Several hundred protestors are on trial in Denver now for loitering and failure to obey lawful orders, because last fall they disrupted the city's Columbus Day parade. As the Denver Post reports, they believe Christopher Columbus was "a slave trader responsible for genocide in the deaths of up to 10 million American Indians."
The trial is moving along about as you might expect. Two witnesses who were about to be sworn to tell the whole truth, etc...apparently wanted no part of that bible-related ritual, and so proposed to take the oath by placing their hands on a ceremonial pipe. Such symbolic cultural matters, like the parade itself, are apparently top priorities for Denver-area Native Americans when it comes to expending their political capital. A judge, somewhat peeved, said the pipe would be fine, and so, for that matter, would a ham or baloney sandwich. Further, and elevating, public discourse on the matter ensued.
The trial has also included assertions that teen girls on a float during the parade, tossing candy to the crowd, actually hurled candy at the protestors, constituting an act of racist intimidation.
I don't know about you, but once again, I am grateful for the American system of jurisprudence, which allows parade spoilers to use the cultural bias defense.
Hat tip to the invaluable blog, Tongue Tied; which blog readers should bookmark immediately, and bloggers should blogroll immediately, if they have not already.
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at January 7, 2005 11:50 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.rosenblog.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/647