About 60 people gathered at Sayre Park in Glenwood Springs on Sunday afternoon for a community rally organized by Voces Unidas de las Montañas and the Voces Unidas Action Fund. Voces Unidas Regional Organizing Manager Alan Muñoz said the gathering was initiated to publicly denounce the actions of the Garfield County commissioners, who, on March 4, unanimously approved a resolution declaring Garfield County as a “non-sanctuary county,” and to demonstrate solidarity with the local Latino community.
A response posted on the Voces Unidas website stated that the resolution is “sending a clear and unacceptable message that the region’s established Latino and immigrant communities are not welcome here.” Voces Unidas CEO and President Alex Sánchez added, “This resolution is cruel and misguided.”
Speakers included Muñoz and Sánchez, who were joined by Representative Elizabeth Velasco (HD57), Roaring Fork School Board member Jasmin Ramirez and Garfield County commissioner candidate Steven Arauza.
Debbie Bruell, the chairwoman for the Garfield County Democratic Party, announced that Arauza garnered 70% of the vote during the county assembly on Saturday, thus ensuring his name will appear on the June 30 primary ballot.
Voces Unidas has activated a telephone hotline “to report any abuse or discrimination by law enforcement or while trying to access public services in Garfield County.” People can reach the hotline at 970-340-8586.In addition, the Voces Unidas Action Fund launched an online petition urging the community to “tell the Garfield County Commissioners that they are wrong on this issue and that you stand with the immigrant community in Garfield County.” The petition is available at tinyurl.com/VocesPetition