OCCUPY DENVER - Police Use Pepper Spray, Tear Gas, Fire Rubber Bullets At Protesters (Video)

Source - NBC Denver

DENVER – Police say about 20 Occupy Denver protesters were arrested on Saturday after they say protesters wanted to occupy the capitol.

Denver Police say they knew there was going to be a protest on Saturday and wanted to keep the event peaceful. Officers say the protesters wanted protest inside the capitol, which is illegal.

Of the seven arrested, police say two were arrested for assault.

“Unfortunately at one point, that group did try to occupy the capital, which is illegal. We made sure that they knew that, it was pretty clear that they were not allowed to do that, they tried to do it anyway,” Lt. Matt Murray with the Denver Police Department said. “We had to step in and push them off. Things escalated; we did have to call out city-wide for assistance.”

According to Gov. Hickenlooper’s office, protesters need a permit to protest on the steps of the capitol. Protesting inside is illegal.

Officers say the incident escalated after police tried to stop protesters from putting up tents in front of the capitol.

“The police started tearing down the tents and one guy, he just refused to leave,” Chris Orchard, a witness at the protests, said. “Police said get back, but you know, they just kept moving forward. Finally, the police just took out the mace.”

DPD says officers used “non-lethal agents,” like pepper spray and paintball-like balls full of tear gas, to subdue the crowd.

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Comments

[citizen]

So occupying the capital building is illegal in Denver eh? For taxpaying citizens, to visit their elected officials in order to redress their grievances with their representatives. Something wrong with this picture.

Oh and in before Gene looking for a handout.

[Cheyenne]

I look forward to checking out the #OccupyDenver scene in 3 weeks. My gal and I are headed there for the opening of the Clyfford Still Museum. She's a museum fanatic. I'm not, so we make deals: yeah, I'll check out the art work, but only if we also check out the #Occupy scene. Done and done.

She took me to the deKooning exhibit at MOMA the last time I was in Manhattan. Highly recommended. The guy's paintings are so layered you can just sit there staring at one piece for 15 minutes straight. It's the 1st time since '04 that MOMA's dedicated an entire floor to 1 artist. I'm not much into art at all, but this really blew me away. Check it out if you get the chance. Runs through early Jan. Avoid the tour.

[Ain't Bullshittin']

It is a travesty that it has come to this. It shows a complete lack of leadership on the part of Washington and a lack of understanding by the protesters. Without corporations they would have FEWER jobs...without DC regulations....Corporations could expand and hire putting some of these folks to work. Without CORRUPTION in BOTH DC and Wall Street....the world would be a better place. I digress, this is a hand in hand problem that can only be solved by turning from greed to what is best for the people.

If corporations actually looked at trying to pay a living wage to the middle portion and lower level employees (and drastically scaling by the upper tier management pay) there would be enough capital to sustain both profitability and a higher employment percentage.

Layoffs go straight to the corporate bottom line, higher stock prices, and management bonuses. The stock price may be best for the company and investors but it hurts in the long term when you sacrifice people and your good name to maintain that profit model. I for one know a great many who will not buy from certain companies due to these practices.

I understand these people are mad but their anger should be coupled with their disdain for the corrupt system. Gold backed money would halt the destruction of their net worth by the money printing overlords in Washington and force America to live within it's means. Yes, this means cuts in social programs but will also force those whom have chosen to suck off the Gov't teat to find employment.

A great many refuse to work because a certain level of income will drive them off the Gov't hand outs. It is HIGH time to stop squandering money for votes and get on with the business of fixing this Country......AB

[Nevervotesrepublican]

Sop, one side had a tent and the other pepper spray,rubber bullets and riot gear. Leave the protesters alone.... It is their right to do so and they have been doing it peacefully.

[Tom Jefferson]

Rubber bullets, tear gas and jail makes good sense for these early organizing mobs of the national socialist party.

[marie lucio]

Notice the police did not have to get this drastic with the tea party people. When you behave in a civil manner and do as the police ask and leave the place cleaner than you found it, things always go well and peacefully. For such "peaceful" people these guys just cant seem to get it right. Maybe they should take a few tips from the tea party people. Just a thought.

[citizen]

Could someone fill me in on what exactly the tea party is to proud to have accomplished?

The people in Denver have already conceded part of their 1st amendment rights by leaving the park every night at 11pm and returning in the morning. Is a temporary medical tent so threatening to the man?

[citizen]

marie - are you referring to the tea party gatherings where Sarah Palin was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to speak?

[Anon]

There is a HUGE problem with handouts though. I'm referring to the trillions of dollars in handouts that go to corporations as subsidies. I guess that really isn't a handout though, since the money comes from our tax dollars. In a sane world you what just call it what it is, THEFT.

[citizen]

http://www.essential.org/features/corporatesocialism.html

An article by Ralph Nader in 2002 warning about corporate socialism and industries becoming 'too big to fail.'

FTA:
"Corporate socialism" -- the privatization of profit and the socialization of risks and misconduct -- is displacing capitalist canons. This condition prevents an adaptable capitalism, served by equal justice under law, from delivering higher standards of living and enlarging its absorptive capacity for broader community and environmental values.

[Cheyenne]

To the television watchers who infest this thread:

Are you in favor of the criminal investigation of Wall Street malfeasance that led to the evaporation of trillions in American wealth?

It's a yes-no question. The answer is yes, no, or I don't know.

[marie lucio]

What was accomplished was letting the political machine that is infected with corruption know that the American people (especially the middle class) are fed up. You should appreciate that. (All though notice that the Nov. elections were a runaway win for the right side). I dont know what you stand for, but the conservative side of the spectrum wants nothing more than to work, take care of their families, care for others who are in need (believe it or not) take care of our military and our country. Are you saying that Democrat speakers never get paid for their speeches? Really? Ever hear of Clinton? What possible difference does this make? What do you stand for? What is important to you? Your family? Your country? God? What? Showing up to defy and spoil is meaningless. They dont even know why they are there. Talk about being paid. What about the people who are being paid and fed to protest? What kind of skin in the game do they have? Other than being cared for once again by someone who is willing to work.

[ETM]

Marie --

"I dont know what you stand for, but the conservative side of the spectrum wants nothing more than to work, take care of their families, care for others who are in need (believe it or not) take care of our military and our country. "

First, none of the things you listed make a person conservative or liberal in ideology, and by pretending to speak for "conservatives" you basically make me doubt anything more that comes out of your mouth. Speak for yourself. And speak honestly. Do you want to see prosecutions for wall street fraud or not? If yes, we can be allies, even though I'm a liberal. See - you don't HAVE to play the "your side" versus "my side" game. You really don't.