http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_7030062

Columbus tensions anew

By The Denver Post Editorial Board
Article Last Updated: 09/28/2007 05:21:21 PM MDT

In many cities, such as New York and Philadelphia, the annual Columbus Day
parade is cause for celebration. Unfortunately, in Colorado, the birthplace
of the Columbus Day holiday, it has been marred for years by protests,
tensions and verbal sparring.

We hope — and we know this sounds overly optimistic — that Saturday's
parade can proceed without being spoiled by controversy and strife. So far,
it's not off to a promising start.

The American Indian Movement of Colorado, which opposes the parade as a
"symbol of racism," issued a vitriolic press release last week that was
threatening in tone and suggested a confrontation with parade supporters.
It branded the Italian-Americans who celebrate their culture and long
history in Colorado that day as "racists" — a vile and unnecessary attack.

"If these racists, including those in the local and state governments,
think they are going to celebrate the genocide against Native peoples in
our homeland for another 100 years, they are mistaken," said Colorado AIM
spokesman Glenn Morris. "We will see the racists in the streets on Oct. 6."

Italian-Americans, and anyone who supports the Columbus Day holiday — a
federal holiday for more than a generation — have the right to parade,
peacefully, through our city streets.

The parade must go forward, but without violence.

American Indians and their supporters have every right to protest the
parade, but they should do so without interfering in the activities that so
many Coloradans want to enjoy. They should not be able to block the parade
from taking place without some consequence.

The City Council in 2005 passed two ordinances that make it illegal for
protesters to physically or vocally disrupt lawful assemblies, while
prohibiting obstruction of public passageways, such as streets.

City officials should remind parade opponents, who plan a news conference
today to "bring an end to Columbus Day," that Denver has ordinances
designed to prevent disruption of the parade and that those laws will be
enforced.

Protest the parade, but do so peacefully.