Police tangle with protesters
(Paul Shockley/Free Press)
Grand Junction police are seeking some eight to 10 unidentified protesters who tried to stop Gov. Sarah Palin's motorcade en route to a rally on Monday.
"We have opened up a criminal investigation," said Acting Police Chief Troy Smith on Tuesday.
Prior to the Palin motorcade's arrival, Smith said officers had instructed an estimated 30 protesters along the roadway about how to stage a lawful protest, including warning them to stay on the sidewalk.
However, about 6:15 p.m., as the motorcade passed, some protesters rushed into the street. Smith said motorcycle officers stopped, dismounted, and removed the handful of protesters, but did not arrest anyone at the time because they had to continue their primary function as escorts to the venue.
In the process, two officers laid their motorcycles down, causing some damage to the cycles. Smith said police are reviewing photographs and videotapes to identify the suspects. Among possible charges are disobeying a lawful order, disorderly conduct and damage to property. None are believed to be felonies.
"The officers did a wonderful job, and preserved the safety of the protesters. They would have been run over by the vehicles if the officers hadn't moved them," Smith said, praising the officers' "great restraint." He said the rally itself went off without a hitch.
Previously, a disguised blogger known as "ShiftShapers" had posted a notice saying "Alaskan Governor and Vice-President hopeful Sarah Palin is coming to stump in Grand Junction. Let’s show her that we say no to war, no to corporate cronyism, and no to four more years of Bush-style leadership" at 12th Street and North Avenue," adding "Bring sings, drums, noise makers, and your strength."
Earlier, Palin had appeared at a rally before thousands of supporters in Colorado Springs.
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Comments
If there is one thing made obvious by this years election, its that the left is determined to eliminate any opposing point of view. Obama and his minions are determined to silence conservatives and Republicans and impose leftist beliefs on all of us. Until Democrats grow up I think they are unfit to govern our country.
Noting what has happened to Sarah Palin and to Joe "the Plumber" Wurzelbacher, I find Obama's comment in Colorado quite chilling:
“We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we've set," he said. "We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded."
Barack Obama Speech July 2, 2008 Colorado Springs CO
Apparently our local police, county sheriffs, state police and National Guard just aren't enough for Barack's purposes.
The Left sits home and frets that Bush might be listening in on their conversations with terrorists overseas. I worry what Barack will do with his ACORN buddies and his new "Civilian National Security Force."
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