Is Denver becoming a city of anarchy?

OPINION

Protests and riots are becoming a regular feature of many major US cities, including New York, Seattle, and Portland. Is Denver joining the ranks of out of control cities?

Peaceful protest is enshrined in the First Amendment, “The right of citizens to assemble peaceably.” Nowhere in the Constitution is there a right to beat up those you disagree with, destroy property, loot businesses, or spray paint graffiti on buildings.

Yet this is a normal daily occurrence in many American cities. Protests in Portland have carried on for more than 50 days, starting with George Floyd’s death. Demands for police reform morphed into protests against police in general. The “cancel culture” soon followed, with rioters toppling statues without thought or regard to what those statues represent.

In Denver, the Colorado Capitol building is covered in graffiti, following the riots in late May, increasing daily since then, with no effort being made to clean up the mess. A Union soldier atop a Civil War monument in front of the Capitol was toppled in late June, despite the Union fighting against the Confederacy to end slavery, an irony apparently lost on the rioters.

Vandalism to city-owned property across from Civic Center is estimated at over $1 million. How will Denver pay for cleanup and repair with so many closed businesses, both from the virus and from the riots? Businesses and their customers have disappeared, along with a substantial amount of tax revenue.

Last weekend was the sixth annual “Back the Blue” rally in downtown Denver, with speeches and music to show appreciation for law enforcement.This year the party was crashed by Marxist Black Lives Matter and the militant left-wing Antifa groups.

Denver police, despite being appreciated, chose to stand aside while these militant groups physically assaulted speakers and threatened Back the Blue attendees. Were Denver police afraid to protect the

right to peaceably and lawfully assemble? Or were they told by their leaders to stand down? Who gave that order? The police chief? The mayor? The governor?

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen walked arm in arm with the protesters. Yet he stood by while protesters beat up those backing his police department. Those who backed the blue were black and blue from the protesters, while the police watched.

Deputy US Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli commented, “These tyrannical, left-wing anarchists hate free speech. If you do not agree with them, they believe you must be beaten down – literally.” So much for the First Amendment in Denver. If the mob disagrees with you, they will beat you up. And the police will simply watch the carnage.

Conservative writer Michelle Malkin, an event speaker, was attacked at the rally for exercising her right to free speech. For those watching the news, this is the new norm in Portland, Seattle, New York, and other American cities. The mob rules the cities and police are told to look the other way. Yet if you walk through downtown Denver without a mask you could be arrested.

Local media seems unconcerned, instead of running stories on potential new names for Stapleton or President Trump’s latest tweet. If this violent mob was Trump supporters rather than Antifa and BLM, the media would be covering this nonstop. While this has become a national news story, local media is largely silent. As are Republican officials like Senator Cory Gardner.

Those of us living in the suburbs can rest assured that the mobs will stay in Denver and not venture south where such behavior couldn’t happen. Except is has, with protests boycotting Fiddler’s Green in Greenwood Village over the city’s decision to back their blue, protecting police officers from civil liability.

As the virus wanes, our summer of discontent now involves riots and mob violence in Denver. Will Denver officials encourage such behavior or sit idly by while the city is slowly destroyed? Who will want to visit Denver, whether locals or tourists? Anarchy is fine for books and movies, but not for a once safe and beautiful city.