Social media users across the United States organized the Fifty States protests on Reddit, Threads and TikTok. Protesters coast to coast took to the streets to show solidarity against Trump's actions during his first few weeks in office; as in Colorado, many other states have seen hundreds of demonstrators coming out to oppose Trump's actions against immigrants, women and transgender people, and to push for protecting the environment.
Although the permit for the protest planned for as many as 1,000 people to gather at the Capitol steps, the protest on Wednesday had about 500 people in the early afternoon. However, the protest is scheduled to take place until 8 p.m., and people continue to pour into downtown.
What Brought Protesters Out in Denver?
Dozens of Mexican flags were waving over the mass of protesters who gathered at the Capitol, along with American flags, many upside down, and a few El Salvadoran, Palestinian and LGBTQ pride flags. Protesters showed up with signs reading "Fuck Donald Trump" and "I drink my horchata warm because fuck ICE," referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that deports immigrants.
But Mexican pride and anger about mass deportations took over, as the loudest chants were "¡Viva México!" and, in Spanish, the phrase "the people united can never be divided." Many people wore the green jersey of Mexico's national soccer team. A few protesters brought speakers to play Cumbia songs that are popular in Mexico, while others broke out in dance.
Julia Gutierrez, a Denver resident, brought a sign in Spanish reading "my family are not criminals. The criminal is in the White House." She came out to the protest "to fight ICE — I don't believe in borders — and to support my people," she said.
"My family is from Mexico City. I'm here to support them, fight for them and fight for my rights," Gutierrez said. "I go to school here, and I'm here to show that Mexicans can do anything."
She believes that Trump "brought so much hate, so much hate towards my people and towards women. Wherever you come from you deserve rights."
Saharay Hernandez, a Community College of Aurora student, came with a sign reading "we are all immigrants." She showed up because "mass deportations are certainly going on, and they're a violation of human rights," and feels like the federal government's deportations are only targeting Mexicans.
"We all came from different countries...it's only a problem when Mexicans come from Mexico. I'm a Mexican, a college student and a child of immigrants," she said. "My parents worked hard. They paid their taxes. They pay their bills. My dad always worked hard."
Last week, the U.S. Northern Command, a military agency with the Department of Defense, announced that the Buckley Space Force Base will be used to help ICE with mass deportations. Congressman Jason Crow toured the base on February 5 and said that it will now only serve as a staging ground for coordinated ICE operations.
Congressional Republicans called for Mayor Mike Johnston to appear in front of the House Oversight Committee. On Wednesday, Johnston confirmed that he'll appear at a March 5 hearing.
When Trump took office on January 20, he signed a slew of executive orders taking aim at the immigration system. He stopped refugee and asylum admissions, shut down the CBP One app that migrants were using to enter the United States, and declared an emergency at the southern border with Mexico, in order to send the military there.
His first-day executive orders also withdrew from international agreements to tackle climate change, ordered the federal government to only recognize female and male genders, banned some transgender surgeries and attempted to end birthright citizenship.
But Mexican pride and anger about mass deportations took over, as the loudest chants were "¡Viva México!" and, in Spanish, the phrase "the people united can never be divided." Many people wore the green jersey of Mexico's national soccer team. A few protesters brought speakers to play Cumbia songs that are popular in Mexico, while others broke out in dance.
Julia Gutierrez, a Denver resident, brought a sign in Spanish reading "my family are not criminals. The criminal is in the White House." She came out to the protest "to fight ICE — I don't believe in borders — and to support my people," she said.
Julia Gutierrez, a Denver resident, came to the Fifty States Protest with a sign in Spanish reading "my family are not criminals. The criminal is in the White House."
Bennito L. Kelty
She believes that Trump "brought so much hate, so much hate towards my people and towards women. Wherever you come from you deserve rights."
Saharay Hernandez, a Community College of Aurora student, came with a sign reading "we are all immigrants." She showed up because "mass deportations are certainly going on, and they're a violation of human rights," and feels like the federal government's deportations are only targeting Mexicans.
"We all came from different countries...it's only a problem when Mexicans come from Mexico. I'm a Mexican, a college student and a child of immigrants," she said. "My parents worked hard. They paid their taxes. They pay their bills. My dad always worked hard."
By the early afternoon, the Fifty States Protest at the Colorado State Capitol had brought out about 500 people.
Bennito L. Kelty
What Has Happened with Trump in Office So Far?
On Wednesday morning, the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the help of ICE, raided apartment complexes in Aurora and Denver. Two complexes reportedly raided by ICE used to be owned by CBZ Management, the landlords at the center of the Tren de Aragua controversy in August, when people believed violent Venezuelan gangs were taking over Aurora.Last week, the U.S. Northern Command, a military agency with the Department of Defense, announced that the Buckley Space Force Base will be used to help ICE with mass deportations. Congressman Jason Crow toured the base on February 5 and said that it will now only serve as a staging ground for coordinated ICE operations.
Congressional Republicans called for Mayor Mike Johnston to appear in front of the House Oversight Committee. On Wednesday, Johnston confirmed that he'll appear at a March 5 hearing.
When Trump took office on January 20, he signed a slew of executive orders taking aim at the immigration system. He stopped refugee and asylum admissions, shut down the CBP One app that migrants were using to enter the United States, and declared an emergency at the southern border with Mexico, in order to send the military there.
His first-day executive orders also withdrew from international agreements to tackle climate change, ordered the federal government to only recognize female and male genders, banned some transgender surgeries and attempted to end birthright citizenship.
Protesters chanted "¡Viva México!" as they rallied at the intersection of 14th Avenue and Lincoln Street on Wednesday for the Fifty States Protest.
Bennito L. Kelty
What is Project 2025
The Fifty States Protest was originally aimed at Project 2025, a 900-page document published by the Heritage Foundation in April 2022 that laid out priorities for Donald Trump if he were to win his re-election — which he did in November 2024. It suggested securing the border, increasing oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice, and increasing American oil and energy production.
But the American Civil Liberties Union charges that the policies suggested in Project 2025 include "gutting abortion access" as well as mass deportations and making the presidency more powerful and less accountable.
But the American Civil Liberties Union charges that the policies suggested in Project 2025 include "gutting abortion access" as well as mass deportations and making the presidency more powerful and less accountable.
Few protesters mentioned Project 2025 on Wednesday. Some protesters showed up with a clear political message, however: Denver demonstrator Jill Lewis said that "Congressional Republicans are bowing down to King Trump, and they need to grow a pair."
