denver

Farewell, Richard

tina braxton — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 21:42:16 +0000

Richard Myers, union activist, writer, labor historian, graphic artist, photojournalist, poet, and proud worker, passed from this world on Thursday evening. His loss leaves the Denver social justice community stunned and heartbroken.

Richard was born and raised in Nebraska and came to Denver in his youth. He worked in a factory for 33 years, where he also began a career as a union activist. Richard served as a steward in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Later he joined the Industrial Workers of the World, where he played a vital role in making the Wobblies an important player in the Colorado social justice community. For two years, Richard also served the IWW as Branch Secretary of the Denver General Membership Branch. He joined the fight for grocery and retail workers, with the United Food and Commercial Workers.

Richard worked passionately for many other causes and could always be found where people were fighting the good fight. He was one of the founders of Colorado Indymedia and a major participant in our predecessor, Rocky Mountain Indymedia. His poster art has been an important feature of almost every radical and progressive campaign in the area, for decades.

Need Denver action in support of Mainers attacked by Denver-based Big Gas

mainecoast — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 19:26:59 +0000

Coloradans, can you help Mainers fend off a Denver-based Big Gas attack on Penobscot Bay? Creative actions needed to confront BIg Gas in its home habitat.

LPG gas distributor DCP Midstream LLC, a BIG natural gas port, pipeline & megatank operator, is close to getting its OKs to transform and industrialize our bay's estuary, heart of the Maine lobster ecosystem, by establishing the east coast's biggest Liquified Petroleum Gas terminal in the our bay's brackish waters..

CAN COLORADANS HELP US SHAME DCP AT ITS CORPORATE HQ?

March for a World Without Police

spamsucks — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 06:05:25 +0000

Join us for Denver's Third Annual International October Day of Action Against Police Brutality.

Saturday October 20th, 7:00 PM
Sonny Lawson Park at 24th and Welton

This city is under attack. A powerful gang roams the streets – organized, brutal, and extremely dangerous. Their colors are blue and black. They carry guns and engage in organized crime: from prostitution and dealing meth to selling illegal weapons.(i) They rape, beat, and kill with impunity.(ii) When their deeds are brought into the open, they conspire, under the guise of a brotherhood, to maintain a strict code of silence. They control everything that goes on. The city's leaders are in their pocket. The City is Denver. The gang goes by the name of “the police.”

Four Arrests at Denver May Day March; Occupy Needs to Learn More About Solidarity

tina braxton — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:41:42 +0000

Four persons were arrested and a two-year-old child was hit by a bicycle-riding cop yesterday during Denver's May Day March. According to witnesses, the behavior of one or more of the parade marshalls contributed to the problems, rather than mitigating them, and marchers abandoned their arrested comrades, rather than assisting them or otherwise showing solidarity.

The problems commenced after one marcher began dancing in the street. A marshall came up behind the marcher, seized him, and attempted to push him along, instead of approaching him face-to-face, and using verbal communication. The dancer, taken by surprise and unable to see who was pushing him, began resisting what must have seemed like an attack. Cops then closed in and arrested the dancing marcher, though they did not arrest the marshall. The original charge was jaywalking, which is not an arrestable offense. This charge was later changed to obstructing traffic.

During the incident, a cop, apparently unable to control his zeal at the prospect of participating in an arrest, ran his bicycle into a little two-year-old girl. The child's father then began speaking out very strongly in defense of his daughter, only to be rebuked by the same marshall who had caused the original problem.

Later in the march, another person was arrested, also for jaywalking, changed during booking to obstructing traffic. This person had been slated to perform later that day in the General Strike activities at Civic Center Park.

Police Car Windows Smashed

spamsucks — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:34:41 +0000

May Day was started off right by a team of local anarchists with an attack on a police patrol car at aproxamately 1am at 13th and Speer. Multiple windows were completely smashed. No jusification was given for none was needed, the institution of police being inherently unjustified. We've set the tone, now it's your turn to up the ANTI and make total destroy on May Day 2012.

The Unite Against the War on Women Rally and March by Phillip Reynes

phil — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:00:33 +0000

The Unite Against the War on Women Rally and March by Phillip Reynes

What a great day, I thought to myself as I walked to Civic Center Park, to hold a rally and march. The air was crisp and the sun was out and it seemed as the sun climbed into the sky that peoples spirits climbed with it. I passed the occupy site as I made my way to the park and there where only a few people. Most had already made there way to the amphitheater where the rally was to start.

The band started up as I arrived. The band was quite good, called the Foxfield Four, and made a sound that was richer and more deserving of more then just four musicians. I found myself wishing that they had been able to play longer then their time allowed. I meant to come back to the bands table and get a CD but sadly I was unable to do so.

Greater Denver Area: Call for an Anarchist May Day

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:57:13 +0000

So far the IWW has called for a “General Strike” in Denver, the website denver general strike has actions posted, but not even the Denver IWW, which launched the idea, has any of its own public plans for marches, rallies, parties, etc. on the site yet. I hope that they come up with some, preferably coordinated with the migrant community. I have no illusion that the general strike will succeed in a significant portion of the population joining, or doing much to shut down the city. Currently the one and only event listed is the Occupy march at 12:30, and a possible address from political prisoner Siddique Abdullah Hasan at the same march and rally. However, many anarchists do not feel safe at Occupy events and see it as a place of heavy surveillance, political co-optation, and social repression. Furthermore, after Denver ABC’s official withdrawal of legal support, supporting Occupy feels to many of us autonomous anarchists as a form of betrayal to part of the anarchist community. Finally, the Occupy movement does not represent, although it may have certain affinities with, the vision and values of many anarchists. Supporting the Occupy movement can leave a dirty feeling for many of us.

Spring Time for Occupy by Phillip Reynes

phil — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:54:58 +0000

Spring Time for Occupy by Phillip Reynes

Yes it was a beautiful day this Saturday. The sky was blue with just a few clouds and the breeze was nice, just right, as I walked to Lincoln Park. It was 10:00 and the march was not scheduled until noon and yet there where already people waiting, waving signs, talking, enjoying the beautiful morning, their spirits where high. Everyone had a smile. I looked around and noted with a smile that chalk was back. Yes, over the winter writing slogans in chalk on the sidewalk had gone away – due to the snow and damp – but it was back and the sidewalks where again covered. A sure sign the spring has arrived.

“Unite Occupy”, “revolution is the only solution”, and “elected officials are traitors and prostitutes” where scratched on the sidewalk along with a host of other slogans. Signs where being made and stacked up in preparation for the days march as people chatted and enjoyed the day and shared in a common purpose.

The Fuck the Police March, Arrests, and The Who by Phillip Reynes

phil — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:17:59 +0000

The Fuck the Police March, Arrests, and The Who by Phillip Reynes

The Fuck the Police March (FTP) was attacked. I was there and saw no provocation. At least three where arrested. It was a hard thing to have to watch. People being hurt by , as one marching chant said, the army of the rich – the chant was "Police, the army of the rich." When the police ruched in the batons hitting and pepper guns pointed at people from point blank distances you could feel the violence they where trained to inflict. It of course could have been so much worse but for those hit, manhandled and arrested I guess that's a moot point.

I had seen the girl, in the photo above, at the front of the march. She was probably 18 but her youthful face and big smile and bubbly demeanor made her look young and add to the the fact that she probably weighed less then 100 pounds gave her the appearance of a girl. Contrast this with the 220+ pound storm trooper who is slamming her with his baton for the sake of it. The site of it made me so mad!!

Saturday started like any other Occupy Saturday at the park. There where the usual people there when Colorado Indy Media arrived at 10am. The Occupy the Moment people, a Buddhist group was there meditating and it was a beautiful day. Not much was going on at the park and people seemed to be taking in the fine weather. The Occupiers had had a tough week weather wise and the mood was relaxed as I made my way around talking to the protesters. People where just waking up and everyone seemed to have a smile.

A 2011 Reportback from the Denver Anarchist Black Cross

denverabc — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:06:30 +0000

A 2011 Reportback from the Denver Anarchist Black Cross

We hope these words find our comrades around the world in the best of health and spirit, during this time of massive social upheavel and revolt. The world has definitely seen a spread of anarchist influenced and revolutionary praxis throughout the last half of 2012, and we've definitely been feeling the massive change in current here in Denver.

2011 saw the busiest time yet for our collective, as we worked to support social movements active in Denver, and across the world.

GENERAL/INTERNAL:
The most recent formation of the Denver Anarchist Black Cross has now been active in the Denver metro area for 2 1/2 years. During that time our collective has seen a lot of ebb and flow with our membership and our work. However, the last 6 months of 2011 saw our collective solidify to a consistent membership base. At the close of 2011, we had 11 dues paying members, with three more people expected to complete their membership process sometime in January 2012.

2011 saw the start of what will hopefully become an annual tradition of hosting a weekend retreat for ABC members. Through events such as this one, we've seen our membership not only solidify numerically, but also become a tighter and more cohesive group. We look forward to our bonds continuing to strengthen in the New Year.

Denver ABC has maintained our blog at denverabc.wordpress.com for the entirety of our collective's existence. The blog is updated nearly everyday with news about political prisoners, state repression, and other stories of interest to members and supporters of DABC.

Its beginning to look like an anarchist x-mas

spamsucks — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 06:29:16 +0000

It smells of insurrection on this christmas evening. It kinda smells like corn starch, water, and elmers glue. Denver felt the wrath of these black clad and very cold Coloradans. The message: “From the nile to the platte, hit a cop with a baseball bat” Some of the targets included 5 points and east colfax ave. They say misery loves company and these miserable cold poor souls would love some company on the streets of denver. I hear wheat paste sticks especially well to cop cars.

A recipe of love to spread the rest of denver the joy we feel in our hearts on this cold christmas evening.

HOW TO WHEAT PASTE
Method 1...
Use some cornstarch instead of flour. It makes it clear instead of that nasty brown-ish color.
Add 1 cup cornstarch for every 2 cups of water...it tends to get maddd thick so add more water as you go. If it starts to clump then use a masher to break up all the clumps and your good...nd when ur done cookin it add a little bit of sugar and it makes it mad sticky...
Cause its clear you can use it to put over top the work when you done...cheaper then any of that spray stuff.

Method 2...

Pour wheat flower till it fills up 1/3 of the way. Pour some water in while you stir it so that it mixes good. You got to use that spray sealant this way cause it comes out that brown-ish / tan-ish color...

Spread the cheer in your neck of the woods.

Occupy Denver Raided 12/19

OccupyThePress — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:25:11 +0000

Occupy Denver was raided last night after failed talks with the new Police Chief White. Roughly 200 riot cops came into the park at approximately 11:15 pm evicting the Occupiers into the winter night. The attack was very quick and with no warning. Arrests were made in the park, and one dwelling was set on fire by Occupy.

The Occupiers were pushed to the corner of 13th and Broadway shortly after the raid. Confronting the riot line, the Occupiers “Tebowed” when the police made a move forward. The roving group then made their way down Broadway. Protesters did allow traffic to keep moving but did block police vehicles when offered the opportunity.

The group then made their way into the Capitol Hill neighborhood chanting “wake up, Denver, wake up.” Riot police followed throughout the neighborhood. Upon making their way to Colfax, the Occupiers shut down the street, but again let civilian traffic pass.

In a contentious decision the DPD sent the dump truck with Occupy belongings down Colfax with the hazard lights on - thus provoking the now homeless people to block the truck and jump in the back - quickly attempting to toss belongings out of the back and onto Colfax. Many Occupiers felt this was a clear tactic meant to provoke them. Regardless, riot police quickly swarmed the area, making a riot line and pushing the Occupiers further up Colfax, away from downtown.

The Big Ol' Elf Revolt

spamsucks — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:49:26 +0000

Reporting Back from the Big Ol’ Elf Revolt

This past Saturday, D17, a gaggle (or herd? maybe a swarm?) of radical elves took to the streets of Denver, united in their desires for liberation from the cruel, exploitative hand of the “free” market. The system of capitalism in which these elves have been laboring has concentrated mass amounts of profit and power (both material and ideological power) into the big fat lap of Santa. Santa, in all of his greed to amass more and more capital, has done so on the back of poor working elves all over the globe, from the North to the South Poles. All elves are targeted and affected in some way by the social and economic system, which mandates their need to sell their labor, while not benefiting elves in any way from the perverse machinations of capitalism. Yet all elves are not targeted or affected in the same way. We must acknowledge the differential impact upon elves of color, indigenous elves, elves in the global South Pole, women elves, trans elves, and queer elves. We elves also know that our reindeer comrades and our homelands (our pristine forests and mountains and rivers) are contaminated, subjugated, and decimated every day by the never-ending hunger of capitalism.

Anti-capitalist Christmas - The Elf Revolt! December 17th 3PM

spamsucks — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:00:52 +0000

Hello all our dear elf friends! Tired of Santa getting all the profit from our handiwork?

The holiday season is rapidly approaching and some of us elves couldn't help but think that with all this Occupy business happening across the U.S., maybe it was high time we occupy something ourselves! Santa has commodified and profited from our jolly nature and nimble hands long enough. So, we invite all of you to join your elven friends and comrades on December 17th, 2011 at 3PM in Hungarian Freedom Park (Speer & Downing) where will we gather and then proceed to march directly to where Santa resides next to the beating heart of capitalism and consumerism.

We're elves right? So bring your holiday spirit, magic, and mischievous nature!

Our demands are simple: Elves desire everything for everyone. We desire liberation. We will stop at nothing to gain it.

Occupy Wall Street has captured the imagination of the humans for the last two months. There have been moments of inspiring victory, like the General Strike in Oakland, and then moments of gut wrenching repression, like the lethally armed eviction of the Occupy squat in Chapel Hill. Victories and losses. Steps forwards and steps back. This is the nature of the social war for humans and elves alike. Our collective capacity to dream outside of our own alienation and commodification is awakening from a long slumber!

Capitalism is taking its dying breaths. These are the death rattles our fallen comrades dreamt of years ago.

DPD Denies Medics Access to Unconscious, Unresponsive Patient

spamsucks — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:21:46 +0000

http://streetmedic.wordpress.com...

Press Release

For Immediate Release

November 13, 2011

Contact: Colorado Street Medics, coloradostreetmedics@gmail.com 303-570-9362

Denver Police Department officers clad in riot gear spray the crowd with fire extinguishers and pepper spray to clear Civic Center Park chasing demonstrators to the street
November 12, 2011: After riot police stormed Civic Center Park and chased protesters to other locations, one demonstrator was observed being struck by officers and falling motionless on the traffic median dividing Colfax at Broadway.

Colorado Street Medics immediately attempted to access this patient to assess and provide first aid. SWAT officers refused to allow the medics access to this patient. The officer commanding the line refused to acknowledge medics when they attempted to explain concerns for the unconscious, unresponsive patient.

Police allowed an untrained bystander access to the patient, but refused to allow medics from Colorado Street Medics to access the patient. Officers threatened Colorado Street Medic volunteers with arrest if they attempted to approach the patient. When asked for their name and badge number, the officers refused to provide this information stating, “We don’t have to. That is not the law.Colorado Street Medic volunteers attempted to explain concern for serious bodily injuries as the patient lay on the traffic

median unconscious and non-reactive to heavy traffic, bystanders and sirens around them. When SWAT officers pushed the medics away, Denver Paramedics had not yet arrived to treat the patient.