CopWatch: For Immediate Release

Denver CopWatch
(303) 380-4329
http://www.myspace.com/denvercopwatch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2008

Denver CopWatch will hold a “Know Your Rights” (KYR) and Volunteer training in an effort to recruit volunteers to mobilize citizens for observing and documenting police activity along Federal Blvd. during the Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend.

Each year Federal Blvd. becomes a celebratory atmosphere as swarms of people celebrating participate in the local tradition of “cruising” – driving their vehicles, decorated for the holiday, up and down Federal Blvd. to socialize and celebrate. Over the years Denver CopWatch has observed and documented police activity during the celebrations. Initially we saw an almost immediate drop in the number of arrests and incidents of harassment, however, we have noticed a resurgence in police intimidation and harassment of participants in the celebrations in years since. We have also observed traffic control operations that redirect traffic away from Federal that are keyed to people’s race.

CopWatch is calling on all people of conscience, concerned citizens, and community members, to join CopWatch in this effort to document police actions for the Cinco de Mayo celebrations this year, thus helping to reduce incidences of police misconduct, brutality, and racial profiling, as well as to document this activity when and where it occurs.

The Denver CopWatch KYR/Volunteer training will be held at the Gypsy House Café (1279 Marion Street – 13th and Marion) on Saturday, April 26, from 2:00 P.M until 4:00 P.M. There is no cost, the training is free as usual, and we encourage everyone interested in CopWatching during Cinco de Mayo, as well as during the Democratic National Convention in August, to attend this upcoming training, as well as those who simply want to know their rights regarding encounters with police.