Denverite activists and concerned citizens alike came together at Denver Capitol Hill on April 5 to protest a myriad of policies and executive orders that have come out of the White House since President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Creek students marched and rallied among them.
“Protests against a government that is blatantly trying to usurp our democracy are some of the best ways for us normal citizens to act and support our values,” senior Avery Reitz said. “Also, it is empowering to see that there are many like minded people out there to support the cause.”
Reitz placed himself, holding a sign, right at the front of the march.
“My sign has two sides, one said ‘death to tyranny’ and then ‘hands off our democracy – history is watching. so are we,’” he said. “I wanted to convey the message that the Trump administration’s attempts to override our democracy is tyranny, and that their actions will be remembered when the next four years roll around.”
The march was huge, stretching almost a mile around downtown Denver, from the capitol to the Denver Center of Performing Arts to Civic Center Park. Beforehand, junior Kaemon Vita showed up for the rally.
“I attended the protest last week because I have read the news, seen the things that this administration is doing, and I think they are unacceptable,” Vita said. “It takes a lot of people to effect change, and I’d like to do my part to be part of that change.”
He thinks young people need to get out onto the streets and make change.
“It’s really important that students get involved in these protests because it is currently our future that is at stake,” Vita said. “It is vital that we fight to preserve a safe and loving country for us and our children to live and grow up in.”
Reitz hopes the protest encourages change.
“To anyone who thinks they have no power to influence this country, you are wrong,” he said. “There are ways, and joining these protests is one of the easiest.”
See moments from the protest below.
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Ralliers crowd outside the capitol as speakers address them to thunderous approval and applause.
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An elderly woman holds a sign saying “Nana Against Fascism.”
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A speaker leads the crowd through a chant.
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Ralliers yell chants next to the capitol steps.
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An attendee on the capitol stairs lifts a sign emblazoned with “Wake Up America.”
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A protestor tearfully listens to speeches at the base of the Capitol, as organizers share their thoughts of the Trump administration.
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An older woman, sitting in a chair at the base of the Colorado State Capitol steps, claps her hands in agreement with a speech.
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Dressed as the statue of liberty, a marcher holds up a sign and points towards people honking their horns in support of the protest on the other side of the road.
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The front line of the march rumbles down Colfax, holding a pride flag banner saying “We Resist.” A dog trots alongside them.
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A group of marchers stand atop a tall median near Civic Center Park, holding an American flag and shouting out chants for the rest of the crowd below.
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One protester dances alongside the marchers.
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A marcher walks with the crowd, wearing a shirt that matches her sign, reading “when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.”
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One woman bears a pin saying “Save Our VA,” addressing the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her sign reads “I Love the Constitution.”
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A protestor holds up a bright pink sign that reads “Why are we still fighting for this s**t? Protect our rights!”
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Clasping their hands around their mouth, a marcher yells out a chant. Next to them, another protester holds up a sign that reads “Stop the shakedown.”
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A child sits on their father’s shoulders, hoisting a sign reading “Frick Donald Trump!!!”
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Following the crowd down towards the Buell Theater, a protestor holds up a pride flag that blows in the chilly wind.
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Gathered at the top of a staircase on a sidestreet, pedestrians mix with marchers to watch the crowds of people move down the street, yelling encouragement and waving.
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The march thunders down 14th Street.
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A marcher yells chants into a megaphone, leading the rest of the protesters.
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Marchers on the front line protest recent restrictions on trans individuals, and reference Elon Musk’s controversial salute gesture at Trump’s inauguration, calling him a Nazi.
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A marcher holds up their fist, yelling chants as they walk back towards the Capitol.
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Walking down the street, two marchers hold up bubble wands, releasing clouds of bubbles into the crowd as they go.
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A man holds a sign saying “Hands Off.” Hands off what? Protesters were conveying messages in favor of trans rights, abortion rights, and against recent presidential actions.
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Marchers wave and chant as they walk through Denver.
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Protesters yell chants while marching past Denver Center for Performing Arts.
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A marcher holds up a sign that references musician Kendrick Lamar’s comment made during his Superbowl Halftime performance: “The revolution ‘bout to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” The slogan has rapidly gained popularity in movements against the Trump administration.
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A group of protest leaders hold a banner stating “Colorado Resists the 2025 Fascist Coup.” One holds a megaphone; he had led chants throughout the march. Another holds a sign saying “Now You’ve Pissed off Grandma.”
