ShareThisDENVER -- Hundreds of Denver's homeless could be cooling their heels in a movie theater or museum while the Democratic National Convention is in town next month.The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless plans to get 500 movie tickets as well as passes to the Denver Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and other cultural facilities for the people it helps.Bus tickets will be provided for events beyond walking distance, said John Parvensky, the non-profit's president.Many day shelters will have expanded hours during the convention, and big screen TVs are being donated to some shelters so patrons can watch convention goings-on without being caught up in the mayhem."We're trying to let folks know what activities are planned, and what other places they'll be able to go without being harassed," Parvensky said.A two-day voter registration drive is also planned at shelters and health clinics to ensure that metro area homeless have access to the polls in November.Backers of the plan say it's a more sanitary and humane way to take care of people.But not everyone buys it."It just sounds like another way to get rid of them," said Kayne Coy, 17, who volunteers feeding the homeless twice a week at Civic Center Park through the Food Not Bombs organization.As for the convention, Coy said: "I've heard rumors that all the homeless people are going to be sent away to Aurora or somewhere else."Parvensky vigorously denied that there will any attempt to hide the homeless during convention, which runs Aug. 25-28.Tight security around the Pepsi Center means some homeless people will get booted out of their regular camps along the South Platte River. Then, there are the protests and parades."A person who typically sits under a tree in a park that is now occupied by 1,000 protesters won't have the peace and quiet they're desiring," Parvensky said. "Particularly those with mental illness can't cope with crowds."Parvensky is confident Denver police won't target homeless people unless a law is being broken. Aggressive panhandling and begging for money in front of an ATM machine are both banned.He remains worried about people's welfare."Our concern going forward is that the city doesn't control everything -- the Secret Service plays a role," he said. "We don't know what will happen if protests get out of control and people get caught up in something they didn't intend to."But some homeless people also aren't enthusiastic about the plan.Ronnie Wand, who was panhandling, said he's skeptical of the free tickets."I don't care," said the 62-year-old, who expects to land in jail for vagrancy during the DNC.(Contact Julie Poppen of the Rocky Mountain News at poppenj(at)rockymountainnews.com)
Denver homeless to get movie tickets during convention
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