Democracy Is In The Streets, Not On A Movie Screen

DENVER, March 6, 2008
from www.recreate68.org

The city of Denver is sponsoring a Cinemocracy FilmFestival to "celebrate democracy," but is putting major obstacles in the path of those who want to engage in free speech and assembly, the very basis of democracy, during the Democratic National Convention in August.

Elbra Wedgeworth, president and chair of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee, says, "Broad civic participation is an important part of the Convention coming to Denver. "Cinemocracy is one way for people who are not directly involved in the Convention to participate and share their voice and vision about democracy." Fine words. But when it comes to people who want to actually engage in democracy during the DNC, by holding events at which ordinary citizens can bring their concerns to the attention of delegates, the city has put up one
stumbling block after another.

Recreate 68, an umbrella group for people planning to demonstrate during the DNC, informed the city over a year ago of its plans to create a multi-day Festival of Democracy during which people could engage in real, participatory democracy. But while the city is giving the Taste of Colorado a monopoly on use of Civic Center Park for several days, including the entire last day of the convention, it is not even allowing ordinary citizens to apply for multi-day use of city parks.

The city has proclaimed the period around the DNC an "extraordinary event." You would think the city would recognize it as an "extraordinary" opportunity to engage in expressive political activity protected under the First Amendment.

But the city is putting such events in the same
application pool for the use of city parks as commercial, for-profit enterprises.

This makes a mockery of the city's supposed commitment to celebrating democracy. If the city is truly interested in celebrating democracy, and not just putting on a show, it still has the opportunity to demonstrate that by giving applicants for assembly permits first priority in the pending lotteries for permits for city parks and parades over corporate or commercial permits and interest.