Republican legislators and activists march to honor MLK, Jr.
Denver’s Marade is meant to be a celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life. It’s one of the oldest and biggest MLK Day celebrations in the country and unites entire communities in Denver around King’s peaceful message of individual freedom. Or, at least, it was until this year when #BlackLivesMatter protesters elbowed their way to the front of the parade causing delays.
Why? Because only #BlackLivesMatter protesters matter in this Marade. Forget everyone else who wants to show support at this community rallying point.
From the Denver Post:
“They carried a banner with the names Marvin Booker and Michael Marshall, both black men who died while being restrained by deputies at Denver’s Downtown Detention Center.
“At the park, they took over the stage even though they hadn’t been invited to speak. One protester who was allowed to speak urged the crowd to chant ‘release the tapes’ in reference to jail video that captures Marshall’s restraint by deputies.
“Later, the protesters jeered when Denver Mayor Michael Hancock spoke.”
Derrick Wilburn, Colorado GOP Vice Chair found irony in the situation:
“Well, we’ve all been just standing around for 15 minutes. Turns out the black lives matter went to the front of the March and shut the whole thing down. Ironic. Shutting down a parade to honor the memory of MLK in order to refocus attention on BLM.”
Despite the selfishness of #BlackLivesMatter protesters, several Republican legislators and activists, including state Sens. Neville and Baumgardner, state Reps. Lawrence and Lundeen, Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, and U.S. Senate candidate Ryan Frazier, joined the march with Colorado Conservatives of Color.