We had been warned in Denver that there might be protesters at the Colorado Capitol on Sunday, but from one report it appeared that there were more reporters than those wanting to protest. If you don’t hear the police helicopter whirling above my building, it is pretty quiet. It’s a relief, and I hope that continues.
Today is the day to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., celebrating his life and his words, pushing us to be better than we are. If he were still alive, he would have turned 92 on January 15, but an assassin cut his life short, but he will never be forgotten.
Since the 1980s, there has been a day to honor him in many ways. But because of COVID-19, Denver’s celebration with a Marade – a march and a parade – is not happening, although there are events that can be viewed…. virtually, of course. Many communities are honoring Dr. King for his work and his non-violence to make change for all. What happened on January 6 signaled that there are a lot of angry people and wrapped up in their racism in this country.
The photograph above is the antithesis of Dr. King, which many people stormed and overwhelmed the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (The photograph was published in The New York Times several days ago.) As the police and federal agents are finding out who these people are – it’s not difficult since there were a zillion selfies and images shot by photographers. That day, some of those storming the Capitol wore costumes more suited for Halloween (though there were no treats that day, only tricks).
This transfer to power from one president to another will happen at 12:01 p.m. on Wednesday. We will remember this, even as we remember the riot, insurrection, or more on January 6. Last night, CBS’ 60 Minutes had two segments: one looking to the future this week, and one looking back to the destruction (and death) on January 6. It’s one of those things you cannot not look at the video and listen to the interviews. So hoping that the Colorado Capitol will not be a flash point for those who still think the election was “stolen” or whatever.
The links here include the 60 Minutes segments from last night; a story this morning in Westword about the five Coloradans who were arrested involved in the riot, a story from Westword with a question-and-answer interview with activist George Autobee, who wants a Congress representative in District 3 who needs to stop playing (and tweeting) and start working for her constituents. Then, a series of links to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. events. And finally, a link to a Colorado Politics story about the tiny turn-out on Sunday at the Capitol.
https://www.westword.com/news/meet-the-coloradans-arrested-over-the-us-capitol-riot-so-far-11883805
https://www.westword.com/news/rural-colorado-united-wants-lauren-boebert-out-of-cd3-11880867
http://www.drmartinlkingjrchc.org
Chandler in Denver 