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Central in Denver in Denver County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
 

Denver Says "No" to Hate

Wall Street of the Rockies

— Seventeenth Street Denver, Colorado —

 
 
Denver Says "No" to Hate Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 9, 2019
1. Denver Says "No" to Hate Marker
Inscription.
November 18, 1997

While waiting for a bus on 17th Street, Oumar Dia was shot and killed because of the color of his skin. Jeannie Van Velkinburgh who came to his assistance was shot and paralyzed.

In response to the murder, thousands of Denver citizens attended a rally to demonstrate that hate is not tolerated in this city.

This plaque honors the memory of Oumar Dia and pays tribute to Jeannie Van Velkinburgh, the Good Samaritan who typifies the caring character of Denver.
 
Erected by Walk of Fame International. (Marker Number 15w.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansCivil RightsNotable Events. In addition, it is included in the Colorado, Denver, Wall Street of the Rockies series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 18, 1997.
 
Location. 39° 44.711′ N, 104° 59.398′ W. Marker is in Denver, Colorado, in Denver County. It is in Central. It can be reached from 17th Street south of Welton Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1312 17th St, Denver CO 80202, United States
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Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dow Jones Average (within shouting distance of this marker); The Black Baron (within shouting distance of this marker); Welton Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Western Philosophy (within shouting distance of this marker); Wall Street of the Rockies (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Top of the World (about 300 feet away); The Women's Suffrage Association of Colorado (about 400 feet away); March On (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denver.
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. 17th’S 25th Anniversary (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
 
Also see . . .  Oumar Dia. Find A Grave entry (Submitted on December 17, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.) 
 
Oumar Dia image. Click for full size.
via Find A Grave, unknown
2. Oumar Dia
Denver Says "No" to Hate Marker in bottom right corner of photo. image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 9, 2019
3. Denver Says "No" to Hate Marker in bottom right corner of photo.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 760 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:   1. submitted on June 19, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.   2. submitted on December 17, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.   3. submitted on June 19, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
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Jul. 15, 2026