Denver, CO – On March 29, in honor of Land Day, between 80 and 100 pro-Palestine protesters gathered at the Denver Tech Center Monument, a location within eyesight of the RE/MAX Headquarters. RE/MAX is infamous for advertising and selling property in occupied Palestine, thus enabling Israel’s apartheid and theft of land in the West Bank.

RE/MAX claims to operate in about 100 countries worldwide. The United Nations says it is responsible for how its Israeli franchises sell houses and apartments in the occupied West Bank. Despite the backlash and controversy, RE/MAX has shamefully maintained its business in occupied Palestine. Advocates of a liberated Palestine are calling for an end to this, recognizing Land Day as a chance to draw attention to the theft of land.

Land Day marks a moment in Palestinian protest history, beginning in 1976 when the people of Palestine participated in general strikes, protests and mass mobilizations to fight back against illegal Israeli theft of land – this resulted in the murder of six Palestinians.

Land Day doesn’t just commemorate the events of the past but also calls attention to the very much alive Palestinian resistance. Land Day echoes the call for a free Palestine from the river to the sea.

Groups in the Colorado Palestine Coalition participated in the action, speaking out against the ongoing genocide, Israel’s breaking of the ceasefire, and the role that RE/MAX plays.

Activist Maggie Gutberlet with Denver Anti-War Action spoke out about how the U.S. military is sponsoring the genocide in Palestine, and the importance of fighting back from the belly of the beast, stating “A violent oppressor will never give us our rights, we must fight for them!”

Gutberlet emphasized that every year on Land Day, “this fight must be remembered and honored,” and instructed attendees to “Keep Palestine in your hearts and liberation in your minds.”

“Indigenous peoples everywhere have a deep connection to the land that has remembered them for generations,” said local indigenous activist Leala Courier, “This is why you will always see a Palestinian protecting their olive trees and why you see Natives here in so-called America defending our land against oil pipelines.”

The importance of solidarity with Palestine was kept front and center. Keegan Estrella, rank-and-file Teamster and member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, spoke about international solidarity and how the struggle of working people here at home is intertwined with the struggle for a free Palestine. They spoke about the billionaires and their politicians, stating, “They don’t care if people are being killed, and they don’t care about Israel breaking the ceasefire. They only care about their own interests, so we as both working-class people and members of the Palestinian community alike must continue to fight for our interests.”

The protesters occupied space right up next to the highway that passed by the demonstration, holding banners reading “Free Palestine” and “End U.S. aid to Israel” visible to thousands of cars passing by, and chanting as they flew Palestinian flags.

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #DAWA #ColoradoPalestineCoalition #RE/MAX

Denver, CO – On Monday, January 22, at 11 a.m., roughly 100 pro-Palestine protesters rallied on the Auraria campus before taking to the streets and halting business as usual.

The activists stopped at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Speer Boulevard, occupying the block and remaining there for over an hour and a half. This disruption of one of the busiest junctions in Denver caused traffic delays throughout the entire city and marked an escalation in the militancy of the actions taken by pro-Palestinian organizers.

The latest action, organized by Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA), Denver Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Denver DSA and Denver Freedom Road Socialist Organization, with speakers and marshals from other coalition organizations such as Jewish Voice For Peace and Denver Party for Socialism and Liberation – members Colorado Palestine Coalition (CPC) – gathered to kick off the Global Strike for Gaza in Colorado.

In addition to standing in solidarity with their Palestinian siblings, the marchers also called out Governor Jared Polis and Senator Michael Bennet, as well as President Biden. Speakers called for an end to U.S. aid to Israel, an end to the occupation of Gaza. They denounced the recent bombings of aggression being conducted by the U.S. and UK against Yemen. The hypocrisy is astounding; no casualties were caused by Yemen’s strikes on shipping, while tens of thousands have been killed by the Israeli occupation forces, and yet the former are bombed while the latter are supported by the U.S. government.

During the demonstration, police circled the protesters and eventually brought in detention vans. Activists were not discouraged by their blatant attempts at intimidation, however, and the event successfully ended hours later with chants of “Free Palestine!”

The CPC remains determined to force local politicians to acknowledge the genocide and oppose Zionist support even as the state of Israel has expanded its aggression to the neighboring countries of Syria, Iran and Lebanon. “We will dare to struggle and not be afraid,” stated Ishmael Sanchez, a speaker and student activist with SDS, adding, “I encourage you all to contribute your humanity and force humane change with unity.”

#DenverCO #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #DAWA #SDS #FRSO #DSA #ColoradoPalestineCoalition

Backed by chants and speeches, members unfurled banners on the rails of the bridge overlooking security as they let travelers know that there would be no Christmas as usual during the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.

“Genocide funded by Uncle Sam! Christmas is cancelled in Bethlehem!” was a powerful chant used by a Palestinian Christian and member of the CPC, before she went on to speak, both the protesters and airport travelers, on the effects the Palestinian genocide is having on Christmas. She explained that not only are Palestinians in Bethlehem unable to put up Christmas trees in public or engage in other festivities, but due to ongoing attacks by Israeli occupation targeting religious centers, Christians are not even holding worship ceremonies out of fear for their safety.

This action was especially impactful to the many Christians flying out for Christmas, as those who support Israel were forced to contend with the fact that the ongoing occupation of Palestine has directly led to the cancellation of Christmas in the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ.

Police and Denver International Airport security were clearly impacted by their lack of experience. They huddled in confusion while watching protesters from afar before escorting them out of the building on an improvised route through the baggage claim and around the security line, which gave protesters even more attention. The incompetence displayed by police and security was a significant boost to the action, which reached the eyes and ears of thousands of travelers in DIA, and even more on social media. This disruption was a monumental win for the CPC.

After being escorted out of the building, the action carried on for around an hour outside of the doors to security and in front of the Westin Hotel. Protesters continued chants and speeches before heading back together to conclude the action.

While the Zionist occupation continues to wage genocide against Palestinians, members of the CPC continue to resist U.S. tax dollars being spent funding Israel’s war crimes. It appears that on Christmas, and every other day of the year, the CPC will ensure that there will be no more business as usual in Colorado until Palestine is free.

#DenverCO #Palestine #ColoradoPalestineCoalition #Genocide

Denver, CO – On November 28, Colorado residents protested Joe Biden’s visit to Denver. The protest condemned the president’s support of the Israeli government's genocide of Palestinians and demanded an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

Even though we face a severe housing crisis and limited funding for schooling, infrastructure, and no affordable healthcare, Biden continues to pledge billions of dollars to the apartheid state of Israel.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) arrived on the scene after holding a vigil on their campus hours before, commemorating those who gave their lives for the liberation of Palestine. Tom Chaney, a member of SDS, stated, “We don’t have to stand idly and watch children die. As long as Lockheed Martin is on our campus, we have a reason to fight. As long as there are representatives in our government that are supporting this genocide, we can fight.”

“The best thing we can do in the United States is end U.S. aid to Israel. More than $13 million per day. More than $14 billion!” said Paul Nelson, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Nelson also mentioned, “There is a lot more that needs to be done, if you’re not in an organization, join one and fight for the people because we can’t do this alone!”

Despite the last-minute call for a protest, within ten minutes over 250 people responded and took to the streets. Protesters were met with a wall of police carrying assault rifles and riot shields, along with armored trucks and several police cars blocking the way. The activists stood strong and ended the night with chants led by members of SDS.

The protest was called by the Colorado Palestine Coalition, which includes the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Students for a Democratic Society, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and many other groups.

#DenverCO #SDS #FreePalestine #JoeBiden #ColoradoPalestineCoalition

Denver, CO – On November 9, Students for a Democratic Society Denver joined a national walkout for Palestine to demand an end to U.S. aid to Israel. In addition to the walkout, organizers took to the streets and marched to the Denver Capitol building, where approximately 500 people were gathered for a rally called by the Colorado Palestine Coalition. The rally also included local high school students who had walked out in solidarity with Palestine. Students were met with applause from onlookers and joined in with chants and songs

Alex Bornstein, a member of the Denver chapter of the Jewish Voice for Peace, stated, “All elected officials continue to demonstrate their loyalty to Zionism, to imperialism, to colonialism, to capitalism, and apartheid. And we’re here today to shame them for that. We refuse to let our tax dollars be used to finance death and the suffering of the Palestinian people.”

Members of the coalition also took part in planning a sit-in at the capitol. In response to the event, the State Representatives decided to close the capitol early that day and protesters counted this as a successful shutdown of the offices that day. This is a victory for the pro-Palestine cause in Colorado, as it continues to expand as a movement.

On the march back, SDS added to their march and amassed over 150 participants to take the streets back to campus. Denver’s streets were filled with chants like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and “Resistance is justified when people are occupied!”

Paul Nelson, a member of the Denver SDS and a member of the MSU student government, said, “Don’t get it twisted, this is a Palestinian liberation movement. Different political friends united under a common cause of national liberation.”

SDS will continue its campaign to demand that the university administration divest from companies that support and fund the genocide of Palestinians and calls for the end of the United States' involvement and funding of Israel.

#DenverCO #FreePalestine #ColoradoPalestineCoalition #SDSDenver #JewishVoiceForPeace