Colorado Democrats are facing pressure to remove a newly appointed state legislator after he refused to denounce Hamas atrocities against Israeli women and children while attending a pro-Palestinian rally. State Rep. Tim Hernandez joined the rally at the Colorado State Capitol, where he was asked whether he condemned the murder of women and children by Palestinian terrorists. He replied, “I condemn any form of colonial violence.” The video of this interaction has gone viral, and now there are calls for Mr. Hernandez to be replaced.
Hernandez, who was selected in August to represent the northwest Denver district by a party vacancy committee, is now being criticized by the Colorado Republican Party, former Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley, and others. Stokley, who hosts a sports talk show on radio station KKFM, tweeted, “Some of my best friends are Jewish right here in Colorado and I stand with them and Israel. No backtracking now buddy.” Hernandez has issued a statement clarifying that he does not support Hamas or attacks on innocent people.
Hamas, a recognized foreign terrorist organization, has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2006. The Denver Gazette editorial board has called for Hernandez’s resignation, stating that he showed “little regard for rape victims, decapitated babies, and Holocaust survivors” by attending the pro-Palestinian rally. However, so far, no Democratic legislator has urged Hernandez to step down.
