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Demonstrators at University of Denver gather at pro-Palestinian encampment amid order to leave

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Demonstrators at University of Denver gather at pro-Palestinian encampment amid order to leave


Hundreds of people gathered at a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Denver on Tuesday after an email from the university asked encampment participants to leave by 9 p.m.

By 9:30 p.m., CBS News Colorado footage shows hundreds of people gathered at the Cargenie Green near the center of campus, many holding Palestinian flags or signs expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Around 7 p.m., the university sent an email to students and faculty with that 9 p.m. deadline to clear out of the encampment.

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Hundreds of people appeared at a pro-Palestinian encampment at Carnegie Green on the University of Denver campus on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

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“We’ve lost confidence that the encampment can continue without further compromising operations and safety for all campus members. At an extended and productive meeting with encampment participants today, we informed them that the camp must close and asked them to clear the area voluntarily by 9:00 p.m. on May 21,” the email says, in part. “We have offered our support to the encampment participants as they safely remove belongings. If participants choose not to voluntarily leave, the University will determine appropriate action to disband the camp. We have also offered our support to identify other safe avenues of free expression.”

Around 9:50 p.m., a small number of counter-protesters appeared, at least one of whom was waving an Israeli flag.

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A small number of pro-Israel counterprotesters appeared at a demonstration at a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Denver on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

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The university sent an updated statement from Chancellor Jeremy Haefner and Provost Mary Clark around 10 p.m. to students and faculty:

“As you are likely aware, there is a large demonstration at the encampment site. During our meeting with the encampment student representatives today, we articulated multiple times that there were no plans to have police or campus safety dismantle the encampment tonight. We shared our desire to resolve this through a voluntary and cooperative approach. It was our expectation that the encampment would be dismantled by 9 p.m. and our interactions with the encampment participants indicated that was realistic to expect. We are disappointed that this is not what has happened and that participants chose this path forward, which is serving only to further threaten campus safety and operations. In the days ahead, University officials will determine the next steps in moving toward the disbandment of the camp. It is our continued expectation that all encampment participants be affiliated with DU as a current student, faculty, or staff member.”

Organizers with the group DU for Palestine did not immediately respond to a request for comments about the demonstration Tuesday night, but on May 9, when they launched the encampment, they issued demands to the university. 

In that statement, the organization asked the university to disclose its investments, divest from companies “invested in and responsible for the illegal occupation, apartheid, and genocide of Palestinians,” boycott Israel economically and academically, publicly acknowledge “the ongoing genocide of Palestinians,” call for a ceasefire and “protect free speech on campus.”

A similar encampment at Auraria Campus, which had been up for about three weeks, was vacated on Saturday.

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Denver rally shows divided feelings over U.S.-Israel action against Iran

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Denver rally shows divided feelings over U.S.-Israel action against Iran


DENVER — More than 24 hours after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, Coloradans are continuing to express their feelings about what the attack means not only for the world, but here in our state.

For the second straight day, Coloradans expressed their opinions on the steps of the state Capitol about the attack by the US and Israel on Iran.

But instead of anger, as was the case on Saturday, the tone on Sunday was more cheerful.

“Today it’s a celebration about like getting our freedom back, and we would love to have people to be happy with us,” said Forzun Yalme, who helped organize the event with Free Iran Colorado.

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For some Iranian-Americans, the news of the attack brings a new sense of hope that freedom is near.

“For me to be Iranian-American, in 47 years here, I learned about democracy and human rights and what I like,” detailed Amir Tosh, another member of Free Iran Colorado. “I want to transfer what your values are for democracy, human rights, freedom to my country, my motherland.”

Denver rally shows divided feelings over U.S.-Israel action against Iran

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“My uncle and grandma, grandparents, they were all so happy about what happened, because we can, like, now feel the freedom,” explained Yalme.

But some Iranian-Americans are more cautious.

Colorado’s only Iranian-American state representative, Yara Zokaie, doubts the operation will have a significant impact to Iran’s leadership.

“I’m sympathetic to people who want regime change by any means necessary, but I think we also need to stop and realize what this actually means,” said Zokaie. “Regime change is not something that can happen in one airstrike.”

Zokaie admits she herself was elated to hear Iran’s supreme leader and other top officials were killed in the attack.

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But she hopes Coloradans remember the innocent people who have already been killed and those who are more likely to come.

“I ask that we remember the humanity of people in the Middle East as this news unfolds. I ask that we call for a peaceful resolution that we empower Iranian people who will bring change from within, and that we call for no war with Iran,” said Zokaie.

Several people at today’s event at the Capitol approached our Denver7 team. They shared their gratitude for President Donald Trump, the US military, and the Israelis for their action in helping bring freedom to Iran.

They hope others will see that as well. They plan on being here for the next hour and a half or so.





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Police searching for information after fatal assault in Denver

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Police searching for information after fatal assault in Denver


Denver police are looking for information that could help them identify the suspect in a fatal assault overnight.

Officers were called to the scene in the 9700 block of E. Hampden Avenue around 2:08 a.m. They said an injured man at the scene was taken to a hospital for treatment, but he has been pronounced deceased.

DPD says they’re investigating the case as a homicide. They did not provide the identity of the man who was killed or further details on the case.

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Police encouraged anyone with information about the attack or the possible suspect(s) involved to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.



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