Protest Marks Start Of EPC Democratic Assembly
COLORADO SPRINGS – While El Paso County Democrats began officially determining which candidates will be on the August and November ballots, a small group of Democrats staged a protest Saturday outside Palmer High School where the Party Assembly was held.
About 20 people held signs and spoke out on behalf of the newly-formed African-Americans For Justice. The group (AAJ) is led by James Tucker, a local activist.Members criticized local and national Democratic leaders for a perceived failure to address cases ofdiscrimination in the workplace, in public, and even within the party.AAJ also distributed a flyer listing businesses and institutions which allegedly contributed to discrimination by failing to use minority media outlets as often as mainstream outlets.
“When they intimidate African-Americans, fire them, write them up on unjust causes… that creates stress and everything else,” Tucker contends. “And that’s a new formof terrorism in the United States of America.”
Several Democrats–both black and white– told NEWSCHANNEL 13 they disagree with the group’s claims. However, Democrat William White says he’s filing a report to state officials about discriminatory treatment Tucker has received from party leaders during committee meetings.
“(Tucker) gets perceived as being a troublemaker,” Williams explains. “I don’t think that’s really the case. They just need to listen.”
As the Assembly continued, Democrats seemed split on U.S. Senate candidates Michael Bennet–the incumbent–and former House Speaker Andrew Romanoff. Both candidates are widely admired and respected.
“One of them is going to have his political career come to an end,” says State Sen. John Morse. “The Democrats are strong, but our bench isn’t that deep. I wish that somehow, we could figure out how to keep both.”
Meanwhile, outgoing Representative Michael Merrifield seeks to become the first Democrat on the County Commission since 1972. The recent growth and success of the party was a common theme at the Assembly.
In a related matter, State Treasurer Cary Kennedy attended the event to talk about Colorado’s financial condition with 2010 nearly a third past. She says Colorado is in better shape than most states because of its balanced budget, its willingness to make tough decisions, and wisely investing $6 billion in taxpayer money.
