Organizers are working to free by Sunday afternoon 18 of the Occupy Denver protesters charged with misdemeanors following Saturday’s clashes with police.
Two others were released on bond overnight.
One man — 32-year-old John Sexton — faces a Class 4 felony charge of assaulting a police officer. His bond was set this morning at $20,000.
It’s the fifth felony the group has racked up among dozens of arrests since the demonstration began more than a month ago, according to attorney Charles Nadler.
As president of Colorado’s National Lawyers Guild, Nadler’s group has marshalled 45 defense attorneys, two investigators and an appellate attorney to represent arrested demonstrators.
Nadler couldn’t say this morning whether Sexton was the man accused of shoving a police motorcycle during a confrontation over removing tents from Civic Center Park.
Most of the people arraigned today were charged with failing to obey a police order. One was charged with possession of an injection device and another with a violation of park curfew.
Defense attorney John Buckley said he believes many of the demonstrators were in public space and should not have been arrested.
“Sidewalks are historically a place where people can assemble,” Buckley said. “What law they violated at that point is a mystery to all of us.”
Touching a police officer, however, is “way over the line,” Buckley warned demonstrators at the courthouse.
The charges stem from two different confrontations with police Saturday that eventually led to pepper spray and batons being used on the crowd.
At least one protester was sent to the hospital with minor injuries.
“Denver’s police officers demonstrated great restraint and professionalism as they were taunted and even physically assaulted,” Lt. Matt Murray said today in a release.
“The Denver Police Department respects, and will defend the right of peaceful protest, however, also remain charged with enforcing the laws and maintaining the peace and safety of all citizens,” Murray said.
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com.
