Today concludes the first week without substantial police interaction for Occupy Denver in recent memory. While the previous week marked five hospitalizations, one arrest inside an igloo, one arrest inside a tent and 21 arrests during that Saturday’s riot, the past seven days ended this weekend with a peaceful if…
At three and a half years old, Shelby is too young to vote but not to be voted for. Last night, she almost ruined her greatest accomplishment to date when, during announcements at Occupy Denver’s 7 p.m. general assembly, she ran into the center of the circle for attention. It…
Everyone at Occupy Denver has a story, but James Andresen’s might well be the loudest. The animated 58-year-old doesn’t share his story as much as he shouts it, a habit developed after a lifetime of working with power tools took a toll on his hearing. It is with a born-and-raised…
John Fleck is a blunt man. When he says he’s seen social inequality for more than twenty years, he means it. Fleck has been a labor union rep for the same amount of time, which makes him particularly well equipped to speak out against that inequality on behalf of the…
Ever wondered what it’s like to get up in Michael Moore’s grill? The answer: It’s not awesome. CBS4 reporter Evrod Cassimy discovered that firsthand last night when, after the filmmaker’s brief and delayed speech at Occupy Denver, he might have missed the point. The video below shows Cassimy provoking Moore…
After long wait and frequent online debate, the second felony charge to come from Saturday’s Occupy Denver riot has been released: Sean Driggers was arrested on criminal intent to commit second degree assault and will face an advisement at 10 a.m. this morning. His bond will be set at $5,000;…
Michael Moore was late. The man whose personality is almost as big as his mouth, and for whom both eclipse his documentaries, was an hour late by the time he reached the unusually large crowd waiting for him at Occupy Denver. By the time he arrived, its size was at…
In recent weeks, Occupy Denver’s procedure for handling donations has arisen as one of the group’s most popular and controversial general assembly topics. Two weeks ago, the issue led in part to the suspension of the group’s first member. Although donations are separated by entity — the Thunderdome and then…
Mel Van Nice can be found near the front lines. The 29-year-old never has to think long for the answer to anything, and when a problem hits, she already seems to know what it is. In the cold, after riots and in moments of chronic illness, her most demanding function…
Growing accustomed to life at the occupation takes time. Yesterday morning, James Gardner awoke at four to the sounds of a drunk man cursing, and before he finishes that story, a quick fight starts, a blade is removed from a pocket and its user is evicted from the camp in…
Occupy Denver’s social media campaign shares as many worries about the ongoing snow as do its protesters: Throughout the night, the group’s Twitter account documented warnings of the inches that landed on the gathering as it slept. And though last week’s first burst of white ended with five hospitalizations, last…
Colorado ACLU communications director Rosemary Harris Lytle confirms her organization has launched an investigation of “an escalation of police force” at Occupy Denver — like, for example, the shooting of Phillip Becarra, seen here, with pepper bullets. The ACLU has expressed concerns about both the safety and constitutional implications of…
Among the more unusual ballot items approved in Colorado’s election yesterday was Boulder Question 2H, which calls for a constitutional amendment to declare that corporations are not people. And Boulder City Councilman Macon Cowles, one of 2H’s most vocal backers, believes voters sent a message that echoes Occupy Wall Street’s…
In the run-up to yesterday’s election, Rollie Heath, chief backer of the Proposition 103 education tax, told us the vote would be “very, very close.” But it wasn’t — and its statewide defeat was joined in misery by Initiative 300, which would have mandated paid sick days in Denver…
On Friday afternoon, the day before Occupy Denver’s most violent evening to date, Aaron “Al” Nesby worried he might be arrested. The chances were good, he admits, so he warned a friend to look out for him and check the media for his name on an arrest list. As fate…
Occupy Denver may not be among the largest of the Occupy Wall Street spinoffs, but increasing violence and the growing number of arrests have gotten the national media’s attention. Witness the appearance last night on Countdown with Keith Olbermann by Occupy Denver’s Jeannie Hartley. One of the group’s most active…
Since Saturday’s Occupy Denver protest ended with more arrests, much attention has focused on two investigations for felony assault of a police officer. But neither Denver Police nor the DA’s office have named anyone other than Westword interviewee John Sexton as being under felony investigation. And though the second case…
On Halloween night, an evening notorious for tricks, treats and the increased police presence that mix requires, Occupy Denver was met by 21 police cars over an hour an a half. After a failed attempt by protesters to meet with city council, ten police cars monitored six occupiers outside the…
Occupy Denver is recharging quickly after its most violent interaction with police to date. The fourth incarnation of the Thunderdome, the group’s kitchen tent, popped up even before the police left, and last night marked a peace vigil to refocus the gathering after a less than peaceful Saturday. But the…
John Sexton turned 33 this morning, and his birthday gifts have so far been slim: He was released from prison a couple hours ago, and his first birthday wish was from someone in a nearby holding cell. After a tense conversation with his mother, she, too, wished him a happy…
Tomorrow, voters will be asked to weigh in on Proposition 103, which would hike taxes to raise money for schools. Senator Rollie Heath, the measure’s most familiar proponent, is unwilling to predict victory. But he believes the vote will be “very, very close” — and he’s optimistic about the measure’s…
Today’s arraignment for last night’s Occupy Denver arrests continued a vein of strict bond rates applied across the board. Lawyers received little time to speak to those arrested, and though all pleaded not guilty, all misdemeanor charges were met with a bond rate of $550. Part-time magistrate John Hoffman allowed…
