The events unfolding in Denver since October 7 are worrisome, characterized as they are by a striking departure from reason. Once a serene mountain town celebrated for its progressive values, Denver is witnessing a form of activism that appears more intent on undermining its social fabric than fostering meaningful conversation. The demonstrations, ostensibly in support of Hamas and other terrorist organizations, have devolved into mayhem.
Far from peaceful expressions of passionately-held opinions, the protests are platforms for promoting groups known better for their violent tactics than their commitment to human rights. Activists, many of whom seem ignorant of the geopolitical context of their cause, wave Hamas and Hezbollah flags with a fervor more akin to a sporting event than a serious political statement. The chants echoing through the streets call not for justice, but jihad.
The movement took an alarming turn by targeting the very people who should be allies in the fight against oppression, including the LGBT community. Staff at “The Center,” Denver’s principal resource for LGBT individuals, have reported harassment from those professing to champion human rights. Their offense? Requesting police assistance amidst threats labeling them as “complicit in genocide.” Such actions starkly contradict the principles of inclusivity they claim to uphold.
The situation has further deteriorated on the Auraria Campus, shared by three higher education institutions, where the protests have resulted in significant disruption and property damage. The once-vibrant campus grounds have been transformed into a muddy expanse, with local businesses experiencing a steep decline in patronage. The financial burdens caused by the never-ending protests include exorbitant expenses for security, restoration, and lost revenue for local enterprises, all while the ostensible purpose of the protests remains vague and poorly defined. The total cost of the demonstrations exceeds $670,000.
Israel’s defenders face a hostile reaction, as exemplified by the targeting of Martin Widzer, a Jewish Israeli professor of political science at The University of Colorado, Denver, who faced public shaming for expressing his pro-Israel views. Widzer’s treatment highlights a troubling trend: the stifling of intellectual debate in favor of intimidation and mob behavior. Such actions undermine the very foundations of academic freedom and tolerance.
In a further example of activists’ mindless excess, protesters have demanded the cancellation of a non-existent study abroad program in Israel. Their outcry underscores their ignorance of even local institutions, much less the complexities of international relations, including the university’s deep-rooted ties to Qatar, which supports Hamas financially and provides shelter to its leadership.
In 2017, University of Colerado Denver’s then-president, Bruce Benson, participated in a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Abdulla Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa al-Thani at the Ministry of Interior in Doha. The delegation from the university engaged with prominent figures, including the president of Qatar University and the minister of education. He also received a tour of Doha’s Education City, a cornerstone initiative of the Qatar Foundation, which functions as an extension of Qatar’s government and serves as a conduit for global Islamist networks. Qatar Foundation has been linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and has named one of its facilities after Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the deceased spiritual leader of the Brotherhood who endorsed violence and jihadist terrorism, promoted antisemitism and homophobia, and advocated America’s downfall.
There’s more. The Colorado Palestine Coalition, in partnership with a number of far-left socialist groups in Denver, including the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the Democratic Socialists of America, and the so-called “Gay Liberation Front for Palestine,” have organized a “One Year of Genocide, One Year of Resistance” walk-out event on October 7, 2024, with a similar International Day of Action event planned in Denver on October 5. On Sunday, October 6, the Colorado Palestine Coalition has organized a “children’s march for Palestine” in Denver – an exploitative and borderline abusive event.
Events unfolding in Denver serve as a cautionary tale, illustrating a movement rooted not in a sincere quest for justice, but in a troubling mix of ignorance and radicalism. While cloaked in the language of social justice, these actions amount to intimidation, targeting institutions and communities without regard for the values they purport to champion.
The irony remains stark: those who rally in support of organizations like Hamas seem oblivious to the fact that their freedoms to protest are fundamentally at odds with the ideologies they endorse. Hamas does not advocate for the rights these protesters claim to defend. In a striking irony, the very freedoms they exploit would be extinguished under the regime they endorse. The situation in Denver reveals the perilous path of a movement that, far from contributing to progress, threatens to undermine the very principles of liberty and equality it claims to uphold.
