a day ago
"No Kings" protest draws thousands to downtown Denver
Thousands flocked to downtown Denver on Saturday for the "No Kings" protest, timed to counter-program President Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade in Washington, D.C.
The big picture: The volume of people who participated resembled that of a Denver sport team's title celebration more than a political rally.
Protests in cities across the U.S. collectively drew millions of people in what organizers called the largest single-day anti-Trump demonstration since the start of his second term.
At one point, organizers in Denver said the march — which started at the Capitol before winding through the city center — stretched a mile long.
Why it matters: It's likely the largest anti-Trump demonstration in Denver since his first term drew tens of thousands of people downtown for the 2017 Women's March.
Zoom in: Marchers on Saturday were largely unified in their anti-Trump messaging, though at various points there were also anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian and anti-police chants ringing through the massive crowd.
The Colorado Palestine Coalition led some of the marchers, organizers on the ground told Axios.
State of play: The event took place after a Minnesota state lawmaker was fatally shot and another wounded early Saturday in what authorities called "targeted" attacks against sitting Democratic legislators.
The attack prompted the Minnesota State Patrol to urge people not to attend local "No Kings" protests.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, in a statement said the Centennial State stands with Minnesota: "We must continue to reject the divisive politics and rhetoric that have become too prevalent in our country."
Between the lines: Saturday's protest was peaceful. There were no clashes between police and marchers observed by Axios.
Some demonstrators thanked officers who were blocking roads allowing demonstrators to march.
What they're saying: "This is the moment, people, where we have to say, 'No, this is the red line — you are not a king,'" Denver resident Michelle Mottler, who arrived dressed as the Statue of Liberty, told us Saturday.
