Now Is The Time For Us To Press Forward

Deborah Richardson

The return to power of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration could usher in a dark chapter of our country’s history. May we all find solace in the fact that Coloradans, however, alongside tens of millions of Americans, rejected the Trump administration’s actions and policies and continue to demonstrate diversity of thought, and a commitment to civil rights and our freedoms.

During the former President’s first term, our country weathered vehement anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies; attacks on our ability to access reproductive health care, and gender-affirming care; unprecedented repression of our right to peaceful assembly and protest; and outright assaults on fundamental democratic systems and norms. Though we have every reason to believe his second term will be more aggressive, we are prepared to meet these challenges head-on.

I reflect on the words of the late U.S. Representative John Lewis, ‘Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic.’

Over the last four years, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado has seized opportunities to bolster our commitment to our most cherished freedoms. By enshrining abortion rights into law; limiting local law enforcement cooperation with immigration enforcement; expanding access to gender-affirming care; implementing historic criminal legal system reforms; and continuing to conduct safe, secure, and accessible ‘gold standard’ elections, we have made it more difficult for President-elect Trump to enact the most extreme elements of his administration’s agenda in Colorado.

“Coloradans passed Amendment 79 and Amendment J, further cementing the progress we have made over the last several decades in bolstering the rights of women, people who can get pregnant, and LGBTQ+ Coloradans. Regardless of what happens at the federal level, Coloradans can rest assured that their abortion rights and their freedom to marry a same-sex partner will be better protected from the whims of politicians. This victory was only made possible by the tireless effort of every partner, volunteer, and voter.

We also celebrate the defeat of Amendment 80, a deliberately vague measure that would have added a ‘right to school choice’ to our state’s constitution. The right to school choice has been established in Colorado since 1994. By rejecting Amendment 80, Coloradans blocked dark money interest groups from trying to create a pathway for public funding to go to private schools that at times discriminate against students based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or disability.

We will continue to fight back – in the courts, in the legislature, and alongside our communities. We have carried on this work for more than 70 years through both Democratic and Republican administrations and held them accountable. We have held the line against those who attempted to undermine Coloradans’ civil rights and civil liberties.

I reflect on the words of the late U.S. Representative John Lewis, ‘Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.’

Now is the time for us to press forward and build a firewall of freedom, ensuring Colorado remains a just and equitable state for all.”

Deborah Richardson, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Colorado.