Article Contributed on: 2/4/2008 11:49:45 AM
The Weitz Company given permanent collaborator status
On Feb. 1 the Weitz Company was given permanent collaborator status by a local Pro Life Group. The group led by Will Duffy and supported by several national pro life groups has vowed to picket the Weitz Company executive homes, construction sites and clients until all abortions have stopped at the abortion facility that is being built by the Weitz Company in Denver near the old Stapleton airport.
The group has plans to protest at the grand opening of Hermes, a French fashion fashion house and Weitz Company client, which will open its first Colorado store in the retail component of the new NorthCreek development in Denver's Cherry Creek North shopping district.
The residential picketing performed by the group has caused considerable controversy and has led several city councils in the Denver Metro area to consider ordinances which would place limitations on the picketers. In general, they would like the residential picketing problem to go away, but they are unwilling to go with an all out ban due to first amendment rights issues and the potential for a long drawn out and expensive battle supporting such a ban.
Gary Meggison, a local Weitz Company executive who lives at 11284 West Asbury Avenue in the Heritage West SubDivision in Lakewood, has seen considerable picketer activity outside of his door. He attended a Lakewood City Council meeting recently and requested them to pass an ordinance to eliminate the residential picketers. So far no there is no action planned by the council.
On Sunday February 3, 2008 the Pro Life Group held a SuperBowl Block Party in front of the Meggison home. They had about 50 people show up. They listened to the football game and had a barbecue in the back of a pickup truck serving hamburgers and hot dogs and all of the trimmings. Their motto is "NO CHILD KILLING IN TRANQUILITY" and to that end they have protested in front of several of the Weitz Company executives and they plan on continuing the strategy indefinitely. The 24 year old Will Duffy has stated that he has dedicated his life to eliminating abortion in the United States.
They appreciated the protection of the Lakewood City Police department. The block party was peaceful and uneventful. During the study session with the Lakewood City Council, the police representative said that his officers have always found the picketers to be flexible and compliant with any requests made by his officers and this was the case on Sunday.
I have a few images from the Pro Lifers' Super Bowl Block party. While small in number, these folks are tenacious and they are not going away any time soon.
Editor's note: James Esteban is a Lakewood resident .