DENVER -- With signs reading "Don't Celebrate Genocide," "Don't Celebrate Racism," and "The Americas' First Terrorist," the preview to the annual Columbus Day parade seemed to have the same passion that lead to conflicts in previous years.

But 2008 was the year without arrests.

In stark contrast to a warm, sunny 2007 when fake blood and 83 arrests ruled the day, Saturday's chilly, misty event was much less confrontational.

"They both have freedom of speech to express their views and that's what we allowed and that's what happened," said Det. Sharon Hahn, spokeswoman for the Denver Police Department.

Police had plenty of officers in riot gear but allowed a group made up mostly of 13 women to cross crowd barriers and briefly stop the parade.

They chanted a message of condemnation for what they believe were atrocities committed by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century.

"The discovery of America. This is our day," said one parade goer.

"Where are your women? Did you beat them up and leave them at home? They got no voice?" yelled one protester.

The brief encounter lasted less than 10 minutes and quickly ended when police used loudspeakers to let the crowd know arrests would follow a two-minute warning.

"It's almost like a stalemate," said Charles Alcott, a protester, explaining why arrests were discouraged this year. "Our defense lawyers are kind of exhausted from the DNC and the Columbus Day trials, so we gave them a break this year."

"There were still some words that I don't want to repeat that we saw that. But it was much, much less," said Romana Antonelli, parade goer and Italian-American. "I'm too proud to be an American and to be an Italian not to show my heritage."

An American Indian Movement of Colorado spokesman said they will use different tactics from now on to try to get their message across.

"And we'll remain unbowed that we're going to continue to fight the whole ideology of racism that's embodied in this parade and this holiday. But we understand that it's much broader than just this parade and this holiday," said Glenn Morris.