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October 15, 2011 12:41 AM UTC

Hickenlooper vs. Brophy on Occupy Denver

  • 21 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

Two statements follow–from Gov. John Hickenlooper, who gave the order yesterday to clear protesters from the Occupy Denver encampment in Lincoln Park this morning, and Sen. Greg Brophy, who emerged as Hickenlooper’s chief critic and led disparagement of the Occupy Denver protesters from the right in the last couple of days. Excerpts, Hickenlooper:

In the end, we worked with Occupy Denver to find a resolution that included constructive communication, many people voluntarily leaving the park, no violence and minimal arrests.

We understand the frustration voiced by demonstrators about the economy, the loss of jobs and dysfunction in Washington. That’s why we are intently focused on economic development in Colorado. Just this week the state saw two global companies make significant investments in Colorado that will add jobs and momentum to business development efforts happening throughout the state.

This kind of economic news doesn’t solve all of the issues raised by demonstrators this week, but it does show we all want the same thing: a healthy America where everyone can prosper.

And Brophy, via Tim Hoover of the Denver paper:

I believe elected officials should hear from groups that want to move further toward the big Euro-socialism style of government as well as the economic freedom and individual liberty view of the TEA Party. The more these views are clearly articulated the clearer the contrast will be for us and the American public.

Full text after the jump.

Gov. Hickenlooper statement on Occupy Denver

DENVER ­- Friday, Oct. 14. 2011 – Gov. John Hickenlooper today released this statement about the events last night in Lincoln Park in downtown Denver:

“The First Amendment and the rights it guarantees for free speech and assembly are critical to our democracy. These rights are what set the United States above all other nations. We also have rules and laws that must be followed.

“Demonstrators in Lincoln Park were told every day this week they could not camp in the park. Yet each day the number of tents grew. Last night, and after multiple requests to follow the law, the Colorado State Patrol intervened. State troopers and Denver police demonstrated extreme restraint and professionalism as they encountered a very difficult situation.

“We owe the Colorado State Patrol a great deal of gratitude for their work. We also greatly appreciate the efforts by state employees from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Department of Personnel and Administration, as well as the support from the Denver Police Department and Xcel Energy.

“Some people are finding it easy today to criticize the state’s response this week to what is a national movement in many cities across the country. There were numerous jurisdictional and legal issues to work through before a clear course of action could be set. For example, the state does not have a jail nor does the state have direct prosecutorial authority for park violations. We needed the cooperation of other entities and wanted to be very deliberate and thorough in our response.

“In the end, we worked with Occupy Denver to find a resolution that included constructive communication, many people voluntarily leaving the park, no violence and minimal arrests.

“We understand the frustration voiced by demonstrators about the economy, the loss of jobs and dysfunction in Washington. That’s why we are intently focused on economic development in Colorado. Just this week the state saw two global companies make significant investments in Colorado that will add jobs and momentum to business development efforts happening throughout the state.

“This kind of economic news doesn’t solve all of the issues raised by demonstrators this week, but it does show we all want the same thing: a healthy America where everyone can prosper.”

###

Brophy’s full statement:

The Colorado State Patrol and the Denver Police Department did an excellent job last night handling a dangerous situation; we should all be proud of them. The governor was finally forced to take corrective action against a group that was blatantly violating the law despite ‘sympathizing’ with them. As the saying goes, better late than never.

It’s important for people to understand that free speech is not just welcomed, but encouraged at the Colorado Capitol whether elected officials agree with you or not. We simply ask you not break the law in relaying that message to us and the public.

I believe elected officials should hear from groups that want to move further toward the big Euro-socialism style of government as well as the economic freedom and individual liberty view of the TEA Party. The more these views are clearly articulated the clearer the contrast will be for us and the American public.

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21 thoughts on “Hickenlooper vs. Brophy on Occupy Denver”

    2. again for a leadership position in the Senate.  His way of trying to keep himself relevant:  get your name in the headlines.  Perhaps he should consider occupying his own senate district and dealing with the challenges his constituents are facing.  His sound bites on this issue don’t pull one child out of poverty nor fix things like, uhm…school financing. BTW, what was the outcome of the Senator t-boning a car late at night in downtown Denver earlier this year?  Perhaps the very same Denver cops he is so proud of are the same ones who managed that ‘situation’ so quickly.

    3. again for a leadership position in the Senate.  His way of trying to keep himself relevant:  get your name in the headlines.  Perhaps he should consider occupying his own senate district and dealing with the challenges his constituents are facing.  His sound bites on this issue don’t pull one child out of poverty nor fix things like, uhm…school financing. BTW, what was the outcome of the Senator t-boning a car late at night in downtown Denver earlier this year?  Perhaps the very same Denver cops he is so proud of are the same ones who managed that ‘situation’ so quickly.

  3. Andy Borowitz

    “As far as soulless individuals pillaging the country for their personal gain, that’s none of our business,” he said. “But we’ll be damned if we’re going to let people march on newly seeded grass.”

    Governor Hockenlooper, Senator Brophy you can now rest easy – your grass seedlings are safe.

    1. What exactly is the “dangerous situation” provincial Brophy is so scared must be addressed? Sixty people camping out in a park? It might be a long way from middle of nowhere Wray, Colorado, but it’s not dangerous. That is, not dangerous to real people, but a threat  to Brophy’s limited view of reality. Why are these protesters of the status quo “smelly hippies” who deserve to be beaten up whereas tea party people are “patriots” who should be given a seat at the table?

      Because Brophy is in over his head, same as he has been since he arrived in Denver, that’s why. Luckily, he’s term limited and we’ll soon never hear from him again. There will be no protests back on the farm, Citizen Brophy. We won’t miss you when you go. You’ve been an embarrassment in Denver since the day you arrived.    

  4. I defy any of you to tell me what Sen. brophy has said or done that was in any way inappropriate. He’s fully entitled to contrast these dirty hippies with the Tea Party if he chooses, just like you all do.

    I’m sorry if this is inconvenient for the SEIU/Anonymous/ProgressNow/Socialist Party USA now that they’re powerwashing the feces off the trees in Lincoln Park.

      1. Tea Party protests have permits. Tea Partiers do not defecate where they protest, and they don’t dig up power lines and illegally tap them for unsafe homeless kitchens.

        If they obey the law, I like hippies after they shower as much as anybody else.

        1. Or maybe it was the day before yesterday.

          Oh–and the “hippies” talking point is not only inaccurate, it’s just flatass stupid.

          If you’ll post your snail-mail address, I’ll send you a quarter so you can buy yourself a fucking clue.

    2. It does seem that being a GOP representative (or candidate) means you have the urge to pull “facts” from thin air.

      Saying that the Occupy Denver groups “want to move further toward the big Euro-socialism style of government” is just Brophy talking out his ass.

      Supporting Tea Party protesters and supporting the Occupy protesters doesn’t have to be an either/or choice.

    4. That’s called supporting free speech. I support your casting any kind of aspersions you wish to too.

      Where I disagree is when he calls to have it shut down. Just as I would disagree with shutting down a tea party event.

      1. to refer to protesters as he wishes. I want all to know him for who he is. That way maybe he won’t be supported by some voters just because he likes bicycles.

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