More than 100 protesters in two rallies on Thursday called on the University of Colorado to cancel its contract with Key Lime Air and grant university workers collective bargaining rights.
In one rally, about 50 people gathered on the Boulder campus outside of the Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Community building on east campus before the University of Colorado Board of Regents held its meeting inside on Thursday. The protesters called on the regents to with the Colorado-based airline Key Lime Air. Key Lime Air has been flying detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to , and CU utilizes the airline to fly student athletes and teams to away games.
Denver council rejects city contract with Key Lime Air over role in ICE detainee flights
“The hope is to put pressure on the regents to cancel the contract, which they have the power to do,” Boulder resident and protester Susan Secord said.
CU Regent and board chair Ken Montera said some regents are concerned about the contract. Montera said the board will have an informational review on the subject in executive session on Friday.
“What we have to consider is, does this open the door to question any contract CU is involved in?” Montera said. “I’m not sure we want to do that.”
As of Thursday evening, the board doesn’t have any action or next steps planned beyond Friday’s session.
“I want to make this whole thing as visible as possible that there are a lot of us that are really concerned,” Lafayette resident Marilee Snyder said during the protest. “…Itap not enough to feel bad. Itap not enough to talk to each other at home. Itap come to a point where we really need to be seen on the streets in nonviolent ways, no matter what.”
At the same time, an additional 70 people gathered for a separate rally for collective bargaining rights outside of the Aerospace Engineering Sciences building, just next door to the rally against Key Lime Air and ICE.
After 45 minutes, both rallies moved inside the Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Community building to attend the regent meeting and speak during public comment. About 20 students, faculty, staff and community members addressed the regents during public comment to speak in favor of one or both issues.
“At CU, our workers have no voice,” CU Boulder academic advisor Sam Whitaker said, while advocating for collective bargaining during public comment. “The sad reality is there are university staff who have worked here longer than I’ve been alive and have never had their voices heard.”
In January, two regents for a new policy that, if approved, would grant university workers collective bargaining rights on campus. The board is expected to vote on the policy at its June meeting.
The rallies were organized by the Boulder Immigrant Partnership Team, CU’s Young Democratic Socialists of America, Forever Indivisible Boulder and United Campus Workers Colorado.
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