jimpeel
Well-Known Member
Another "non-violent" protest sympathizer/proponent ...
SOURCE
SOURCE
Fort Collins man arrested as arson suspect in $10 million downtown fire
By Kieran Nicholson
The Denver Post
A Fort Collins man has been arrested as a suspect in a $10 million fire along Mason Street in downtown Fort Collins.
Benjamin David Gilmore, 29, was taken into custody Thursday night.
Gilmore appears to be the same person who recently appeared before the Fort Collins City Council to ask that Occupy Fort Collins protesters be left alone. He was arrested for suspicion of first-degree arson, burglary and criminal mischief in the blaze that destroyed a condominium complex under construction and damaged a complex next door.
Dressed in a black t-shirt and wearing black gloves, a person identifying himself as Benjamin David Gilmore appeared before the City Council Tuesday and used an anecdotal "story" about playing cards with a 5-year-old who wins every hand.
"The name of the game isn't Texas hold 'em, it's not five-card draw. It's 'I win!' "
"Occupy members in Fort Collins are being cheated by banks, who like the 5-year-old, always win, Gilmore said, because the "rules are changing all the time."
Gilmore hit an emotional moment during his comments, when he paused to take a deep breath and his voice rose as he spoke.
"What are you told to do as a kid by your abuse counselors," he asked. "If you are not having fun playing the game anymore, if you don't like the abuse, they tell us - stop playing the game."
Gilmore wove the War of 1812, the founding fathers and George Washington's farewell speech into his comments.
"Please, can you give the occupy movement permission to do what it wants," he said wrapping up. "To stay where we are."
"Please we are asking you, let us continue, let us be free."
Arrest papers available to the public do not connect Occupy Fort Collins to the arson fires, and police made no connection between the group's protest and Gilmore's arrest. Organizers could not immediately be reached for comment on Gilmore.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or [email protected].