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A whole bunch of Denver Public Colleges college students, some carrying handmade indicators and others with Mexican flags draped over their shoulders, left faculty Wednesday and walked to the Colorado Capitol to affix a large protest in opposition to President Donald Trump.
“Donald Trump, can’t you hear?” they chanted. “Immigrants are welcome right here!”
The protest unfolded on the identical day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers raided a number of condominium buildings in Denver and Aurora.
ICE’s Denver workplace stated on social media that it was working with a number of different federal businesses to focus on members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua for arrest. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Denver Publish and different media shops reported that it was unclear what number of gang members have been discovered or arrested.
A Denver Public Colleges spokesperson stated 5 faculty buses needed to be rerouted because of ICE exercise at an condominium complicated. Matt Meyer teaches fourth grade at Denver Inexperienced Faculty, which is positioned a few mile from that condominium complicated, referred to as Cedar Run.
Meyer stated he and one other trainer drove to the complicated Wednesday morning. Within the spot the place the college bus would often decide up dozens of Denver Inexperienced Faculty college students was a distinct bus that Meyer described as the sort that transports prisoners.
“The visible of that,” Meyer stated. “That’s actually the place our college bus must be.”
A couple of third of the fourth grade wasn’t in school Wednesday, Meyer stated, some as a result of they couldn’t board the college bus. Different college students on the faculty obtained picked up by their dad and mom noon, he stated. Denver Inexperienced Faculty is considered one of a number of Denver faculties that has in recent times enrolled many migrant college students from Venezuela and different nations.
Meyer stated some college students have been scared, whereas others hadn’t heard concerning the raids. He stated one scholar requested, “Did they arrive to our condominium complicated as a result of we’re Hispanic?” One other scholar requested if ICE was going to his complicated subsequent and if his mother was secure.
“I didn’t know what to say besides that your mother needs you right here and also you’re secure right here,” Meyer stated. To be additional certain of that, the college stored college students inside for recess, he stated.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston stated in a press release Wednesday afternoon that there had not been any ICE exercise at faculties, hospitals, or church buildings, regardless of Trump clearing the way in which for immigration enforcement at beforehand off-limits “delicate areas.” Johnston has stated he’ll sue the Trump administration if it instructs ICE brokers to detain residents at such areas.
Wednesday’s protest on the Colorado Capitol was a part of a nationwide motion that referred to as for 50 protests in 50 states on at some point. Related protests occurred in states similar to California, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Texas, and Wisconsin, based on the Related Press.
Help for immigrants and outcry in opposition to Trump’s immigration insurance policies — together with his promise of “mass deportations” — was a predominant focus of Colorado’s protest. Highschool college students carried indicators with slogans similar to, “MAGA: Migrants Aren’t Going Anyplace” and “Proud hija of immigrants.”
“That is our individuals,” an eleventh grader named Alex stated whereas waving one finish of a Mexican flag to the honks of oncoming site visitors on Lincoln Road. Alex stated he and several other different college students had come to the protest from far northeast Denver, 15 miles away, although he declined to offer the title of his faculty. Chalkbeat is barely utilizing college students’ first names to guard their privateness.
As for why he was protesting, Alex stated, “It’s tousled that they’re doing this to our group.”
College students from North Excessive Faculty and close by CEC Early School met at a park at 10 a.m. and walked three miles to the Capitol. They have been among the many first to reach. The scholars lined the sidewalk and climbed up on metallic posts, shaking indicators and chanting.
“My dad and mom got here right here for a greater future for me,” a tenth grader named Joselyn stated again on the park. “I’m sick of ready anxiously on my cellphone to see what’s occurring.”
Syiah, additionally in tenth grade, stated she was afraid members of her household could be focused by ICE, not as a result of they’re undocumented however as a result of they’re individuals of coloration.
“They’re ripping households away from one another,” she stated.
A ninth grader named Violet stated she was nervous at first concerning the concept of a protest. She stated she nervous {that a} massive demonstration would “put a highlight on people who find themselves undocumented.”
However she stated she got here to appreciate that “as an alternative of concern, it reveals we’re offended and never afraid.”
Phrase concerning the protest unfold organically from scholar to scholar, stated an eleventh grader named Annabelle. She stated she determined to stroll out of sophistication as a result of she believes Trump’s insurance policies damage households like these of the Venezuelan college students who enrolled in her faculty over the previous 12 months.
“My household is made up of an extended line of immigrants,” Annabelle stated. “I see injustice, and I’m not going to take a seat silently whereas it’s occurring.”
By 1 p.m., the protest had grown so giant that it spilled onto Lincoln Road. College students from a number of different Denver excessive faculties walked out too, based on a district spokesperson, together with West Excessive, Handbook Excessive, Denver Heart for Worldwide Research Baker, DSST: Cole, and DSST: Cedar. The scholars joined adults in marching up and down the streets surrounding the Capitol constructing.
Younger individuals stood within the beds of pickup vans, waving Mexican flags in standstill site visitors. A gaggle of elementary faculty college students on a area journey to the close by Denver Artwork Museum hung over the concrete wall of an out of doors courtyard throughout lunchtime, watching the protestors.
“Viva México!” one elementary scholar shouted.
“It’s our first protest,” tenth grader Joselyn stated. “I hope many extra come.”
Melanie Asmar is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Colorado. Contact Melanie at masmar@chalkbeat.org.