Wanna Give ICE a Middle Finger From Denver? Here’s How

The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti occurred in Minnesota, but they’re deeply felt in Denver. Good and Pretti, both killed at the hands of federal agents during immigration raids, had familial connections to Colorado, which has been a hotbed of anti-ICE activism since Donald Trump took office again last year.

Protests have drawn thousands to the Colorado State Capitol since Good and Pretti were killed, but the anger and sadness continue to swell as federal officials dispute video evidence and troll Minnesota on social media. The City of Denver just joined a lawsuit against ICE and the Trump administration for the federal government’s actions in Minnesota this month, and this city’s residents, activists and business owners have plenty of protests, events and other ways to put heat on ICE throughout the week.

From a “Fuck ICE” jog around Boulder to a national day of no working or shopping, here’s how Denver is giving ICE the middle finger.

Stand Against Palantir
Saturday, January 31, 10 a.m.
James Manley Park, 400 Josephine Street
Organized by Denver Anti War Action (DAWA) and the Anti-Palantir Coalition, this rally and march is in opposition to Palantir, which provides software and data resources to ICE. The protest will begin with a gathering at James Manley Park, followed by a march to Palantir’s Cherry Creek office, according to organizers.

ICE Out
Saturday, January 31
Multiple Colorado locations
Protests are expected to spark across the country on January 31 under the name ICE Out. Separate rallies are scheduled that day in Denver and Boulder, with Boulder protesters scheduled to meet at the corner of Broadway and Canyon Boulevard from 1 to 2:30 p.m., according to organizers Forever Indivisible Boulder. “We demand the defunding of ICE and will continue to show the Trump regime that we oppose ICE and demand Democracy with peaceful protests,” reads the promo for the Boulder protest.

Denver’s protest is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Colorado State Capitol Building, located at the intersection of Colfax and Lincoln avenues. There is no permit currently issued for the protest, according to Capitol records, but that hasn’t stopped gatherings and marches before.

Writers on Resistance and Open Mic
Thursday, January 29, 7 p.m.
East Window Gallery, 4550 Broadway, Boulder 
Author/poet Hillary Leftwich, poet and CU professor Rajiv Mohabir, and Denver poet Crisosto Apache (the new Colorado poet laureate) will speak at Writers on Resistance, a new group designed to help people share their concerns with social and government oppression. There will be an open mic after the three talk. The event is open to all.

ICE Out Blackout
Friday, January 30
Proposed as a “nationwide shutdown” on social media by United States residents, this ICE Out event calls on people to stay home from work and school and to avoid commerce. The proposition has slowly been gaining steam in Denver.

Sap Sua, a nationally recognized Vietnamese spot with plenty of local acclaim, announced on Instagram that it was closing on January 30 to respect the blackout. “The goal of a general strike, is to pause the economy, and limit the flow of tax dollars, which fund ICE. This hits close to home for us,” says part of an email to customers with reservations on Friday. “It is also our responsibility, as a pillar in our community, to stand up for what is right, and to set an example.” The restaurant has offered customers with reservations to reschedule and dine for free; Sap Sua also offered to deliver meals on Friday to people with reservations in lieu of dining in.

Cherry Creek boba tea shop Die Die Must Try announced it will be closed on Friday. “As a family and business, we stand against the inhumane treatment of immigrants fueled by racism and hate. The hateful rhetoric and actions that fuels this administration has no place in our shop and in our hearts. Immigrants are what makes America great- ABOLISH ICE,” reads part of an Instagram post from the boba shop.

Good Bones, an East Colfax coffee shop that debuted a popular “Fuck ICE” latte last week, will also be closed on January 30 as part of the strike.

Fuck ICE Group Run
Sunday, February 1, 9 a.m.
Downtown Boulder.
In hilariously Boulder fashion, a group of runners is organizing a route that will eventually spell out “Fuck ICE” on running maps. The route is about 6.2 miles in total, according to organizers — good enough for your daily workout and one helluva screenshot. It starts at the corner of Broadway and Maxwell Avenue and ends at Greenleaf Park. Runners will gather for coffee on Pearl Street after the run to meet and further discuss current events and ways to help their community. Find out more on Instagram.

Businesses Speaking Out Against ICE

Sap Sua, Die Die Must Try and Good Bones have already said they’re closing on January 30 to give ICE the middle finger, and several other Denver restaurants and businesses have found their own ways to speak up. On top of the popular “Fuck ICE” latte at Good Bones, local businesses such as Sinners Denver salon, Vibe Gym, Sapphire Collective tattoos, Outside Pizza, Ritual indoor cycling and Ink & Drink are all holding fundraisers on certain days for immigrant rights attorneys and organizations.

Read more about restaurant responses here.