Categories: Labour rights

Healthcare workers counter anti-lockdown protests in Colorado’s Denver amid rising cases

Several people are taking to the streets of the United States to stage protest against the lockdown imposed by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Several US states have been witnessing mass demonstrations against the Coronavirus shutdowns in the past week. Joining these states, people in Colorado’s Capital Denver also staged peaceful protests on Sunday against the government’s stay-at-home orders and closures of nonessential businesses in the wake of lockdown imposed for their health safety.

Horn-honking motorists clogged the roads leading to the Capitol building. People waved flags and raised placards with slogans such as “Land of the free”, “End the virus, not the economy”, “Freedom over fear”, “Free Colorado” and “I would rather risk coronavirus than socialism”.

In order to stop these demonstrators, Denver’s healthcare workers also took to the streets and staged counterprotests. Pictures have gone viral showing healthcare workers in clads and facemasks standing strong in front of the cars of the protesters. Nurses and other healthcare workers were seen in their uniforms, silently obstructing the movement of demonstrators who were defying the lockdown.

As per media reports, the medical professionals were also heckled with insults by the demonstrators amid their counterprotests. However, they did not respond to the heckling and continued to stand defiant against the protestors.

When the situation went out of hands and the protestors started threatening to run the healthcare workers over, the police were called in to control the matter.

The anti-lockdown demonstration on Sunday was titled ‘Operation Gridlock’ with hundreds of people flocking to the streets and demanding Governor Jared Polis to lift the shutdown in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. This action was taken by the people in the wake of rising unemployment and economic crisis. As per a state report, Colorado’s unemployment rate rose from a historic low of 2.5% in February to 4.5% in March amid the pandemic crisis. People have also expressed threats to their personal freedoms and constitutional rights due to the lockdown. Despite appeals by the public health authorities, the rally organizers have defied social distancing norms and denied to wear face-covering or masks.

Similar protests have previously erupted in areas of Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and the capitals of Ohio, with people demanding to put an end the lockdown. US President Donald Trump has also praised the actions of the protesters and extending his support to demonstrations against COVID-19 lockdown.

These anti-lockdown protests have erupted amid rising Coronavirus cases in the United States, with over 7,70,000 confirmed cases across the country and over 41,000 reported deaths (as of April 20).

About Monica Aggarwal

Embark on a journey of advocacy and enlightenment with Monica Aggarwal. Through her compassionate storytelling, Monica sheds light on the intricate tapestry of workers' rights, fostering awareness and understanding in our collective pursuit of a fair and just work environment.

Monica Aggarwal

Embark on a journey of advocacy and enlightenment with Monica Aggarwal. Through her compassionate storytelling, Monica sheds light on the intricate tapestry of workers' rights, fostering awareness and understanding in our collective pursuit of a fair and just work environment.

View Comments

  • At the begining of covid I were naieve enough to believe the narrative of the mainstream media and the politicians. As far as I am concerned, if you buy this nonsense that governemt is locking down for our benefit, you must also believe in the easter bunny. A great initiative I joined https://AntiLockDown.org will notify you about upcoming protests that you can support them in your local area. Amazing content, you should definately take a look!

Recent Posts

Migrant Workers Returning from UAE With Kidney Failure Due to Extreme Temperatures

Over the last few years, newspapers have reported that migrant workers in the UAE and other Gulf countries have come…

December 4, 2025

Philippines OFWs in Israel: Relocation & Trauma Support After 2025 Border Tensions

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Israel have once again found themselves on the frontlines of conflict, caught between their livelihoods…

December 4, 2025

Tea Garden Workers Get Land Rights — How Land Ownership Could Change Labour Justice in Rural India

Decades after decades, tea garden laborers in India have worked and lived in the farms without owning the land the…

December 4, 2025

U.S. Executive Order Against the Muslim Brotherhood Framed as a Global Security Imperative

There has also been a concerted global push on the side of the recent U.S. Executive Order against the Muslim…

December 4, 2025

Why the UN Migration Committee’s 2025 Recommendations Could Transform Migrant-Worker Rights Worldwide

The 2025 recommendations of the UN Migration Committee represent a change in the way governments are being encouraged to treat…

December 4, 2025

From Brick Kilns to Tech Startups: India’s Contract Workers Need Fair Legal Protection

The economic growth of India has been supported by a labor force that is rather silent and unguarded. Millions of…

December 3, 2025

This website uses cookies.

Read More