This clip followed one in March that ripped Denver (and threatened doxxing) over the city's homeless policies.
Now, however, we've learned about an Anonymous video released in early April, between the aforementioned clips. In it, Anonymous castigates Hancock for his failure to respond to the group's previous call for homeless policy changes and gives him a deadline of 8 a.m. on April 8 to do so.
The group goes on to state: "We have already begun our preparation for the consequences of your inaction, in the event that you choose to continue your games and callous attitude while playing with peoples' lives. We have something planned to unite all local activist groups with a common goal in a way not yet seen in Denver."
The video, which was brought to the attention of KNUS radio host Peter Boyles over the weekend, didn't make the splash that the March and May clips did; at this writing, the item has only 453 views on YouTube. But it provides intriguing context for a campaign that continues to escalate.
Included with the video is a link to a December 2015 post by Westword's Chris Walker entitled "Homelessness in Denver: The Cold, Hard Facts Behind Six Myths," as well as a report from The Denver Foundation (see it below) that includes homelessness statistics quoted by the Anonymous narrator.
We've shared the entire transcript to the video. But here's an excerpt:
A survey was done of Denver's homeless since your sweeps began. Of the Surveyed, 512 individuals, 66 percent of respondents who used to sleep downtown had moved to more unsafe and hidden locations. 83 percent were asked by police to “move along” without being offered alternative services, and 63 percent say the shelters are more crowded and harder to get into than they used to be.Also linked to the video is a letter to Mayor Hancock from Denver Homeless Out Loud representative Raymond J. Lyall. The missive isn't dated, but it asks for a meeting with Hancock to discuss homeless issues before April 6 — opening day for the Colorado Rockies, whose stadium, Coors Field, is not far from an area where a controversial homeless sweep took place in March.
The Anonymous video maintains that Denver Homeless Out Loud didn't hear back from the mayor's office about its request.
Here's the DHOL letter, which stresses that "you cannot sweep away homelessness."
During his program this morning (on which I appeared), KNUS' Boyles noted that he'd recently had a phone conversation with Scottie Ewing, a Denver Players figure whose laptop containing information about alleged clients, including Hancock, was reportedly stolen in 2011, shortly after the story broke.
Ewing told Boyles that he's not currently in Colorado, but he's closely monitoring the Anonymous threats related to Denver Players. He announced that he is in possession of a cellphone video that pertains to the case, although specifics of it haven't been publicly disclosed yet.
The Denver Players data (shorthanded by Anonymous as a "black book") was said to have included the names of prominent Denver sports, political and governmental figures.
Does Anonymous have this information? If not, can hacktivists associated with the organization find it? Or does it no longer exist? These questions remain unanswered as of now. But one thing's clear: A scandal that seemed to have petered out nearly five years ago isn't dead yet.
Here's the April video, followed by the transcript and the Denver Foundation report.
April 6 Anonymous video transcript:
Greetings City of Denver, and Mayor Michael Hancock,
As always, We are Anonymous. We sincerely hope you have not forgotten about us. You have no doubt noticed our absence. We'd like to extend an apology, as we've been busy as of late.
As of our last video, we have received word of the continued injustices being carried out against the less fortunate population of Denver. We are disgusted and appalled at your continued egregious actions against your fellow human beings residing in your vulnerable city of Denver, Colorado. The negative impact that has resulted from your inhumane decisions has been far worse than anticipated.
Following your unconstitutional camping ban, survival has become unbearably difficult. People are dying from hypothermia. Losing their possessions.
Because of your actions there is a sickness spreading among the homeless community due to them being forced to live in closed in over crowded shelters. We saw a particular video where your city stole a man's only pictures of his children. This is beyond shameful. A survey was done of Denver's homeless since your sweeps began. Of the Surveyed, 512 individuals, 66 percent of respondents who used to sleep downtown had moved to more unsafe and hidden locations. 83 percent were asked by police to “move along” without being offered alternative services, and 63 percent say the shelters are more crowded and harder to get into than they used to be.
Community outreach programs have tirelessly offered supplies such as clothing, material for shelter and bedding, the benefits of these selfless acts have decreased during your blatant sweeps and raids on those with few belongings, what little they have is being "lost," or rather out right stolen by the very government whose duty it is to protect them. You claim to be making strides to protect them; however the numbers say differently. The doctrine of Federalism dictates, Mayor Hancock, that it is the states job to regulate and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its residents, something you are severely failing at.
It has come to our attention the the group Denver Homeless Out Loud has reached out to you several times Mayor Hancock, to establish a meeting to work on an alternative solutions to your sweeps. They have contacted you on multiple occasions, to no avail, most recently via email, politely requesting your cooperation by Thursday. Their requests have continuously gone ignored.
We, Mr. Mayor, are not quite as patient. You have until Friday morning at 8 a.m. to make good on planning a meeting with them to find a feasible and reasonable solution.
We have already begun our preparation for the consequences of your inaction, in the event that you choose to continue your games and callous attitude while playing with peoples lives. We have something planned to unite all local activist groups with a common goal in a way not yet seen in Denver.
A recent poll taken of Denver residents shows that 57 percent of people are in support of Giving homeless people the right to move freely, rest, sleep, and protect themselves from the elements in public spaces. Mayor Hanncock listen to the people you were elected to represent.
We will be watching the outcome very closely and will be in contact with sources in the area to assure a resolution.
We have many people watching you Mr Hanncock.
Hoping you will make the right decision.
We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forget.
We do not forgive.
The City of Denver, and Mayor Michael Hancock,
Expect us.
The Denver Foundation Homeless Statistics