DENVER—At least two people were taken into custody Tuesday at demonstrations about a mile from the Democratic National Convention, but the scene was much calmer than the night before.
The incidents on the heels of mass arrests Monday night angered members of anti-war and other political groups who said they’re considering suing the city of Denver for what they called illegal detentions. Glenn Spagnuolo, an organizer with the Denver protest group Recreate 68, said activists and a liaison from the police department had been working together until Tuesday morning’s incident.
“Negotiations are broken. Right now we’re not negotiating with police,” Spagnuolo said.
He said the groups don’t plan to be confrontational, but they want the police out of the city parks where activists have permits for activities.
Denver police Lt. Ron Saunier said he has asked the Internal Affairs Bureau to review video on the Rocky Mountain News Web site that shows a member of the peace group CodePink being hit in the chest with a baton and falling to the ground. He said he didn’t know exactly what happened and was waiting to hear from officers who were there.
In addition to the police department’s internal investigation, the city’s independent monitor is looking into the incident, said Sue Cobb, a spokeswoman for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
“We take allegations of excessive force very seriously and will investigate fully. As soon as we know the facts, we?ll provide more information,” she said.
Alicia Forrest, 24, of Los Angeles was struck and arrested shortly after another activist was arrested during a rally at Civic Center Park in central Denver.
Spagnuolo said Carlo Garcia was arrested after confronting demonstrators who were carrying anti-gay banners and yelling from a bullhorn “Jesus hates sin” and calling people in the crowd perverts.
Police went up to Garcia, who was then pushed to the ground by police, restrained and taken through the park while protesters circled around officers on horseback and in helmets with shields.
Anti-war activists complained that police didn’t arrest the anti-gay protesters even though they didn’t have a permit to use the park and the anti-war groups did.
“We’re trying very hard to respect people’s First Amendment rights,” Saunier said. “Even Recreate 68 has deviated from parade routes, and we didn’t make arrests.”
An Associated Press photographer at the scene said the officer pushed the woman back with his baton as other officers ordered protesters to stay away from a golf cart being used to ferry police. The woman went back to the police and said, “Do it again.”
That’s when the officer pushed the woman to the ground and ordered her to back off, calling her a “bitch.” The exchange can be heard on a video captured by a photographer with the Rocky Mountain News.
On Monday night, 100 people were arrested after a clash between protesters. News video showed some protesters charging police.
Saunier said based on items seized from the demonstrators, police believed the people planned to “wreak havoc and cause destruction.” He wouldn’t disclose what police found, saying that the department doesn’t discuss evidence while investigating.
Protesters who ran into the street from a park were hemmed in by police and then several charged the line of officers “in an assaultive manner,” Saunier said. About 200 people in a nearby spot were detained to stabilize the situation and were later released without being arrested, he said.
Spagnuolo disputed the police version of Monday night’s clashes. He said activists in Civic Center Park were harassed by police for wearing bandanas over their faces and were surrounded by police when they took off down a street to get away from officers.
Brian Vicente of the People’s Law Project, an independent group of lawyers helping protesters, said people detained by police include those on their way to work and dinner and bystanders. He said about half the people arrested on charges of obstructing police, failure to disperse and failure to follow a police order pleaded not guilty during their arraignments early Tuesday.
“During the convention this week, we’ve seen many examples of lawful, peaceful parades and demonstrations. Unfortunately, last night’s gathering was not one of them,” Cobb said Tuesday. “We are very proud of our police for the restraint they showed in responding to the unlawful behavior that occurred last night.”
Trish Gallagher, a demonstrator from Boston, said some protesters may be provoking police, but the officers have been trained and should exercise restraint.
“I tell the cops ‘It’s only a shift for you. Don’t mess with your karma,'” she said.
Police said they used only a limited amount of pepper spray, and only after protesters refused orders to disperse and then rushed a police line.
Elsewhere Tuesday, 13 anti-abortion protesters were arrested in another demonstration organized by Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry.
————————————————————
Associated Press Writers Colleen Slevin and Thomas Peipert contributed to this story.
