JUSTICE for DENVER, CO COLUMBUS IA PARADE Marchers - Leaders of Protests Found Guilty and Fined

In the first three trials, the Three Leaders of the Protest, University of Colorado political science professor Glenn Morris; the Rev. Julie Todd, a Methodist minister; and Koreena Montoya, of Denver. the Jury ruled guilty, and the Judge while being asked by prosecutors to impose a one-year suspended jail term, the three received only fines of $200, $ 200, and $50. 80 more accused are awaiting trial.

The Protestors had hoped that calling for Jury Trials for every one of the arrested, that the work load would overwhelm the system, and that the District Attorney's office would dismiss the charges, as it did the previous year, not wanting to have to put so much resources on "civil disobedience" cases.

However, the Prosecutors wanted to take a tough stance against the illegal protests this year recognizing that it will help deter trouble during the upcoming Democratic National Convention in August.

Of the 12 Comments at the end of the article, all 12 agreed with the court's decision!!!!!!

Thanks to Walters Santi

Columbus Day protesters guilty

CU prof, minister, Denver resident receive fines

Rocky Mountain News By Berny Morson January 23, 2008

The first three of more than 80 protesters to be tried for blocking a Columbus Day parade in October were found guilty in Denver District Court on Tuesday.

Sentenced to fines were University of Colorado political science professor Glenn Morris; the Rev. Julie Todd, a Methodist minister; and Koreena Montoya, of Denver.

An appeal is possible, said David Lane, one of five defense attorneys on the case.

The protesters delayed the parade by more than one hour when they sat down on 15th Street and poured theatrical blood in the street.

Lane asked the four-woman, five-man jury to consider that the protesters had no other way to make known their point that celebrating Columbus is offensive to Indians, who see the explorer as someone who caused the near extermination of their people.

Lane told the jurors that the delay of the Columbus Day parade was insignificant compared with the suffering of Indians since Columbus landed.

Assistant City Attorney Melissa Drazen-Smith argued that the protesters had a right to express their opinions - and in fact had held their own parade and rally.

But they crossed the legal line when they attempted to block Columbus supporters from exercising their First Amendment rights, Drazen-Smith said.

Jury Foreman Terry Smith, a retired Ford executive, said that the panel based the decision only on whether the evidence showed the defendants committed the acts with which they were charged - not the message the protesters were trying to convey.

The protesters were charged with variations of blocking a street, interfering with a lawful assembly and resisting arrest. Each was convicted on at least one count.

Morris, who has participated in several of the protests against the annual Columbus Day parade in recent years, was given a $200 fine, plus $41 of fees.

Morris also must pay $323.53, the cost of cleaning up the theatrical blood.

The cost is so high because police called in a hazardous materials unit to do the cleaning before the parade was allowed to proceed.

Todd was fined $100, with $50 suspended, and Montoya must pay $200.

Drazen-Smith had asked Jordan to impose a one-year suspended jail term on Morris. She said a tough stance against illegal protests will help deter trouble during the Democratic National Convention in August, when protesters are expected to descend on Denver.

Morris said at his sentencing that the protest was "an act of conscience."

"Our country is taken. Our people are destroyed, and we are the criminals. . . . There's no justice in that," he said.

morsonb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5209

http://www5.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/23/columbus-day-protestors-found-guilty-fined/