2008 Woodie Awards
Locals clash with international reporters: Al-Jazeera interviews Golden residents, faces protests
By Patrick Beseda
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"They are not welcome in our town," the protestors shouted. "They will be welcome here when we are welcome in Mecca."
Anyone near the intersection of 12th and Washington last Wednesday afternoon heard the whistles, car horns and motorcycle engines blaring in protest of the controversial Al-Jezeera presence in Golden.
Residents gathered downtown to show their opposition to the Arab news network Al-Jazeera. The Qatar-based network was broadcasting out of The Buffalo Rose, a local bar and landmark for many. The network was in town to conduct interviews of Golden residents concerning their political opinions, corresponding to the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week.
Bill Kilpatrick, Golden Police Chief and city resident of ten years, said, "They have a right to be here, as long as they maintain their actions and stay within the law. They have the right to be here, just like these people have their rights to protest." What occurred in downtown Golden last week would be considered rare for most small, rural towns. Vance Silvia, a member of the U.S. army that served almost 3 years in Iraq, offered a unique perspective on the situation. "This is 100 percent an exercise of the United State Constitution. This is what I fight for," he said.
Residents waved American flags, displayed anti-Islamic signs, played patriotic songs, chanted pro-American slogans, honked car horns and blasted motorcycle engines in protest of Al Jezeera's presence. "Al-Jazeera is a propaganda machine. They are racist and they promote violence," said Rob Alinder, a Golden resident of 35 years. "My beef is not with Muslims. My beef is that they are aiding and abetting terrorists." Some residents were very vocal about their opinions, yelling phrases aimed at the network's news coverage of Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. "Americans will wake up when they start beheading us here," screamed James Morris.
Wilma Russell, long time resident and local bar patron, expressed her disgust with the Buffalo Rose. "I don't believe I will ever walk in there again." Other residents vocalized their disagreement with the bar owner, ending friendships and business relationships.
Robert Burton, a member of the American Legion near Golden, said, "I know the history of Al-Jazeera. They are definitely pro-Middle East and, in general, anti-West in everything they show." Burton also commented on some of protests planned for the event. "There are several groups getting together just trying to make a bunch of noise around Buffalo Rose," he said.
A handful of residents offered their opinions concerning Golden City Manager Mike Bestor's invitation to Al-Jazeera for a barbeque at his house. The network was supposed to interview Golden residents and Colorado School of Mines students during the event. "[Bestor] has a First Amendment right to invite anyone he wants into his home and I have a First Amendment right to dissent. That's America," said one Golden resident.
"Mike should have never offered his house to them," said another resident. To many, Bestor's decision appeared more political and personal. "If there were no interviews and broadcasts, I would have no problem. Add those and now it's a political platform." At the City Council meeting on August 21, Mike Bestor formally withdrew his invitation to Al-Jazeera. The barbeque was still held on August 28 at an undisclosed household in Golden.
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