The Denver City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve two bills aimed at deterring protesters from blocking the often-contentious Columbus Day parade.
The council’s 11-0 vote came after 11 people delivered impassioned, yet civil, arguments for or against the proposed ordinances. The council must vote on the bills a second and final time next week.
“I believe we have a situation here where all rights are being protected,” Councilwoman Marcia Johnson said before casting her vote.
One bill would make it illegal for protesters to physically or vocally disrupt lawful assemblies such as parades. The other seeks to prohibit obstruction of public passageways, such as streets and sidewalks.
City attorneys drafted the bills after a county judge in January dismissed as unconstitutionally vague loitering charges the city leveled against protesters who blocked last year’s Columbus parade. Two other judges indicated they would do the same, spurring city attorneys to drop the charges.
City Attorney Cole Finegan told the council Monday that both of Denver’s proposed ordinances are “copied word for word” from Colorado law. Together, they will shore up the deficiencies of the previous loitering laws, he said.
“This will not solve all of our problems,” Finegan said. “I don’t believe any of us are naive enough to believe that. But I do believe this will firmly resolve an issue that’s been put in our court.”
Those who objected to the bills noted that some aspects of the legislation remain vague. Specifically, they asked for more clarity on what would amount to a “reasonable request” to stop blocking a parade route, and what type of “verbal utterance” could disrupt a parade. Finegan noted that some of those determinations must be left to police on the scene.
Larry Left Hand Bull, an American Indian community leader, said after the meeting that the proposed ordinances will fall short of addressing the underlying issues of Columbus Day. American Indians and other groups associate Italian explorer Christopher Columbus with genocide. Left Hand Bull suggested a town-hall meeting where people could discuss whether to retain, abolish or rename the celebration.
“I have no problem with the parade,” Left Hand Bull said. “I have a problem with the name Columbus being used.”
Italian-Americans at the meeting praised the council’s vote as an affirmation of their right to assemble. “We have no problem with them protesting,” said Mickie Clayton, a member of the Columbus Day Parade Committee. “We have a problem with them blocking us. The First Amendment works both ways.”
