Note: this page has updated media coverage links at the bottom
An accurate estimate of attendance was impossible. No more people could fit into the room. There were people lining the landings, the lobby and the parking lot. The number 500 was tossed around but who knows.
People really wanted to talk about the possibility of Lakewood supporting migrants. Most participants did not seem to want to provide any support, but most everyone was respectful and everyone wanted more information on what Lakewood was doing.
For the many people asking what to do next, former Council Member Mary Janssen recommends coming to the Feb 12 City Council meeting and letting your voice be heard.
On the 12th, Council will vote on appropriating $9.3 million dollars for the Navigation Center, those funds will be used for buying and remodeling the building for a shelter. They will also hear from the City Manager about options with Denver and they decide whether there are any actions they can take immediately or what may be worth pursuing at a slower pace.
There were two flyers being circulated for what residents can do next.
Media Coverage:
Hundreds gather over migrant housing concerns in Lakewood, FOX31 by Nicole Fierro
Lakewood accuses citizen group of misinformation, CBS News, Karen Morfitt reporting
Jefferson County Republican Party holds anti-migrant town hall in Lakewood, 9news.com
Comunidad de Lakewood aborda crisis migratoria en la región, Telemundo
Why Colorado isn’t a ‘sanctuary’ state despite its strong immigrant protection laws, CPR News, Paolo Zialcita
LAKEWOOD RESIDENTS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY FROM CITY COUNCIL OVER MIGRANT HOUSING CONCERNS, The Lobby
Rest easy, the Progressives running this state know what’s best for you. The media drive polarization, they don’t just amplify it. Media obtuseness on “sanctuary” cities. Colorado Accountability Project
City of Lakewood debunks myths over its migrant response, Denver 7
Some Colorado communities scramble to help migrants, others “do not want to be Denver” as crisis spreads, Denver Post, John Aguilar
NATIONAL on FoxNews
On Martha MacCallum: Colorado residents in uproar over rumors Lakewood could become sanctuary city for migrants (see first part at minute 13, and more at minute 19. Continued February 8)
Shown again on America’s Newsroom, February 8
Prior coverage:
Lakewood City Council votes to help Denver with influx of migrants, CBS news, Karen Morfitt
Lakewood taxpayers roped into paying for Denver’s sanctuary problems, Colorado Peak Politics
Colorado’s illegal immigrant crisis hits the suburbs, The Gazette, William Perry Pendley
Lakewood’s Migrant Information
City of Lakewood addresses Colorado migrant crisis and “incorrect community information” being shared, CBS News, Ashley Portillo
GOP chair behind secretive anti-migrant group spreading misinformation, 9News
Lakewood Informer 
2 responses to “Huge Turnout for Citizens’ meeting”
[…] as Lakewood becoming a sanctuary city. Lakewood immediately cried misinformation. At the emergency citizens’ townhall of February 6, 2024, several speakers addressed concerns over Lakewood’s sanctuary status, saying that Lakewood […]
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[…] Recent community meetings show that Lakewood residents are very interested in the migrant issue and would like a say in these decisions. However, instead of publicly discussing the issue, Mayor Strom approved the letter while residents were conducting their own community meetings in preparation to hear what actions Lakewood planned on taking on February 12. […]
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