With about a day’s notice, approximately 1,000 protesters gathered at the MLK statue in Denver’s City Park on Sunday afternoon. They came with signs, matching shirts and exasperation that had risen from the aftermath of Saturday’s violence in Charlottesville, Va.
Resistance 5280 put together the Denver Call 2 Action! Facebook event literally overnight. To oppose “racism, hatred, and white supremacy, and in solidarity with everyone resisting oppression everywhere,” the group asked people to attend “a peaceful gathering to show unity, strength, and power.”
The Colorado Classic Bike Race had been scheduled to run through City Park until 3:30 p.m., and race officials worked with the Denver Police Department to modify the route, moving it slightly north of the Martin Luther King Jr. statue to accommodate the rally.
Event organizers and local and state officials were armed only with a single megaphone and struggled to be heard over the bicycle race and the buzz of the growing crowd, but the message was clear.
“Today we come together in unity to condemn the violence committed in Charlottesville on U.S. soil,” said state Rep. Joe Salazar, reading a letter written by Rep. Leslie Herod, who was out of town. “We can no longer ignore racism in our country and community. Step into the fray. Lean in.”
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
A large group walks together in an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 after leaving the MLK statue in City Park. The event protested the racist acts in Charlottesville, Virginia and was intended to show solidarity with people resisting oppression. The march started at the MLK statue in City Park and finished in front of the capitol.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Protesters march past East High School on their way to Colfax during a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Statue in Denver's City Park to the Denver Capitol. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Dr. Timothy E. Tyler, Pastor of Shorter Community African Methodist Episcopal Church leads a chant against the racism and violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia during a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Statue in Denver's City Park down Colfax to the Denver Capitol. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Protesters march down Colfax during a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Statue in Denver's City Park to the Denver Capitol. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Dr. Timothy E. Tyler, Pastor of Shorter Community African Methodist Episcopal Church speaks out against the racist violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Peace Gathering held at the Martin Luther King Statue in Denver's City Park, Denver. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Tay Anderson hold a megaphone for pastor Terrence Hughes during the start of an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 at the MLK statue in City Park.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Dr. Timothy E. Tyler, Pastor of Shorter Community African Methodist Episcopal Church speaks out against the racist violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Peace Gathering held at the Martin Luther King Statue in Denver's City Park, Denver. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
A woman looks on during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 in City Park. The march started at the MLK statue in City Park and finished in front of the capitol.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Police keep watch along the route during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 on East Colfax. The event protested the racist acts in Charlottesville, Virginia and was intended to show solidarity with people resisting oppression.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Thomas Bohlinger makes a peace sign during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 on East Colfax.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
A woman uses her phone while watching an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 on East Colfax.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Shanna Gibson watches from a window during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 on East Colfax. The event protested the racist acts in Charlottesville, Virginia and was intended to show solidarity with people resisting oppression. The march started at the MLK statue in City Park and finished in front of the capitol.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Participants continue to chant during a downpour at an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 on East Colfax.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Tay Anderson uses a megaphone during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 in front of the capitol.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
The people gather as leaders speak out against the racist violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia on the steps of the Denver Capitol after a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Memorial in Denver's City Park. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Bishop Jerry Demmer of the The Absolute Word Church joins the people as words ring out against the racist violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia on the steps of the Denver Capitol after a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Memorial in Denver's City Park. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Protesters march past East High School on their way to Colfax during a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Statue in Denver's City Park to the Denver Capitol. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post file
Pastor Terrence Hughes marches with other area religious leaders during a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Statue in Denver's City Park to the Denver Capitol on Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Protesters march down Colfax during a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Statue in Denver's City Park to the Denver Capitol. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Rev. Tammy Garrett-Williams of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance leads the people in a chant against the racism and violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia during a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Statue in Denver's City Park down Colfax to the Denver Capitol. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
The people gather as leaders speak out against the racist violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia on the steps of the Denver Capitol after a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Memorial in Denver's City Park. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Dasha Vonnesscene of Aurora listens as the leaders speak out against the racist violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia on the steps of the Denver Capitol after a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Memorial in Denver's City Park. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
The people gather as leaders speak out against the racist violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia on the steps of the Denver Capitol after a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Memorial in Denver's City Park. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
The people gather as leaders speak out against the racist violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia on the steps of the Denver Capitol after a Peace March from the Martin Luther King Memorial in Denver's City Park. Aug. 13, 2017 Denver.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Adam Cope, a representative from Industrial Workers of the World, is embraced by his wife Christin Cope-Hill after speaking during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 at the MLK statue in City Park. The event protested the racist acts in Charlottesville, Virginia and was intended to show solidarity with people resisting oppression.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Dominic Hernandez, center, rides on the back of a moped during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 on East Colfax. The event protested the racist acts in Charlottesville, Virginia and was intended to show solidarity with people resisting oppression. The march started at the MLK statue in City Park and finished in front of the capitol.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Participants chant with flags during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 on East Colfax. The event protested the racist acts in Charlottesville, Virginia and was intended to show solidarity with people resisting oppression. The march started at the MLK statue in City Park and finished in front of the capitol.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Participants escape a downpour during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 on East Colfax. The event protested the racist acts in Charlottesville, Virginia and was intended to show solidarity with people resisting oppression. The march started at the MLK statue in City Park and finished in front of the capitol.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Tay Anderson looks around while the group sings "This Land is Your Land" during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 in front of the capitol. The event protested the racist acts in Charlottesville, Virginia and was intended to show solidarity with people resisting oppression. The march started at the MLK statue in City Park and finished in the Civic Center.
Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post
Tay Anderson leads a group to sing "This Land is Your Land" during an anti-racism march Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 in front of the capitol. The event protested the racist acts in Charlottesville, Virginia and was intended to show solidarity with people resisting oppression. The march started at the MLK statue in City Park and finished in the Civic Center.
Salazar reminded attendees that although Colorado has been fortunate to have few incidences of hate crimes, the Centennial State was a bastion for the KKK in the 1930s. We don’t want history to repeat itself, he said.
Jillian Bryan, a Denver resident and member of the Industrial Workers of the World union, said she had a personal connection to the tragedy Virginia. “I heard that Heather was a part of IWW,” she said of the 32-year-old woman killed Saturday when a car drove into a crowd of protesters. “I felt I needed to be here today for her. Beyond that, I agree with the ideology behind anti-racist protests.”
Hanna Khavafipour, a co-founder of Resistance 5280, said the problem is much more complex than Charlottesville: “This country was built on the blood, sweat and tears of blacks and natives. We need to focus on the deeper issues, and people of color need to lead this movement. It’s our voices and our lives that are being affected in the micro-aggressions that take place every day.”
Scott Levin of the Anti-Defamation League said his organization has seen a dramatic rise of hate against people from black, Jewish and Muslim backgrounds. He said events such as this are powerful and necessary in the face of abominable behaviors.
“Just think about how, without rallies like this one, how much worse would it be,” he said.
Marchers spanned from the Thatcher Memorial Fountain to Colfax. After a handful of speakers, the group began to walk toward the Capitol. About 20 minutes into the walk, heavy rain poured down.
Denver police chaperoned the event to ensure the safety of all.
