Denver, CO — On April 3, about 60 protesters gathered outside the Colorado State Capitol to oppose the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy in an 8-1 vote. The action was organized by the Denver Coalition Against Trump and Bread and Roses Legal Center.

Conversion therapy, widely regarded as a pseudoscience, is the practice of attempting to change a person’s gender or sexuality to cisgender or heterosexual norms. This often happens against the subject’s will and it has been shown to be highly ineffective, often causing psychological harm and effects such as significantly higher mental health disorder rates and higher suicide rates. Conversion therapy practices range from the seemingly innocuous, like talk therapy, to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, including treatment many experts would consider to be torture.

More than 20 U.S. states have banned conversion therapy for minors, and Colorado banned the practice as a whole in 2019.

Kacey Hicks of Denver Students for a Democratic Society, who emceed the action at the capitol, told the crowd, “This attack is just one of many carried out by the Trump administration and its allies on queer and trans people. It is one of many attacks used to try to make trans and queer people afraid while our rights keep getting stripped away.”

The crowd outside the capitol chanted “Donald Trump, let’s be clear, trans folks are welcome here!” and “Donald Trump, go away, trans folks are here to stay!”

After hearing speeches, the crowd took the streets of Denver. The protest leaders got on the back of a truck to continue chants throughout Capitol Hill, a neighborhood considered Denver’s main LGBTQ hub. Throughout the march, the crowd was cheered on by passersby in the local queer-owned businesses as they halted Friday night traffic.

After the protesters marched back to the capitol, Katherine Draken, a member of Teamsters for a Democratic Union gave a speech. Draken said, “It deserves to be repeated that conversion therapy has been thoroughly discredited! Doing conversion therapy on transgender children is child abuse!”

The protest closed out with more speeches, closing remarks, and chants calling for trans liberation.

#DenverCO #CO #LGBTQ #SupremeCourt #SCOTUS

Denver, CO – On Saturday, March 28, over 20,000 people showed up at the steps of the Colorado State Capitol to protest the Trump administration’s continued attacks on oppressed people and to demand an end to foreign wars. The day’s program included speeches as well as live music from Colorado Singing Resistance, Los Mocochetes, Brothers of Brass, and Notes of Dissent. The event, the third of its kind, was organized by a coalition of grassroots organizations, including Denver Coalition Against Trump, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Aurora Unidos CSO, Indivisible, and various labor unions.

Trump’s first year back in office has seen increased ICE attacks resulting in the kidnapping of community members. Laws passed by reactionary politicians have pushed back women’s, LGBTQ, and civil rights by decades in some instances. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, launched a war in Iran, and tightened its sanctions and blockade of Cuba. All of this, in addition to many other grievances, was aired by the protesters during the event, which lasted all afternoon.

Protesters began pouring into the capitol grounds around noon. Grassroots organizations set up tents and tables around the pavilion to share educational material and opportunities for organizing. The event was kicked off with short protest songs and a series of speeches by members of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Rocky Mountain Equality, the ACLU, Colorado Education Association, and Rise and Represent.

“We are here to send one clear message: that the years and decades of exploitation and abuse by the billionaire class, the capitalist class, the Epstein class, on our communities must come to an end today,” said Kooper Karaway, executive director of Colorado Education Association.

After the initial rounds of speakers, two marches started. Chants filled the streets of downtown Denver as tens of thousands of protesters marched past places of business and recreation. People watched from the balconies of their apartments, cars honked in support, and Brothers of Brass kept spirits high.

After the two marches, there were more speeches back at the Colorado State Capitol.

“Here’s the good news: this war against the people of the world is not one-sided. There is widespread resistance, both here at home and all over the world.” said Shaine Carroll-Frey of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “One year ago today, Jeanette Vizguerra was detained over in Aurora by ICE. Where is she today? She’s here with us! We did that! With constant vigils, weekly vigils and protests, we freed Jeanette! That’s what organized people power looks like – that’s what organized worker power looks like.”

“We win when we all get into the struggle. We win when we let go of our fear.” said Jade Kelly, president of CWA Local 7799. “If you leave No Kings today remembering only one thing, remember the simple truth: that we already have the power as working people. We built this world. We keep this state running with our labor. And we have the power to build a better world. We just have to organize to get it.”

#DenverCO #CO #NoKings #PeoplesStruggles #AntiWarMovement #Labor #ImmigrantRights

Denver, CO – On Wednesday, March 11, Denver Students for a Democratic Society (Denver SDS) rallied to demand that the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) – the owner and manager of the Auraria campus and all its buildings — ban ICE from campus.

The crowd of students gathered outside the Physical Education building and marched around the Tivoli Quad, chanting, “What do we want? ICE off campus! When do we want it? Now!” and “Skip Spear, can’t you hear? We want ICE out of here!”

During the spring 2025 semester, the Auraria Board of Directors passed a policy detailing what would happen if ICE is confirmed to be on campus. However, the policy does nothing except restate current state law regarding any federal agent activity: the Auraria Campus Police Department won’t interfere with any ICE or DHS operations, and the only requirement of ICE agents is that they have a judicial warrant.

ICE and the DHS are also allowed to teach in Auraria classrooms and recruit at job fairs, and have done so in the past, endangering immigrant students.

Nels Pine, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, stated, “The problem is that ICE is coming on to campus, the same force that’s killing people in Minneapolis, and detaining people in Aurora right here in our community.”

While other multicultural student organizations at MSU Denver and CU Denver share Denver SDS’ concerns about AHEC’s passivity, students are confident in the campus community protecting each other.

“There is beauty in being one of Colorado’s schools with the most diversity, and they’re here to attack them,” said Aya Sharia of the Sudanese Student Union. “The cowards of border control will never know what it’s like to have a community that sticks by your side.”

The fight against AHEC’s refusal to protect the Auraria immigrant student population will continue on campus and at future board of directors meetings.

#DenverCO #CO #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #SDS

Denver, CO – On Sunday, March 8, International Women’s Day, over 200 people gathered at the Colorado State Capitol for a rally and march to celebrate the ongoing struggle for women's liberation.

The event comes in the midst of increased ICE presence, U.S.-Israeli military operations in Iran, the U.S. blockade of Cuba, and U.S. military interventions in Venezuela and elsewhere.

“Women’s oppression under capitalism takes on many forms, but across the world we are seeing women's struggles of resistance,” said Katherine Draken of FRSO, “We see the women of Gaza fighting back against a U.S.-funded genocide. We see the women of Venezuela bravely standing up to U.S. imperialism to defend the Bolivarian Revolution even as Maduro and First Lady Flores were abducted. We see the women of Cuba fighting back against a U.S. embargo and blockades. We see the women of Iran fighting back against U.S. warmongering after the U.S. bombed a girl’s school and slaughtered 168 children.”

Close to 70,000 people are currently held in ICE detention centers, and ICE is no longer required to report gender-based demographics. Multiple complaints filed with various human rights organizations have alleged sexual violence and torture against women at these facilities.

“We will stop at nothing until we get justice for our sisters and siblings. When ICE comes into our streets, we will stand with immigrant women and say, ‘No more ICE!,’” said Kacey Hicks of SDS.

ICE policy states that “ICE should not detain, arrest, or take into custody for an administrative violation of the immigration laws individuals known to be pregnant, postpartum, or nursing” except in exceptional circumstances, but this policy is routinely ignored.

A march through downtown Denver came after the initial round of speakers, the voices of the protesters ringing out down the 16th Street Mall, in front of the Federal Courthouse, and outside the Customs House. Chants about women’s liberation, trans liberation, Palestinian liberation, and an end to the war in Iran echoed off the concrete and glass.

The final speaker of the rally, Z Williams of Bread and Roses Legal Center, stated, “It's time we unite now. Join one of the organizations here, join a consolidated organized struggle and fight for your neighbors, fight for your siblings, and fight for yourselves!”

Members of over a dozen organizations, including Aurora Unidos CSO, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), the US Palestinian Community Network, Denver Anti-War Action, and the Denver Aurora Community Action Committee came together for this event.

#DenverCO #CO #InternationalWomensDay #WomensMovement #ImmigrantRights

Denver, CO – Around two dozen activists in Denver gather in front of Colorado Senator Michael Bennet’s office to demand that he oppose Trump’s recent escalations against Cuba and that he support the release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

The rally was called by Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA) in response to a national call for a day of action from the Anti-War Action Network, addressing the urgency in resisting Trump’s attacks on Venezuela, Cuba and Iran.

Protesters gathered in front of the building and occupied the space right next to Speer Boulevard during rush hour, allowing thousands of cars driving by to see banners demanding “No war with Venezuela” and “Reel in Trump.” Members of the crowd held Cuban and Venezuelan flags as well as signs to show solidarity with the countries under attack. DAWA members spoke out against Donald Trump’s actions and the disastrous effects they have had so far.

Salym Mead of DAWA told the crowd, “In the early morning of January 3, 2026, the United States forces launched an aggressive, illegal and large-scale attack on Venezuela. During the attack, 83 people were killed and more than 112 were injured. The U.S. forces then kidnapped the president and his wife.”

Mead contined, “Since the abduction, the United States has been controlling the Venezuelan people’s oil, stealing 50 million barrels for themselves, and shipping more to Israel to continue their genocide of the Palestinian people. Cuba – who heavily relied on Venezuelan oil – has been affected greatly by Maduro’s abduction.”

Born and raised in Cuba, Dailyn Briñas with Cuba Sí Colorado said, “Most of my family in Cuba is living without power for 12-plus hours, with rotting food, little to no medicine and are missing basic supplies.”

Briñas continued, “The oil siege that has been employed recently has made transportation in the country virtually impossible.” This has resulted in produce that is still being farmed spoiling prior to distribution. Soon, Briñas will be traveling with a convoy to bring humanitarian aid to Cuba in an attempt to break the siege.

The energy stayed high in the crowd as the emcee raised chants such as “No boots on the ground, no bombs in the air! U.S. out of everywhere!” DAWA has always spoken out against U.S. aggression and intervention, and the grassroots group is taking to the streets to lead emergency actions to raise awareness about the current military madness

As cars drove past the action, the streets were filled with car horns honking in support. Motorists waved and raised fists and peace signs in solidarity with the community members.

While the president has made promises of no new wars, he has escalated military might in many countries this year alone and the people have had enough. The propaganda that Trump and the billionaire war profiteers are trying to sell the people is not working. The people are ready to take a stand against war and the criminal actions of the Trump administration.

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #Cuba #Venezuela

Englewood, CO – On Saturday, February 21, about 50 community members joined Aurora Unidos Community Service Organization (AUCSO) at Centennial Airport for a car protest with one clear message: no more deportation flights taking off from our backyard.

The action called on Key Lime Air and JetCenters of Colorado to end their roles in supporting ICE transfers and deportation flights. When it comes to family separation, AUCSO says “business as usual” just doesn’t fly.

Before the car rally began, Alfredo Carbajal, an organizer with AUCSO stated, “These companies want you to think they are just local businesses. They want to blend into the scenery. But we know the truth – while we stand here, planes are being fueled and prepared to tear families apart.”

The car caravan consisted of about 25 vehicles, windows adorned with neon paint. Some cars carried oversized signs jutting from their windows with a direct demand, “JetCenters of Colorado: Cancel your contract with Key Lime Air now!”

The caravan slowly looped the small, unassuming terminal for over an hour, horns sounding in unison. Megaphones carried chants of: “Shame on you, Key Lime Air. We’re not going anywhere!” and “No to ICE! No more deportation flights!”

Some bystanders waved and cars honked in support; several even joined the caravan.

This action came after several recent organizing efforts challenging deportation infrastructure across Colorado. Earlier in the week, organizers called for a full day of call-ins to disrupt JetCenters’ operations and demand they end their sublease agreement. Offices in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and the Denver metro area felt the pressure, but the focus remained on Centennial Airport, which is home base for Key Lime Air’s deportation operations.

At its core, the rally centered on the idea that neutrality is a choice.

As Carbajal points out, “You can say ‘we just provide the service,’ but silence is complicity. When Key Lime Air fires up those engines, they aren't just burning fuel. They are burning through the moral fabric of our community.”

AUCSO and partner organizations have pledged to sustain pressure on local entities and officials until deportation profiteering is ended.

#DenverCO #CO #ImmigrantRights

Denver, CO – On a sunny afternoon on Saturday, February 28, the Denver Coalition Against Trump, the Colorado Palestine Coalition, and more than 100 people mobilized in front of the Colorado State Capitol to demand “Hands off Iran,” and to say no to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

“It's clear that the people are ready, at the drop of a hat, to come out and stand boldly against Trump's egregious attacks whenever and wherever they bear their ugly heads!” said Eliot Howe of Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA).

DAWA recently led a coalition that helped to drive AI surveillance and weapons firm Palantir out of Denver. DAWA members wore unmistakable black shirts bearing the symbol of a fist breaking a nuclear missile and passed out signs reading, “No war with Iran! Stop the military madness!” A couple of members stood at the table discussing their recent campaign victory with participants.

“If you’re here and you’re not affiliated with an organization, that’s your homework,” said Nels Pine, a cadre of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “Find an organization that you can seriously get involved with and do some of the difficult work that will push this movement forward to a higher level, to get this where it needs to go, to get Donald Trump where he needs to go— to a goddamn prison! To go on trial for his war crimes!”

Flags for the Islamic Republic of Iran and Palestine dotted the crowd, flying above banners that read, “Hands off Iran” and “No war with Iran! U.S. intervention benefits no one!”

The people took to the streets in a march seizing Colfax Avenue, the busiest transit strip in the Denver metro area. The march and action gained momentum as people took the struggle to the streets, proceeding from the Colorado State Capitol around the Denver County Jail and back to the capitol.

The event concluded with a speech by Omar French of the United States Palestinian Community Network, who addressed the academics who came to rally, saying, “I call on all students and professors to use your leverage in the capacities that you have, to pressure your universities to get them to divest from the occupation.”

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #Iran #DAWA

The attack took place on the morning of February 25, against a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops of the Ministry of the Interior, in the northeast area of the El Pino canal, in Cayo Falcones, Corralillo municipality, Villa Clara province.

According to preliminary statements by those detained by the Cuban government, they had intentions to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes.

Aboard the speedboat the men had in their possession assault rifles, handguns, Molotov cocktails, bulletproof vests, telescopic devices and camouflage uniforms.

The Cuban Ministry of the Interior released a statement identifying the individuals as Amijail Sánchez González, Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, and Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. Among the deceased was Michel Ortega Casanova. Work is being done to identify the other three.

Those identified so far are Cubans living in the United States, most of them with a known history of criminal and violent activity, including Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez. Both men appear on the national list of persons and entities that, by virtue of Resolution 1373 of the United Nations Security Council, international law and Cuban legal system, have been subjected to criminal investigations and are sought by the Cuban authorities, based on their involvement in the promotion, planning, organization, financing, support or commission of actions materialized in the national territory or in other countries, based on acts of terrorism.

Duniel Hernández Santos has been identified by Cuban authorities as an on-island accomplice. Authorities report that he has confessed to being sent from the United States to guarantee the reception of the armed infiltration.

First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez said in a public statement, “We have stated this on repeated occasions and we reaffirm it today: Cuba will defend itself with determination and firmness against any terrorist and mercenary aggression that seeks to affect its sovereignty and national stability.”

Attacks like this have occurred before. The United States government has used attacks like these in the past in an attempt to destabilize and overthrow the popular and democratically determined Cuban government.

After 1959 the CIA recruited and trained thousands of Cuban exiles in Miami to infiltrate or invade Cuba. This preparation was for the operation which would take place in the Bay of Pigs in April 1961, when Brigade 2506 landed by sea in a failed U.S.-organized invasion.

After the Bay of Pigs, Kennedy authorized Operation Mongoose, a secret government program that included plans for speedboat raids, sabotage and assassination, using Cuban exile groups as proxies. CIA Director Allen Dulles oversaw U.S. financial support to give to exile political groups, which it was subsidizing at a level of $90,000 per month ($999,067.58 in 2026 dollars).

The Trump administration has continued this legacy of aggression toward Cuba. On January 29, Trump signed Executive Order 14380, declaring a national emergency “with respect to Cuba” and placing tariffs on imports from any country that sells or provides oil to the Cuban state. This is on top of the U.S, blockade to stop almost all trade, banking and investment between U.S. entities and Cuba, and to coerce other countries and companies away from trading with Cuba.

People from all over the world have long opposed the blockade on Cuba, from the streets of Chicago to Havana and echoed in the halls of the UN by the world majority, against the stranglehold that the United States imposes on the world. Voices from all around the globe cry out for an end to the blockade.

#DenverCO #CO #International #Cuba #Featured

Denver, CO – On February 21, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) organized a Strike Day of Action at the unionized Starbucks store on 16th Street in Denver, Colorado, to rally workers and supporters to demand the company stop stonewalling contract negotiations and bargain a decent contract with their unionized workers.

“I got this job for the benefits, which are being eroded away. I love this job enough to want to make it better for myself and all my coworkers,” said a striking Starbucks barista.

SBWU and Starbucks have been in negotiations for the first Starbucks contract since 2021, with Starbucks CEO Bryan Nichols facing mounting pressure from the striking workers. Starbucks workers started the Red Cup Rebellion strike on November 13, 2025, demanding livable wages, full staffing with reasonable hours, and transgender inclusive healthcare. The strike has expanded to over 190 stores across over 130 cities, making it the largest and longest work stoppage in Starbucks history.

“We want to make it clear to Starbucks and their customers that we want the company to come back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract that works for both parties,” said Lucille Wayne, Starbucks barista and SBWU strike captain. “We've been unionized for four years. Starbucks has been stonewalling us this entire time. Workers are living paycheck to paycheck, we're getting scheduled less hours and losing our healthcare.”

Since unionization efforts began in December 2021 Starbucks has failed to meet workers' demands and has amassed over 1000 Unfair Labor Practice charges for union-busting, retaliatory firings, surveillance, and failure to bargain in good faith.

“There's been no progress in bargaining since late 2024. Starbucks doesn't want to give in to our very reasonable demands,” said Naomi Wilson, Starbucks barista and event organizer.

Supporters from the community, along with organizers from Teamsters for a Democratic Union and Democratic Socialists of America came to support the picket line. SBWU organizers and event attendees chanted “What's disgusting? Union busting! What's outrageous, Starbucks wages” and “No contract, no coffee” to dozens of community members in attendance and hundreds of passersby, most of whom did not cross the picket line.

The strike is set to end on February 24, with workers scheduled to return to work the next day. Despite the end of the strike, workers expressed that they will continue organizing, canvassing other Starbucks stores to gain more support for the union, and to sign up additional workers to join SBWU.

“I hope to see more stores get organized. We've been canvassing to help other stores unionize. If you're interested in unionizing go to SBWorkersUnited.org”, said Naomi Wilson as the event came to a close.

#DenverCO #CO #Labor #Starbucks #SBWU #Strike

Denver, CO — On Tuesday, February 10, over 50 Denver community members showed their public support for the Denver Art Museum Workers United (DAMWU) as they prepare for another round of negotiations with the company later this month. Contract negotiations have continued for the past year and a half since the initial vote for union recognition.

Supporting DAMWU were Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU), Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), Denver Public Libraries Workers United (DPLWU), and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).

DAMWU won their union election in March of 2024 and since then has made great strides in achieving better working conditions for museum employees.

The fight, however, is not over and negotiations surrounding livable wages, health and safety standards, and immigration protection are still ongoing.

Sarah Darlene, an artist and union supporter, spoke at the event about the importance of union presence saying, “When workers are paid well, admissions go up, and the quality of the museum increases.”

Many Denver Art Museum employees hold two or more jobs despite working 40 hours a week providing a valuable public service in spreading awareness and knowledge through access to art.

Health and safety issues are also of critical importance to the union. The museum has refused to allow their gallery attendants to sit without a doctor’s note during their eight-hour shifts. One union member mentioned her father’s lifelong career as a construction worker, saying “One thing management never required of him was standing for the sake of standing.” Along with this basic request are demands for an extension of maternity leave and additional annual sick time.

Denver citizens showed their support through chants like, “Exploitation ain’t the way, workers gotta get their pay,” and “When livable wage is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” Denver workers and community members feel the cost of living weighing down on them, and they will fight to earn a livable wage.

DAMWU will return to the table on Thursday, February 26 to continue negotiating their first contract. Whether the company will agree to come to a resolution remains to be seen.

#DenverCO #CO #Labor #DAMWU #TDU #Teamsters #DPLWU #FRSO

Denver, CO – On January 31 over 100 protesters gathered at James Manley Park in Denver for a rally against the tech and AI surveillance company Palantir, which has been headquartered in the state since leaving their Silicon Valley location in 2020. This spring, the company plans to move from their downtown Denver office to the Cherry Creek Financial House just four miles away.

Crowds began gathering at the park around 10 a.m., rallying with signs demanding “No AI for war crimes!” and “No AI for ICE!”

Palantir has been involved closely in contracts and deals with both the Israeli Defense Force and ICE. Their technology has enabled these forces to carry out operations in Palestine and the U.S., aiding and exacerbating both the ongoing genocide in Gaza and Trump’s war against immigrants.

The march kicked off with musical accompaniment by Denver protest marching band Notes of Dissent and then the crowd took to the streets of Cherry Creek. People followed the emcee in chants and passed out flyers with a link to a petition calling on the city of Denver and MarketOnce to cancel Palantir’s lease.

Approaching the Financial House, protesters took the main intersection of a busy shopping area where the crowd heard from Lucy Blick of Denver Anti-War Action, who spoke about Palantir’s role in the genocide in Palestine, stating “When our tax dollars are funding genocide and ICE murders, and the AI technology of war is made right here in our city, there is no other choice than to stand against this company.” She also criticized Colorado Governor Jared Polis for inviting Palantir and its CEO Alex Karp to the state with the promise of lower median wages and corporate taxes.

Participants followed the emcee in chants like, “No ICE! No Palantir! The people do not want you here!” Some nearby workers and passersby joined in chanting, with a number signing the petition.

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #Palantir

Denver, CO – On January 3, the Trump administration launched airstrikes on Venezuela and kidnapped President Maduro from his home country. On January 22, just days after the semester started, a group of students from Denver Students for a Democratic Society held a protest outside Metropolitan State University’s Jordan Student Success Building.

Metropolitan State University maintains a relationship with Lockheed Martin, one of the leading weapons manufacturers in the world, that includes a building on the Auraria campus. Within those walls, there are students who are being groomed to build the very weapons that were used in the attack on Venezuela. Denver SDS condemned Metropolitan State University for its relationship with Lockheed Martin.

“The U.S. military used Lockheed’s bombs on Caracas in civilian neighborhoods in the middle of the night and killed 80 people while abducting Maduro and his wife. And guess who funneled engineering students into creating weapons of war used to terrorize other countries? Guess who is the main funder of the Auraria engineering program? Lockheed Martin!” said Bailey Heaton of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)

Lockheed Martin provides funds to over 900 colleges and universities all over the United States. They are also one of the top employers of engineering students, as a high paying career in weapons manufacturing is attractive to freshly graduated students with high student loans. While students face excessively high education costs and struggle to make ends meet financially, MSU lines its pockets with money from one of the most destructive weapons manufacturing agencies in the world.

“The U.S. was facilitated by genocide of the indigenous population of this land and was built by the backs of those who were enslaved. This system existed to keep the wealth and power in the hands of the white elite, who sat in their thrones across the seas in their plantation mansions, while they built our country on the backs of people coerced to be here. And now we see them trying to continue this legacy of harm through the prison industrial complex that is enslaving Black and brown bodies once more to the war profiteering that leaves other countries decimated and our veterans broken and the complete lack of government accountability,” said Elizabeth Wolf, from the Psychedelic and Natural Medicine Alliance.

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #SDS

Denver, CO – On Sunday, January 25, over 1200 protesters arrived at the Colorado Capitol in Denver, Colorado, to stand in solidarity with the fight against ICE in Minneapolis. The noon time action was led by the Denver Coalition Against Trump to protest the second ICE murder in Minneapolis in the past month.

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis ICU nurse, was tackled to the ground by multiple ICE agents, and repeatedly shot. The people of Denver came together in the cold to protest and to fight back against Trump’s attacks on the people by saying no to more ICE activity.

Protesters gathered at the capitol steps to listen to speeches. Jeanette Vizguerra, a long-time activist and political prisoner who was detained and held by ICE for over nine months stated, “In case the situation in Minnesota comes here, the people are prepared!” While talking about the campaign that set her free along with the preparation from organizers to deal with ICE, Vizguerra encouraged the crowd saying, “I am very proud of my community! I am very proud of Colorado!”

Kyle Burroughs of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke on the difficulties shared by the people in the U.S. and the need to organize for a new society, stating, “Exploitation, inequality and oppression are rewarded in this system and we need to name it and shame it – I’m talking about capitalism,” to shouts of “Shame!” from the crowd. Burroughs continued, “Capitalism, the same system that produced Donald Trump and that will produce even more Trumps unless and until we stop it– until we turn this system on its head!”

After listening to speeches, the crowd walked down the steps of the capitol and into the streets to march. Throughout the march, the crowd made sure that downtown Denver could hear them loud and clear. While chanting, “Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE,” the crowd also joined in with blowing whistles and making noise downtown. The crowd joined in calling for justice for the victims of ICE murder. The emcees led the crowd in saying the names of the recent victims of ICE murder, Renee Good, Alex Pretti and Keith Porter.

After passing by the Denver Immigration Court, the location where ICE used to stage for deportations before being chased out by community organizers, the march returned to the Colorado Capitol steps.

The protest ended with a speech from Bailey Heaton of the Denver Students for a Democratic Society, “This is the third murder by ICE agents in three weeks! On top of this, they have started kidnapping toddlers and separating them from their families when they’re barely in kindergarten!” Heaton continued, “These attacks are what immigrant students at the Auraria schools are afraid of. They’re terrified of their parents, siblings, and themselves being taken by ICE and deported just because of their immigration status. They’re scared of being taken while they’re in class or walking to their car on campus.”

The protest ended with closing remarks from the emcees. who invited the crowd to check out the tables behind the protest truck so that demonstrators could learn more about organizing efforts in their community and how to fight back against the Trump agenda.

#DenverCO #CO #ImmigrantRights #ICE #KillerICE #DCAT #FRSO #SDS

Denver, CO — On January 17, nearly a year after Trump’s inauguration, the Denver Coalition Against Trump (DENCAT), alongside other organizations, led a rally and march from the Colorado Capitol to the Denver Immigration Court.

The main slogans for the action were “One year is enough!” and “No ICE. No war. No Trump!”

Over 500 community members rallied together to protest the Trump administration’s warmongering abroad and attacks on immigrants locally. People loudly chanted from the capitol to the immigration court and back, “¡La migra! ¡La policia! ¡La misma porqueria!” and “The people united will never be defeated!”

During his first year of his second term in office, Trump sent ICE to terrorize communities and detain immigrants en masse, illegally sent the National Guard into progressive states, and repealed oil drilling protections for National Parks and federally protected lands.

He also carried out acts of war in Venezuela, kidnapped President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Flores, and threatened war on Mexico, Greenland, Denmark, and much of Latin America.

Yoselin Corrales of Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke on Venezuela and its people’s resolve in the face of threats from the U.S., stating, “For over 25 years, U.S. imperialism has been waging a relentless campaign of sanctions and sabotage, slanderous lies in the media, and now open acts of war against Venezuela and their leader Nicolás Maduro. So far, every tactic has failed because the Bolivarian Revolution is rooted in the will of the Venezuelan people, and the people refuse to back down!”

The vast majority of Americans reject Trump and his actions against sovereign countries and people in the U.S. Trump’s approval rating at this time has fallen to 40%.

“It’s worth noting that despite Trump’s atrocious track record during his first go-around, the American public chose him again because he made promises that resonate with the struggles of your next door neighbor,” said Ben Tan, a member of Denver Students for a Democratic Society. “Donald Trump lied and told us that mass deportations and kidnappings would secure our economy, and people believed him because we still need two jobs to keep the lights on!”

Wide swaths of people across the country have shown up to rally and march against Trump and his blatant attacks on human rights both in and outside the U.S., and Denver has made it clear that one year of Trump is more than enough.

#DenverCO #CO #PeoplesStruggles #Trump

Denver, CO – On January 7, 250 people gathered outside the GEO ICE detention facility in response to the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent. Good was observing an ICE raid in Minneapolis, one of Trump’s target cities in his campaign to escalate his deportation agenda.

Community members in Denver came together for a vigil for Good and the political prisoners ICE has taken and put in detention in Aurora. Many groups came out to support families of detained prisoners and to further demand the end of GEO contracts in Colorado.

Brandon Gehrke, a member of Aurora Unidos CSO, led the rally in chanting, “Power to the people! No one is illegal!” According to Gehrke, “Members of our community will show up in solidarity when one of us is attacked, not just to mourn the death of Renee Good but for the political prisoners behind these walls.”

The GEO detention center, which, until recently, held activist Jeanette Vizguerra, is known in Aurora for its inhumane treatment of its occupants. Observers who have been inside note a lack of sanitation across the entire building and practically inedible food for detainees. GEO has also failed to provide medicine and medical services to those inside the facility.

Members of Aurora Unidos CSO demand that GEO end its contract with ICE and stop the illegal arrest and deportation of the immigrant community.

#DenverCO #CO #ImmigrantRights #ReneeGood #AUCSO

Denver, CO – On January 3, around 200 people gathered at the Colorado State Capitol building to protest attacks on Venezuela by the United States. In the dark of the night, Caracas was hit with a barrage of aerial strikes that claimed the lives of an unknown number of Venezuelan citizens, while U.S. armed forces kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA), the main organizer of the event, spoke out against Trump’s open declaration of war against Venezuela.

“I’m so glad to see so many people were ready. You woke up this morning, saw the news, and knew you had to act. That’s what we need!” said Julia Swezy of DAWA. “We need people power; we need boots on the ground.”

Rally attendees held banners and signs with messages such as “Stop the U.S. war on Venezuela,” “No wars, stop the bombs,” “We want peace,” and “Free President Maduro.” Swezy led the crowd in a series of chants, such as, “We will say it every time, U.S sanctions are a crime!” before passing the microphone to activists of various local organizations like Students for a Democratic Society, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and the US Palestinian Community Network.

After several speeches, protesters marched through downtown, from the capitol building to the office of Senator Michael Bennet. Outside of Bennet’s office, the rally continued with speakers demanding that the United States stop its illegal occupation and release Maduro, while shaming the complicit politicians like Governor Jared Polis for refusing to condemn the attack on Venezuela.

“The United States bombed a sovereign nation; we don’t know how much destruction there was, we don’t know how many people were killed, but we do know that the United States has kidnapped the democratically elected, popular president of Venezuela,” said Shaine Carroll-Frey of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Among the speakers was Jeanette Vizguerra, a local activist who just last month was released from ICE custody after nine months of a sustained campaign to free her from ICE detention.

“In this moment, this imperialist president tried to take control of Venezuela,” said Vizguerra, “These countries have many resources: oil, petroleum, gas; this is the real [reason] that this country invaded Venezuela.” Vizguerra continued, “Everybody needs to wake up and open their eyes. Everybody needs to fight together. This fight is for everybody, this fight is for community. Everybody needs to work together!”

After Vizguerra's speech, the crowd marched back to the capitol.

Organizers ended the event with a call to get organized. “We must keep mobilizing, the price of failure is too high,” said Eliot Howe of DAWA, “Continue to show up, organize, and get loud. Join an organization here today, attend the meetings weekly, and get out to more actions – our collective liberation depends on it.”

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #DAWA

Denver, CO – On December 21, protesters gathered at the Cherry Creek Financial House in Denver for a noise rally to protest at the new headquarters of Palantir. The tech and AI surveillance company has plans to move into the new Cherry Creek location after months of community organizing have made their downtown headquarters untenable.

Palantir, whose technology is widely used by ICE to track immigrants and by Israel to facilitate genocide in Gaza, was invited to place its headquarters in Denver by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, after protests drove them out of California in 2020.

The crowd, armed with drums, pots and pans, trumpets and even a saxophone, followed the emcee in chants before hearing a speech from Denver Anti-War Action member Andrew Marquetalia, who said, “We’ve made it clear that Palantir is not welcome here in Denver. We’re out here making noise and we’ll be back again and again until Palantir cancels their planned move into this building.”

And make noise, they did. Streets away the drumming and chanting could be heard amid a busy shopping area just days before Christmas. Attendees and passersby were encouraged to sign a petition for the cancellation of Palantir’s lease and to demand Palantir out of Denver and out of Colorado.

In a speech, Terry Burnsed of the May Day Club said of Palantir, “They target all of these communities. Terror is both a commodity making profits, and an enforcer of the profit making regime. They target those who resist and those who don’t alike.”

Kacey Hicks with Freedom Road Socialist Organization highlighted U.S. attacks on Venezuela, explaining, “We need to continue to stand strong with the people of Venezuela. We need to stand firm in opposition to cowardly acts by Trump, like stealing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The threat of Palantir using their AI technology on the people of Venezuela is real.”

In another speech, Brandan Gehrke with Aurora Unidos CSO told the crowd, “Palantir’s founders talk about defending freedom while building tools to destroy it. They claim to see the world clearly, but all they see is targets. We see a different world, a better world, a world where families are able to go to school without fear, a day where everyone has access to healthcare, and a day where the end of the genocide of Palestinians comes.”

Crowds circled the block with their chants and drums, demanding the attention of shoppers passing by with chants like “Palantir, can’t you see? Time to pack it up and leave!” and “Palantir, can’t you hear? Denver doesn’t want you here!”

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #Palantir

Denver, Colorado – On Saturday, December 20, Aurora Unidos Community Service Organization (AUCSO) along with 30 community members took to the streets with a car rally to participate in national day action against deportation flights. At The Denver International Airport (DIA), participants lined up in their cars, some holding signs, others with writings on their vehicles with a clear message “From the ground to the air – stop deportations everywhere!”

Right before the car caravan began, Brandon Quintanilla, organizer from AUCSO condemned Key Lime Air for “profiting off of tearing our communities apart.” He mentioned one such case, a “76-year-old man with dementia that was held in ICE custody at the Aurora GEO facility for the last four months. Earlier last week we were made aware after some investigation that he was transferred to Fort Bliss Camp detention center in El Paso, Texas, an infamous site for their human rights abuses – physical and sexual assault of detainees. ICE transported him without informing family, community members or lawyers.”

About 18 vehicles made their way to DIA’s terminals honking and chanting “No to Key Lime, no to ICE, no more deportation flights!”

Key Lime Air, based in Englewood, Colorado at Centennial Airport and a subsidiary of Denver Air Connection, has been responsible for over 275 deportation flights and transfer flights. Upon arrival at the terminals, protesters were met with a large police presence including SWAT, who blocked the protesters path and forced them onto an alternate route. Undeterred, demonstrators continued with their caravan for at least an hour, looping through the East and West terminals of DIA.

Many of the people in the public honked in support and cheered, some even joined the caravan. As the caravan did their last loop through DIA, protesters rallied at a parking lot to conclude their action.

“We will continue to hold local entities, like Key Lime Air and elected officials, accountable for their role in these flights, and are here today to continue the fight,” Yoselin Corrales, an immigrant and organizer with AUCSO stated, “Key Lime cannot continue to do business as usual – we simply will not let them. And the way we continue to do that is to organize!”

Yoselin mentioned AUCSO’s recent meeting with the Centennial Airport CEO and vice board president who “denied their involvement” with Key Lime Air operations with ICE. Yoselin also mentioned the recent win in Denver: “Last week, the Denver City Council almost unanimously voted down a contract extension with Key Lime Air! Because when we fight we win!”

The event concluded with unified chats of “Shame on you Key Lime Air, We’re not going anywhere!”

#DenverCO #CO #ImmigrantRights #AUCSO

Denver, CO – Organizers in Denver are continuing the fight against local airline Key Lime Air, responsible for deportation flights.

Over the last week, the campaign to stop Key Lime Air from operating deportation flights has expanded. Organizers from Aurora Unidos CSO, Immigrant Partnership Teams, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, and Casa de Paz gathered outside of the Denver City Council meeting on December 15. The city councilors were scheduled to vote on Key Lime Air’s presence at Denver International Airport. If passed, the bill would expand Key Lime Air’s contract with the airport by increasing its operating space there.

In September and October alone, Key Lime Air operated over 275 transfer and deportation flights, which likely continued to increase in scale in November and December with funding from a $563 million contract through CSI Aviation from the Department of Homeland Security. The airline continues to make profits from creating harm and abuse through deportations and family separation.

Leading up to the vote, there was a concerted effort between organizations to do an email campaign to each city council member. Social media posts across the organizations urged community members to voice their concern for the potential expansion of a company that is benefiting from tearing communities apart. Organizers received responses from some of the council members, with two stating they would vote no. On the day of the city council meeting, organizers gathered outside of City Hall to say no to deportation flights, no to Key Lime Air colluding with ICE, and no to the requested expansion.

After the protest, organizers and community members joined the public comment session during the city council meeting to ensure council members heard their demands. Denver’s city council ultimately listened to the people and voted down the motion to expand Key Lime Air’s operations at Denver International Airport 11 to 1.

During the meeting, Denver Councilmember Sarah Parady said, “We know that people have been deported to countries they have never been to and have been deported completely erroneously. I have no interest in supporting this deportation machine and if an aviation grant is what’s on the line, it's clear to me where the city should stand on that, and where my obligations are to people in this city and around the country.”

This win was a celebrated victory in the campaign against Key Lime Air. In the short term, the fight to stop Key Lime Air’s deportation operations continued with a car rally on December 20 circling Denver International Airport demanding an end to the deportation flights. The campaign’s long-term goals will be to stop the airport from renewing Key Lime Air’s contract in 2027. Organizing groups note that they are determined to fight against the deportation flights by continuing to resist, disrupt, and expose the systems tearing apart the local community.

#DenverCO #CO #ImmigrantRights

Denver, CO – For the past month, organizers in Denver have been fighting a local airline on the issue of deportation flights.

On December 3, organizers from Aurora Unidos CSO, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Casa de Paz, and Immigrant Partnership Teams came together for an exploratory meeting with CEO of Centennial Airport, Mike Fronapfel, as well as Arapahoe County Commissioner and Vice President of the Airport Authority Board Jessica Campbell. The purpose of the meeting was to gather information about the nature of Centennial Airport’s relationship with Key Lime Air, share about the harmful, wide-ranging effects of deportation flights, and ask what steps can be taken to remove this company from the airport.

Key Lime Air, and subsidiary Denver Air Connection, are headquartered at Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colorado, off a major thoroughfare between East Aurora and South Denver, and, notably, within Jessica Campbell’s district.

In September and October alone, Key Lime Air operated over 275 transfer and deportation flights, which likely continued to increase in scale in November and December with funding from a $563 million contract through CSI Aviation from the Department of Homeland Security. In the meeting, it was stated that Key Lime Air is a sub-tenant of jetCenters of Colorado, a ground contractor based at the airport, and so the board “cannot just kick them out.” However, while Campbell and Fronapfel focused on the airport board’s limitations, organizers focused on finding solutions.

On the following Thursday afternoon, December 9, as planes took off and landed nearby, community organizers hosted a protest against Key Lime Air outside of the Centennial Airport. Members of Aurora Unidos CSO and Immigrant Partnership Teams encouraged Arapahoe and Douglas County residents to join them at the Airport Authority Board of Commissioners meeting to let their representatives know how the community feels about Key Lime Air’s collaboration with ICE.

“We know that this cannot be allowed to continue – not in our state, not in our home, and not while we have anything to say about it,” declared Jordyn Merritt with Immigrant Partnership Teams.

In addition to urging others to attend public comment, organizers joined together to demand an end to deportation flights, discuss the real world implications of immigrants unknowingly being torn away from community support, and to demand the return of detainee William Javier.

William Javier, a 76-year-old with dementia, was taken by ICE in August after showing up at the Centennial ICE Office under the guise of a “check-in.” He willingly showed up and went in because he believed they could help with his case, but, instead, he was immediately detained and transferred to the local for-profit prison, the GEO Detention Center in Aurora. Organizations in the community fundraised over $7000 to assist with fees for legal representation, but, as his health continued to decline in the detention center, he was moved to the medical ward, where he was then limited from outside access.

On December 9, after losing contact with him for weeks, members of Aurora Unidos CSO were informed that Javier was unknowingly transferred to Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas. Just this week, the ACLU of Texas published a damning testimony of human rights violations occurring at the facility, including medical neglect and malnutrition. Organizers are now determining next steps to get Javier back home. Despite the ruin that ICE is causing to people like Javier, Key Lime Air is happy to rake in profits from helping facilitate this harm and abuse through deportations and family separation.

After submitting public comment, organizers celebrated coming together to stand up against Key Lime Air and strategized over their next steps. On Monday, December 15, the Denver City Council will be voting on whether to expand Key Lime Air’s operational space at Denver International Airport.

“We will continue to put pressure on those who not only allow this to happen, but deny their involvement. We will continue to resist, disrupt, and expose any expansion,” said Faith Arteaga with Aurora Unidos CSO, “From DC, to Denver, to LA, immigrants are here to stay!”

#DenverCO #CO #ImmigrantRights #AUCSO