Protestor Stands Against Open Border Policies and Denver's Sanctuary City Status
A Colorado Springs man has taken a stand along Interstate 25, holding an American flag and a sign that reads, "Illegals Not Welcome."
Brett Dayberry, a long-time resident of Colorado Springs, has been protesting the influx of migrants from Denver to Colorado Springs in multiple locations along the highway. His goal is to bring attention to the impact this migration is having on the community.
Dayberry explained that he wants those coming from the north, particularly from Denver, to understand the sentiment of Colorado Springs residents. He believes it is crucial to shed light on the issue now that migrants from Denver are affecting their community.
Brett Dayberry, a longtime Colorado Springs resident, said he has been to multiple locations along I-25 this week, including the Colorado Springs sign near the North Gate exit and the Interquest bridge over the highway, to bring exposure and protest migrants coming from Denver to Colorado Springs. (Dayberry/X)
According to reports, 23 families identifying as migrants have arrived in Colorado Springs from Denver over the past four to five weeks.
In response, El Paso County Commissioners have made it clear that the county will not provide sanctuary for migrants. They argue that the financial burden of the migrant crisis is overwhelming and beyond the county's capacity to handle.
While county officials express sympathy for the difficulties faced by migrant families, they also point out that false hope has been given to migrants by the federal government, which has failed to close the border effectively. Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade has also affirmed that Colorado Springs is not a sanctuary city and will not invite the crisis into the city.
Dayberry shares concerns about the potential impact of an influx of migrants on resident safety. He emphasizes that there are tens of thousands of people crossing the border without any knowledge of their backgrounds or intentions. He hopes that the focus can shift from polarized debates to ensuring the safety and security of the country.
During Dayberry's protest on the bridge, many passing cars honked their horns in support, and one person even stopped to express gratitude for his efforts. Dayberry says he has not encountered any negative reactions thus far.
The Salvation Army in Colorado Springs has confirmed that they have provided assistance to several migrant families in recent weeks.
The Salvation Army issued a statement to KRDO13 affirming their commitment to helping those in need without discrimination:
“The Salvation Army is a nonpartisan, evangelical Christian, mission-driven organization responding to crises and to the needs of our communities. Because we're a church, The Salvation Army believes the Gospel commands and compels us to care for people in need without discrimination of any kind. That's not just an idea; it's our long-standing mission statement for over 150 years. We are there to serve all who are in need as long as we have the capacity to help, motivated by the love of God. The Salvation Army is proud to be the largest provider of sheltering for families experiencing homelessness in Colorado Springs. Immigrant-identifying families make up a very small proportion of the families we serve in our social services programs. To date 23 families have entered the shelter and have cycled through our program quickly enroute to another destination,” Captain Doug Hanson, The Salvation Army Divisional Secretary for El paso County.
Dayberry hasn’t deiced how long he will continue his protest along I-25, but he has mentioned the possibility of directing his efforts towards the Salvation Army. He believes that cities like Denver, which have chosen to become sanctuary cities, should bear the consequences of their decisions, rather than burdening Colorado Springs.
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