Arrests made as police, CSP clear out Occupy Denver camp site

[harvey007]

Source: Denver Post

The initial order to disperse came shortly before 3 a.m., but arrests weren't made until after 6 a.m.

Around 6:25 this morning, police marched lock-step through the camp, moving protesters into the street.

"The whole world is watching," chanted some protesters.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19112322

[shraby]

1. It's interesting that the police seem to prefer doing their

dirty work under the cover of darkness. It's time they came out into the daylight to operate.

[Zoeisright]

2. Yep. Just like cockroaches.

[Magoo48]

7. Same MO as sneak-thieves, rats, and so on....

On second thought: appologies to the afore mentioned.

[jwirr]

13. The easier to hide their deeds. Our cameras do not work as well in

the dark.

[lunasun]

16. harder for the 'world to watch' in the dark & they can say anything happened out of the spotlight 2

[valerief]

17. Just like Congress. nt

[barbtries]

3. will it end the movement in Denver?

that's what i'm worried about. is there enough will and are there enough people to come back after this travesty?

[nbcouch]

9. it's not over!

They will regroup and relocate. Count on it. They have the resolve, I've seen it first-hand.

[barbtries]

10. good. thank you nt

[Frustratedlady]

4. Did someONE give this order to clear the protesters out?

I haven't read all of DU, but it seems to be a coordinated effort in several areas.

[otohara]

5. Gov. Hickenloooper

and right-wing radio.

[donheld]

24. I'm afraid one problem Denver may have is

Rick Strandlof is part of OccupyDenver. I walked down there Thursday and there he was TV Mic in his hand speaking This could bite us in the ass http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_12537680

[UnrepentantLiberal]

6. It says in the article the Mayor and the Governor gave the order.

On Thursday, Gov. John Hickenlooper held an 11:30 a.m. news conference, along with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, demanding the protesters disperse by 11 p.m. or face arrest for violating state laws that forbid camping on those grounds.

Speaking at a 9:30 p.m. news conference forced indoors by chants and a crowd that surged onto the Capitol steps, State Patrol Chief James Wolfinbarger said that troopers could take action including issuing citations or making arrests between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

"We want people to go home," Wolfinbarger told a small group of media, his voice sometimes drowned out by people outside pounding on the Capitol doors and yelling. "We want this to end well so people can come back tomorrow and continue."

He also expressed concern that the original Occupy Denver protest has been "hijacked" by people whose goal is civil disobedience.

"The concern is this group that is out there in large part is not representative of the group out there at the start," Wolfinbarger said.

[joeglow3]

8. The hijacking piece is a legitimate concern

Even though it is most likely simply an issue of perception. When planning our protest in Omaha, different options were looked at. The goal that was decided on was a forum to bring as many people as possible out and we saw a potential hinderance being the perception that it was primarily those just looking to engage in civil disobediance. Our concern is that it would keep many people from joining. The flip side, of course, is that an occupy movement DEMANDS media and social recognition, whereas a simple march is most likely ignore and dismissed.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

20. He didn't say it was a concern. He said it was a fact.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

21. I asked the protesters in Denver and one of them said this:

Brad, the undesired element WAS the movement. That park was already occupied by drug addicts and the homeless long before the movement began their occupation, and he never seemed to care too much about them.

[dbackjon]

11. Shameful

[Hubert Flottz]

12. Not that far from Ludlow...

Same shit different assholes...

[Democrats_win]

14. Silly Protesters, only corporations get to break the law.

HickenHitler, a class one tax dodger, followed the way of past Colorado governors in supporting their corporate masters by sending armed thugs to attack peaceful protesters. HickenHitler now joins the company of Governor Peabody who used the military to suppress striking miners.

[stonecutter357]

15. get the money out of politics.

get the money out of politics.

[desertrat777]

18. Governor "Howdy Doody" Hickenlooper's lame excuse

Governor Hickenlooper gave his rationale to arrest and evacuate the Occupy Denver protesters by saying that it was for their own welfare and safety. He stated concern that a fire might ignite one or more of the tents at Lincoln Plaza. Of course, a tornado might come down, too, or frogs might fall from the sky.

Dozens of protesters have been arrested.

Of course, arresting dozens of protesters is not an act of concern over their welfare. As one AM760 progressive talk radio caller suggested, having a fire truck handy at the scene would have been an act of concern. Realistically, having a couple fire extinguishers around along with some porta-potties would be realistic support.

And Governor Hickenlooper, in my humble opinion, does not want to be seen as truly supportive of anyone who challenges the hegemony of the oligarchy of the rich 1%.

[a simple pattern]

19. Nice protest ya got there

Shame if something should happen to it

[Nuclear Unicorn]

22. During the election HIckenlooper took flak for complimenting Van Jones

[struggle4progress]

23. Denver Police Dismantle Protest Site (NYT)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/us/denver-protest-site-dismantled.html