Gritos en Colorado, Latino Blackout: What to Expect

Everything you should know about the upcoming Gritos en Colorado protest and march planned for Mexican Independence Day, September 16th.

Next week, the Latino and Hispanic communities will take to the streets of Denver to celebrate Mexican Independence Day while also voicing their growing concerns over government actions by the White House and Colorado Governor Jared Polis. A local activist, Christy Aguilar, is organizing the event independently of other organizations known for organizing local protests. Other organizations, including attorneys, No Concentration Camps in Colorado, FRSO, and others, will attend the event to provide information and resources to attendees. (Please see the bottom of the page for a more complete list of organizations that have signed up to attend.) 

"I wanted to start giving my people, the Hispanic community, a voice," Christy said when we met about the event. "Being a part of the protest community, I've been seeing the decrease of numbers in the Hispanic community not being at protests." 

Christy feels this event will be a great way to bring back the voices of the Hispanic community in Denver. September 16th is Mexican Independence Day, a day that represents when the people of Mexico stood up against tyranny from the Spanish Empire. She told us, "It was just regular people, like literally mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who stood up against the Spanish Empire and said enough is enough." 

She feels it's very symbolic to hold the event on this day because of Colorado's deep roots and heritage that traces back to the early Mexican people. "Colorado has very deep Mexican roots that have been whitewashed and overshadowed and it's now time for us to start making sure that those roots start to bloom and our voices are heard."

Christy hopes this event can serve as a way to give the Hispanic community a voice in keeping ICE out of their communities and their schools, and have the Hispanic and Latino communities come together with the protest communities. "When the hispanic community protests they go all out, and that's something I hope to see more of in Denver...I just want the community to start to come together to fight the bigger picture that is this administration."

When asked, Christy says she believes that numbers have decreased because of a lack of communication that resonates and is accessible to the Hispanic and Latino communities. Many people she talked with have said they didn't know a protest was happening, or they would have shown up. She is working to solve this issue by hitting the streets and engaging directly with these communities, meeting them where they are, having conversations, and building the community needed to organize and stand up for their rights. "...we won't go to their areas, so that's one of the things a lot of people don't realize is they're willing to come out, but they just don't know about when it's going to happen. It's our job as actual organizers to go to their communities, to actually bond with them, to get to know them, invite them over because they are more than willing to do it." She believes that engaging with these communities, locally, is more heartfelt and allows people to see the passion organizers have for the event. 

Students at local schools are coordinating walkouts across the area to join the protest at the Capitol. Christy tells us it's essential for students to get involved because they need to know they can use their voice, and that they should use their voice. She also stresses the importance of protesters to remain peaceful and encourages the older people to look out for and protect the students who join the event.

The event will start at 10 am and wrap up at 7 pm. It will feature food trucks, music, speakers, and multiple marches throughout the day. For additional information about the event or how you can get involved, you can contact organizers on Instagram @gritoencolorado. If you'd like to support the efforts, organizers are accepting donations of water and snacks to provide to attendees who may need them throughout the event. A GoFundMe page is also available to contribute to the event.

Other organizations attending the event:

• GSUS
• CCCC