Bennito L. Kelty
Audio By Carbonatix
President Donald Trump has been in his second term for around nine months, and his administration’s radical policies regarding immigration and mass deportations, public lands, LGBTQ+ rights and other hot-button issues have led to numerous large protests in Denver, including two in June that resulted in dozens of arrests by police, and a rally by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that drew over 30,000 people.
But demonstrations saw smaller turnouts in July and August. Still, local activists remain committed to various causes and are hopeful that people will have more energy as the November election nears, with weekly protests and larger events planned later in the month.
Find more information below on gatherings around town, and check back for updates.
Thursday, October 16: Interfaith Immigrant Rights Rally
People of faith from across Colorado and beyond will gather at the Colorado State Capitol Building to support “justice, dignity and humane treatment for all immigrants.” Organized by the Interfaith Immigration Network and Immigrant Partnership Teams, the protest will start at 12:15 p.m., and is scheduled to include speeches from state Senator Julie Gonzales and various Colorado religious leaders. Learn more about the demonstration’s goals through this declaration.
Saturday, October 18: No Kings Part Two
Part of a national day of protests against President Donald Trump and his administration, No Kings 2.0 will take place at the Colorado State Capitol from noon to 4 p.m. There will also be a march later in the day, as well as demonstrations and activities taking place across the street at Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park.The first No Kings protest in June brought more than 5,000 people to the Capitol, and organizers are hopeful that the second round will provide a spark to attendance, which has been dropping off lately.
There will be dozens of No Kings 2.0 demonstrations in other Colorado towns at various times on Saturday, too, including several surrounding Denver and in rural and mountain towns. Find one near you on this No Kings map.
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 editorial@westword.com.
