A coalition of immigrant-rights groups gathered on the steps of the state Capitol on Thursday to protest negative immigration messages in the campaign season.
“The elections have been demonizing illegal immigrants. We need a change in the way we handle the immigration issues in the state,” said Lisa Duran of Rights for All People.
The group, joined by about a dozen supporters, also criticized as “unjust and inhumane” bills passed during the state legislature’s special session.
Mike Miller, a Denver restaurant owner, said his business would not survive without immigrant labor. He said immigrants live in fear “of being rounded up … and denied their legal rights.”
Supporter Richard Moreno called the August special session “racist” and said the war in Iraq is the real campaign issue.
“The country can’t win across the pond, so they have to stay here and try to win a war against defenseless people,” Moreno said.
