But one attendee -- a staffer for ProgressNow Colorado, a liberal advocacy organization -- didn't like something that happened to him. Specifically, his car was vandalized because, the ProgressNow crowd believes, he left a pro-reform flier in view on the backseat of his car.
Of course, ProgressNow is trying to get as much political mileage as possible out of this act -- not that the sort of folks who've been showing up at these rallies need much help to look out of control. Sample its spin via the official release on view after the jump.
ProgressNow Colorado Requests Investigation of Property Crime Committed During Right-Wing ProtestStaff member's car vandalized over pro-health care reform flyer visible on seat
DENVER -- A car owned by a ProgressNow Colorado staff member was vandalized over the weekend during a right-wing protest against health insurance reform.
ProgressNow Colorado staffer Michael Ditto was attending a public "Government at your Grocery Store" event Saturday in Brighton, Colorado, held by Rep. Ed Perlmutter of Golden, when his vehicle was seriously damaged in the parking lot. A report was filed with the Brighton Police Department. Police are reviewing surveillance tapes of the parking lot for evidence.
"We are calling for a thorough investigation of this act of vandalism at a right-wing protest," said ProgressNow Colorado Founder Michael Huttner. "There is absolutely no excuse for anyone who comes to a public gathering to be intimidated. In this case thankfully no one was hurt, but thousands of dollars in damage was done to Mike Ditto's car."
A pro-health care reform flyer was lying on the back seat of Ditto's car in plain sight, which is thought to have been the motivating factor for the crime. Both side mirrors of Ditto's Chevrolet Cavalier were broken off and left hanging by cables, and numerous dents and key-scratches can be seen in photos taken by Ditto and Brighton Police directly after the event.
ProgressNow Colorado is asking for the assistance of Adams County District Attorney Don Quick in the investigation of this crime. In addition, if any members of the public witnessed the incident, ProgressNow Colorado asks them to immediately contact the Brighton Police Department at 303-655-2333, and optionally to send an email describing what they saw to [email protected].