Aurora Unidos Community Service Organization, a group that advocates against deportation and Trump's immigration policies, organized the action, which featured indigenous Mexican dancers on the west steps of the Capitol performing under gray, drizzly skies. The sounds of drumming mixed with honks of support from motorists passing on Lincoln Street, and the odor of burning sage mingled with that of the hot dogs being handed out by volunteers.
Aurora Unidos CSO had taken out a permit for 5,000 people, but the Colorado State Patrol estimated the crowd at fewer than 1,000. Some demonstrators had come earlier for a 3 p.m. protest organized by a local service employees union that marked May Day, International Workers Day. "Our causes are intersected," Aurora Unidos CSO declared in online flyers.
While other protests this month brought out thousands of people, including more than 3,000 on April 19 and 8,000 on April 5, those actions took place on the weekend, unlike the May 1 events. But the sentiments expressed yesterday were still strong.
Homero Ocon immigrated from Mexico fifteen years ago and now runs his own painting company. He came out on May 1 with his son to support other Latino immigrants, especially those from Venezuela and other parts of South America "because they've been attacked by racism from this administration," he says.
"We already have our space in this country. We're going to be the majority in a few years. We have to defend our people," Ocon says. "The more immigrants we bring together, the better our chance of defending our culture."
"We already have our space in this country. We're going to be the majority in a few years. We have to defend our people," Ocon says. "The more immigrants we bring together, the better our chance of defending our culture."
The protest came after the arrest of more than 100 people during a raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on April 27 at an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs; the arrest of Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan for hiding an immigrant from ICE in her jury room; and judges in Denver and South Texas halting attempts to deport Venezuelans using the Alien Enemies Act, an eighteenth-century law.
Erin Hutton and Sara Wherley came to the protest with signs reading "fight Trump's agenda" and "stop pretending your fascism and racism are patriotism." They say they were motivated by news of Dugan's arrest and Venezuelans facing swift deportations.
"This is not deportation. It's kidnapping," Hutton says. "I'm worried that they could take any one of us at any time with no due process, no way to prove our innocence, and as soon as that's gone, our democracy is gone."
Immigration wasn't the only issue that concerned the crowd. Signs called on people to "Free Palestine" and "Deny. Defend. Depose," a play on a phrase made famous after the assassination of a UnitedHealthcare CEO in December. Protesters waved a few Mexican flags, alongside upside-down American flags and red, green and black Palestinian flags. Many protesters wore Keffiyehs, the traditional headdress that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat always donned."This is not deportation. It's kidnapping," Hutton says. "I'm worried that they could take any one of us at any time with no due process, no way to prove our innocence, and as soon as that's gone, our democracy is gone."
"You look around and there are many different causes here," says Charles Hendricks, a former Marine now studying at Metropolitan State University, who came to support Palestine and disability rights. "For me, what it means is everything needs a system overhaul."
Rich and Rey hold up handmade signs protesting President Trump and supporting the Constitution.
Bennito L. Kelty
Rich, a Denver protester who asked that his last name not be used because of his job with the Navy, came out to protest with his wife, Rey.
"We're all here for the Constitution," Rey says. "I really like the diversity here. So many people are here for so many different reasons. I know for some people that can be overwhelming, but everything comes down to the Constitution. If we can't protect the Constitution, all those other concerns go by the wayside."
"We're all here for the Constitution," Rey says. "I really like the diversity here. So many people are here for so many different reasons. I know for some people that can be overwhelming, but everything comes down to the Constitution. If we can't protect the Constitution, all those other concerns go by the wayside."
Rey and Rich held up homemade, light-up signs that read "Tacos Good. Nazis Bad." Rich admits that "people probably think it's stressful to be out here, but it's fun," which is why he hopes that larger crowds return to the Capitol to protest with them.
"This is light, but it's on a Thursday, it's rush hour. I don't really know why there's not as many people," Rich says. "But to be honest, for this movement to do what it needs to do, we need more Americans on board. I don't care if you voted for Trump or liked Trump last week. If there were a candidate that I like who was subverting democracy, I would still be out here."
