fbpx

Thank you to the loyal readers and supporters of The Colorado Independent (2013-2020). The Indy has merged with the new nonprofit Colorado News Collaborative (COLab) on a new mission to strengthen local news in Colorado. We hope you will join us!

Visit COLab

Criminal Justice

Antiabortion protesters jailed over protest at Focus on the Family

The longstanding feud between hard-line abortion foes American Right to Life Action and Focus on the Family founder James Dobson came to a head in a Colorado Springs courtroom Thursday. Rev. Bob Enyart, a pastor at Denver Bible Church who proudly refers to himself as “America’s most popular self-proclaimed right-wing, religious fanatic, homophobic, anti-choice talk show host” was sentenced to nine days in the city pokey after refusing to pay a $400 fine for trespassing on the Focus campus.

Border crackdown drives up violent immigrant smuggling, kidnapping

Let’s see what Lou Dobbs makes of this one: turns out the crackdown on border crossings by undocumented immigrants has actually led to an increase in the violent smuggling, kidnapping and ransoms demanded for delivering undocumented workers into the United States.

Boulder abortion provider deplores decision to close Tiller’s Kansas clinic

One of the last remaining providers of very late abortions in the country said it was an "outrage" the murder of Dr. George Tiller last week has led to his family's decision to close the clinic he ran in Wichita, Kan.

Pro-gun gay groups take aim at hate crimes bill

One month after successfully tucking an amendment into the credit card reform bill that expanded gun rights, a small number of Senate Republicans are looking at the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as another chance to score a victory for the Second Amendment. The plan — to add an amendment that would allow gun owners to carry their weapons from one state to another in accordance with concealed carry laws. The possible rationale — to defend gay rights.

Convicted killer Ray handed death sentence for ordering witness slaying

An Arapahoe County jury decided Monday that Robert Keith Ray will be sentenced to die for arranging the 2005 killing of a witness to another murder committed by Ray a year earlier, the Aurora Sentinel reports.

Boulder abortion provider calls on Obama to stand up against violence

One of the last remaining third-trimester abortion providers in the country wants President Barack Obama to do more than express shock and outrage at the killing Sunday of late-term abortion doctor George Tiller in Wichita, Kan.

Little-enforced law opens window for suits against extremist groups

The threats started in 1995. It was the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and the American Coalition of Life Activists decided to create a poster for their annual meeting listing the names and address of a group of doctors who performed abortions. They called them “the Deadly Dozen,” and declared each guilty of “crimes against humanity.” They offered $5,000 for information leading to their arrest, conviction, or revocation of their medical licenses. ACLA members distributed the poster at the group’s events and published it in an affiliated magazine.

Radical antiabortion forces may rebuild movement around May 31 day of infamy

The May 31 murder of Wichita physician George Tiller may hold a creepy significance for militant antiabortion protesters in the same manner that Adolph Hitler's birthday has been exploited by white supremacists to wreak racist mayhem.

Tancredo’s Team America PAC backs staffer who committed hate crime

I just talked to Bay Buchanan, the co-chairman of Team America PAC and president of the American Cause, who is sticking by executive director (of both groups) Marcus Epstein after this weekend’s revelations about his 2007 arrest for karate-chopping a black woman while yelling a racial epithet.

Tancredo staffer pleads guilty to hate crime

For years, conservative writer and activist Marcus Epstein has worked with the mainstream of the immigration restrictionist movement. He wrote speeches for former Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., during his presidential bid, and he’s still working as the executive director of Tancredo’s Team America PAC, alongside Bay Buchanan.
Adjust Font Size