Reader: Larimer Square Is Not Exactly Tiananmen Square

After Mayor Mike Johnston talked about defending Denver from mass deportation, the incoming border czar said he was "willing to put him in jail."

By Westword Readers

November 30, 2024

Mayor Mike Johnston said he'd use Denver cops to defend the city's borders. Bennito L. Kelty

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"But look, me and the Denver mayor, we agree on one thing: He's willing to go to jail," said incoming border czar Tom Homan on Fox News Monday night. "I'm willing to put him in jail because...there's a statute. It's Title 8 United States Code 1324 (III). And what it says is it's a felony if you knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien from immigration authorities. It's also a felony to impede a federal law enforcement officer."

Homan's declaration came in response to Mayor Mike Johnston's suggestion that he was prepared to use the city's police force to defend against any mass federal deportation efforts in Denver. Johnston actually said more than that, comparing the situation to Tiananmen Square and suggesting that 50,000 Denverites, including "Highland moms," would come out to defend the migrants — "and you do not want to mess with them."

Johnston soon walked back on some of that colorful imagery (the Tiananmen reference, in particular), but added that he was "not afraid" to go to jail if incoming president Donald Trump or federal law enforcement decides to take it that far. In emails and on the Westword Facebook page, readers are not afraid to speak their minds, either. Says Lauren:

Larimer Square is not exactly Tiananmen Square. Let's wait to see what happens in January and not go ballistic with our rhetoric on either side in the meantime.

Comments Lucas:

Mayor Johnston actually double-downed and stated he would use the local police to stop the feds....Demonrats have absolutely lost their minds and we need to vote them out.

Responds Jake:

Locking up political opponents is fascism.

Counters Cameron:

Except those political opponents are harboring people who broke the law. Big difference, pal.

Notes Steve:

So much for those states' rights that the “party of law and order” and “small government” crow about.

Replies Moe:

If any illegal immigrant has a criminal record, then he or she should be deported. And if Democratic politicians want to protect these criminals from deportation, then they should be thrown in jail. Period.

Adds Charles:

Protecting our borders is protecting our country, and arresting those who break known federal laws and harbor criminals is always the freedom-protecting action to take.

Offers Susi:

Are we forgetting that except for Indigenous people, all of us were immigrants when we came to this place? I am proud of Mayor Johnston, for defending Denver as a city that appreciates all people.

Concludes Ray:

For merely suggesting he'd block the law and endanger his legal citizens, he should be removed for gross dereliction of duty.

What do you think of Mayor Johnston's comments? Of Trump's suggestion that he'll start mass deportations on day one of his second presidency? Post a comment or share your thoughts at [email protected].

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