ADL decries swastika symbol displayed on historic Denver building
The Anti-Defamation League received nearly a dozen complaints and Denver police were notified Monday about a swastika symbol displayed on Denver's historic Austin Building along Colfax Avenue east of the state capitol.
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The Anti-Defamation League received nearly a dozen complaints and Denver police were notified Monday about a swastika symbol that could be seen on Denver’s historic Austin Building along East Colfax Avenue.
A young woman protested on Sunday afternoon, standing in front of the building, at 1472 Josephine St., holding a sign that read: “Fascists not welcome here.”
ADL officials notified Denver Police and the City Council, ADL Mountain States senior associate regional director Jeremy Shaver said.
“In many cases, a swastika like this could be considered protected speech. The question is who owns the space? Is it being rented? Are there any prohibitions on displays in windows?” Shaver said.
Monday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Germany.
“What can be done about it? The community — all of us — can extend our voices to call out the hate, call out that hate symbol, and say it is not welcome in our community,” Shaver said.
History Colorado lists the Austin Building, built in 1904, as an example of development along East Colfax Avenue — residential apartments over storefront retail space constructed to take advantage of the location along streetcar lines.
DPD officials couldn’t be reached for comment.
“On any day and especially today, Holocaust Remembrance Day, it is very alarming to see that symbol displayed so prominently,” Shaver said. “It is something we have to stand against.”
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