The Denver City Council today pulled a proclamation recognizing the rights of protesters at next year’s Democratic National Convention because it would not have passed.
The proclamation received attention because it was written by Re-create ’68 – a group of demonstrators whose website proclaims that it plans to make the violence-marred Democratic convention of 1968 “look like a small get-together in 2008!”
City Council President Michael Hancock said today that the measure “did not have the votes to pass.
“I would have voted no against it,” he said. “I think to vote ‘no’ would have given our police and those who are working hard on the convention a vote of confidence that we are prepared to do the right thing.”
Councilwoman Kathleen McKenzie had proposed the ordinance.
“I think some of the council members are getting cold feet,” said MacKenzie, who said she continues to hope that the City Council can offer a chance for public discussion and leadership for how the expected protests should be handled.
“I think how Denver handles it, how we look to the rest of the world, will matter,” she said.
Councilman Charlie Brown opposed the proclamation, saying it sent an insulting message to Denver police.
Instead of telling police how to do their job, he said, the city should send a clear message to protesters: “If you want to come to this town, you have to follow our rules.”
