Denver, CO – On March 21, more than 150 people gathered at the Berkeley Community Church on Denver’s north side to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Romero Theater Troupe, a radical community theater group that elevates people’s history through plays, poetry and song.

Jim Walsh, a political science professor at CU Denver and founder of the Romero Theater Troupe described the ensemble, saying, “We’re an all-volunteer, organic, radical theater, and we do everything we do without a budget, without a director, and we use a consensus-based collaborative model that no one else has pulled off except for us – and tonight we’re celebrating 20 years of success in that.”

True to their principle of solidarity, the Romero Troupe used this opportunity to raise money for their fellow player Jeanette Vizguerra. Vizguerra, a community organizer and 13-year member of the Romero Troupe was recently kidnapped by ICE after finishing a shift at work at Target.

Vizguerra’s comrades in the Romero Troupe spoke about their memories of her, her tenacity in the struggle, and the community fight to see her freed from her unlawful detention at the GEO Detention Facility in Aurora.

Regarding Vizguerra’s detention, Walsh said, “She was targeted because she holds ICE accountable, and I think ICE has no idea the mistake they made, because they’ve just provided this country with someone to rally and galvanize around. A federal judge ruled today that ICE cannot deport Jeannette without a hearing. This is a huge victory for Jeannette.”

Walsh continued, “She’s likely to win that hearing and be able to remain here, and the entire immigrant rights movement looks to Jeannette for strength, so we’re going to raise money for her and her family tonight.”

Among the performers is Alexander Landau, a member of 13 years with the Troupe and a leader in police accountability activism in Denver ever since he was brutally beaten by Denver police in 2009.

Speaking on the recent developments in Vizguerra’s fight, Landau said , “I believe that it is a demonstration of what community looks like, and has the influence and power to do, especially in these instances where systemic racism has captured one of our sisters.” He continued, “Had this case fallen on deaf ears – had the community not spoken up – I believe she would be in a very different place right now.”

The evening featured several performances that retold episodes of the history of people’s struggle. Members of the Troupe re-enacted Landau’s brutalization and fight-back for justice. They honored the Auraria Encampment for Palestine with a performance of the Battle for Auraria of April 26th, 2024 -showing how the protesters united to drive off an army of police. Other performances featured individual accounts of immigration rights struggles by those who had survived them, and the story of the Flint sit down strike of 1936.

“This is the essence of what the Romero Troupe is. We are storytellers,” remarked Merrill “Arnie” Carter.

The evening ended in a folk sing-along featuring lively renditions of Saint Patrick’s Battalion, Union Maid, De Colores, and We Shall Not Be Moved, many of the songs sung in a mix of English and Spanish.

#DenverCO #CO #Culture #Theatre

Denver, CO – On March 19, Colorado Worker Rights United, a coalition of labor unions, gathered at the Colorado State Capitol to rally for the Worker Protection Act, which is currently under consideration by Colorado lawmakers. Around 150 union workers gathered on the steps raising signs and showing support for measure has passed the senate and is on the way to the house and governor.

Several elected officials made speeches that called for the passage of this act, which would eliminate the need for a second union election to start the collective bargaining process.

A member of Starbucks Workers United spoke to the hardship that she faced trying to organize Starbucks in Denver, including the harassment and constant threats that she and her coworkers faced daily and how many of her coworkers left the job due to constant harassment from management. She also spoke to the second election that Colorado calls the “labor peace act” which requires a second union confirmation vote and requires 75% of all employees to vote yes for a union, stating, “Last time I checked we only voted for our state representatives once, we only vote for our governor once and we only vote for the president once, and I’m pretty sure most of our elected officials here today didn’t get 75% of their vote.”

After a few more speeches from elected officials encouraging Governor Jared Polis to sign the bill, long time Teamster Ronnie Houston closed out the event by speaking to the wins unions have gained. Members chanted “Sign this bill” as the march around the capitol began. Union organizers, rank and file members and elected officials walked around the capitol chanting, “Who’s got the power? We got the power! What kind of power? Union power!”

Colorado Worker Rights United is a coalition of local unions that represent a number of Colorado including the CWA, IBEW, IATSE, SEIU, Teamsters and a few others.

#DenverCO #CO #Labor

Denver, CO – On Wednesday, March 19, hundreds of Coloradans rallied on the Auraria Campus in Denver to protest Trump’s attacks on free speech and the politically motivated detainment of activists.

The crowd, led by Denver Students for a Democratic Society, marched around the campus, chanting “We want justice, you say how? Free Mahmoud Khalil now!” and “Say it once, say it twice! We do not fuck with ICE!”

This protest came out of a national emergency day of action called by National Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) after the detention of Mahmoud Khalil on March 9. Khalil is a Palestinian permanent U.S. resident and Columbia University graduate who was one of the leaders of the encampment for Gaza on that New York campus last spring.

Another Palestinian Columbia student activist and encampment participant, Leqaa Kordia, was taken into ICE custody for “supporting terrorism” and allegedly overstaying her student visa, according to a Department of Homeland Security press release.

Colorado was also hit by the detainments of political activists. On March 17, Jeanette Vizguerra, an undocumented immigrant and prominent activist who has supported immigrant rights and anti-war movements across the state, was abducted from her workplace without a warrant. She was sent to the GEO Group ICE Processing Center in Aurora, which is infamous for its poor treatment of prisoners.

Luna Baez, Jeanette’s daughter, gave an update on her mother’s legal status and fight against her deportation, stating “At this time we are still waiting on responses. Yesterday we stood outside GEO in freezing rain, there was a lot of wind, it was a lot to go through. I very much appreciate the energy and the attention that you guys have towards this issue, and hopefully we can go ahead and mobilize and not only help my mom but help anyone else affected by this issue.”

Shaine Carroll-Frey, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, stated, “These things are connected, these are political attacks because Jeanette is an activist and Mahmoud is an activist. So what Trump is trying to do is outlaw protest and outlaw political dissent. We cannot let him!” Student voices are not the only ones calling for the release of Mahmoud Khalil, Leqaa Kordia and Jeanette Vizguerra. Since Khalil’s unlawful arrest, there have been protests across the United States for which thousands of people show up to demand an end to deportations, arrests of political activists and Trump’s attacks on free speech – and there are no signs of the national movement against the Trump administration stopping.

“Today we are somber, but we are invigorated. We are hurting, but we are also hopeful. We are facing a difficult time, but we are here doing it in solidarity,” assured Yoselin Corrales, an organizer with Aurora Unidos CSO. “Immigration and free speech are not a crime.”

#DenverCO #CO #ImmigrantRights #AntiWarMovement

Denver, CO – On March 19 at the Denver International Airport, the United Airlines union, the Association of Flight Attendants, held a day of action.

About 50 picketers gathered outside the airport to show support for a new contract for United Airlines flight attendants. Attendees included United flight attendants, United pilots, flight attendants from other airlines, family members and community members from the Teamsters union. There were even travelers who were passing by through the airport who stopped and joined in to support.

United flight attendants are nearing the end of a long four years at the bargaining table. Some of the things they are fighting for include better pay, better reserve conditions and ground pay. Most airlines have 10 or 12-hour reserve shifts, but United has a grueling 24-hour reserve shift, making the working conditions for reserve flight attendants extremely difficult. Proposed ground pay would be an industry-leading win. This would ensure that flight attendants get paid from the moment they check in at the gate to the end of the after-flight debrief. Right now, several airlines have already won boarding pay, which means flight attendants get paid for the time that passengers are on the plane. Right now, United flight attendants have neither boarding nor ground pay, making this one of the most pressing issues.

United flight attendants voted 99.99% to authorize a strike in fall of 2024. Signs held at the picket read “Pay us or CHAOS.” CHAOS striking is a unique method of striking that is legal under the Railway Labor Act. It stands for “create havoc around our system.” It is a type of intermittent striking that allows for minimum risk for flight attendants and maximum impact on management. Flight attendants at United Airlines are prepared to fight hard for this contract.

“United is second in profits, but fifth in how they pay flight attendants,” Denver AFA President Chris Bruton explained at the Wednesday picket. Bruton is on the bargaining committee and has been attending sessions at the United headquarters in Chicago. It is clear that the successful airline is not paying their flight attendants a decent wage and is also not giving them good working conditions.

“United Airlines: you’re no good! Pay your workers like you should!” was one of the many chants at the Denver day of action. Many picketers held signs that read, “Corporate greed does not fly” and “World class airline, world class contract.”

The sentiment at action was not just that United flight attendants are fighting for better pay, but an overall better quality of life. The issues that are being considered in the new contract are things that will have a large impact on the day-to-day lives of front line aviation workers. United Airlines is one of the biggest international airlines in the world and is one of the last airlines to agree to a new contract.

#DenverCO #CO #Labor #AFA #Teamsters

Denver, CO – Colorado residents celebrated International Women’s Day, March 8, by showing up to the state Capitol building to protest the Trump administration’s attacks on LGBTQ and women’s rights.

At least 2000 people and 14 different organizations met at the capitol to stand up for women and the queer community, bringing homemade signs with slogans like “Speak up, speak out”, “We will not go back”, and “A woman’s place is in the resistance.” Protesters filled the streets and sidewalks as they marched down Colfax Avenue and into the downtown business district, chanting, “When women’s rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

Over the past two months, Donald Trump’s administration has attacked undocumented immigrants, disabled people, the queer community, and women. As of March 7, there have been more than 50 executive orders signed since his inauguration that have removed a plethora of protections from these oppressed groups, some of the orders targeting reproductive rights and gender-affirming care for trans people.

“We are seeing countless attacks against women’s rights from Trump and his administration of misogynists,” said Kat Draken, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, during her speech at the rally. “Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, 12 states have passed complete abortion bans, and immigrant women are under attack with ICE raids conducted daily.”

“The Bureau of Prisons records only 22 trans women in women’s prisons; yet they’re attempting to transfer this minority,” stated Eden Heffron-Hanson, a Denver-Aurora Community Action Committee member. “They’re trying to prevent surgeries and hormones for trans prisoners despite only two people having received surgery while in federal custody.”

Despite the stress, anger and frustration due to the Trump administration’s attacks on their wellbeing and safety, millions of Americans are taking the streets nationwide to stand with all oppressed people being targeted by executive orders and legislation.

International Women’s Day alone saw hundreds of thousands of people across the continental United States gathering to defend all women and demand equal rights.

“Though our struggles may be different, we are united in the fight,” said Yoselin Corrales, an organizer with Aurora Unidos CSO. “This fight for liberation and the right to self-determination is a marathon; it is not a sprint.”

Protests against Trump and his reactionary agenda are erupting across the country in response to his continued attacks, with the movement growing daily.

#DenverCO #CO #WomensMovement #InternationalWomensDay

Denver, CO – On February 25, a collaboration between the Colorado Immigrants Rights Coalition (CIRC) and Aurora Unidos Community Service Organization (AUCSO),helped mobilize over 300 people from across Colorado for a general assembly hearing on an anti-immigration bill, SB25-047, in the Denver state capitol building.

Before the hearing, there was a rally outside facilitated by Aurora Unidos CSO and Freedom Road Socialist Organization that included the chants of “Legalization for all,” “No raids, no fear, immigrants are welcomed here” and “When Trumps says go back, we say fight back!”

Yoselin Corrales of AUCSO said the bill would do “irreparable harm to our immigrant families, friends and neighbors. Senate Bill 47 would make it easier for local police to collaborate with federal immigration enforcement. Having police act as ICE agents erodes trust amongst immigrant neighbors and makes our communities much more unsafe.”

Corrales continued, “A lot of people believe this bill is dead on arrival, but I think we have learned that we can’t always trust our elected officials to act on behalf of the best interests of their constituents. It's important to show up today, make our voices heard, and then continue to show up to remind them that we are watching them, and that we will hold them accountable!”

Nels Pine, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, told the crowd, “At the core of this growing immigrant rights movement are Chicanos, Mexicanos and Central Americans. These communities are concentrated in and around the oppressed Chicano Nation in the Southwest and are overwhelmingly working class and most willing to fight. At the same time, we need to unite with everyone targeted by the Trump administration, from Haitians to Venezuelans. No to deportations! Que viva La Raza! Chicano power!”

In the hearing, there were testimonies from people who supported the bill and people who were against the bill. Nearly all the testimonies in support came from sheriffs, commissioners and police officers. However, these supporters of the bill were far outnumbered by the hundreds who showed up in opposition.

One mother spoke of the anxiety and terror she felt when she and her husband were “pulled over by the police and questioned whether we were legal citizens, but because we had our documents at home the police detained us for five days!” During this time, she was only able to contact her children via a telephone where they were being detained. This was just one story of dozens like it that were told.

The hearing lasted nearly seven hours, with the overwhelming majority of the testimonies opposing the bill, resulting in a 3 – 2 vote against it. As the crowd exits the capital, some people chanted, “¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!”

#DenverCO #CO #ImmigrantRights #CIRC #AUCSO

Denver, CO – On February 25, members of the Amalgamated Transit Union local 1001 (ATU 1001) joined together at Denver’s Union Station to march on the Regional Transportation District headquarters demanding livable wages and a decent contract. Along the march, workers chanted, “Without transit workers, transit doesn't work!” and “Who moves this city? We move this city!”

Rank-and-file ATU member Joseph Carriere states, “The 5, 4 ,4% pay scale doesn’t cover inflation, doesn’t cover cost of living, and is essentially a pay cut every year!”

Regional Transportation District (RTD) operators and mechanics represent a crucial role in Denver’s transportation infrastructure, and they ask for a decent wage for their frontline work. The RTD board claims that this is their last, best and final offer, while sitting on the extra $200 million that’s been added to the RTD budget. After the march, workers piled into the board meeting room to deliver impassioned speeches to the board telling them to meet their demands for a livable wage.

Along with a livable pay scale, workers also demanded adequate security, noting that only Union Station, Civic Center, and Downtown Boulder see a common security presence, while others only rarely see a security presence. Illustrating how the lack of such a presence can lead to injury and assault, workers demanded that the security standards be increased to ensure that they are able to maintain operator and passenger safety.

“RTD wants highly skilled workers but doesn’t want to pay for them,” stated ATU local President Lance Longenbon. “Management paychecks get bloated while they ignore the people who make this work.”

As contract negotiations continue, rank-and-file members looking for a contract that protects transit workers and their livelihoods.

#DenverCO #CO #Labor #BusDrivers #ATU

Denver, CO — About 30 students walked out of their classes and gathered in Lawrence Plaza on Denver’s Auraria Campus in the late morning, February 13, in support of immigrant rights. Chants such as “No hate, no fear! Immigrants are welcome here!” and “El pueblo, unido, jamás será vencido!” were heard from the crowd led by Denver Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) as they protested Trump’s agenda and the mass deportation of immigrants.

The Denver SDS walkout was part of New Students for a Democratic Society’s call for a nationwide emergency week of action against the attacks on immigrants and for the defense of sanctuary campuses. Several universities across the United States have already said that they will comply with ICE after Trump signed an executive stating schools, hospitals and childcare centers could be the targets of ICE raids.

Addie Castillo, a Denver SDS member and CU Denver student, spoke at the rally about the mass deportations, stating, “These ICE raids have begun in our city, in our communities. Our friends and our loved ones are scared of having their lives ripped away from them.”

CU Denver also does not have a policy that would require teachers to ask for a warrant, should ICE show up at their classroom door.

The immigrant student body at both major universities on the Auraria campus has become extremely vulnerable due to Trump’s racist mass deportation efforts and both schools’ vague or nonexistent immigrant protection policies. Because of this, Denver SDS has launched a campaign to fight for a sanctuary campus and for CU Denver and MSU Denver administrations to not comply with ICE.

“Each of us has an important job to do. We must protect each other; we must fight whenever we are able; and we must not grow complacent,” said Denver SDS member and Community College of Denver student Theodore Jones during his speech. “When one of us bleeds, we all do. None of us can be free until we all are.”

Auraria Campus, built over a historically Latino and Chicano neighborhood, has a duty to defend immigrants on campus from ICE raids and possible deportation, according to Denver SDS.

SDS demands that administration make Auraria a sanctuary campus and refuse to comply with ICE.

#DenverCO #CO #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #SDS

Denver, CO – Early in the morning of February 6, grocery store workers at 77 King Soopers locations represented by United Food Commercial Workers Local 7 went on strike.

After months of little progress in negotiations with the billion dollar parent company, Kroger, the members have overwhelmingly voted to go on strike to fight for a contract that meets their demands.

Workers say their biggest focus is increased wages and staffing. Many workers on the picket line stated they are being forced to work harder because Kroger refuses to hire enough workers. This issue was repeated by workers from multiple departments including deli, dairy, bakery, grocery and frozen goods. Overnight workers expressed needing two or more people in their department on the overnight shift. Another issue that was raised was that the union members are not able to stock their departments by themselves or finish their work in the allotted time they are given by management.

The workers said that management has consistently refused to allow any overtime to get the work done, and that that is leading to unfinished work that is expected to be done the following day, on top of their regular work for that day, meaning that tasks like rotating the product and running backstock rarely happen.

Kroger has bought up many grocery chains and expanded dramatically in recent years, and the striking workers believe that this consolidation of the grocery industry has caused prices to skyrocket while wages in the industry have stagnated.

Employees across the store raised issues around low wages and say that some members are working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Long-term workers at King Soopers also spoke to how they felt like they are treated now compared to the time before Kroger’s takeover, saying that they used to be paid a living wage, the work was more enjoyable, and the culture of the job was significantly better.

The strike is set to continue for two weeks across the 77 locations, with workers maintaining a 24-hour picket. Members of Local 7 are striking for better staffing, treatment, and wages across the state.

#DenverCO #CO #Labor #UFCW #UFCW7 #Feature

Denver CO – On February 5, Denver students walked out in protest of the mass deportations. Hundreds of Chicano and Latino students marched to the Colorado State Capitol and rallied on the west steps, chanting “El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!” and demanding an end to the terror being unleashed on immigrants. This terror has taken the form of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, many of which were taking place simultaneously in Aurora and around Denver.

Well over 100 Mexican flags were present, many being worn by the students or adorning their signs. Many protesters present carried signs supportive of LGBTQ liberation and against the attacks on reproductive rights being waged by the Republicans. Others held signs saying, “No one elected Elon.”

At the height of the protest, the masses surrounded the State Capitol by taking the streets and marching around it in an unbroken circle, shutting down Colfax Avenue, Lincoln Street, 14th Avenue, and Cherokee Street. Members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization carried a banner in the march that read, “Fight for MLK’s dream! Resist Trump’s nightmare!”

The protest lasted late into the evening and grew to well over 2000 people as they were joined by organizations like the Colorado Palestine Coalition, as well as their supporters. Protesters opposed Trump’s stated plans to ethnically cleanse Gaza of Palestinians, and carried signs with the slogan, “From the river to the sea! Palestine will be free!”

Khalid Hamu, a member of the Colorado Palestine Coalition and the Students for a Democratic Society Denver took to the mic and led a chant, “No ban! No wall! Legalization for all!” Hamu went on to say, “As a child of immigrants, I know firsthand the sacrifice immigrants make in this country, especially so if they’re undocumented. They have to deal with some of the most brutal working conditions, deal with employers underpaying them and getting threatened with ICE.”

Hamu continued, “We need to unite against Trump’s agenda to protect our fellow students and save our public education!” They ended by chanting, “Education is a right! Not just for the rich and white!”

Dozens of people in the crowd carried American flags, some upside-down, others not. It was clear by the variety of slogans, signs and participants that the Trump administration has made many enemies in Colorado, across the political spectrum. That thousands were able to unite against Trump and his reactionary agenda shows clearly that attacks against the people will not be taken without resistance.

#DenverCO #ImmigrantRights #ChicanoLatino #CPC #SDS

Denver, CO – On Monday, January 20, Denver held its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day “Marade” – a combination march and parade. Despite single-digit temperatures, roughly 600 people showed up to honor the legacy of Dr. King.

This year, the march happened to fall on the same day as the inauguration of Donald Trump. This was not lost upon the attendees, many of whom carried signs and banners opposing Trump’s racist agenda.

“Trump represents the worst of the worst when it comes to students, the environment, immigrants and all other oppressed people,” said Khalid Hamu of Students for a Democratic Society. Part of Trump’s agenda includes abolishing the Department of Education and the ability to enforce the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

During the march, a contingent of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) led chants and carried a large banner reading “Fight for MLK’s dream, reject Trump’s nightmare!” At the end of the march, Brandon Rincon of the FRSO addressed the crowd, encouraging ongoing resistance to Trump’s attacks.

#DenverCO #CO #OppressedNationalities #AfricanAmerican #MLK #FRSO #SDS #Trump

Early in the morning, Teamsters from Local 455 and Local 17 showed up outside DEN3 to pass flyers to workers coming in and out of the warehouse. Picketers carried signs that demanded Amazon recognize the union and stop breaking the law through unfair labor practices.

The Teamsters in California, New York and Atlanta have been in the process of forming a union, but Amazon has refused to recognize their union and negotiate with the workers for a collective bargaining agreement. The actions happening now are part of a push throughout the country demanding that Amazon recognize their union and come to the bargaining table.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien has announced that warehouse workers and drivers who are in the places where a majority of workers have signed cards to form a union will be on strike until an agreement is met. O’Brien called for Teamsters locals across the country to show solidarity and to try to get Amazon involved.

Both Amazon and the mainstream media have been critical of the strike because of the effects it will have on holiday shopping. However, the Teamsters union has repeatedly clarified that this would not be an issue if Amazon came to the bargaining table. Amazon has also claimed that this strike is not happening or is not causing any delays. At the same time, they have used police to attempt to force strikers off Amazon property. Amazon has also been hiring scabs across the country and demanding workers in non-union shops work upwards of 70 or 80 hours in the next few days.

Two women onsite at the pickets said that they were told they would be fired if they did not work the three 16-hour shifts they were scheduled for Christmas. Amazon has been able to become the company that it is today due to the labor of its large workforce, yet many of its workers say they can’t afford homes, food, cars or insurance while putting their body on the line every day at work.

The battle at Amazon could have ramifications for other companies that use similar models of low-wage workers and high profits. Amazon has run a robust and expensive union busting operation across its company and the Teamsters union hopes that these actions can signal an uptick in worker power and organization at Amazon.

Many community groups as well as other unions, such as SEIU, IBEW, SMART, UA, SBWU and AFL-CIO, came out to show their support for the Teamsters effort to organize at Amazon.

#ThorntonCO #DenverCO #Teamsters #Amazon #AmazonStrike #Strike #Labor #UnionPower

Denver, CO – On December 10, 50 people marched in downtown Denver in honor of Human Rights Day and to condemn Colorado’s complicity with the genocide in Gaza. The event was organized by the Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA) in coordination with a national call to action made by the Anti-War Action Network.

Protesters gathered at the State Capitol building and then marched into the downtown Civic Center Christmas market, past security, successfully disrupting business as usual. The protesters’ chants reminded shoppers that American taxes currently support the genocide in Palestine. Many shoppers joined in supporting the protesters as they passed.

Several workers at the Christmas market showed their support of the protest by lining up along fences to signal their solidarity.

Protesters did not meet with any resistance to their message, and members of DAWA state that this helps prove their point that Coloradans do not want to be complicit in genocide.

Rita Haywood, a member of DAWA, told the crowd that Coloradans must speak out against the genocide and that a massive portion of the “genocide industrial complex” is headquartered in Colorado. This includes Lockheed Martin, which is run by a very small group of war profiteers. Lockheed Martin will soon supply 80% of all Israel’s combat aircraft, and they supply a similar proportion of the GPS constellation satellites that guide deadly bombs and military intelligence decisions which has led to the massacre of Palestinians.

DAWA says they stand unwaveringly with Palestine, demand an arms embargo, and an end to all Colorado support of genocide.

#DenverCO #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #DAWA #LockheedMartin

Denver, CO – On December 11, members of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) at Frontier Airlines held a rally outside of the Frontier headquarters in Denver. Flight attendants have been in mediation with the companies that refused to meet members' demands. American and Southwest Airlines flight attendants got their contracts, while Alaskan Airlines attendants voted down their proposed contract. Frontier and United have been in mediation with the AFA for more than six months.

There were two chief demands raised at the rally: increased wages, and a shift back to the old business model. Halfway through negotiations, Frontier decided to change its business structure in a way unpopular with workers. One of the chants at the rally was, “What do we want?” to which members responded, “Overnights!” and “Multi-days!” When asking AFA member Ashlee Rosen what the chant meant, she explained that overnights were a great way for workers to make more money. Multi-days include going to a variety of locations and increasing the money earned.

Frontier's new model, which is called “all turns,” makes it so that all flight attendants end up back at the airport they came from on the same day. Members are not making money like they used to, and they are having to spend a lot more money commuting to the airport and spending their own money on gas, car maintenance and tolls.

This change of business model by Frontier is being majorly disputed using the Railway Labor Act, which is the legal framework that governs the industry.

AFA member Chase Isley read cards from around the nation about the hardships they are facing under this new model. Members talked about going into debt for their groceries and their kids’ school supplies and clothes. Members mentioned having three or more roommates so that they could have a roof over their heads, while CEO Barry Biffle made more than $8.5 million last year. Members also talked about putting thousands of miles on their cars in a month and hundreds of dollars on tolls due to having to commute back and forth to the airport daily.

More than half of the 20 AFA-represented airlines, totaling more than 50,000 members, have been in contract negotiations with various airline corporations. AFA members say they are ready to strike if the companies continue to delay their contract negotiations.

#DenverCO #AFA #FrontierAirlines

Denver, CO – On Friday, November 29, approximately 200 people gathered at James N. Manley Park in Denver for a rally and march in recognition of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is an annual UN-recognized observance that calls for sovereignty for the Palestinians as well as freedom from Israeli occupation. In the U.S., this there were protests against the U.S. government’s continued support of the Israeli occupation and its crimes against Palestine, especially the ongoing genocide in Gaza where over 40,000 people have been massacred.

After listening to speeches from organizations leading the march, protesters took to the streets and marched around the Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

Due to Black Friday, the Cherry Creek shopping center was busier than usual. While protesters were marching outside, several dozen activists started a disruption inside the mall with chanting, signs and Palestine flags. Many shoppers joined in the chanting and some even joined the march as it left the mall and joined the larger demonstration outside. Once outside, the march continued back to the park, stopping along the way for more speeches.

“Students have a long history of fighting alongside those resisting oppression,” said Lucia Feast, an organizer with Students for a Democratic Society, “We have fought with those resisting the Vietnam War, and demanded divestment from apartheid South Africa. Today we continue this liberation struggle by standing with Palestine!”

The message from protesters was clear: there will be no business as usual while the United States continues to aid the genocidal Israeli occupation.

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS

Denver, CO – On the night of November 6, following the election of Donald Trump, a crowd of about 100 rallied in protest at the Colorado State Capitol and marched through the streets to the Denver city council building.

The fired-up workers, students and community members say they are taking action to say no to Donald Trump and his racist agenda.

Protesters gave speeches against the policies of Donald Trump and the Republican Party, and drew attention to the ongoing U.S./Israeli genocide in Palestine that will continue under Trump.

With Donald Trump as the new president of the United States, Denver organizers will work tirelessly to ensure the people’s struggle is ready for any problems he sends their way.

Tom Chaney, a rank-and-file member of Teamsters Local 455, said, “It’s likely now that we will see Trump again as our president. This does mean that things are going to get hard. But let’s not forget he couldn’t stop Black Lives Matter. The will of the people is stronger than what they can throw at us. I urge people to wage demands, to organize, to fight back.”

An organizer from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Hatem Teirelbar, said, “We, the people, as always are left to deal with the mess the parties create. We are footing the bill for the genocide in Gaza.”

Teirelbar continued, “This is not to say that things getting worse is good. Far from it. Merely that we should take a lesson from the heroism of the Palestinian resistance – the worst repression must be met with the strongest resistance.”

The action was organized by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and sponsored by the Denver Aurora Community Action Committee and Denver Anti War Action.

After rousing speeches, the crowd took to the streets of Denver. Denver’s organizations are ready to stand up for the people’s rights.

#DenverCO #CO #PeoplesStruggles #Trump

Denver, CO – On October 31, the Denver chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a rally outside of the Metropolitan State University (MSU) Presidential Cabinet Meeting, calling on the university to divest from genocide and end its partnerships with war profiteers.

One of the university's corporate partners is Lockheed Martin, the largest war profiteer in the world, with 96% of its revenues coming from these countless wars. MSU Denver receives over $100,000 a year from Lockheed Martin, and in return, the university funnels engineering students directly into careers creating weapons.

Rowan Joyner, an organizer with SDS Denver, told the crowd, “Every moment that passes, more children are killed by weapons manufactured on this very campus. That is unacceptable to me and should be unacceptable to any person on this campus with a moral compass.”

Joyner continued, “It is unacceptable for any of this school's funding to come from partnerships that soak our hands in blood, much less $100,000 a year. It is morally reprehensible that our education is funded by a corporation whose bombs have destroyed every university in Gaza, caused the deaths of tens of thousands of children, and helped Israel starve millions. It should fill you with sadness, anger, and a desire to act, if your most accessible career launchpad is built on the backs of children in Gaza.”

Students entered the meeting wearing shirts that demanded that MSU Denver divest from its partnerships with war profiteers.

The students were promised that they would have the opportunity to speak during public comments, but administrators cut public comments short before all students had the opportunity to speak. Sky Childress, an organizer with SDS, used part of her public comment time to hold a moment of silence for the children in Gaza who have been killed by weapons manufactured at MSU Denver.

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #StudentMovemebt #Palestine #SDS

Aurora, CO – On October 26, community groups came together in Aurora, Colorado, for a conference supporting the “U.S. Out of Korea” campaign, launched by Nodutdol last June. The event took place at the Active Adult Center on Del Mar Circle in Aurora.

Aurora is home to a large Korean American community, ranking sixth in the U.S. for population size. Conservative estimates place the Korean American population in Colorado at over 30,000, with many residing in Aurora, known as Denver’s Koreatown. The presence of this community, and the launch of Notdutdol’s “U.S. Out of Korea” campaign, inspired this conference.

The conference opened with introductions from the attending groups, who expressed their solidarity with the campaign. Next, Korean Elder Subok Kim, a longtime supporter of Nodutdol and current member of Korean Americans for the Progressive Party, gave a speech. He spoke about his experience as a child in the Korean war and connected it to children in Gaza today.

Central to the event was a “Korea 101” presentation by Haruki Eda, a local educator and longtime member of Nodutdol, who stated, “Many civilians were massacred across the peninsula by both the South Korean and U.S. militaries.” They continued, “During the Korean War, 18 of the 22 major cities in the North were more than 50% destroyed. This included bombing dams and flooding whole areas of farmland, towns, and villages. That’s an act of genocide.”

Eda’s presentation was followed by a talk from Julia Sweezy, a founding member of Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA) who stated, “Our tax dollars are going to warfare instead of meeting the needs of the people here. In the end, only the war profiteers and the ruling class benefit.”

As recent tensions in the region have increased, conference organizers shared an update near the end of the event. “In early October, drones flown from South Korea were spotted over Pyongyang. Previously, there were balloons, but this is a significant escalation and blatant violation of North Korean airspace. The U.S. treated a stray Chinese weather balloon as a national security threat, yet it supports these provocations against North Korea. Shame!” said Paul Nelson, an organizer from DACAC.

Eda added to the update, stressing the risks of the U.S. military’s expanded presence in Asia, “If an Asian NATO gets involved in warfare, whether because of Russia and Ukraine or something else, the Korean Peninsula is very likely to become a battleground in this larger conflict.”

The conference included up with a plenary session, where attendees signed a resolution supporting the four demands of the “U.S. Out of Korea!” campaign. It called on everyone to “organize, participate in, and support actions against Imperialism, especially the U.S.-funded genocide in Palestine and broader U.S.-Israeli war in the Middle East.” Additionally, the resolution urged groups to join DAWA’s efforts against Lockheed Martin, a leading U.S. war manufacturer that supplies weapons used in U.S. wars and intervention, including in Palestine.

Organizations represented included Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA), Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and the Chicano Liberation Committee. Attendees also included members of the Denver Aurora Community Action Committee, Denver Students for a Democratic Society, the Colorado Springs People's Coalition and Nodutdol – the group leading the “U.S. Out of Korea” campaign. Veterans For Peace, the Mayday Club, and virtual participants like the SDS Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee were also present.

After the speakers, organizers thanked everyone for their participation and support, specifically recognizing the groups that made it possible, and the Denver DSA for providing equipment to allow remote attendees to join. The conference concluded with attendees chanting, “U.S. out of Korea now!” and “End the war economy!”

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #International #NorthKorea #DPRK #SDS #Nodutdol #DAWA

Denver, CO – In the early morning of September 20, Denver Students for a Democratic Society held a pro-Palestine rally outside of the Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver board of trustees’ monthly executive session.

A large group of students and community supporters gathered and chanted outside the Jordan Student Success Building (JSSB), where the meeting was taking place, as other attendees from MSU Denver and Colorado University Denver disrupted and spoke during public comment section during the meeting itself.

During the protest, Palestinian solidarity chants were loud, and speakers addressed the need to fight against the repression of students, with several saying that bans and restricting academic freedom won’t stop Denver SDS from meeting on campus and existing as a student organization.

“Students want justice, students want peace!” chant leader Lucia Feast yelled outside the JSSB entrance, which the crowd repeated. “Divest now, hands off the Middle East!

Denver SDS has been organizing for MSU Denver and CU Denver to divest from Israel and issue a statement condemning Israel's actions in Palestine for almost a year. In the last five months, Denver SDS has continued to escalate, most notably with the Auraria Solidarity Encampment for Palestine from late April to mid-May.

Neither the MSU Denver board of trustees, nor the CU Denver board of regents, have been willing to meet with students to discuss divestment from war profiteers. Instead of investing in programs to support students, they continue to invest in weapons and military intelligence engineering companies. MSU Denver has suspended Denver SDS as a student organization, and CU Denver has placed SDS on interim probation.

Probation has not stopped Denver SDS from being active on their campus. Since the beginning of the fall semester, members have been loudly protesting the academic repression almost weekly with various rallies.

“Though having to demand for divestment over and over again as the trustees ignore us may feel like broken-record attempts, we know that the student power we are demonstrating cannot and will not be ignored!” SDS member and University of Colorado Denver student Geral Mueller said during their speech at the rally outside.

Inside the trustees meeting, during President Janine Davidson’s speech, two SDS members began quietly singing, “Which side are you on? Which side are you on? Justice for Gaza is justice for us all.”

The Auraria Campus Police Department arrested those two SDS members without a dispersal order and charged them with “disrupting a lawful assembly.” The public comment section of the meeting was then skipped to prevent students from protesting the trustees’ resolutions.

#DenverCO #StudentsforaDemocraticSociety #MetropolitanStateUniversity #Divest

Denver, CO – On Saturday, September 14, 30 people from Denver and Aurora met at James Bible Park in Denver, Colorado to oppose the U,S. occupation of Korea. A striking banner at the rally read “U.S. out of Korea! End the War Economy!”

This action was organized in solidarity with Nodutdol’s “U.S. Out of Korea” campaign. The energy of Nodutdol’s campaign can was felt those who gathered for the rally. Opposing the rising tensions of war from the continued sanctions on North Korea and U.S. war games is a priority for anti-imperialist groups.

Solveig Swain, a member of Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA), said, “The U.S. is ramping up the war games and the threats of invasion into North Korea in an attempt to stoke the flames of war.”

Raika Sailing, a member of DAWA and one of the organizers of the action, spoke to the broader agenda the U.S. has in the region. Speaking on the topic of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems deployed in Korea, Sailing said, “[They] threaten China and instigating further conflict in the East. The U.S. uses stolen Korean land to further their violent campaign across Asia. This has to stop.”

After a series of speeches and chants, the rally ended with an encouragement for those present to think seriously about how they could make this demand a reality, and how they can contribute themselves and their organizations to the call to get U.S. out of Korea and to the fight against US imperialism.

Near the end of the action, speakers connected the struggle in Korea to the brave people of Palestine fighting back against the U.S.-funded genocide being carried out by the Israeli occupation, chanting “Free, free Palestine!” and “From Korea to Palestine, occupation is a crime!”

The organizations present included Denver Anti-War Action (DAWA), Students for a Democratic Society, and Denver-Aurora Community Action Committee, among others. The action drew people from far and wide, with groups coming from Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Wyoming, including some of the Veterans for Peace, Students for Justice in Palestine UCCS, and the Colorado Springs People’s Coalition.

#DenverCO #CO #AntiWarMovement #International #Korea #Nodutdol #DAWA #SDS