ProgressNow Colorado | Alan Franklin: ProgressNow Colorado Requests Investigation of Property Crime Committed During Right-Wing Protest

ProgressNow Colorado Requests Investigation of Property Crime Committed During Right-Wing Protest

By Alan Franklin - Aug 10th, 2009 at 3:14 pm EDT

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ProgressNow Colorado Requests Investigation of Property Crime Committed During Right-Wing Protest

Staff member's car vandalized over pro-health care reform flyer visible on seat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 10, 2009
CONTACT: Michael Huttner at 303-931-4547

DENVER--A car owned by a ProgressNow Colorado staff member was vandalized over the weekend during a right-wing protest against health insurance reform.

ProgressNow Colorado staffer Michael Ditto was attending a public "Government at your Grocery Store" event Saturday in Brighton, Colorado, held by Rep. Ed Perlmutter of Golden, when his vehicle was seriously damaged in the parking lot. A report was filed with the Brighton Police Department. Police are reviewing surveillance tapes of the parking lot for evidence.

"We are calling for a thorough investigation of this act of vandalism at a right-wing protest," said ProgressNow Colorado Founder Michael Huttner. "There is absolutely no excuse for anyone who comes to a public gathering to be intimidated. In this case thankfully no one was hurt, but thousands of dollars in damage was done to Mike Ditto's car."

A pro-health care reform flyer was lying on the back seat of Ditto's car in plain sight, which is thought to have been the motivating factor for the crime. Both side mirrors of Ditto's Chevrolet Cavalier were broken off and left hanging by cables, and numerous dents and key-scratches can be seen in photos taken by Ditto and Brighton Police directly after the event.

ProgressNow Colorado is asking for the assistance of Adams County District Attorney Don Quick in the investigation of this crime. In addition, if any members of the public witnessed the incident, ProgressNow Colorado asks them to immediately contact the Brighton Police Department at 303-655-2333, and optionally to send an email describing what they saw to info@progressnowcolorado.org.

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Interesting implied slant.

By Doc Aug 12th 2009 at 11:28 am EDT (Updated Aug 12th 2009 at 11:28 am EDT)

A crime is a crime, regardless of whether it was performed at or by a 'right wing' protest or protestor. That these events are emotionally fired, there can be no doubt, but acts of criminal vandalism are just that. It's very interesting how politics and political events can make people on both sides of an issue forget that there are still laws. Unfortunately, this is nothing new... union activists for years have had to put up with personal property damage or threats of physical violence while organizing, conducting union business, or engaging in bargaining. Civil rights leaders have been physically assaulted in the presence of law enforcement. Innocent students have been shot and killed by National Guard units, while being too close to acts of civil disobiedience... all within the last fifty years. Let's not lose perspective on what is political and what is criminal. Just as all bikers are not Hell's Angels, all right wing protesters are not criminals, the headline is an injustice to people who came out simply to express an opposing point of view. Granted, it was easier and a lot cheaper for insurance companies when the Fairness Doctrine kept opinions confined to broadcast studios... but there it is.

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