We're Coming for You II

Activist fears she'll be target of cops at DNC

By April M. Washington

Twenty-five-year-old Denver native Mackenzie Liman swears she's no terrorist.

But as a community activist, Liman fears she'll be targeted by police during the Democratic National Convention.

It's happened before, she said.

"Four years ago, FBI and SWAT raided my home in Lincoln Park and asked me if I planned to be involved in any terrorist or criminal activity during the DNC or RNC, which were being held in Boston and New York, far from Denver," Liman said, referring to the Democratic National Convention and Republican National Convention in 2004.

"I admit I'm a community activist and outspoken, but I was dumfounded," she added. "I'm afraid these types of raids could happen again now that the DNC is in our backyard."

Liman was among 150 people who gathered Tuesday at the Tattered Covered Book Store in lower downtown as the Democratic National Convention Committee wraps up a series of community forums held throughout the state.

The Tattered Covered event was one of two forums this week. The final forum will be held today at Mile High Station at 2027 W. Colfax Ave.

Possible FBI raids, police surveillance, security blockades, efforts to remove the homeless from downtown streets and potential commuting and traffic headaches were just some of the issues residents raised with the people planning the Aug. 25-28 event at the Pepsi Center.

Political activists said they are concerned the police and Secret Service will compile information on protesters.

One DNC volunteer suggested placing limits on protesters and asked whether convention organizers and the city had "an active way to identify people who could make noise and disrupt the event?"

Both DNCC top managers and representatives for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper frowned at such a suggestion.

City officials and Leah Daughtry, chief executive officer of the DNCC, tried to allay fears about the convention's overall impact on downtown businesses, commuters, residents and protesters.

"The security planning is the province of Denver," Daughtry said. "We don't intend to make any disruptions."

Chantal Unfug, deputy city liaison for the DNC, said Hickenlooper's administration is not aware of any targeting of groups or individuals by police or the Secret Service.

"The mayor wants to balance security and safety for an event of this magnitude," Unfug said. "We're not actively gathering information about protesters."

The Secret Service is mapping out security plans and is expected to clamp down on activity and traffic in and out of the neighborhoods surrounding the Pepsi Center.

The convention is expected to bring 35,000 Democrats, 22,000 volunteers, 15,000 journalists and thousands of protesters.

On Thursday, Denver plans to unveil a route for protest marches.

In the next two weeks, Denver plans to announce local street closures, Unfug said.

Daughtry reiterated that the goal of the DNC and the city is to be inclusive and provide opportunities for dialogue.

"Our caucuses will be open to the public," she said. "We look forward to various people coming together to talk about issues of concern and the kind of changes they'd like to see in America."