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CBS News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Denver's Auraria campus subject of antisemitism investigation over pro-Palestinian protests
Denver's Auraria campus and the pro-Palestinian encampment that popped up on campus last spring will now be investigated by the federal government. The Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights voted unanimously to begin a year-long examination of the "presence and/or absence of antisemitism at Colorado universities and colleges, specifically at the Auraria Campus in Denver that hosts the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, andUniversity of Colorado Denver." CBS The protest was one of many across the country against the war in Gaza. The encampment remained on Tivoli Quad for 23 days last year as students and others protested the war and called for the colleges to disclose all their investments with Israel and divest financially from them. They claimed that the campus administration was "standing with genocide." In response to the protests, the Jewish Coalition of Colorado called on the university to "take bold action" to protect Jewish students. School officials said camping on the quad violates campus policy. Although some officials said they supported the student's right to protest, they insisted that the encampment be taken down for the health and safety of those on campus. CBS After refusing to disperse, approximately 40 people were arrested by the Auraria Campus Police Department. Officers handcuffed the protesters, who were led to a bus and eventually processed on charges of trespassing. Eight Coloradans arrested by campus police later sued, claiming they weren't given adequate warning that police would be making arrests and that their arrests were unjustified because they weren't camping there. In response to the arrests, civil rights icon Angela Davis spoke with protesters about the parallels she saw between racism and the criminal justice system in the U.S. and Israel's treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Angela Davis addresses pro-Palestine demonstrators at an encampment set up on Denver's Auraria Campus on Friday, April 26, 2024. COURTESY The leader of Hillel Colorado, Daniel Bennett, said that Jewish students had been afraid to come to school since October. But protester Daryn Copeland said they hadn't seen any antisemitism on campus, and he and his fellow Jewish protestors felt safe. Bennet explained that if the demonstrators were only asking for peace in Palestine, he would understand, but to boycott Israel and treat them differently than other countries is anti-Semitic. Donors offered to give $15,000 to the International Red Cross in the name of the Students for Democratic Society if the protesters agreed to take down the encampment. But protest leader Paul Nelson, a former student, said they rejected the offer as a bribe. CBS A week later, while protest leaders met with Dr. Angie Paccione, who oversees the Colorado Department of Higher Education, protestors reportedly began demonstrating inside the Tivoli Student Union building, singing, "We will not rest, we will not stop until you divest." President Janine Davidson's office said protesters blocked entrances while law enforcement secured doors with zip ties to limit who was able to go inside. Campus officials said the protesters threatened to disrupt upcoming commencement ceremonies if the schools refused to divest from Israel. The Community College of Denver decided to relocate its ceremony "to ensure our college community can celebrate without interruption." Lockdown on Auraria Campus after protesters enter CU Denver Student Commons building CBS On Mother's Day, students held a vigil for mothers in Palestine who lost their children and for Palestinian children who had lost their mothers. More than a dozen protesters marched to the CU Denver Student Commons building, causing officials to order a lockdown. Ten of those protesters were issued a summons for trespassing, interference and disturbing the peace. A Saturday, May 18, 2024 photo shows Tivoli Quad at Auraria Campus cleared of tents and protesters at the site of an encampment that stood since April 25. Courtesy / Auraria Campus MSU Denver restricted access to campus buildings as the demonstration continued. CU Denver also chose to temporarily shift to remote learning and canceled all on-campus events. As they began dispersing and cleaning up the encampment, campus officials said cleanup would cost about $670,000.
CBS News
09-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Auraria Campus Police violated First Amendment rights during Denver protest arrest, claims new lawsuit
Eight Coloradans, including a college professor, are suing the Auraria Campus police chief and several officers almost a year after they were arrested during campus protests over the war in Gaza . In the spring of 2024, protestors descended upon campuses across the country and the world, including the Auraria Campus in Denver , which houses campuses for the University of Colorado Denver, Community College of Denver, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. They set up an encampment on the Tivoli quad, which violates campus policy. On April 26, Auraria Campus Police started arresting people for trespassing. Alex Boodrookas is an assistant professor of history at MSU Denver. He says he was leaving a meeting when he saw the scene unfolding. He says he sat with the students to try to deescalate the situation but was arrested. CU Boulder alumni Sarah Napier was also arrested. She says she was protesting but not camping. They're two of eight people now suing Auraria Police Chief Jason Mollendor and six other officers, with the help of lawyers from Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC, accusing the officers of violating their First Amendment rights. "You should be able to peacefully protest," Napier told CBS News Colorado. You should be able to, you know, have your First Amendment rights." They say that Auraria police didn't adequately warn protestors that they would be arresting anyone and, even if they did, their arrests were unjustified because they weren't camping. They allege the arrests were an attempt to silence voices campus officials didn't like. "The mass arrests that we saw at the encampments last year, like they very much laid the groundwork for what we're seeing today," Boodrookas said. Both Boodrookas and Napier ultimately had their charges dismissed and their records sealed, but they say the damage was done. They've both faced professional repercussions, but they say this lawsuit isn't about them; it's about making sure free speech is protected. "I want to make sure that armed riot police don't arrest peaceful student demonstrators on my campus again," Boodrookas said. On Wednesday, the Auraria Campus released the following statement: "The Auraria campus has not been served with any civil rights lawsuit related to the events of April 26, 2024. Based on available media reports, it appears that the individuals involved chose to engage with the press prior to notifying either the Auraria Campus administration or the Auraria Campus Police Department. We are also aware of several misrepresentations reported in today's media coverage. As with any legal matter, Auraria Campus remains committed to following the appropriate legal processes and protocols. We will be prepared to respond accordingly if and when we are served. Our priority continues to be transparency, accountability, and the safety and well-being of the Auraria Campus community." The lawsuit was filed at 9 a.m. on Wednesday in Denver District Court and asks for a jury trial, as well as punitive, compensatory, and economic damages. "Rather than respecting the constitutional rights of those gathered, Auraria Campus Police Department officers abrogated well-established First Amendment rights through intimidation and mass arrests," it states, in part. "Protesters who peacefully linked arms in solidarity were trapped and encircled by riot police, physically prevented from leaving before officers began making arrests." "If we fail to challenge this now, we risk normalizing the suppression of speech whenever it becomes inconvenient," Azra Taslimi, one of the attorneys representing the protesters, said at a news conference on Wednesday. "Student protest is not a disruption of education, it is a reflection of it. It is civic engagement, it is democracy in action, and it is why we must protect it."
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Community College of Denver launches tuition free high school diploma program for adults
DENVER (KDVR) — The Community College of Denver announced it will offer a tuition-free high school diploma program for adults. Students in the program must pay a one-time fee of $50, and upon completion of the program, the school said the diploma can help open new employment opportunities, unlock access to federal financial aid and help transition into other certificate and degree programs. Colorado Department of Revenue still not processing state tax returns The program is centered around a competency-based curriculum that takes into account prior education that may be eligible for credit. Students can take up to three courses at the same time to earn the diploma, and evening and weekend classes are offered. Those accepted into the program are required to meet with an advisor to evaluate course placement and assist with onboarding. 'Students can complete the program in as little as five weeks or take up to one year to finish if they stay on track with the work,' said Josh Morgolin, program director. 'Advisors are provided to assist with program planning and to help design an academic path toward additional certification and degrees for those interested, as well as to assist with employment and career guidance.' Columbine shooting survivor Anne Marie Hochhalter dies Courses are designed to fit around most work schedules and are offered on Tuesday and Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. The classes are in person but can expand to remote operations if necessary. Students will also have access to the resources of Auraria Higher Education including: Student centers Auraria library Tutoring and counseling services Seamless transition to college Spaces in the program are limited. More information on the program can be found on the school's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
