99%

I wonder what would happen if the occupy group just didn't put tents up where they weren't supposed to. I'm going out on a limb here, but I just bet there would be no need for the police. I'm all for the freedom of speech, but there are also rules and order that need to be kept.

You have the right to disrespect the laws of this country, and the police have the right to enforce them. Its really a cat and mouse game, the occupy guys push and the police push back. For me, the whole message of the movement has now changed. Rather then be mad at the corporations, its now turned into something for the freedom of speech. All in all NOTHING is changing.

I saw a tweet post yesterday from one of the fathers of the protest here in Denver, and it stated that the occupiers took the park back by force. Looks like they did, and then the police, right on cue, took it back once again. Its not like the police just ambushed the occupiers, they gave 30 minutes warning, and then an extra 5, and then did what they said they were going to do.

I also get a kick out of comparing this to Syria. How many people on this forum have been to Syria? How many were there for what went on? Yea, probably none. You are taking the information of the media, consequently, the same media which you detest and don't trust in cases that don't support your cause, and making that gospel.

I also get a kick about throwing the federal government in the middle of this too, saying that they need to uphold the rights of the common man, and that they trump local law. Its a true statement, but is this the same federal government that you said didn't have the right to rule over the state when it came to MMJ? I'm confused, you only want the feds when it supports your cause, but if their law is against your cause then they have no grounds....

Robert Chase

The only use of force going on in the parks is that the police have been exercising. The corporate media note that a permit is required for protesting on the west steps of the Capitol, but ignore the fact that we held one (this information is in the public record, were a journalist to be sent to Colorado to check). The authorities here abrogate constitutional rights as though they'd never heard of them -- Gov. Hypocrite's protestation about respecting the First Amendment has been demonstrated clearly to be an absurdly hollow lie.

P.S. You need a new name -- "not 1% not 99%" trumpets ignorance; it is a safe bet that your income is in the bottom 99% of that of all Americans. Like it or not, you are part of the 99%.

not 1% not 99%

My income is not in the top 1% of the country, but I will not allow someone like you to lump me into any group anywhere. I am a realist, neither democratic or republican. I don't support your cause, I don't support the occupy movement, because at this point it is so far off topic it a joke. Look at the pictures, read the stories. The occupy group is only united in the sense that there is a bunch of people pissed off. They are complaining about everything and offering NO solutions. I will take responsibility for who I am, what I spend, and know the risks I take when I live life. My mistakes are just that, mine to make, mine to learn from. I accept full responsibility for my life, do you?

not 1% not 99%

Wow you really told me, called me stupid too. Way to be a stand for your movement. Reactions like yours are why the majority will not take you seriously.

A 99% Downtown Worker

Why can't you make your point without calling people "stupid" or "un-informed".The consistent theme in all the posts of the OWS Denver supporters is that theyhave far superior intelligence than any who dare question the OWS objectives orgoals.The name calling is unnecessary and only shows YOUR lack of intelligence.

Allaboutwindowss

You obviously have never been to any of the Occupy rallys - the level of discussion/intelligence is far higher than you are exhibiting. Perhaps you should rely on other news sources than the corporate media. By the way, I have been to Syria, Lebanon and other areas of the middle east. You are ridiculously un-infomed and you are too stupid to shut up and quit showing it to the rest of us.

not 1% not 99%

Thank you for this, this is the first time anyone has even responded with anything.

My quick take..1) Most occupiers don't know what this is or what is does. Is there any source that shows what impact this will make...good or bad

2)If my small business can have a voice then large corporations should have that same right. There are more small companies than large ones, and we all deserve a voice, no matter what it supports. For a group of people that claims the government keeps shutting them up and removing their rights, why the inability to listen to a corporation (or the working members of one)

3) This one isn't ever going to happen. At the end of the day we are given a few choices of who to vote for. Its irrelevant of how much money they put out there, because we all have the same 1 vote. There will never be a canditate that pleases the majority of the people because the people no longer agree on the same things. We have become a divided nation, and there is no longer a majority

4)When Lincoln said this we weren't nearly as large or diverse of a country. We didn't face the issues that we now face, if the occupy group got their own politicians elected, then those politicians would be fighting for occupiers. This is the very same thing they are protesting. I'm not in the occupy group, so IF they got someone elected, I could have the same complaint they have now

5) I could support this one, perhaps there are a few good minds don't at the group that has some great ideas to move toward this? I cant see how we wont be a completely different country in the next decade let alone 18 years.

6) I could go along with this also, but again not something I have ever seen mentioned on any interview or listed in any article I have read.

7) What I would like to see prior to anything being done with the tax code is to make everyone accountable for what they actually owe. I would like a crackdown on the loads of people that have incomes that are not paying taxes. Before you go changing anything, level the playing field and see where we lie. If I made a million a year and you wanted me to pay 400k in taxes, I would ask that you do the same. The numbers don't lie, there is a large majority of lower and middle class people that just don't support the country they live in. Why is it that you go after the rich for not paying enough when your neighbors, friends and families aren't paying at all?

8) I think all of the recent bailouts have proven that no companies are too big to fail right now. Before trying to take down one of these giants I would request that the proper diligence be done to look at the impact and fallout of any of them failing. Its my belief that what we have now isn't great, but a crash of even one of these guys would upset the fragile state of the world economy.

9) I think the citizens of this country should have access to a certain amount of free healthcare. I also believe there should be a lot of limits on it. I dont believe my taxes should pay for your kid to have braces. I don't think it should cover your having a kid, or an abortion. I don't think it should cover your smokers lung, or your drug rehab, your AA, or anything else that you knowingly put yourself in harms way over. I think that its time to take responsibility for ourselves and I don't get how you expect it to be my financial responsibility for your lack of common sense.

Denveater

Actually, a number of solutions have been offered ("read the stories," indeed). I'm quoting one example. Whether you agree with those solutions is a different matter, but to claim they're not being presented is simply inaccurate.

1. Reinstate Glass Steagel, with stronger protections for people. Re-separate investment banking and commercial banking.

2. Reverse Citizens United. As established in the 13th Amendment, people can’t own people, therefore corporations, which people may own, are not people. The people who work in corporations have the right to free speech, assembly, protection from unreasonable search and seizure, and other protections as guaranteed by the Constitution. The corporations themselves, however, being nothing more than a dynamic set of contracts, have no such rights.

3. Democracy not Aristocracy, 1 – Take the money out of politics.

4. Democracy not Aristocracy, 2 – Close the Revolving Doors. Lincoln said it best. Our government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, not for the politicians and their friends.

5. Clean & Green within 18. Develop and implement plans to shift, within 18 years, from fuel and waste based energy systems, such as coal, oil, methane, and nuclear power to 100% process based systems, wind, water, solar, geothermal, biofuel, and efficiency.

6. Strengthen the EPA. As BP demonstrated in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon spill, the fox can not guard the henhouse.

7. Fair & Progressive Tax Policy - Reinstate a dramatic progressive tax code which taxes high incomes and wealth and spurs investment and well-being.

8. A Healthy Economy - Split up corporations that are “too big to fail” into corporations that are not.

9. Medicare for All - Medicare to provide health care for all citizens.

Dennis Peter

This is too shocking !!! Peaceful protesters being shot......Slowly the U.S.A is going the Syrian way !!! The Time is not Far when organised Marines will step in to PROTECT AND TO SERVE the American Citizens !!

Robert Chase

Denver's Establishment is bankrupting the City for the sole purpose of maintaining the unfettered discretion of the DPD to do whatever the Hell it wants.

not 1% not 99%

yea I'm sure the funding for the first waves of police action came from a different budget, but by this point, they have adapted moved personnel around and are dealing with people intentionally breaking the law.

Pete

I detest the police presence and swat tactics. What's next, the National Guard? Live ammo?That large of a police showing makes me more sympathetic to the protesters, even though I don't know exactly what they are protesting.

The governor is now in a tricky position of having to uphold laws against his constituents. Just let them camp? Okay, then you gotta let the right wing abortion nut jobs camp as well.

Escalation seems inevitable. Is is part of the protest tactic?

not 1% not 99%

no need for anything other than the local PD, They did what they said they would, and there isn't enough people involved to warrant the request of the National Guard.

Escalation is a must in this movement (look at my posts from weeks ago) because that is the only thing they have to keep the media involved. The occupy movement in Denver went from a story every day on every news channel to virtually nothing. Make it violent, then it becomes news again. Once they fall off the media coverage, the movement will die

Donkey Hotay

Law enFORCEment always escalates the level of violence.

That FORCE is the core of their existence.

MountainLyin

30 police vehicles??? I'm not sure where you were observing from, but that is a SERIOUS underestimate! Try well over 100.

aaron matteson

now is time to join the dark side

The Green Veteran

I'm building a Occupy America Green Bus Here in Denver anyone interested in helping connect the occupied cities by demonstrating sustainable solutions? Yes, actual solutions, Visit us at http://www.occupyeverwhere-bus... soon to be occupybustour.org

Donkey Hotay

Denver Cops = Violent State Thugs

Just like in Syria, Egypt and Iran

--- Eat the Rich !! ---

Brad10071977

Wow, some people are really showing there ignorance. The police should NEVER fire weapons against an unarmed civilians, period. I don't care if you consider them breaking the law or not. If you are doing 60mph in a 55mph zone, should they light your car on fire? Should they break your knee cap for jaywalking? People who are inciting violence from within the protesters should be brought to the police officers attention, and the police should arrest them. Krazyk, Patriot, and Tami, you guys are perfect examples of people who have no idea what you're talking about. You obviously have not been to any of the protest, and are probably getting your info from fox news. Protesters, keep up your brave work, and please stay nonviolent. Don't let ignorant people incite you. I saw a quote one time that said "don't try to teach a pig to sing, it wastes your time, and annoys the hell out of the pig." Krazyk, Patriot, and Tami, I apologize if we're annoying you.

Quadrophinc

There is no comparison to the Arab Spring, so just stop doing that .

If Hosni Mubarek were the American President he would have been replaced with Hosni Mubarek. There is no power vacuum in America, its all in a compression chamber controller by the good old boys.

Remember when Kennedy died? Was there even a second to flinch and wonder what was going to become of the country? No, the system replaced him instantly.

High Country Caregiver

These people are scum, get them off of my Capital. What if I want to bring my kids there, or all the millions of people who come skiing? What will they think with all these idiots hanging out and doing nothing? Go occupy your own living room like the rest of us hard working Americans! Hell this is Colorado, grow some medical marijuana at least!

spectrewriter

I'm guessing you were kidding or trolling, but just in case, (and to answer others):

There are SEVERAL parks for citizens and tourists to enjoy. The little square that Occupy Denver was taking up is hardly a problem... unless you turn it into one by making a pissing contest out of it.

High Country Caregiver

Yea and there are millions of acres of beautiful wilderness in Colorado to go camping at. Why would I be kidding? This is our State Capital and the world is watching, throw these losers in the fire! Use real bullets next time! I'm glad we live in a State where the cops have the balls to use force.

spectrewriter

Why? Because I'd have thought someone clearly enjoying the benefits of MMJ would have more sense than to seriously mean that crap you wrote. Those millions of acres aren't anywhere near the capital, where the legislature that can make a difference is located. But you're not really that stupid. Just bone-headed, obstinate.

Come throw THIS "loser" in the fire. It'll be funny to watch you try. Just because we choose to be peaceful doesn't mean I can't kick your punk ass if you attempt to initiate force.

Vladcirbo

High country, It's their Capital too. Oh and how do you think that Medical Marijuana was made such an issue that this state went ahead and made it a amendment. Yep that's right Let's not forget about "pot club" protests at the capital the last saturday of each month. I think there are still some that can remimber those days of the movement. Now you might have even been there if so shame on your comment. Ken would be disapointed in you today. I think occupy would greet you well if you brought your kids down. As for the millions skiing they will probably be like oh hey we have these in our country too how cool is that.

Columbine Phoenix

Shame on the Denver Police Department, and shame on Mayor Hancock. #dnj

not 1% not 99%

quite the contrary, praise for both, and I rarely find myself siding with the police or politicians. Keep enforcing the rules using whatever force is needed

Park

Why are they shooting people multiple times, and why in the face and head? If a bullet went into the eye or hit ones temple, couldn't that cause fatal injuries? I just do not understand why the police are acting like feral savages. Violence is not necessary 8(

jimbojamesiv

The Occupiers need to assert who is in control. They need to take action against, or if you prefer resist, police brutality, by doing two things (a) demanding the resignations of the respective City's mayors and (b) start taking hostages, making arrests of officers who are breaking the law or simply acting like thugs. The Occupiers need to make clear that the old ways are over, and we're not going to take it anymore. The reason that this is necessary is because the State has no legitimacy, as so many have been saying for years, and, by State, I'm including the federal government, and I'd add that the economic, judicial and political systems are broken. Take back the wealth and enforce equality of the living. Get rid of corporate interference in public affairs, and arrest the entire corps command of the US military. That's a good place to start.

spectrewriter

Then it would not be peaceful anymore. Take it back by petitioning the Feds to do their duty in protecting these citizens' 1st Amendment rights, which are being usurped by local and state government.

jimbojamesiv

So, let me get this straight, spectrewriter, according to you, there's no such thing as a peaceful arrest?

In other words, you claim that only the police can make arrests in America, or perhaps you're saying that no arrest can be made peacefully? Or, only the police can make a peaceful arrest?

I'm not sure you know what you're saying, although I believe I understood what you were trying to say--i.e. that if the protesters take action than it's not peaceful anymore? Or you contend my tactics are non-peaceful?

Yet, I'd still suggest that you are incorrect on all accounts because (a) taking action does not mean being violent and (b) the occupiers are already attempting to make citizens' arrests of W. and Jaime Dimon, so I wonder at the end of the day if you truly understand the words you hurled at me of if they were simply a trigger reaction to a platitude upon which, yes, even I, have been so lovingly raised in America. It's kind of funny it's sort of like an inbred, itchy trigger-finger.

Look, spectre, at the end of the day, if you agree the political, economic and judicial systems are broken, and you expect peaceful protest alone to accomplish any change, I wonder, who is fooling who? That being said, Gandhi and King were both alleged heads of peaceful movements, yes? And yet I wonder if you'd say the same thing when you realize that thousands, perhaps millions in total died during their protest movements. Okay, perhaps millions have died in all peaceful protest movements put together, the point is that it doesn't matter because no protest movement has ever won anything (prove me wrong) without bloodshed.

Why? The reason is that peaceful protests don't remain peaceful when those who have no problem with violence become violent, and, then you're going to either die or resort to their level, no? If you don't agree, then, I'd love to hear your solution to get out of that box, because the violence will come, and it will come from the status quo and not the protest side first, as is already happened.

jimbojamesiv

Spectre, I apologize for the grammatical and/or spelling errors and trust that you can understand what I was trying to say.

owsley

Y'all should do what Jimbo says....

Guy Fawkes

Any chance China or Russia might invade for humanitarian purposes?

Tami Litwin

when do they have time to work, they are there 24/7, looks like they dont work to me, only taxes they are paying is on the cigarettes and alcohol they are buying.

Doug

In all of this people fail to realize that not everyone is staying all day. This happened on a weekend when many are not working and don't have class. While I find these things obvious apparently not everyone does. And yes there are a large number of the young and unemployed in their ranks. If you were to use real numbers (not the government provided ones) there is about 1 in 5 people in this country unemployed. There is an additional difficult to quantify number who are underemployed. So while you, and others like you, sit at home and criticize those actively participating in this constitutionally sanctioned activity, they are out fighting for The Economic Rights Movement that will benefit us all.

Is empathy, compassion, and sympathy for those less fortunate in this country so dead? With a church on every corner is this the best we can do? These are your fellow citizens. They are legally demanding a redress of their grievances, and it's about time everyone started listening. Have a good time in Sunday School bashing those less fortunate. Don't be looking too hard for that mansion in the sky.

Allaboutwindowss

Very well said.

spectrewriter

WTF do you mean by saying 15 more "earned" arrests? NOBODY "earned"being arrested for claiming the 1st Amendment!

Henry Franconia

The deal is that the Occupy movement is basically playing the part of the boy who cries out "The Emperor has no clothes" and the rich and powerful don't want this to be said in public. They've controlled the media for a long time and changed the rules to tilt the board way over to their side. They want people to feel powerless and passively hand over one quality of life after another to the rich. Occupy is simply saying that we ordinary folks can demand that the rules be changed back to be more fair to everyone, that together we have that power and that right. That's not a message that the rich and powerful of today want people to hear any more than their counterparts of the British crown and joint stock companies wanted to allow 240 years ago.