Reply #11: ON site update -10:19 AM MST [View All]

A freind from Aspen made it in and out last night for the purpose of a public update.

The road blocks, while still in place, are merrily stopping, and searching some, vehicles. Participants are told that the gathering is illegal, but are allowing them to pass.

This is an improvement over two days before when all roads in were road blocked and closure notice enforced. Technically, a closure notice is in effect. A permit was denied as the gov usually does. Essentially attendance is an act of civil disobedience. This is normal.

There were 283 tickets handed out during the two day period of road block. Recipients of tickets are to go to a local firehouse in 48 hours and pay $125 fine and get 1 year probation with a stipulation of no attendance to a gathering in the year of probation period. There is a legal action on-going to hold these courts in a real court room with some semblance of due process. Right now only 17 people are permitted in the station at a time, with 10 of them defendants and the rest bailiffs, judge, prosecutors, and court officials. There is standing room only in the back with two "observers" of the public being maintained (family members). No legal representation is being afforded.

Press has been allowed back into the area, with two articles written in the last 24 hours by Denver papers. There are approximatly 50 busses parked behind the Incident Command Center and it is not clear that mass arrests will not be implimented this year.

It is hoped that an on-site internet connection will be up by the official first day of the gathering, July 1st...