By Ezra Lloyd
All of a sudden, its super convenient to care about public health.
Imagine that?
Denver City Council is going virtual stating that it is because “Health Concerns” related to the Covid19 Pandemic. Critics argue that they are scared of protesters and are trying to stifle free speech.
The Big Picture:
- The Denver City Council has been under heavy fire due to the continuing protests concerning police accountability in Denver. After tensions grew and protesters were organizing to “flood” the council chambers late last month, they canceled the session citing “Health Concerns” on the day of.
- Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca abides that the decision to cancel the June 29 meeting was a blatant attempt to stifle free speech after advocating that meetings be held online at the start of the pandemic.
- “Following the guidance of Denver’s top health official, Denver City Council will be conducting its meetings via a virtual platform,” said Denver City Council President Jolon Clark. “Virtual participation will allow voices to be heard while allowing for maximum safety in a time of the pandemic.”
- While public health concerns are absolutely valid in a pandemic, there are ways to go about large public meetings without stifling the public voice. During the 1918 Flu Pandemic public court was held outside on many occasions, and this model could easily be adapted for Council meetings in 2020.
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Get Involved:
- Links to city council meetings will be posted for the public to join for periods of general public comment, required public hearings and to observe council business.
- Denver City Council is setting aside time to hold virtual listening sessions.
- Thursday, July 30 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Monday, August 10 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
- Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- “Council members are committed to creating more opportunities to hear from the public and these first three listening sessions are just the beginning,”
- Meetings and info about public participation in the new era of Covid19 can be found on www.denvergov.org/CouncilPublicInput.
