Nearly 200 people gathered at Washington Park in Denver on Saturday to rally and march in support of immigrants, refugees and keeping families together.
Jeanette Vizguerra and Ingrid Encalada Latorre, who are seeking sanctuary at the First Unitarian Society of Denver and Mountain View Friends Meeting respectively, spoke to attendees before the march by phone. Both women thanked supporters in Spanish.
“I’ve been living in Colorado for 17 years,” Latorre said during the phone call that was projected with speakers. “I came here looking for opportunity and to be close to my aunt who is like my mother… We’re not a threat to anyone… My goals are not that different from yours.”
During Vizguerra’s phone call, she addressed President Trump saying it was time for immigration reform for all Latinos, Africans, Christians, Jews and Muslims.
“It’s time to say, ‘Yes to immigration reform,'” she said. “We will work together and we will win one day, and Ingrid and I will both go home.”
Vizguerra’s young son, Roberto Vizguerra, 10, and daughter, Luna Vizguerra, 12, were at the rally and said their home lives are not the same without their mother.
“Now I have to take on the responsibility of taking care of my little sister and brother in the morning and I have to get them ready and I have to get them to school on time,” Luna Vizguerra said. Crying, she added, “I just really want her to stay because it’s not the same not having her in the next room to talk to or give her a hug or to tell her how much she means to us.”
The march began at Washington Park and moved south on South Downing Street, west on East Arizona Avenue to Washington Street and over Interstate 25 where the group held one of three large banners with messages saying, “Keep families together,” “We love immigrants,” and “Colorado demands reform and relief for immigrant families.” Police officers helped escort the group safely during their march from the park to the bridges and back.
Once at the first bridge, supporters broke off into three smaller groups and stood over the I-25 bridges at Buchtel Boulevard and East Louisiana Ave, and Buchtel Boulevard and South Emerson Street. About four squad vehicles and nine motorcycle officers were posted for safety.
The group originally planned to hold the three banners so that they could be read by drivers on I-25, but police said the signs were a distraction and they could only face their banners toward the inside of the bridges.
Diego Barretero and Jeremy Bermundez rallied together carrying a rainbow flag and a sign reading, “Fight ignorance, not immigrants.” The two said they know of families who have been broken up by immigration restrictions and deportations.
“Their whole family is torn apart,” Barretero said. “Especially the kids. They’re traumatized and they don’t know what to do.”
Most drivers crossing the bridges and passing through the park honked at ralliers to show support but one driver was seen pointing his thumb down as he passed.
“It’s important to speak up and speak out,” Bermundez said. “Silence is consent.”
“We’re not going away,” Barretero added.
The event was organized by the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization of various faiths committed to social justice and humanitarian work, and the Denver Metro Sanctuary Coalition, seven faith communities that work together to provide sanctuary to immigrants and their families.