Protesters Say GOP Candidates At Debate In Boulder Are Ignoring Key Issues
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - A few hundred protesters showed up outside Wednesday's Republican presidential debate in Colorado, but that was not as many as expected.
Many of the protesters outside the Coors Events Center on the University of Colorado campus where the event was being held told CBS4 the participating candidates are ignoring issues that are important to them.
Light planes with protest messages also flew over the campus. One such message -- GOP HAS A #KOCHPROBLEM -- referred to the Koch brothers who have provided financial support to a few of the Republican candidates.
Some who gathered in protest in Boulder told CBS4 they are part of non-partisan groups and want all candidates to address issues like racial and religious equality, women's rights, climate change and the economy.
"We are trying to just force the issue in the Republican and the Democratic debates with the candidates. We just want to hear their plan to reduce gun violence," said one protester.
Another protester who was dressed in a clown costume called Wednesday's debate buffoonery.
"We just thought, we're all just going to join the clown show, and let it unfold," she said.
Some protesters marched across campus to the area known as the free speech zone set up by police for the protesters, and some in the crowd were children.
Rally organizers CBS4 spoke with said they wanted the protests to be safe and family friendly.
By the midpoint in the debate, there were no reports of any safety issues.