Colorado Springs, CO – On Tuesday, April 29, a crowd of about 100 community members gathered in front of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to demand local law enforcement stop cooperating with federal immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The demonstration, organized by the Colorado Springs People’s Coalition, came in response to a Sunday raid in which more than 300 officers from local and federal agencies – including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Colorado Springs Police Department, and El Paso County Sheriff’s Office – surrounded a nightclub with weapons drawn. Authorities ordered occupants to exit with their hands up, detaining and transferring 114 people to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Protesters gathered near the sheriff’s office entrance, holding signs reading “We say no to deportations,” “Free political prisoners” and “End El Paso County Sheriff’s Office cooperation with ICE.” Chants of “¡El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!” “The people united will never be defeated!” and “Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE!” echoed as a coalition of groups, including Aurora Unidos CSO, the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, the Colorado Rapid Response Network and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, joined the rally.

Nayda Benitez of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition stated, “The community, especially immigrants in this community, already don’t feel like they can call local law enforcement to report crimes.”

Khalid Hamu of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization connected the immigration crackdown to economic issues, stating, “Trump is dehumanizing immigrants to distract us from this broken system designed by billionaires for billionaires.”

Yoselin Corrales of Aurora Unidos recalled false narratives about “violent gangs taking over Aurora” in 2024. CSPC founder Brandon Rincon called the raids “terror attacks targeting Black and brown people.” Rincon called for community control of the police as a solution to make the community safer, stating, “These are police crimes, and how do we stop police crimes? Well, we stop police crimes with community control — an all-elected, all-civilian board that has the power to write policy, hire and fire police officers, investigate misconduct and harassment, and get these officers off the force.”

As sheriff's office employees watched from windows, the crowd continued chanting for over an hour, at one point joining in a chorus as Rincon sang a Black Panthers’ resistance song Power to the People, Free Our People.

#ColoradoSprings #CO #ImmigrantsRights #Trump #InJusticeSystem #ICE #CSPC #CSO #CIRC #CRRN

The event took place at the very location where Padilla, a 37-year-old father of two, was fatally shot in 2023. His family continues to fight for justice and accountability in a case that remains closed, despite their calls for the district attorney to press charges against his killer, Kevin McCarthy.

The vigil began before sunset as attendees lit candles at a makeshift memorial near the apartment complex’s laundry room, where the shooting occurred. The crowd, estimated at 60 people, stood in solemn remembrance while family members shared heartfelt tributes to Padilla’s life and legacy.

His grandfather, Modesto Padilla, spoke about Anthony’s warmth, his dedication to his children, and the injustice of his untimely death, stating, “Hopefully justice will come of this one of these days. Right now, nothing has been done yet. We have met with the sheriff’s department, the district attorney, the commissioners, and they all tell us that ‘maybe something will be done,’ but nothing has been done yet.”

Community leaders and activists also joined the vigil, with representatives from the Colorado Springs People's Coalition expressing solidarity with the Padilla family. One speaker emphasized the broader implications of Padilla’s case, calling for increased accountability in local law enforcement and stronger protections against violent confrontations under questionable circumstances.

Jessie Proffitt said that Padilla “was failed by every city and county official who turned their heads the other way. He was failed by every supposed servant of the people. But he was not failed by his family, who has been fighting for him every day since then. And he will not be failed by his community that stands with him today,”

Throughout the evening, attendees shared memories of Padilla, reflecting on his love for his family and friends, and his devotion to his children. Some wore shirts reading, “Justice for Anthony Padilla.” The vigil concluded with a moment of silence, as the crowd raised their candles in unison.

The Padilla family has vowed to continue their fight. They are calling on the community to support them. As the anniversary passes, the memory of Anthony Padilla remains strong among those who knew him and those who continue to stand with his family in their pursuit of justice.

#ColoradoSpringsCO #CO #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #CSPC

Colorado Springs, CO – Local organizers in Colorado Springs People’s Coalition (CSPC) stood together with the Padilla family at the Colorado Springs County Commissioners office to demand an investigation into the murder of Anthony Padilla and present a new piece of evidence in the case.

Between the Padilla family and members of CSPC, a dozen sat together in the front row waiting for public comment so they could step up and speak to the board of five county commissioners and demand that Anthony’s murderer, Kevin McCarthy, and the Sheriff’s deputies who assisted him, be jailed.

According to reports, on March 27, 2023, Anthony Padilla was kidnapped by his neighbor Kevin McCarthy in their apartment complex’s public laundromat. McCarthy filmed himself accusing Padilla of breaking in; when Padilla fled from the laundromat, McCarthy filmed himself chasing him outside and shooting at his back.

“Sergeant Jaworski and Deputy Yelton [were] called on the night of my son’s murder and left my son to suffer,” said Sherry Padilla, Anthony’s mother. Padilla was on the ground bleeding for six minutes after the deputies arrived before any deputy attempted aid. “These deputies contributed to the murder of my son and tried to hide it,” Sherry Padilla said. Padilla was eventually taken to a hospital and declared dead later that evening.

“The chief investigator for the Sheriff’s department kept telling us there was enough evidence to charge him,” explained Modesto Padilla, Anthony’s grandfather. The 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen called a grand jury in October of 2023, and the jury refused to charge McCarthy, citing a lack of evidence. “[The chief investigator] came before us and told us that they hadn’t let her present any evidence,” said Modesto Padilla.

“There’s a saying you’ve probably heard: the grand jury will indict a ham sandwich if the district attorney wants them to. When they refuse to charge, it is because the district attorney does not want that conviction,” said Genevieve Richard, member of CSPC, “They did not see the video that [McCarthy] made of himself targeting, kidnapping and shooting Anthony Padilla. They did not see the bodycam footage of deputies Day and Yelton ignoring Anthony’s pleas for help.”

A new clip from a bodycam showing a deputy misidentifying and removing an alleged ball pump in a manilla envelope from the scene of the crime was presented to the board by Anthony Padilla’s younger brother Ian. “That ball pump is key evidence to Anthony’s case of being held against his will,” said Ian, “Colorado law also states that, caught in the act of tampering with evidence, you are charged as an accessory to the crime committed, and in the words of the district attorney to the family, it was second degree murder.”

Colorado Springs People’s Coalition and the family called on the Board of County Commissioners to commission an independent investigation into the shooting, the sheriff deputies’ complicity, and the District Attorney Michael Allen’s mishandling of the case. They further demanded Kevin McCarthy be charged with murder, and that the deputies be charged for their complicity in the murder.

“We call for Justice for Anthony!” exclaimed Richard of CSPC. The Board of County Commissioners responded that they do not have the power to open an investigation and left without talking to the family or CSPC. The family and CSPC members met afterwards to discuss the next steps in the fight for justice for Anthony Padilla.

#ColoradoSpringsCO #CO #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #CSPC

Colorado Springs, CO – On May 30, the Colorado Springs People’s Coalition (CSPC) gathered outside the South Gate entrance of the United States Air Force Academy to tell Kamala Harris that she is not welcome in Colorado Springs while supporting the genocide of the Palestinian people.

Before gathering outside the gate in protest, two banners were dropped in the city in preparation for Harris’ unwanted arrival. The first one was displayed over Interstate 25 and hung from the Bijou Bridge. The second banner displayed off of Fillmore read: “Go home Killer Kamala.” Later that day a third banner drop took place outside of the North Gate of the Air Force Academy off of I-25, where the vice president was set to leave by motorcade. This banner said, “You all have blood on your hands.”

A protest of around 30 people set up in front of the Air Academy gate with a canopy overhead, displaying large banners, and signs hung all around – all calling out Kamala Harris’s genocidal actions.

The mornings’ action saw military personnel on ATVs or loaded into vans first surround the protest at a distance, trying to intimidate protestors with their obvious presence. Throughout the day, multiple Colorado Springs police officers showed up. Despite police presence, activists set up a canopy shelter in the morning that provided food and water for all who came to the action. Banners and signs affixed to its sides unequivocally called for a free Palestine. Protesters held signs condemning the violence committed by Israel, so that every person entering the South Gate entrance was confronted by their messaging.

UCCS Students for Justice in Palestine, SDS Denver, Denver Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Denver Anti-War Action endorsed the action. Several CSPC and UCCS SJP members gave speeches that called for the immediate end to all aid going to Israel.

A member of CPSC gave a speech about Israeli military tactics and how their rules of engagement in fact consider massive civilian casualties.

The message was clear, people demand freedom for Palestine, and offer no sanctuary to killers like Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. Genocide is not welcome in Colorado Springs, and anyone who supports genocide will not remain unchallenged.

#ColoradoSpringsCO #Palestine #CSPC #UCCSSJP #SDSDenver #DenverFRSO #DenverAntiWarAction

Colorado Springs, CO – On February 27, the Colorado Springs People’s Coalition (CSPC) gathered at Colorado Springs City Hall to present a ceasefire resolution to the city council during open comment portion of the meeting.

Before the council meeting, CSPC led a rally outside the hall, engaging passersby and community members. CSPC’s resolution follows the winning examples of cities adopting ceasefire resolutions; including Seattle; Atlanta; Dearborn, Michigan; Albany, New York; Akron, Ohio; Providence, Rhode Island, and even our small neighbor Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Rallying outside Colorado Springs in whipping wind, which brought snow halfway through the gathering, CSPC and approximately 20 community members gathered in a circle. Together, they chanted and listened to speakers before lining up to speak in the council chambers. As one by one they entered the building, those left on the outside continued to chant “Ceasefire now!” and “Because we dare to struggle, we dare to win!” The chants echoed through the building and up into the chambers.

CSPC organizer Matt Jones insisted, no matter how the council and counter-protesters may react, the movement will not die in the chambers. The movement for Palestinian liberation and the people of Palestine will be successful. CSPC and community members, from U.S. military veterans to Palestinian restaurant owners, used the citizens’ comment section of the meeting to urge the council to adopt a proposed ceasefire resolution.

Tania Soto, a local therapist, stated, “The grief, and sacred rage we are witnessing and experiencing demands to be felt because it is the rage of a collective peoples.”

Soto finished with a call to action, stating, “Together we fight, together we cry, together we grieve, together we rejoice, together we stand as an undeniable and unbreakable force. Viva la resistencia, viva la lucha, viva Palestina!”

Founder and chair of CSPC, Brandon Rincon, also spoke directly to the community at the rally, “We must stop our government from aiding and abetting this genocide. The masses of people have absolutely nothing to gain by standing in complacency in the face of this genocide. We have everything to win by standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

The rally ended with a word from the ceasefire resolution’s drafter, Matt Jones, before the group began headed to the city council chambers.

Individuals signed up to speak during comment section of the meeting and those who signed up to speak were ushered into the chambers while the rest of the crowd was divided into overflow rooms, watching a virtual stream of the meeting within.

Around 20 community members rose to deliver emotional testimony in favor of a ceasefire. Among them were Katrina Nguyen, U.S. House candidate for Colorado’s 5th Congressional District; and Palestinian-American Linda Amin Badwan, who stated, “When you say that you have unwavering support for Israelis, but then you don't include me in the equation, that leaves me feeling extremely alienated and feeling unsafe at the same time.”

If you are interested in learning more about CSPC and their work in the Colorado Springs area, check out cspeoplescoalition.org, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

#ColoradoSpringsCO #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #CSPC