Protesters at Dem assembly seek accountability

A small group gathered outside the Democratic assembly at Palmer High School Saturday morning to protest discrimination against African Americans and demand more accountability from the Democratic Party.

“Conditions are unacceptable for African Americans living along the Front Range,” said James Tucker of Colorado African Americans for Justice and a longtime activist in the local black community.

A parade of speakers took the microphone to speak out against discrimination in housing, the judicial system, education, employment and the military, and took the Democratic Party to task for not doing enough to help.

“We believe the Colorado Democratic Party has turned a blind eye and deaf ear to African Americans,” said Larry Borom of Denver, one of about 15 protesters.

Several of the protesters carried signs targeting Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat running for re-election.
“Sen. Bennet: Help enforce civil rights law,” one sign said. “Sen. Bennet, what have you done for African Americans?” said another.

Tucker, who was wearing a button supporting Bennet’s opponent, Andrew Romanoff, said the Democratic Party was being singled out because it’s the party in power, both at the state and national level.

“They’re in a position to take action,” he said. “They have an obligation to represent the people who put them in power.”

Delegates to the Democrats’ assembly stopped briefly to check out the protest, but didn’t get involved. Christy Le Lait, chairwoman of the El Paso County Democratic Party, was busy with the assembly and unfamiliar with the details of the protest, but she seemed surprised that the party was under attack.

“We are an inclusive party,” she said.