DENVER — For the second time in three days, thousands of people gathered at the steps of the Colorado State Capitol Saturday to protest against immigration enforcement.
Many could be seen holding flags and signs addressing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and President Donald Trump. Katie Leonard, an organizer with the Denver branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, explained that the rally shows the community standing together and supporting the immigrant community.
"I'd say people are out here protesting this narrative that Trump is targeting violent criminals. We've seen this week that's just the narrative they're using in an effort to justify sending literal armies of law enforcement agents into our communities to terrorize immigrants, to separate families, and to spread fear," explained Leonard. "But the people are not afraid. The people are ready to stand with their immigrant communities and fight back."
ICE officials and the Trump administration have said they are targeting convicted criminals. However, they noted that noncriminals could also be detained during raids.
A similar rally took place Wednesday, days after a large-scale federal law enforcement operation at multiple locations across the Denver metro.
"Wednesday, you saw thousands of people pour into the streets immediately following this attack on our community when ICE was here with tanks and law enforcement agents, and we see again this Saturday thousands of people out here of all different backgrounds standing with their immigrant neighbors," Leonard said.
Several people from Saturday’s protest broke away from the capitol and began marching through the streets around the area. One protester Denver7 spoke with said, "We need to unite, organize, and fight for our freedoms because we are not a free country."
Leonard explained that this rally showed a broad united front against mass deportations, with other groups in attendance, including the Colorado Immigration Rights Coalition and the East Colfax Community Collective. She said efforts will continue to help people know their rights and stand against ICE.
"Everyone out here is extremely disciplined and organized, and we are ready to walk in support of our immigrant neighbors and march in protest and then close it out for the day and come back on Monday to [an] organizing meeting and continue to spread know your rights information. We anticipate it to continue like this as long as ICE is on our streets," Leonard said.
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