This morning, students from across the metropolitan area gathered at the state capitol to show their support for the rights of undocumented immigrants.
Denver police and the State Patrol estimated the crowd at about 2,500 people. Virginia Quinones, a spokeswoman for the Denver Police Department, said the march went “incredibly well” considering the number of participants and the distance some traveled.
One of the largest groups of marchers came from North High School near Speer and Federal.
There, hundreds of students began pouring out of the building around 8:30 a.m. and gathered at Viking Park across the street. They were accompanied by several teachers and various parent organizations, including Padres Unidos and Escuela Tlatelolco, who wanted to ensure safe passage for their students downtown.
Many of the participants wore white clothes, symbolizing peace.
Police controlled traffic along the way. Some drivers honked their horns in support. Students chanted slogans such as “Si, se puede,” which means “Yes, we can” in Spanish.
The group turned left on Colfax and headed toward the Capitol.
About 200 students left Jefferson High School in Edgewater at 9:15 a.m. and traveled more than eight miles along 26th Street south on Federal and east on Colfax.
Before the walk, student organizer Daniel Alarcón urged students to walk safely. “Everyone, please obey the law. Don't put 20 people in your car, “La Rey Es La Rey.'' “No quiero problemas” means “The law is the law, we don't want any trouble.”
Edgewater police escorted the teens, some of whom were from Wheat Ridge Middle School. School staff also watched over the students along the way.
Gabe Afritt, 13, a student at Wheat Ridge Middle School, said laws that prevent immigrants from entering the United States are “unfair and racist.”
“They can’t take us for granted,” he said. “We're not taking everyone's jobs away like everyone says.”
Some students were seen limping as they approached the National Diet Building. Some joked about sweaty blisters and messy hair. But their faces lit up when they saw the faces of hundreds of young people and the Mexican and American flags heading to the steps of the Capitol.
Upon arrival, students began speaking out against proposed punitive immigration reform measures and in support of immigrant-friendly reforms.
Adela Lopez, 17, read a letter to the crowd asking Colorado Sens. Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar to oppose the House-passed bill that would make illegal immigration a felony.
The letter said the bill's provisions are “bad policy and a dead end for our community.”
Gov. Bill Owens, who was not at the Capitol at the time of the rally, said he believed the students were sincere but found it “strange” that they would only demonstrate on a school day.
“If I saw the students marching on Saturday, I would be more moved,” he says.
“We're not trying to hurt your country,” said Jorge Macias, a high school sophomore who identified himself as an American citizen. “It's big enough for everyone.'' Other students held Puerto Rican and Cuban flags.
Albiz Dell, 17, a West High School senior who helped organize Wednesday's event, said students spread the word through cellphone text messages, internet posts and flyers.
The crowd at the Capitol spread from the west steps and across the lawn to Lincoln. We broke up just before noon.
Denver Public Schools spokesman Mark Stevens said he doesn't know how many students have left class districtwide, but some schools have reported more than 100.
He said principals and teachers are discouraging students from participating, and absences are considered unexcused. Every area will be catered to on a student-by-student basis, he said.
“What we are saying is that you can only complete the curriculum and finish your classes if you are present,” he said.
Staff reporters Kevin Simpson, Karen Rouse and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
