Protesters disrupt Denver's Columbus parade

October 07, 2007|Associated Press

DENVER - Protesters blocked the city's Columbus Day parade route yesterday, pouring a bucket of fake blood and dismembered baby dolls onto the street as police arrested 83 people.

At least 10 people face charges of resisting arrest, but most are accused of blocking a parade route or interfering with a peaceful assembly, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. No serious injuries were reported.

Among those arrested were American Indian Movement activist Russell Means and Glenn Morris, an associate professor of political science at the University of Colorado.

Police delayed the start of the parade as they tried to control protests and counterprotests related to the holiday.

Denver's parade, which was started in 1907, has a history of arrests and confrontations between supporters and detractors of Christopher Columbus.

In 1905 Colorado became the first state to officially observe Columbus Day, which later became a federal holiday.

The parade through downtown was delayed about an hour. The protest and delay were anticipated and caused minimal disruption, said George Vendegnia, a parade organizer.

"With this protest, it's just motivating people more to be back next year and exercise their right to participate in an American holiday," Vendegnia said.