Nonprofit Cancels Appearance By Ashcroft In Colorado

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -- Plans have been called off for former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to visit Fort Collins as part of a nonprofit group's speaker series.

The Coloradoan reports that the Character Fort Collins board announced Tuesday that it decided not to include Ashcroft in this year's Courageous Leadership series.

The announcement follows calls by a peace group for the invitation to Ashcroft to be rescinded. The group Strength through Peace said it would demonstrate if he spoke.

Character Fort Collins didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment. The group said in a news release that the opportunity to have Ashcroft speak "has evolved past a manageable nonprofit event."

Ashcroft served as attorney general under President George W. Bush and helped write the Patriot Act.

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