Activists decry Denver’s ’secret’ detention facility

Rocky Mountain News | Aug 16, 2008

By  Tillie Fong

Activists who plan to demonstrate during the Democratic National Convention were outraged to learn that Denver was creating what they called a “secret” facility to hold protesters.

“We’re offended that this is where they hope to keep the protesters,” said Glenn Spagnuolo, an organizer with the Re-create 68 Alliance.

Spagnuolo was among nearly a dozen activists who gathered Friday in front of a brick warehouse on Steele Street to speak out against the temporary detention facility to house demonstrators if mass arrests are made during the DNC.

Members of Unconventional Denver, who had bandanas covering their faces, held up banners including one that read: “Gitmo on the Platte” – a reference to the American detention camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba used to hold suspected terrorists.

At one point during the news conference, three patrol cars – one belonging to the Denver sheriff’s department and two to Denver police – drove up.

When demonstrators tried to approach two of the vehicles to ask officers for their business cards, they drove away but parked nearby.

The door of the warehouse had a sign posted that read: “Ring bell for assistance. You will display proper identification at all times.” Two “No Parking” signs also were duct-taped to the railing in front of the warehouse.

When a few activists tried to peek into the door windows, a couple of Denver sheriff deputies came out and told them to get off the dock.

When a reporter and photographer from the Rocky approached the door after the activists had left, two Denver sheriff deputies came out but said the journalists could not enter the building.

Officer Marie Kielar said that the facility will be open for tours between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday. As for the patrol cars, Kielar said they were there to prevent vandalism.