Public spaces in multiple cities and towns across Southern Colorado are slated to be filled with protesters throughout Saturday, Oct. 18 as part of the “No Kings” demonstrations taking place nationwide.
The protests are planned at different times and locations all over the region with the goal of conducting peaceful actions and “to stand together in the belief that America belongs to its people, not kings,” according to national event organizers.
Specifically, demonstrators are protesting what organizers are calling “President Trump’s authoritarian actions and power grabs.” Republican leaders, in turn, are describing the demonstrations as "Hate America" rallies.
Follow along as KRCC and its newsroom partners bring you the scenes from throughout the region, including rural and smaller towns.
12:39 p.m.: Pueblo sees thousands surround courthouse downtown
An estimated 2,000 people gathered outside Pueblo County Government Lawn mid-morning on Saturday for the “No Kings” protest.
Among them was 23-year-old Sydney Haney who said she was protesting what she saw as various human rights violations, ICE kidnapping members of her community and rollbacks to things like reproductive rights, health care and the constitution.
“What the community is doing here today is coming together and saying we won’t take this, we want to be listened to and the people we elect should be listening to the people who vote them in,” Haney said.
Risa Luzardo of Pueblo was also in attendance. She said she wanted to stand in solidarity with others and practice democracy.
“I’m here to be inspired by others and to hopefully inspire others to get out and use your voice and be a body in the movement in the struggle,” Luzardo said.
Only a handful of counter-protesters were on site but the event remained peaceful.
— CPR’s Stephanie Rivera and Pueblo Star Journal’s Molly Cotner reporting from Pueblo
11:22 a.m.: Larkspur, known for hosting annual Ren Faire, gets political
About 30 miles north of Colorado Springs along Interstate 25 sits the small town of Larkspur, population about 200.
It’s known for hosting the Colorado Renaissance Festival every summer but on Saturday more than 250 people gathered to take part in a “No Kings” protest at Larkspur Community Park.
Retiree Joe B., who requested anonymity due to his political affiliation, was among the attendees. He described himself as a lifelong Republican until 2016 when he started voting Democrat. He said for a town this small the turnout was great.
“People are waking up to the fact that this country is in trouble and it's time to get out and do something about it,” he said.
Tom Rogers, who has lived in Larkspur for 32 years, said he wanted to be “part of the body counts so people can see it’s ok to participate.”
“You don’t have to shelter in place just because you’re a liberal or Democrat.”
No counter-protesters were seen in the area.
— CPR's Stephanie Rivera and KRCC's Kendra Carr reporting from Larkspur
10:30 a.m. Westcliffe, town of less than 500, holds “No Kings” protest Saturday morning
Amid a sunny but crisp morning in Westcliffe, about 200 people were among the first in Colorado to participate in “NO Kings” protests on Saturday.
Protestors gathered at The Bluff park on the west end of Main Street in the small town nestled between the Wet Mountain Valley and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Its population is estimated at about 435 people, according to the last Census.
Lisa Kelley came out with her dog and friend to speak out against the administration.
She said ICE’s immigration enforcement and “pulling people off that are never seen again” were among the reasons she is protesting.
“Everyday I wake up and it's just more appalling news,” Kelley said. “I feel like I'm in the twilight zone.”
— CPR's Stephanie Rivera and KRCC's Briana Heaney reporting from Westcliffe
