Every American regardless of party affiliation, race, and religion is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights to free speech and the right to peaceably assemble and protest. Democrats! Remember the pesky little document The Constitution, that the current administration has begun to dismantle, I might add with the help of the Democratic Party.

I may disagree with most of the republican policies, actions, and rhetoric but I will defend to the death their rights as a free American to say it. Denver’s City officials have delayed for months to publish information about convention plans. The only reason they have revealed their plans to keep the protesters out of sight is because the ACLU sued them.

Mayor John Hickenlooper had promised last February to leave at least one designated parade route within sight and sound of the convention site but now has abandoned this plan and the route will end several blocks away, and the protests must end one hour before convention sessions begin.

The plan by Denver city officials is to keep demonstrators in a concrete barricaded, caged in area about 200 yards from the hall’s main entrances.

In a nation that used to prize nothing more than the freedom to speak their minds, particularly about politicians. To be able to assemble and protest policies is guaranteed in the first amendment to the constitution, this right is essential in a free society.

No one wants a repeat of the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago where protests erupted into violence. Both convention cities leaders need to strike a balance where American Values can be expressed and security concerns can be addressed.

Just remember Mayor Hickenlooper protesters are participants in our democratic way of life and should be addressed as such. Address security concerns with common sense but with American values in mind.

A note to Republicans. The right to spy on someone, call them an enemy combatant, deny habeas corpus, imprison, and torture them will more than likely rest with the democrats after the November elections, so be careful of the rights you dismantle.

Peace and Liberty through intelligence, strength, and integrity.