colo spgs police rough up 65 year old peace protestor

[niyad]

(colorado springs is the only city in the world, apart from thessalonia, greece (where protestors allegedly threw rocks at police) where peace protestors were teargassed on 15 feb 21003, as they protested the beginning of the iraq war. the investigation into this incident will probably be no better than the one then. I know elizabeth, and she is a gentle soul, with some very obvious health problems.)


Colorado Springs police arrested Elizabeth Fineron, 65, during Saturday’s parade. (ERIC BARKER, PIKES PEAK JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION) Parade turns into a clash with police
By BRIAN NEWSOME AND R. SCOTT RAPPOLD THE GAZETTE
March 18, 2007 - 12:56AM


Seven war protesters who tried to march in Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Colorado Springs were accused of refusing to cooperate with police and arrested. One of them was injured as she was dragged off the road.

Police halted about 45 people with the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission just steps into the parade where it began at Tejon and St. Vrain streets. They wore green shirts with peace signs and carried signs that read “Kids Not Bombs” and “End This War Now.”

. . . . . . .



Political candidates are allowed to take part, but the parade has never allowed “social issues,” said parade organizer John O’Donnell, a condition to which participants agree. “It is our goal not to turn this into a confrontational political atmosphere,” O’Donnell said. “It really is to come and have fun. “A political message, ‘vote for me, vote Republican, vote Democratic,’ is OK.”

Elizabeth Fineron, 65, suffered a leg injury from being dragged off the road. She requested to be taken to the hospital, said Sgt. David Whitlock, a public information officer. Fineron was treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said. Fineron could not be reached for comment Saturday night.

The anti-war group began circulating photos Saturday afternoon showing Fineron being dragged away with her pants ripping and a bruised welt showing. Other photos showed a police officer pointing a Taser gun — no target was visible in the picture — and an officer with his arm around a man’s neck.
. . . . .

http://www.gazette.com/onset?id=20297&template=article.html

[leftofthedial]

1. I've spent much time there over the years

and I know many DUers live there


but, sadly, Colorado Springs is America's Nurnberg

[niyad]

3. I keep telling the officials I am tired of having to apologize for being from the "hate state"--

home of amendment 2, a mayor whose first act in office was to rescind the same-sex partner benefits passed by the previous council, being the only city in the world where peace protestors were tear-gassed on 15 feb 2003--and now this.

[melody]

2. Yeah, those big tough cops really looked manly dragging the 65 year old around

I'm sure their mothers are proud.

[bobbolink]

4. My question is.....

did the other protestors make any effort to locate her, and make sure she was OK, try to help post bail if necessary, and give her support and concern?

We used to do that.

[niyad]

5. last I heard, she was still in hospital (article apparently incorrect on that detail) but have a

call in to see what her condition is now.

[bobbolink]

6. Are protesters calling her, visiting, taking flowers, etc?

Are they asking if there is anything they can do to help her?

Is it known if she is alone or has family?

I was just challenged today about my views on the Code Pink thing, and the upshot was that if I hadn't protested to a sufficient degree, then I hadn't the right to express my opinion.

This case in Colorado Springs exemplifies part of the reason why I don't participate as much as I used to. I've seen people hauled off, and nobody bothered to follow up.

I was once close having that kind of unexpected confrontation with a cop, and knew immediately that not only would I be left alone to deal by myself, but that I couldn't handle that kind of aftermath. I made me stop and realize that it just wasn't worth it, and not my idea of "peace".

We somehow have forgotten that the only way to work for peace over the long haul is to form CARING and SUPPORTIVE community. We used to do that.

Europeans still do.

We need to look at ourselves in this light.

Thank you for calling her.