Rep. Crank Calls on DOJ to Investigate Violent Denver ICE Walk Outs

September 9, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Jeff Crank (CO-05) sent a letter to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division requesting an investigation into recent student anti-ICE walkouts in Colorado and involvement from outside organizations. On Friday, September 4, 2026, videos and reporting showed that student walkouts in Denver, Colorado, turned violent, with assaults on journalists and counterprotests. These incidents have raised serious questions about whether participants were unlawfully prevented from exercising their own constitutional rights. The growing presence and influence of groups that support defunding federal and state law enforcement and interfere with the enforcement of immigration laws threaten the foundation of American society. The student organization, Colorado Youth Coalition, organized the “Walk Out for ICE Out,” and has aligned itself with the messaging from these outside organizations. The event gained significant traction through social media, leading to a reported 200 high schools participating in the walkout. Reports from the Denver Police Department detailed at least five assaults at the Denver demonstration, and three people were transported to the hospital. Additionally, multiple constituents of Colorado’s Fifth Congressional District who were present at the park were physically assaulted and sustained injuries. Due to the nature of the Denver incident, Representative Crank is requesting the DOJ to investigate whetherthese violent assaults infringed on other constitutional rights and the degree to which outside organizationsassisted in supporting the demonstrations where attacks on journalists and others occurred. Excerpts from the letter read: The Constitution protects peaceful assembly, but those protections do not extend to violent conduct. For that reason, I believe a federal investigation is warranted, not only to determine whether individuals unlawfully infringed upon the constitutional rights of journalists, counterprotesters, or other members of the public with acts of assault, but also to determine the extent to which outside organizations participated in organizing, funding, or otherwise influencing the violent demonstrations. … Given the scale of the statewide mobilization and the violence that occurred at the Denver demonstration, I believe the DOJ should examine not only the individual incidents but also the extent of participation by outside organizations in the walkout. This should include determining what role outside organizations played in supporting the demonstrations, whether organizers provided guidance on conduct, and whether any individuals or organizations encouraged or facilitated violent conduct that resulted in violations of the civil rights of journalists, counterprotesters, or other members of the public. I therefore respectfully request that the DOJ review the events of September 4, including available video footage, police reports, witness accounts, and communications from the organizations involved, to determine whether further investigation or federal action is warranted. Thank you for your attention and consideration of this request. If you or your staff have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. Read the full letter here. ###