After large protests saw thousands of people gather and march around downtown Denver in the spring and early summer, demonstrations have seen smaller turnouts in July and August. However, local activists remain committed for various causes, with weekly protests and larger events planned later in the month.
Find more information below on gatherings around town, and check back for updates.
Friday, August 22: March Against the Machines
An international day of action, March Against the Machines is meant to warn the world about the effects of unfettered artificial intelligence and big tech. Protesters will gather in downtown Denver at the Tabor Center, 1200 17th Street, at 4 p.m. to voice their opposition. Palantir's headquarters are in that building."AI companies are also increasingly complicit in international war crimes, the destruction of jobs, and the escalation of government surveillance and authoritarianism. It's time to fight back," a note from organizers reads. "Denver joins cities around the world on this International Day of Action against Big Tech and AI." Learn more at Action Network.
Friday, August 22: ICE Out!
Protesters will gather at the Colorado State Capitol Building's west steps at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 22, to demonstrate their opposition to ICE and federal immigration raids and arrests. According to organizers, attendees will eventually march after gathering at the Capitol.Saturday, August 23: Defund Palantir
That's two protests in two days at the Tabor Center at 1200 17th Street, where software and data firm Palantir is headquartered. Co-founded by controversial billionaire Peter Thiel, Palantir is contracted by the federal government, ICE and the Israeli military to provide information and data, including a $10 billion deal recently approved by the United States Army. According to protest organizers, the gathering will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact [email protected] to learn more.Monday, August 25: Raise Your Voice for Jax
After the disappearance and murder of LGBTQ+ activist and local har stylist Jax Gratton, her friends, family and other activists have taken issue with local law enforcement's investigation tactics, and they say that Lakewood police haven't been communicating effectively. There will be a gathering outside of the Lakewood Civic Center at 480 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood, on Monday, August 25, to demand an independent oversight of the investigation. There will be a rally and briefing by organizers at 6:30 p.m., after which Gratton supporters will participate in a Lakewood City Council meeting.Friday, August 29: Colorado Chicano Moratorium
Held by a long list of progressive organizations and chapters, this protest and march will take place 55 years after thefirst Chicano Moratorium in Los Angeles, when thousands of anti-war activists, many of whom were Latino, held walkouts and protests against the Vietnam War. The Denver edition on August 29 will start at 6 p.m. at the Colorado State Capitol's west steps to protest the federal government's immigration enforcement tactics, deportations and ICE detainment. A march is planned afterward, according to organizers.
Monday, September 1: Labor Day Rally
A handful of activist organizations are coming together for a rally to protect workers' rights on Labor Day at the State Capitol Building's west steps and Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park across the street. Details are still sparse, but thousands of people are expected to attend, according to a permit at the Capitol filed by 50501 Colorado. Numbers have been dwindling in recent months at Denver protests that are part of a national day of demonstration, however.Every Friday: Protest Outside Congressman Gabe Evans's office
Since February, protesters have been gathering outside of 10701 Melody Drive, the Northglenn office of Republican Congressman Gabe Evans, "to urge him to have the courage to speak with us, his constituents," reads the event description. Since winning Colorado's 8th Congressional District in November, Evans has called for tougher immigration enforcement and supported Trump's policies, frustrating some of his constituents."We plead with him to defend our constitution and our democracy," reads the event description. "We voice our concerns about our government's words and actions that look more like a dictatorship with each passing day."
Protesters meet at 11 a.m. every Friday at the congressman's office; the gatherings are now being organized by a local chapter of Indivisible, a progressive political group. Previous gatherings were loosely organized by local protesters but managed to attract Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during her Colorado visit on March 21.
Every Saturday: Protest for Indigenous and LGBTQ+ Rights
People are invited to join a weekly protest at the Colorado State Capitol every Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. to support Indigenous and LGBTQ+ rights.
"All past governments have failed to help the Indigenous," a Reddit user wrote in a May 5 post inviting people to a gathering. "The people have the power, Indigenous rights means environmental rights, equality rights for ALL individuals. Please come join us. Please bring Sage or any Medicine. All are welcome to join."
The r/DenverProtests Subreddit posts weekly listings, too. What did we miss? Send information to [email protected].
