Protestors of this Saturday’s Columbus Day Parade who planned to spend Friday night camping illegally in the state-owned Lincoln Park in downtown Denver were granted a reprieve Thursday by the Colorado State Patrol, which agreed to extend their rally permit to include camping.
The Transform Columbus Day Alliance, led by the American Indian Movement of Colorado, had secured permits to rally in the park until 10 p.m., Friday, then starting again at 7 a.m., Saturday. Alliance members had vowed to spend the night in the park, setting up a possible confrontation with state troopers, who patrol the park.
After consulting with Attorney General John Suthers’ office, troopers announced Thursday they would extend the group’s permit through the night, said Trooper spokesman Sgt. Jeff Goodwin.
The group said it plans to protest the parade, which begins at 10 a.m., Saturday, claiming that Christopher Columbus should not be honored because he did not discover America, according to AIM of Colorado.
Parade marchers, led by the Italian-American community, said they are celebrating the national holiday that honors Columbus.
