An estimated 2,500 people turned out to loudly protest convicted felon, sexual abuser and President Donald Trump and his co-president Elon Musk and their erratic governing style, economy-destroying tariffs, alienating of America’s allies, crony capitalism, ignoring people’s rights to due process, rolling back of civil and human rights, illegal dismantling of federal agencies and worse, at one of the biggest protests ever in town. The demonstration was one of about 1,400 similar protests taking place across the nation on April 5 as Americans, increasingly worried about Trump pushing the country into authoritarianism, rise in solidarity against Trump and Trumpism.
Category: Human rights
Activism, Authoritarianism, Christian nationalism, Cronyism, Dangerous Republicans, Democracy, Democracy under threat, Democrats, Destruction of the federal government, Equal rights, Ethics, Ethnic/Minority, Extremism, Fascism, Freedom under threat, Human rights, Local concerns, Oligarchy, Public health, Racism, Republican incompetence, Republicans violating laws, Trump Insanity
The April 5 Hands Off! demonstration is ON in Grand Junction!
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On Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Mesa County Democrats, Indivisible Grand Junction, Western Colorado Alliance, Mesa County Action Coalition, and others will host a Hands Off! protest on the lawn of the Historic Lowell School Building at 7th and Grand! The event coincides with nationwide action that day “to stand up against those who believe they can take whatever they want — our democracy, our future, our rights.”
The event will protest the drastic, illegal measures the Trump/Musk regime is taking against our federal government offices and services, the unprecedented attacks on our civil rights and seizure of millions of Americans’ personal information, like social security numbers and banking information, and the damage Trump and Musk are doing to vital sources of scientific research, as well as their attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, the rights of transgender Americans, immigrant rights and so much more.
Activism, Democracy, Extremism, Grassroots advocacy, Human rights, John Marshall, Racism, White Supremacists
Anti-fascism demonstration at CMU a success
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Hundreds of people both young and older turned out at 4:00 p.m. yesterday at Colorado Mesa University Corner 12th St. and North Ave to support diversity and immigrants’ rights and protest CMU providing a platform for white supremacist Jared Taylor to speak on campus. It was a violence-free, albeit noisy demonstration with cheers, bullhorns, a vuvuzela, drums and other noisemakers. Many passing drivers honked in approval, encouraging a roar of support from the crowd and adding to the cacophony. Following are more scenes and protest signs from the demonstration:
Activism, Dangerous Republicans, Democracy under threat, Destruction of the federal government, Fascism, Freedom under threat, Human rights, Local concerns, Republicans violating laws, Social Justice
April 5 Hands Off! Rally & Protest: Grand Junction, CO Fights Back
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UPDATE: THE EVENT IS ON!! HERE’S THE CURRENT INFO:
On April 5, 2025, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Mesa County Dems, Indivisible GJ, Western Colorado Alliance, Mesa County Action Coalition, and others are hosting a protest on the lawn of the Historic Lowell School Building on 7th and Grand! This is in conjunction with the nationwide protests on April 5
Bring your signs and park in the parking lot at Grand and 8th! There will be food trucks, kids’ activities with Creative Spirits Colorado, and Gemini Brewing will be open. This is a nonviolent, family-friendly, peaceful protest that welcomes all people.
Here is the up to date link for the Grand Junction Hands Off! event.
Word about the supposed “cancellation” of the event (see below) is that the venue was changed, and in order to change the venue for the event online on Mobilize.us, organizers had to cancel the original event, wait 24 hours and the re-post the event with the new venue.
NOTE: I GOT AN EMAIL SAYING THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED BY THE ORGANIZER, BUT SIMILAR EVENTS ARE STILL TAKING PLACE IN MONTROSE, MOAB, GLENWOOD SPRINGS (SAYRE PARK) , EDWARDS (EAGLE COUNTY) AND GUNNISON.
The next national protest against the Trump/Musk regime is the Hands Off! National Day of Action on Saturday, April 5. Hands Off rallies and marches are taking place nationwide that day. In Grand Junction the event will be from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The exact location hasn’t been stated yet, but from the map it looks like it might be Lincoln Park.
Sign up to attend and get more information here.
Here is the description of the event from Mobilize.us:
About this event
Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. We are fighting back!
They’re taking everything they can get their hands on — our health care, our data, our jobs, our services — and daring the world to stop them. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now.
On Saturday, April 5th, we’re taking to the streets to fight back with a clear message: Hands off!
This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country.
A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
Check out handsoff2025.com for more information.
Accessibility
Mainly flat ground
Have accessibility questions? Reply to your registration email to confirm your requirements or request more information.
Activism, Economics, Grassroots advocacy, Human rights, Worker advocacy
Group organizing a national labor strike
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A decentralized group, GeneralStrike.us, is organizing a generalized national labor strike in the U.S. in an effort to force significant changes aimed at benefitting hard working, underpaid Americans who are struggling to stay afloat due to low wages and escalating costs of living. The appeal to join the strike is going out to all workers including, but not limited to teachers, fast food workers, drivers, gig workers, waiters, actors, artists, athletes, retail and grocery store workers and more.
GeneralStrike.us says “Our greatest power is our labor and our right to refuse it,” and “We are not one singular organization. We are a network of regular people united by our shared values, committed to a general strike to radically change our country.”
Activism, Corporations, Corruption, Dangerous Republicans, Ethics, Extremism, Freedom under threat, Human rights, Liberals, Oligarchy, politics, Tech, Trump Insanity
People’s March unites locals who oppose oligarchy, loss of rights & right wing extremism
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The People’s March on Saturday, January 18, provided a chance for a large group of Mesa County’s growing number of liberal residents to get together, enjoy camaraderie, speeches, free hot coffee, chai and cookies provided by Octopus Coffee. People were bundled up as the temperature was just below freezing.
The crowd numbered around 300 people.
On Wednesday, January 15, President Biden gave a farewell address to the public in which he warned Americans of a coming “dangerous concentration of power in the hands of very few ultra-wealthy people, and the dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is left unchecked.” Biden said,
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.”
Activism, Christian nationalism, Crime, Dangerous Republicans, Democracy under threat, Extremism, Freedom under threat, Human rights, Mesa County, Republican incompetence, Trump Insanity, Women
People’s March to be held Saturday, Jan. 18 @ 1 p.m., to bring together people who fear second Trump administration
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The Womens’ March held around the time of Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 is coming back in 2025, but this time it has been rebranded as “The People’s March,” to be even more inclusive.
The 2025 Grand Junction People’s March will start at the Old Courthouse on 6th and Rood Ave. on Saturday, January 18 at 1:00 p.m. in Grand Junction, just prior to Trump’s inauguration on January 20. The event will coincide with a national People’s March will in Washington, D.C. scheduled to start 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Bad behavior, Crime, Dangerous Republicans, Democracy under threat, Domestic terrorism, Ethnic/Minority, Extremism, Fake patriotism, Firearms, Freedom under threat, Harassment, Hate, Human rights, Local concerns, Media, Propaganda, Racism
Arrest affidavit: Trump’s racist, anti-immigrant rhetoric motivated strangulation attack on local TV reporter
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Patrick Thomas Egan, 39, who attacked and attempted to strangle KKCO TV reporter Ja’Ronn Alex
KKCO TV News reporter Ja’Ronn Alex was followed and physically attacked December 18 by a Trump supporter who yelled “Are you even a U.S. citizen! This is Trump’s America now! I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!”
Bad behavior, City of Grand Junction, Cringeworthy, Dangerous Republicans, Elections, Extremism, Fake patriotism, Harassment, Human rights, Latino community, Local concerns, Racism, Vile Republicans, White Supremacists
MAGA customer spews racist insults at employees of 5 Guys hamburger restaurant in G.J.; restaurant fires employees
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A customer wearing a Trump “Never Surrender” T-shirt was emboldened to hurl racist insults at employees at 5 Guys hamburger restaurant at 2480 U.S. Highway 6 in Grand Junction on the evening of Election Day, Nov. 5, calling them “beaners” and “f*cking invaders” as they filled his order.
Crime, Dangerous Republicans, Democracy under threat, Elections, Extremism, Freedom under threat, Human rights, Public health, Republican incompetence, Republicans violating laws, Trump Insanity
Elect a criminal, expect crimes
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There will be no one to blame but American voters for what is going to happen next.
After a decade in politics, we all knew Donald Trump was a criminal.
He was found guilty last May of 34 felony counts of fraud and was slapped with a $355 million fine after he and his company were found guilty of engaging in a decade-long scheme to defraud banks and lenders by falsifying the values of his properties. In writing the verdict in the case, Judge Arthur Engoron wrote “The frauds found here leap off the page and shock the conscience.” In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation.
Activism, Homophobia, Human rights, Intolerance, LGBT issues, Local business, politics, Pop culture, Propaganda, Racism, Trump Insanity
Tractor Supply throws LGBTQ+ customers and investors under the bus
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Tractor Supply Company, a farm, ranch and feed company which previously had touted its efforts at diversity and inclusion, did an about-face June 27 after it issued a press release saying it will stop sponsoring events like gay pride festivals and voter registration drives, stop submitting data to the Human Rights Campaign, eliminate its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) roles, “retire” its DEI goals and will “withdraw our carbon emission goals and focus on our land and water conservation efforts.”
The company says they “work hard every day” to “represent the values of the communities and customers we serve. We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart.”
Abortion, Activism, Human rights
Abortion Rights rally to be held June 23 @ 10:30 a.m. on steps of the Old Courthouse, 544 Rood Ave.
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Abortion, Activism, Elections, Health care, Human rights, Mesa County, Separation of Church and State
Abortion access initiative makes it onto Colorado’s 2024 ballot
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It’s official.
The initiative to enshrine abortion rights in the Colorado state Constitution will be on the ballot this November.
Since it seeks to amend the state constitution, it will need a vote of at least a 55% in favor to pass.
The Colorado Secretary of State’s Election Office announced today that supporters of Initiative #89, the “Right to Abortion,” had submitted the required number of signatures to qualify the proposed constitutional amendment for Colorado’s statewide General Election ballot on November 5, 2024.
Abortion, Activism, Elections, Freedom under threat, Grassroots advocacy, Health, Health care, Human rights, Public health, Safety, Women
Colorado’s abortion rights ballot measure surpasses its signature goal, putting it one step closer to being on the 2024 November Ballot
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Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom announced that it has surpassed their campaign’s goal of collecting 185,000 signatures to put Ballot Initiative 89 on the November, 2024 ballot, putting Colorado voters are one step closer to seeing a constitutional amendment on the November 2024 ballot that will protect abortion from government interference. The announcement comes just a few days after the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law banning abortion, a law that was enacted when Arizona was still a territory and long before American women had the right to vote.
The campaign needs 124,238 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, including 2% of the total registered electors in each of Colorado’s 35 state senate districts. As of now, the coalition has collected over 225,000 signatures of which 48,175 were collected by over a thousand volunteers, and has qualified in all 35 state senate districts.
The text of proposed Initiative 89 says:
“A change to the Colorado constitution recognizing the right to abortion, and, in connection therewith, prohibiting the state and local governments from denying, impeding, or discriminating against the exercise of that right, allowing abortion to be a covered service under health insurance plans for Colorado state and local government employees and enrollees in state and local governmental insurance programs.”
Jess Grennan, Campaign Director of Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom, said “The news of Arizona’s near-total abortion ban ultimately
Jess Grennan
exposed just how vulnerable every state is, and will remain, without passing legislation that constitutionally secures the right to abortion. Ballot measures like Proposition 89 are our first line of defense against government overreach and our best tool to protect the freedom to make personal, private healthcare decisions — a right that should never depend on the source of one’s health insurance or who is in office, because a right without access is a right in name only.”
Current law is discriminatory
Because of a 1984 constitutional measure that barely passed, public employees and people on public insurance in Colorado are barred from having their health insurance cover abortion care. By establishing abortion as a constitutional right, Ballot Initiative #89 would remove that discrimination, providing access to teachers, firefighters, and other state employees who cannot currently get coverage for abortion care through their insurance. Private employers in Colorado are required to cover abortion in their insurance plans.
“Recent events have made it even more critical that we in Colorado restore what the Dobbs decision took away from us and secure abortion rights in the Colorado Constitution,” said Cobalt President Karen Middleton, Co-Chair of Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom. “As a fundamental, shared value, Coloradans trust people and their doctors, not politicians, to make decisions about abortion. That value has been reinforced in 2024 with the overwhelming enthusiasm for our ballot measure, as demonstrated by thousands of volunteers in every corner of the state collecting signatures. And we firmly believe that this energy and enthusiasm will carry us through to winning in November.”
Karen Middleton
“Abortion is legal in Colorado, but still not accessible for all pregnant people who need these services. Abortion may be legal in Colorado, and that’s due to our leadership passing the Reproductive Health Equity Act in 2022 to codify a person’s fundamental right to make reproductive health-care decisions, but statutory protections do not mean we are any safer from government interference than Arizona is,” said Dusti Gurule, President and CEO of the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR) and Campaign Co-Chair. “This is why our community is fighting to enshrine abortion rights in the Colorado state constitution, along with the more than 225,000 Coloradans who have signed on to support this measure. Crossing the signature threshold is a critical step forward in securing a future where abortion rights are protected, respected, and accessible for all Coloradans, regardless of which elected or appointed official is in power.”
Dusti Gurule
Charter schools, Cody Davis, Democrats, Elections, Good things about Mesa County, Grassroots advocacy, Housing, Human rights, Immigration, Local concerns, politics, Poverty, Worker advocacy
Former CMU Professor Tom Acker to run against Cody Davis for County Commissioner
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Retired CMU Spanish Professor Tom Acker
A Democrat has joined the race against Cody Davis for Mesa County Commissioner. Tom Acker is currently the only Democrat running for local office in Mesa County.
Acker was a professor of Spanish language at CMU for two decades. He is now a retired professor emeritus, an honorary title conferred upon him for his distinguished service to the academic community. He is a founding member of the award-winning Hispanic Affairs Project.
Originally from the east coast, in the 1980s Acker worked with refugees from the Mariel Boatlift, after over 125,000 Cubans piled into boats and headed for Florida after the Cuban government announced that anyone who wanted to leave the country was free to do so.
While he lived in Pennsylvania, Acker worked with a federally-funded agency to help farmers interact with agriculture workers.
Activism, Grassroots advocacy, Homelessness, Housing, Human rights, Local concerns, Poverty, Social Justice
United Way to host Poverty Immersion Experience to increase understanding of what life is like for people living in poverty in Mesa County
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The Poverty Immersion Experience allows participants to spend a simulated month in the life of an individual who is experiencing poverty in Mesa County. It is an interactive event that promotes awareness of poverty in Mesa County, increases understanding of people facing poverty situations and that will inspire local change. The intent is to shift the belief and paradigm about poverty from being seen as a personal failure or character flaw to the understanding that poverty is a systemic and societal issue.
The experience offers a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of a low-income family, navigating life with limited resources, while providing for their children and accessing essential community services.
Conservatives, Elections, Equal rights, Ethics, Extremism, Freedom under threat, Harassment, Hate, Homophobia, Human rights, Intolerance, LGBT issues, Local business, Local concerns, Safety, Violence
School Board candidate forum cancelled after threat of violence posted on Facebook
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A school board candidate forum that was planned for last evening, Monday, October 16, was cancelled abruptly the day of the event after the venue hosting the event, Good Judy’s Bar & Club downtown, received a violent threat on Facebook.
Children, Conspiracy theories, Ethics, Human rights, Janet Rowland, Public health, Weird western slope stuff
Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland has used county agencies to advance her personal ideology and interfere in personnel decisions before
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Board of Mesa County Commissioners. (L-R: Bobbie Daniel, Cody Davis and Janet Rowland). Photo: Mesa County
District Attorney Dan Rubinstein announced he’s closed the investigation into the Mesa County Commissioners’ allegations of financial wrongdoing by Mesa County Public Health Director Dr. Jeff Kuhr, saying,
“We lack sufficient evidence of anything criminal…” and “…[We] lack sufficient evidence that Mr. Kuhr was personally involved in, or personally directed, any level of reporting that would make him criminally culpable for material misstatements.”
With Janet Rowland at the helm, so far the Commissioners have spent $49,000 in taxpayer funds on a financial audit of Kuhr in an attempt to try find some reason to fire him, in addition digging up and spreading around negative personnel comments about Kuhr from as far back as 2011. So far, everything they’ve found, including a $219 alcohol purchase that has since been reimbursed, have fallen flat. Even four members of the Mesa County Board of Health have said nothing they’ve seen about Kuhr so far rises to the level of a fireable offense. Then they all resigned in protest after learning the Commissioners were going to fire them if they didn’t agree to fire Kuhr.