Face The State follows up on a Complete Colorado lead about Democrat State Representative Dennis Apuan. He is the lead sponsor of a resolution honoring fallen soldiers (PDF), but he also has been arrested as an anti-war protester.
Jeff Crank, former Republican Congressional candidate and current Colorado Springs radio host, wants to know why Apuan is hiding from his 2003 arrest. The following response was fired back from the Democrats’ press office:
Statement from Rep. Dennis Apuan (D-El Paso)
Date: Fri, Mar 6, 2009
“Six years ago, long before I was an elected official, I participated in a peaceful prayer vigil at Peterson Air Force Base.
With a group of religious leaders, I peacefully expressed my opposition to the use of nuclear weapons. We had hoped to hand out prayer cards to soldiers and we chose to step over the line marking Peterson Air Force Base property. After just a few feet, four of us were arrested for trespassing. I was sentenced to 48 hours of community service, which I completed at my church teaching Sunday school.
I was peacefully exercising my first amendment rights to free speech.”
Crank tells Face The State: “He should come on my show and make a statement saying he stands by that decision or that it was a long time ago and dumb and now he supports the men and women in the military.”
Fair enough. I think Representative Apuan could put this issue to rest rather quickly by answering questions in the open, instead of hiding behind a prepared statement and sponsorship of a resolution. Maybe he still could be called “Boulder‘s own representative in El Paso County,” or maybe his views have changed.
Inquiring minds (especially the Fort Carson military personnel who live in his district) want to know.
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