Posted on 07/19/2013 1:59:38 PM PDT by beaversmom
DENVER – Gun-rights advocates are planning a rally at the same park where a group will read the names of gun violence victims on the anniversary of the Colorado theater shootings, prompting a state lawmaker to call the move “a slap in the face.”
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners scheduled a rally today to coincide with a remembrance ceremony planned by Mayors Against Illegal Guns at Cherry Creek State Park in the Denver suburb of Aurora.
Both will start at noon. State Parks spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill said the groups were issued permits for locations that are within sight of each other, but she didn’t know the distance. She said park rangers and law officers would be present to keep the peace.
“I think it’s a slap in the face of the people who are suffering the loss of a loved one,” said state Rep. Rhonda Fields, a Democrat from Aurora. Fields’ district includes the theater where 12 people were killed and 70 injured one year ago Saturday, and she plans to participate in the remembrance ceremony.
Fields’ son was shot and killed in 2005 to keep him from testifying in a murder trial.
Dudley Brown, executive director of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, denied his group was being insensitive and said his members would be respectful.
He accused Mayors Against Illegal Guns and its founder, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, of politicizing the Aurora massacre to promote gun control.
“Mayor Bloomberg is using this tragedy and walking all over graves to get to the microphone,” Brown said.
Bloomberg’s office referred questions to Mayors Against Illegal Guns. A spokeswoman for the group didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Brown said other memorials to the Aurora victims have been “wholly appropriate” and his group didn’t stage simultaneous rallies.
(Excerpt) Read more at durangoherald.com ...
It's called "trying to slap some sense into ya".
I see your momma and daddy failed in their attempt but out of the goodness of our heart the rest of us keep trying.
Wish I could have been there to meet all you good people. I’m like you, I like to mingle with like minded folks.
Nice video lp. Didn’t see this earlier. Looks like a great time in Westcliffe!
I’m embarrassed that I did such a sloppy job of posting that video of the parade.
Over 450 people carrying rifles and pistols and 4 county sheriffs there in support. It was great. :)
Oh you did fine! It looks like such a fun time. I think smaller towns are the places to be for such events/holidays.
You’re right about the small town atmosphere. And the ages from the old World War II vets to the babies and toddlers was a great sight. It was an all-American bunch of good people.
Ya. Kind of ironic, huh?
That was great. I haven’t been to Westcliffe in a while.
Are you in the Springs area?
I’m in Durango area and happened to be visiting one of my brothers in Westcliffe for the 4th of July. I was told that about 80 % of people in Custer County are conservative. Gotta love that.
No, foothills near Golden.
You’re in a good area. My son lives in Golden and one of my brothers is in the Evergreen area.
Thanks for the ping, George!
Thanks for posting the link. It was nice to see Tancrado there.
Welcome back.
Good to see you again
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