ACLU: Denver cops could get 'amped up' by anti-protester memo David Edwards and Muriel Kane

Published: Monday August 25, 2008





Print This Email This CNN reports that tight security arrangements for the Democratic National Convention in Denver are drawing complaints from both activists and civil liberties advocates.



Protesters are upset about being confined to a fenced-in parking lot, which they describe as "a 'freedom cage' two football fields away from the Pepsi Center, where they will have no meaningful opportunity to bring their concerns to the attention of delegates."



CNN, however, describes the lot as being "around the corner from the convention center," and the Secret Service insists that delegates will see the protesters first thing as they enter the convention hall.



When a judge rejected a legal challenge to the restrictions earlier this month, Mark Silverstein, Colorado legal director of the ACLU, stated, "Overall the regrettable thing is courts are deferring to security planners who base their plans many times on risks that are extremely speculative ... and the result is all of our First Amendment rights are diminished."



The ACLU is also "irate" over a police bulletin (pdf) which tells officers to be on the lookout for unusual stockpiles of supplies -- such as maps and bicycles -- that could potentially be used for violence or destruction of property.



Silverstein called the bulletin "unnecessarily provocative" and warned, "It has the potential to get police officers all amped up and looking for a confrontation at a time when what we need is cool heads and restraint."



One Denver activist said she had been subjected to police questioning over a delivery of bricks to her home that was intended solely for masonry repairs.



A police spokesman told CNN, "We're set to take action when it needs to be taken, and I'm hoping we don't have to take any." Activists insist their plans are peaceful.



This video is from CNN's American Morning, broadcast August 25, 2008.









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