Steve Antonunccio reports: Please find below today's editorial in the 
Rocky Mountain News.

I agree with the Rocky Mountain News.  Let them have their parade, as
long as they don't try and stop us with any illegal activity or violence.

[RAA NOTE: In summary, The Editorial supports Parades for Both the 
Pro-Columbus, and Anti-Columbus groups. The Pro Columbus group 
has no intention of interference with Anti-Columbus group, but factions
of the Anti-Columbus group acknowledges the possible use of "direct 
action" tactics.

Those actions take on a distinct probability... "since (the Anti -Columbus 
group) has also adopted the rhetorical trappings of the anti-globalist 
protests that have afflicted various international gatherings. The "shared 
principles" of the Transform Columbus Day alliance even include the 
rather incredible declaration that "The Columbus legacy proceeds today 
in, among other ways, neoliberalism and globalization." 

"The last thing Denver needs is an anti-globalist protest on the order of
Seattle or Genoa."... ]
=================================================
COLUMBUS, AGAIN: A POSITIVE OPTION, 
FINALLY TO THE PARADE

EDITORIAL: September 9, 2001

THE ISSUE: Anti-Columbus alliance unveils plans

OUR VIEW: Fine, so long as there aren't disruptions
 

Traditions can and do change. So there is nothing inevitable about
having an annual Columbus Day Parade -- or an alternative Four
Directions All Nations March, either, which activist Glenn Morris
describes as "an international mobilization to transform Columbus Day."
But if Morris and his allies can inspire enough people to join them in
their inaugural event of Oct. 6, perhaps someday the march will displace
Columbus Day on the early October calendar, as the activists clearly
intend.

Or perhaps both events will appear on the calendar. The point is that
the anti-Columbus protesters seem finally to have come up with a
potentially positive alternative to their annual rite of trying to shut
down a parade that organizers have every right to hold.

In a free society, the way to overcome what someone considers "hate
speech" is to persuade others to abandon it. And if the "hate speech"
involves a parade, then perhaps you need to offer an alternative march
that establishes itself as the dominant
attraction.

After all, Columbus was anything but an popular icon during the first
couple of centuries after his historic voyage in 1492 -- he was actually
returned to Spain in chains from his third voyage -- so it's far from
inevitable that his memory be marked forever with a
holiday and a parade. But those who wish to end either tradition must 
do so through persuasion, not force.

The schedule of Transform Columbus Day activities actually extends 
from Oct. 5 through 8, and includes several events in addition to the 
Four Directions All Nations March. The big question  is, will those 
events include another disruptive confrontation with the Columbus Day 
Parade itself, with protesters attempting to suppress the free-speech 
rights of Italian-Americans and theirsupporters? We hope not, but it's a 
distinct possibility. The coalition's Web site insists that "the alliance 
acknowledges a diversity of tactics in combating the Columbus legacy, 
ranging from education to direct action."

Direct action? Uh-oh.

And Morris himself told a News reporter that if there is such a parade,
"there will be massive opposition to it."

Even the less controversial events such as the Oct. 6 march are not
quite as "inclusive" as their supporters contend. The march will not be
merely a celebration of all cultures; it has also adopted the rhetorical
trappings of the anti-globalist protests that have afflicted various 
international gatherings. The "shared principles" of the Transform 
Columbus Day alliance even include the rather incredible declaration 
that "The Columbus legacy proceeds today in, among other ways, 
neoliberalism and globalization."

The last thing Denver needs is an anti-globalist protest on the order of
Seattle or Genoa. But as for a Four Directions All Nations March --
well, why not? It's a far more positive contribution to the community
than anything the anti-Columbus protesters have offered before.