colo spgs police rough up 65 year old peace protestor

[niyad]

(cross-posted in gd-politics forum)

(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. incidentally, I know elizabeth, and she is a gentle soul, with some serious health issues.


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

[MissMarple]

1. Hi, niyad! Did O'Donnell have anything to say for himself?

He certainly threw the peace walkers under the proverbial bus when he claimed all entrants had agreed to abstain from "political" messages. The Gazette's editorial comment today was way out of line.