DENVER — The first day of the Colorado state legislature is normally boring, in that it involves pomp and circumstance and speeches about policy that have been talked about in the weeks leading up to the first day.
The 2024 first day was interrupted by protestors waving Palestinian flags and shouting from the House gallery.
The first protestor stood, shouting, and unfurled a Palestinian flag 37 minutes into day one. As he was escorted out by Colorado State Patrol (CSP) troopers, a coordinated protest started in all sections of the gallery.
Earlier in the week, House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillion, censured State Rep. Elisabeth Epps, D-Denver, for pro-Palestinian outbursts during last year’s special session.
Epps participated remotely on Wednesday. On social media, she called it “shameful” when the House video feed was cut off during the protest.
Those protestors have promised no business as usual.
So, how will McCluskie handle daily protests?
"This House is open to the people that we serve. It is important that we ensure that access. We can redirect protestors to come to a committee room and meet with some of our members and have conversations, and if it happens again, we'll take that same approach. Our goal is to try to resolve these peacefully and in a way that protects the Democratic process,” McCluskie said. “While it is disruptive to our proceedings, maintaining the order and the business of the House, and everyone's safety, is a top priority. And we will work with any of those individuals who do come here, who want to share a viewpoint, in a more, maybe, conversational way."
Concern for safety is why most House Republicans left the House floor during the protest.
Though, protestors had to go through metal detectors at the entrance security checkpoint, there were armed troopers protecting lawmakers and some of the House Republicans carry guns on the floor.
What was House Minority Leader Mike Lynch fearful of from protestors?
"It's a combination of not knowing where that could go to, but also of not approving of that being allowed to occur on the floor,” Lynch said.
He suggested better screening of people who sit in the gallery.
Democratic Gov. Jared Polis gives his state of the state speech on the House floor on Tuesday.
Members of the public who sit in the gallery will go through metal detector security at the entrance, and another metal detector before being seated in the gallery.
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