Anti-war protesters accuse cops of lying

Anti-war protesters Tuesday denounced the police version of arrests at a St. Patrick’s Day parade, saying there is little hope for an improved relationship with law officers.

In often emotional testimony before the Colorado Springs City Council, protesters accused police of brutality in removing them from the parade and lying in an investigation of the incident.

“It’s going to be very hard to cooperate with people that lie about us and have such a history,” said Tony Abdo, a member of the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission.

Members of the group were among the anti-war demonstrators in the March 17 parade. Abdo was among about a dozen activists who addressed the council Tuesday, heightening a dispute over law enforcement tactics that has lasted nearly two months.

Police say they removed the protesters from the Tejon Street parade route at the direction of parade organizers, who said the anti-war message violated the private event’s rules. Officers arrested seven people, all now facing obstruction charges in Municipal Court.

Police and protesters disagree on what happened when police removed them from the parade.

Some protesters are accused of sitting in the street, blocking the parade. They were forcibly removed by police. The protesters say police used excessive force, including dragging one, Elizabeth Fineron, who suffered a bruise on her hip. Police have denied doing anything approaching brutality.

The criticism of police tactics continued Tuesday after Police Chief Richard Myers reiterated his pledge to review department policy for handling crowds and civil disobedience.

Myers said an investigation found no policy violations among officers, but he admitted the situation could have been better handled. He said “we deeply regret that this happened,” and he promised more talks with anti-war protesters to prevent conflicts.

“Dialogue has already begun between the department and the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission, and I think nothing but good can come from that,” Myers said.

Mayor Lionel Rivera, while disagreeing with some protesters’ version of events, promised protesters the city is committed to protecting their free speech rights and will consider policies to deter conflicts with police.

Some City Council members also reached out to the protesters.

“I do apologize to you for any harm you may have suffered from this, either physically or mentally,” Vice Mayor Larry Small said.

Despite the assurances, protest organizer Eric Verlo said he doesn’t think the outcome will be better relations with police.

Verlo owns The Bookman, a business entered to march in the parade. Police said Verlo helped set off the incident by failing to tell parade organizers his entry would involve an antiwar protest.

“I don’t think that’s dishonest, I think you’re just quibbling,” Verlo told the council and police. “You disagree with what I have to say.”

Verlo said he hopes police will discuss their tactics during another public meeting. That’s an idea proposed by John Weiss, publisher of the Colorado Springs Independent newspaper. A few council members said they would attend.

“I’d like the police to reassure the Colorado Springs population that people resisting nonviolently, they are not going to be brutalized,” Verlo said.

Another protester, Mark Lewis, said he doubts police will agree to do anything more than “revisit the policy.” He accused police of protecting each other.

“I don’t expect anything with the blue wall of silence in this place,” he said.

TIMELINE HOW IT HAPPENED

MARCH 17: At the direction of St. Patrick’s Day parade organizers, police tell anti-war protesters to leave and arrest seven who police said refused.

“We asked them to move from the parade route, they refused and we escorted (them) off.” — Police Sgt. Bob Weber

APRIL 10: Seven protesters are arraigned and choose to go to trial.

“Let the system do what it wants with me.” — protester Peter Sprunger-Froese

MAY 2: City officials and the Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission meet privately to discuss the arrests.

“We feel like some of our people were roughly treated. The police feel they were surprised. . . . Things spun out of control.” — The Rev. Jim White, acting director of the commission

MONDAY: Police Chief Richard Myers reports to the City Council, citing protesters and parade organizers for precipitating the conflict but promising a review of department policy.

“I deeply regret that this incident happened.” — Myers

TUESDAY: At another City Council meeting, war protesters reject the police version of events; council members promise more communication on future events.

“It’s not up to the community to find a way to work with the police, it’s up to the police to demonstrate to the community that they’re sincere.” — Tony Abdo, member of the commission