Published: March 8, 2021 By

Dear CU Boulder community,

We are deeply disturbed and disappointed in the events that took place yesterday on the Hill. The prolonged gathering that took place on the 1100 block of 10th Street lasting the duration of the day and into the night, is in no way excusable. As the student body presidents of the University of Colorado Boulder, we absolutely condemn the violent, irresponsible and immature behavior that students recklessly partook in.

Furthermore, we support the university’s decision that “any student who is found responsible for engagement in acts of violence or other egregious acts connected to the events––including damage to property and not dispersing when ordered by police––will face serious sanctions up to expulsion from CU Boulder without the possibility of readmission, and may also face criminal and civil sanctions from the city and the county.”

To the students who participated in the events yesterday: You should be ashamed of yourselves. You have embarrassed this university, you have embarrassed your peers, you have destroyed a beloved residential and historical area of our community and you have jeopardized the safety and health of your neighbors and community at large.

The violence and lack of compliance that occurred was problematic in itself and will result in punishment, but your additional choice to engage in this type of egregious behavior amidst an ongoing pandemic that has taken over 6,000 lives of those within the state of Colorado alone, is disgusting. Furthermore, if you choose to continue this type of behavior, or if you have been inspired by the events of last night, you will be met with punishment and sanctions.

As students ourselves, we are additionally concerned and utterly disappointed with the inaction that took place in the hours leading up to the riots. These riots did not occur suddenly, but they were a result of a day’s worth of minimal enforcement on the block, allowing the group to grow as large as it did. This is a part of a larger concerning trend we have noted among the Hill, being a lack of enforcement or intervention of large-scaled gatherings that clearly break the ordinances and restrictions that have been placed on the city of Boulder.

We call upon the Boulder Police Department and the University of Colorado Police Department to engage in more effective intervention practices that hold students who choose to engage in this behavior more accountable.

This past year has been marked with tragedy, isolation and sorrow. We are deeply saddened to see our own peers willingly choose to continuously engage in behavior that will undoubtedly place a larger strain on our community. You have embarrassed this institution and community to the highest degree and have chosen to put the lives of your own neighbors at risk.

To reiterate, we fully support the university’s decision to pursue punishment for those who were involved moving forward. We will continue to work with the university, city of Boulder and Boulder County Public Health to address this issue. We expect from students an immediate stop to this behavior and compliance in this process.

Amalia Frommelt
Student Body President

George Conway
Student Body President

Isaiah Chavous
Student Body President