Sunday, May 19, 2013

Latest southern Colorado news, weather and sports from FOX21 News

Police vs. Protesters: Legal debate
Posted: 10.11.2011 at 10:45 PM
Updated: 10.12.2011 at 8:05 AM
Abbie Burke

Abbie Burke is a general assignment reporter for FOX21 News.

8
Protests continue in Colorado Springs and protesters say they're not backing down.  / FOX21: Adam Jukkola
Photo

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A legal battle is brewing over the protests occurring in Colorado Springs, and protesters said they're not backing down.

Tuesday representatives from"Occupy Colorado Springs" met with officers of the Colorado Springs Police Department to discuss the city's ordinances.

Both sides said before the meeting that they wanted to work together, but it seems like a mutual agreement can't be reached.

Jason Warf, one of the protesters who met with CSPD, said the meeting didn't get off to a great start.

"Really from the get-go it was pretty hardline that they weren't gonna work with us," Warf said.

Police said no one is allowed in any park after 11 p.m., and that includes protesters.

More on the protests
Protesters taking a stand 
Nationwide protests 
Protesters dressed as zombies 

"Those people can be held accountable to the ordinance. They can be cited for being in the park after park hours, that's any park in the city," Sgt. Steve Noblitt, Public Information Officer with the CSPD, said.

Noblitt said the group must also comply with the city's No Camping Ordinance which doesn't allow anyone to set up tents or sleep in public places.

"They can't sleep on the sidewalk. They can't set up a camp, a tent, or a sleeping bag, and they can't block it so people can't walk on the sidewalk," Noblitt said.

But protesters said they're not camping, they're occupying, which is their constitutional right, and they're prepared to stand up to police.

"With us being there 24 hours, that's occupation by definition, and we are protesting 24 hours, there are signs up 24 hours, so it's an active protest all day every day whereas camping would be along the lines of living," Warf said.

Noblitt said the group is free to protest 24 hours on the sidewalk, but they can't make exceptions to the rules for them.

"We can't pick and choose who we enforce the ordinance on and who not to enforce the ordinance on. We're fairly enforcing the ordinance and in order to do that it has to be enforced equally upon all," Noblitt said.

Warf said they are still operating as a peaceful protest, but they are prepared to stand up for what they believe is a constitutional right, even if it means going to jail.

"This is permanent, and obviously we're gonna go down a very messy road now, whereas we could have worked with them, it could have been an amicable thing, but they weren't willing to do that," Warf said.

Noblitt said if anyone is observed breaking any of the city's ordinances action will be taken.

He said protesters could be arrested and given a summons, and if they refuse to comply they could face jail time.

"We're gonna do what we have to do with respect to the ordinances, but we've asked this group to be on the sidewalk and comply with our laws," Noblitt said.

Warf said they are going to look for a Civil Rights attorney and plan on taking legal action.

LEGAL PROTESTS
Should protesters be allowed to camp in public parks?

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Police investigating fatal motorcycle crash
Rachel Welte  |  Yesterday at 9:38 PM  |  7 comments
Thumbnail
Wildlife officials search for coyote who attacked 2 children
Rachel Welte  |  Today at 5:31 PM  |  4 comments
Thumbnail
Sheriff: Man shot to death, victim's wife and daughter arrested
Rachel Welte  |  Yesterday at 6:30 PM
Follow FOX21
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
FOX21 Deals
Deals to area restaurants and businesses
Texas T-Bone Trivia
A chance to win a steak every Monday through Thursday
Senior Living
Assistance for senior citizens
Health Connection
Local medical information
ADVERTISEMENT