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Protestors arrested during Columbus Day parade


Denver Police say about 83 protestors were arrested on various charges for disruptions during this year's Columbus Day Parade through downtown.

The Rocky Mountain News reported most of the protestors would be facing charges of blocking a parade route or disrupting a peaceful assembly, but some could face charges of resisting arrest.

Protestors said American Indian Movement leader Russell Means was among those arrested along with University of Colorado associate professor Glenn Morris, who also helped organize the All Nations/Four Directions March, in protest of the Columbus Day Parade.

The annual parade celebrates Columbus and his 'discovery' of America as well as Italian-American heritage. It moved through downtown streets Oct. 6.

At the conclusion of the march and arrests, about 50 protestors stood outside the Denver City-County building facing a flotilla of squad cars and police on Bannock Street.

YourHub.com spoke with protestor Kenny Frost, who said that in his opinion, the most objectionable thing about the celebration was the use of Columbus' name.

"If they'd take off the word 'Columbus,' we'd be right there to support them," he said, arguing the holiday celebrates a person many call a rapist, a killer of indigenous people and a slave trader.

Frost said many nationalities were represented among the protestors, not just Native Americans, signifying that the anti-Columbus message carries weight among many groups.

Frost also said it was offensive that some groups in the parade seem bent on mimicking Native Americans in costume, and agreed that some people were offended at marchers, described as reenactors, dressing as members of 19th century cavalry in the 2006 parade.

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