Occupy Denver: David Lane to use Mayor Michael Hancock's honks against him in court

By Kelsey Whipple Fri., Dec. 2 2011 at 12:34 PM

Michael Hancock.

And so it begins. At a Monday hearing, Occupy Denver and the City and County of Denver will face off in a courtroom over attorney David Lane's motion for an injunction against the enforcement of municipal ordinances seen as restricting the protest's free speech -- like, for instance, honks in support of the movement. But Westword has obtained some of the plaintiff's exhibits, and they suggest that irony will be a major strategy.

The main recurring theme throughout the exhibits we have access to is a suggestion of hypocrisy. While one of the most notable members of the plaintiff, Daniel Garcia, was ticketed for honking in support of Occupy Denver, his legal team has collected evidence of the man a few steps behind that ticket supporting the same action, albeit in different circumstances.

Courtesy of Kilmer, Lane & Newman

Michael Hancock encourages honks and waves from passing cars in support of his campaign for mayor.

Exhibits one through eight cover a pre-election campaign strategy for Mayor Michael Hancock -- one that revolves around, you guessed it, honking. The collection comes in a series of screen shots taken by Christopher Dodd, an investigator and legal assistant for Lane's firm Kilmer, Lane & Newman.

Courtesy of Kilmer, Lane & Newman

No word yet on whether Daniel Garcia drove by and honked at Mayor Hancock this past June.

The first few screenshots mark events organized for the purpose of encouraging honks from motorized passersby on a different corner of Colfax this past June. Participants in the event, referred to as a "Honk 'n' Wave," are joined in photographs by Hancock himself on a day that likely didn't lead to any tickets for city ordinance 54-71's "horns and other warning devices" entry.

Courtesy of Kilmer, Lane & Newman

A calendar entry for Hancock's "Honk 'n' Wave" event.

While Garcia admitted to "two or three" honks in support of the occupation, he did not confess any waves. Perhaps that's the key?

Continue through for both sides' most recent responses to the motion for a temporary restraining order:

Tags:

Christopher Dodd, David Lane, Denver Police Department, honk, Michael Hanock, Occupy Denver, restraining order

We Recommend

You to stupid to understand

It's ok for the 1%ers to exercise their 1st amendments but not the people keep being hypocrites and contradicting your own claims ? Let me inform you 1%ers away from your dream land your not special and the occupation is here to stay and enforce Truth,Justice,For All Humanity!

Marla Louise

The problem is, this is the first of a long list of Civil Rights lawsuits being brought by protesters against the city of Denver as a result of Hancock's attempts to suppress the protest. It will bring Hancock millions of donation dollars from big business, but it will cost the city's taxpayers millions more.

lyls81

phlpn.es/829r8s

lyls73

phlpn.es/829r8s

Sick and tired

Ah, nothing quite so unconstitutional as selective enforcing of local municipal code to squelch free speech.

Robert Chase

The Law in Colorado is whatever those who are supposed to be in charge say it is -- Omnes Ad Hoc!

Brimoburn

Problem is the actual protesters are not unemployed poverty stricken people thet are mostlly the sons and daughters of rich people that are doing this because thier idiotic college profeeors are doing it.The real poor and out of work DO NOT HAVE THE FREE TIME TO WASTE PROTESTING they are out looking for a job.

Political Skeptic

I would like to see actuall research datat that supports your claim....

the proof is EVERYWHERE... it should take you less time to find it then to respond to my comment...

Marla Louise

I've owned my own companies for years, and have probably been responsible for creating hundreds of jobs, yet I'm down there supporting Occupy as well. The problem is crony capitalism and a loss of our democracy.

Johnny

Not true. I was laid off around the same time Occupy started. I looked for work and also attended general assemblies and Saturdays marches. I'm now full time employed and still attend the marches and GAs when time allows.

Fortlupton

Since elected to mayor of Denver less than 150 days ago, Michael Hancock has already vacationed at 4 star resorts in Beaver Creek and also vacationed abroad at undisclosed locations.

Yup, that's two dream vacations in his first 6 months in office. Word around the campfire is that Mayor Hancock has even more 4 star resort vacation time lined up for the holidays. Meanwhile, Mayor Hancock punishes the unemployed poverty stricken, peaceful protestors with $800,000 worth of police intimidation. Basically, if your not on Hancock's side, you will be beaten, tortured, jailed, extorted out of all your money, and branded for life.

Momnancyring

sounds like Obama

Lefty Rightwell

I supported Mayor Hancock, and overall still do. I do not agree with how things have been handled with the Occupy movement, including the selective enforcement of car honking in support of them, while I also did the same for Mr. Hancock's campaign. Either the courts will support this injunction, or the City Atty will issue a cease and desist to DPD. That being said, your 4 Star vacation claim is unfounded.

The Beaver Creek stay was not paid for by the taxpayers, and it was not a vacation. It was a working weekend retreat for him and key members of his staff to strategize for the incoming administration. It is not an uncommon practice. Even my local chorus goes to Keystone 2x a year for a weekend retreat to focus on our objectives.

Mayor Hancock traveled to Japan and Asia last month not to vacation, but to lobby their national airlines, and markets to bring direct flights to DIA.

About the only vacation that was reported publically was with his family immediately AFTER his election in June/July.

Although I agree with you that the $800k used to quell Occupy Denver has been wasteful, your claims about his vacationing are without merit.

Marla Louise

I don't know the specifics of the Beaver Brook claim, BUT if the taxpayer did not pay for Beaver Brook, who did? And what do they expect for a return on their money?

wratha

Hopefully they don't list exhibits 7 & 8 as being on Colfax. 7 is a shot of the NE corner of Colorado Blvd & MLK. 8 is the SW corner of Colorado Blvd and 8th Ave.