#OccupyDenver Set Fire to Structures, Barricade Streets, Fight Police – 4 Arrests

Dec. 20, 2011 Anarchist News

From Ignite! Ignite Denver

Video at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Du8FC9-dUCI

Last night, during police action taken to evict the Occupy Denver camp,
protesters bravely faced down battalions of riot police. Structures built
in the park were set alight, demonstrators fought police, threw barricades
in the street, and staged raids on the dump trucks carting away their
things. 4 arrests were made, 2 of which are felony arson cases.

While some of the Denver anarchist community, thick with ranks of veterans
of militant protests, has checked out of the encampment (including the
Denver Anarchist Black Cross, who headed legal support until two weeks
ago, where that support was withdrawn for various reasons), many have woke
up this morning surprised and concerned for the comrades on the ground.
Many are doubtful as to whether Occupy Denver’s legal team will be willing
to take on these arson cases, being that setting fires, barricading
streets and fighting police doesn’t fit their liberal narrative of what a
protest should look like. Those of us in Denver who know better are
looking to step (back) up.

It is inspiring to see elements of the camp resist police eviction with
tangible, meaningful action, especially in light of losing formal radical
legal support. The local ABC was not expecting to take calls last night,
yet the demonstrators on the ground fought back without fear and knowing
full well bail might not be a phone call away. Please send updates to us
on Twitter or through email at ignitedenver@riseup.net.

Update 12:00AM 12/12: The
anon - Tue, 2011-12-20 11:11

Update 12:00AM 12/12: The Denver Post has released nine names of people
arrested last night. Most of the arrested are facing misdemeanor charges,
but Michael Clapper is facing a fourth degree felony arson charge. Highest
bond right now is for Clapper at $5000, lowest is $100. Bail needs are
nearly at $8,000.

Update 11:30AM 12/20: Protesters marched through the capitol hill
neighborhood after the eviction, waking people up. Many left their homes
and joined the march.


Update 1:15AM 12/20:
anon - Tue, 2011-12-20 12:21

Update 1:15AM 12/20: Important tweet from Denver ABC: Clarity: DABC is not
coordinating legal support for #occupydenver. Members are aiding those
from OD working on legal in a limited capacity.

Members of DABC are assisting OD in coordinating their own legal support.
Apparently they had nothing in place for this. Another DABC tweet: As of
1:15pm, the total bond needed for #occupydenver arrestees is $9,727
(excluding booking fees, which are typically $30-60 per person)



Update 4:51PM 12/20: Here is some pretty solid video of last night’s
action. As we speak, several of those arrested on minor charges are in the
process of being bonded out.

Update 1:15PM 12/20: Important tweet from Denver ABC: Clarity: DABC is not
coordinating legal support for #occupydenver. Members are aiding those
from OD working on legal in a limited capacity.

Members of DABC are assisting OD in coordinating their own legal support.
Apparently they had nothing in place for this. Another DABC tweet: As of
1:15pm, the total bond needed for #occupydenver arrestees is $9,727
(excluding booking fees, which are typically $30-60 per person)

Update 12:00PM 12/20: The Denver Post has released nine names of people
arrested last night. Most of the arrested are facing misdemeanor charges,
but Michael Clapper is facing a fourth degree felony arson charge. Highest
bond right now is for Clapper at $5000, lowest is $100. Bail needs are
nearly at $8,000.

Update 11:30AM 12/20: Protesters marched through the capitol hill
neighborhood after the eviction, waking people up. Many left their homes
and joined the march.

Update 11:30AM 12/20: From a street medic at the scene last night reports
several bleeding wounds from baton charges, a broken hand, broken teeth,
cops attacking mainstream media.

Update 11AM 12/20: Six confirmed arrests from last night. Bail so far is
set to exceed $3000. Waiting for updates from court to confirm charges and
bail amounts.

Last night, during police action taken to evict the Occupy Denver camp,
protesters bravely faced down battalions of riot police. Structures built
in the park were set alight, demonstrators fought police, threw barricades
in the street, and staged raids on the dump trucks carting away their
things. 4 arrests were made, 2 of which are felony arson cases.

While some of the Denver anarchist community, thick with ranks of veterans
of militant protests, has checked out of the encampment (including the
Denver Anarchist Black Cross, who headed legal support until two weeks
ago, where that support was withdrawn for various reasons), many have woke
up this morning surprised and concerned for the comrades on the ground.
Many are doubtful as to whether Occupy Denver’s legal team will be willing
to take on these arson cases, being that setting fires, barricading
streets and fighting police doesn’t fit their liberal narrative of what a
protest should look like. Those of us in Denver who know better are
looking to step (back) up.

It is inspiring to see elements of the camp resist police eviction with
tangible, meaningful action, especially in light of losing formal radical
legal support. The local ABC was not expecting to take calls last night,
yet the demonstrators on the ground fought back without fear and knowing
full well bail might not be a phone call away. Please send updates to us
on Twitter or through email at ignitedenver@riseup.net.



Denver cops clear Occupy Denver; protesters set shelters aflame, then take to streets

Dec. 20, 2011 Denver Post

By Joey Bunch, Weston Gentry, Jeremy P. Meyer and David Migoya

At midnight today, they Tebowed.

Occupy Denver protesters took a knee at Broadway and West 13th Avenue as
Denver police officers lined up at the Denver Public Library, corralling
them after pressing them from their weeks-old encampment.

Officers arrived at 11:30 p.m. Monday to remove the shelters at the
eastern edge of Civic Center. Police Chief Robert White had earlier warned
the protestors their time was up to remove structures from the park on
their own.

They'd be removed forcibly if need be.

When the Tebowing was over, "God Bless America" rang out before the crowd
of about 40 protestors retreated south on Broadway, shouting pledges that
the occupation was not over.

swift, with police shoving protestors and journalists alike with their
batons, but it appeared only one protestor was taken into custody.

Afterwards, White said officers had hoped to ask the protestors a final
time to remove their belongings, but when two prostestors began setting
the shelters aflame, officers and firefighters had to move it.

A firetruck moved in to douse the flames as a battery of police closed
ranks shouting, "Move back!" to allow firefighters access.

Police said two protestors were arrested on arson charges and two were
arrested on charges of failing to obey a lawful order.

"We certainly respect their First Amendment rights and it wasn't our
intention to infringe on those rights," White said in an impromptu press
briefing. "But also value the rights of other citizens who live our
community."

The shanties had lined the sidewalks along the east and west sides of
Broadway near the park, making it difficult to pass.

A police spokesman was not immediately available early this morning to
provide any information about possible reports of injuries sustained by
protesters or police.

White had issued an ultimatum Monday afternoon to Occupy Denver
protesters, saying
(The Denver Post)
that time was up and the city would forcibly dismantle their encampment
near Civic Center at any moment.

The notice given at a meeting behind closed doors at police headquarters
was the latest development in the battle between the Occupy Denver
protesters and the city over the permanent demonstration on sidewalks that
border Broadway between Colfax and 14th avenues.

Rumors of an impending clear-out swirled throughout the encampment late
Monday night as some protesters milled about warming fires set inside
trash cans while others quietly made off with their belongings across
snow-dusted streets.

By 11:15 p.m., little more than dropping temperatures seemed to nip at the
30 or so people at the park's eastern edge. A helicopter roared by at
about 11:20 p.m. Then at 11:25, several police cars blocked off Broadway.
The removal was about to begin.

Protesters have built shelters, arranged tarps, set down sleeping bags and
even tied a kayak to a tree, against violating a city ordinance that
forbids "encumbrances" on public rights of way. They've tried to state
their case in federal court, to no avail.

"A decision was made that that needs to occur. They were asked to do it.
And they decided they weren't going to do it," White said earlier Monday.
"Now it is on us to make that happen."

The protesters left the meeting disgusted, calling the meeting "incredibly
unproductive" and asking if they could take the crackers, fruits and
veggie trays that were provided back to their protest.

Said White: "Of course."

Patricia Hughes splits her time between Occupy Denver and being a nurse.
She said the structures are shelters for people with nowhere else to go.

"You take away the structures, you are sentencing people to death," she said.

Staff photographer Aaron Ontiveroz contributed to this story.

Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com



Occupy Denver disrupts vigil to honor homeless who have died, refuse to
allow mayor to speak

Dec. 20, 2011 By Joey Bunch Denver Post

A traditionally solemn candlelight vigil for people who died on Denver's
streets was disrupted tonight by a loud, angry Occupy Denver group.

The night before, the Occupiers' tents, shanties and other possessions
were removed from Civic Center park by police across the street from the
vigil.

They shouted "fascist" and other slurs as Mayor Michael Hancock stepped
forward to deliver the city's annual address on homelessness.

Hancock pleaded with them to show civility to the families and respect for
the 136 men and women whose names would eventually be called. After a few
minutes, he surrendered the podium on the steps of the City and County
Building so that the vigil could continue.

shouted things in reply, including "show some respect" and "grow up."

"This mayor evicted homeless people to die last night," said a woman who
refused to give her name but had been prominent in shouting at police
Monday night.

"He does not deserve to be heard or respected."

William Hall, who is homeless, said, "This government confiscated my home."

As the names of those who had died were called, many, if not all, Occupy
Denver members refused to say, "We will remember."

"It's disgraceful," said Cynthia Ingram, who had traveled from Buffalo,
N.Y., for the event to honor a cousin on the list.

"This isn't about their political agenda; it's about our family some
sympathy and showing just a little bit of respect for the dead. I am so
angry right now."

Ingram said she had previously agreed with the Occupy mission, but did not
respect the outbursts at tonight's Homeless Persons' Memorial Vigil.

The event, put on annually by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, is
in its 22nd year, and this year attracted several hundred people.

The memorial included the names of 136 homeless people who died this year
— 21 women, 115 men, who ranged from 20 to 76 years old.

Causes of death included pneumonia, hypothermia, heart attacks, drug or
alcohol abuse, traffic accidents and suicides, according to the coalition.

"As we honor those who have passed, let us keep in mind those who are
still on the street," said John Parvensky, president of the Colorado
Coalition for the Homeless.

He said most Americans have a life expectancy of about 80 years, but for
the homeless, life spans range between 42 and 52 years old.

The list of names is on the coalition's website at
http://www.coloradocoalition.org.