Passionate political protest in Boulder continued Saturday, and even though there were about half as many people as had taken to the streets a week ago, protesters were no less energetic and enthusiastic.
Ever since the Jan. 21 Women’s March, there have been countless demonstrations across the country protesting against President Donald Trump’s administration. Last weekend, approximately 1,000 protesters had marched through the streets of downtown Boulder.
Roughly 500 people gathered shortly before noon at the bandshell in Boulder’s Central Park, and over the next hour walked in procession several blocks down Canyon Boulevard before crossing over to the Pearl Street Mall and heading west back up to the lawn in front of the Boulder County Courthouse.
“I’ve been involved in this type of stuff for a long time and I’ve never seen this group of people with this much energy. … These aren’t all angry, young radicals. These are everyday people,” said protester Dara Glazer of Boulder.
Trump’s recent immigration ban on seven predominantly Muslim countries has left much of the country in dismay, initiating anger and turmoil in the lives of many Americans as well as people overseas.
President Trump said Friday he is considering signing a “brand new order” after his refugee and immigration travel ban was halted in court.
White House directives have suspended the nation’s refugee program and will now allow the entry of residents from the seven targeted countries after the 9th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld a restraining order on the original travel ban.
Trump however, is not giving up too easily. He has said he believes the immigration ban is necessary for national security and plans on taking action as quickly as possible.
“It will happen rapidly. We will not allow people into our country who are looking to do harm to our people,” Trump said on Friday.
Boulder protesters, however, aren’t buying what Trump is selling.
Many of Saturday’s march participants were not only upset about U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner’s recent claim on how many of his phone calls are coming from “paid protesters,” but they continue to object against what they see as governmental bigotry and startling behavior.
“I feel like our democracy is in trouble…we need to make sure that our living, breathing constitution includes everyone,” said Kelsey Hickok of Boulder.
“I truly love and believe in this country and respect everybody in it. But I think we are much stronger together. We need to welcome people and be that great shining city in the hill.”
Hickok held up a large sign with “We Are The People” written on it, and used her strong voice to lead the chants that kept the entire crowd together. “This is what democracy looks like,” she shouted.
The crowd responded with enthusiasm, the rhetoric prompting people to raise their signs even higher.
As the march came to an end, the group gathered at the county courthouse, where a series of people volunteered to speak out against Trump and convey their biggest concerns. Among these was Maria Cristina Aguilera, a Cuban immigrant who came to the United States in 1960 when she was just 10 years old.
“I was a public school teacher, a public school principal, and I’ve contributed to this country, and they will too,” she vowed, referring to immigrant children being threatened of deportation.
Some protesters conceded that Saturday’s action, by itself, was unlikely to spell immediate change, but said they are encouraged by the spirit of unity their action is building.
“It’s time for every citizen who is against bigotry, against misogyny, to stand up and say ‘Enough,'” said Sarah Sharp, of Boulder.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
