George Floyd protests in Colorado

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George Floyd protests in Colorado
Part of George Floyd protests
George Floyd Protest- Denver - 49980596371.jpg
Protest at Colorado State Capitol, Denver on May 31
DateMay 28, 2020 – present (1 year, 9 months, 1 week and 6 days)
Location
Colorado, United States
Caused by
StatusOngoing
Casualties
Death(s)1 (As of October 11th, 2020)
Cities in Colorado in which a protest with about 100 or more participants was held ()

This is a list of George Floyd protests in Colorado, United States.

Locations[]

Alamosa[]

On June 4, a protest was held in downtown Alamosa. While the protest was peaceful, before 6 p.m., a man shot someone in a truck, wounding him. The truck later stopped in the middle of the intersection. The suspect, a 27-year-old defense attorney, was a protester.[3]

Aspen[]

Dozens of residents attended a candle-light vigil on May 30. Participants repeated the words "I can't breathe" for nine minutes, the length of time that Derek Chauvin's knee was on George Floyd's neck.[4]

On June 3, more than 100 protesters gathered at Gondola Plaza for a demonstration organized by local high school students and an Aspen area ballet dancer.[5]

Aurora[]

On June 2, Interim Police Chief Vanessa Wilson marched with community members to Aurora's Municipal Center, where they knelt for eight minutes and 46 seconds during a peaceful protest against police brutality.[6][7][8]

On June 27, the Denver chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation organized a gathering at the Aurora Municipal Center. The group proceeded to block traffic on I-225, shutting it down. A second, student-led rally began shortly after, shutting down the intersection of Alameda and Chambers.[9] After both protests, agitators continued to disrupt, specifically targeting Aurora police.

On July 3, the Party for Socialism and Liberation again organized a gathering which drew hundreds to the intersection of Billings Street and Evergreen Avenue, directly outside the Aurora Police Department District 1 building. The protesters continued to chant even after nightfall and refused to leave until their demands were met.[10] Around 1 am, the protestors began creating barricades to block officers from leaving the building. Tensions continued to be high until around 4:30 am when police moved in and dispersed the crowd.

On July 25, a group of protesters demanding actions against the death of Elijah McClain blocked I-225. An individual plowed through the crowd in a Jeep. A protester fired a gun in response and struck another protester, who is in stable condition. Aurora Police have said that they are investigating the incident.[11][12]

Boulder[]

About 50 people organized a modified sit-in style protest where demonstrators peacefully took a knee for one hour on May 29.[13] Hundreds walked three miles through a "Boulder in Solidarity" march on May 30.[14]

Colorado Springs[]

About 300 protesters demonstrated by lying on their stomachs in front of City Hall on May 30. Dozens were arrested on May 30.[15] More protests took place on May 31.[16][17]

The police cited four people for blocking I-25 during rush hour traffic in relation to the protests.[18]

Denver[]

Protest in Denver on May 31.
Aftermath of protests in Denver on May 30. Graffiti shows the anarchist circle-A and the ACAB acronym.

On May 28, protesters marched for four hours, blocking traffic on Interstate 25 and demonstrating at the Colorado State Capitol.[19] Multiple gunshots were fired there, and police also fired rubber bullets and shot gas canisters at the crowd.[20] Several properties were damaged. Some protesters also crowded onto 16th Street Mall and toward Interstate 25 via 20th Street and blocked traffic.[21] One video appears to show a vehicle intentionally hitting a protester who had gotten onto the hood of the car. It is not clear what occurred before this—according to the woman who filmed the incident, the man jumped on top of the vehicle before she began filming.[22] Three police officers were injured in clashes with protesters, one of whom had to go to a hospital.

Protests continued throughout the city over the next three days, with protests generally being peaceful during the day followed by more violent clashes between protesters and police later in the evenings.[23] On May 30, Mayor Michael Hancock implemented a citywide curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.[24] By the evening of May 31, the Denver Police Department had arrested over 120 people during the protests over the past four days.[23][25]

On June 2, the Denver Police Department announced the arrest of a man suspected to be the perpetrator behind the vehicular attack of three police which left one officer with a fractured leg and the other two with a "substantial risk of protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body."[26] A fifth night of protests in Denver remained more peaceful on Monday night, June 1, after the previous four nights had seen riotous behavior among smaller elements of the much larger protest gathering.[27][28] A federal judge stopped Denver police from using teargas on peaceful protesters.[29]

After the fifth day of protests, with some riot-like behavior as well, the City of Denver police oversight group had received over 150 complaints alleging problems with police behavior in the protests.[30]

On July 19, Pro Police Rally Colorado held their annual event at the Denver Civic Center. The Denver chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation organized a counter protest in the same location and at the same time. The counter protestors greatly outnumbered the pro-police group and moved into their space, disrupting them with drums and shouted obscenities. Amid the chaos, the Denver Police Department deployed pepper balls and pepper spray.[31]

On October 10, John "Tig" Tiegen organized a gathering at the Denver Civic Center called "Patriot Muster, Peaceful Patriot Rally". The Denver Communists, along with other groups, scheduled a "soup drive" in the same location and at the same time as the rally organized by Tiegen.[32] A spokesperson for the Denver Communists confirmed this was purposeful, saying "we are committed to counter-mobilizing against the far right anytime they crawl out of their holes...They should never be allowed to assemble without being vocally opposed."[33] Following the conclusion of the dueling protests, Lee Keltner was shot and killed by Matthew Dolloff, an unlicensed private security guard, after Keltner sprayed Dolloff with bear-mace[34][35][36][37] after being assaulted by Dolloff.[citation needed]

Fort Collins[]

About 100 protesters chanted "No Justice, No Peace!" the Fort Collins Police Services headquarters on May 28.[38] On June 1, about 150 protesters gathered at the same place while about 10 people attended a vigil at Civic Center Park.[39]

Glenwood Springs[]

On June 1, dozens protested in front of Glenwood Springs City Hall at a rally organized by "Western Slope Anti-Racist Action."[40]

Grand Junction[]

On May 30, hundreds attended a vigil organized by Grand Junction Mutual Aid, Grand Junction Black Lives Matter and West Slope Anti-Racist Action. Every day for at least a week, more protests and marches took place around the city and at Colorado Mesa University.[41][42]

On June 17, a large city council meeting became heated after a councilman made public comments about needing to get his gun because of the protests.[43]

Greeley[]

On June 13, a group of nearly 1,000 protesters marched down 11th Avenue to Lincoln Park to protest police brutality.[44] Protesters gathered at Lincoln Park again on June 19.[45]

Littleton[]

On June 19, which is also Juneteenth, around 50 people gatherend at the intersection of South Broadway and Arapahoe Road in Littleton to support Black Lives Matter. The protest was organized by Littleton resident Lynne Popkowski and most protesters were social distancing due to COVID-19.[46]

Pueblo[]

On June 1, around 400 people marched through the Riverwalk and Union Avenue district to voice support for George Floyd despite rainfall. The chief of the Pueblo Police Department spoke in support of the protest.[47]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ^ Robertson, Nicky (May 30, 2020). "US surgeon general says "there is no easy prescription to heal our nation"". CNN. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Goldberg, Michelle (May 29, 2020). "Opinion - America Is a Tinderbox". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  3. ^ "Video shows moments surrounding Alamosa protest shooting". KRDO. 6 June 2020.
  4. ^ Vincent, Maddie. "Taking a stand: Aspen locals peacefully protest, speak out about death of George Floyd". aspentimes.com. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  5. ^ Writer, Megan Tackett, Aspen Daily News Staff. "Black Lives Matter demonstration in Aspen grows to more than 100 on Wednesday". Aspen Daily News. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  6. ^ "Police appeared to be blocking traffic for peaceful protesters on day 6 of George Floyd rallies in Denver". KUSA.com. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  7. ^ Aurora Police Dept. [@AuroraPD] (June 2, 2020). "Tonight, @APDChiefWilson walked with our community members while they marched to our Municipal Center. Ending police brutality is a combined effort and she answered the tough questions and made promises to improve relationships" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "Denver mayor marches with protesters after Floyd's death". OutThere Colorado. June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  9. ^ "Thousands rally, march in Aurora for justice in Elijah McClain case; police use pepper spray". KMGH-TV. June 27, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  10. ^ "Protesters demand cops in Elijah McClain's death to be fired as they occupy area outside APD station". KMGH-TV. July 3, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  11. ^ "Car drives through crowd, protester shot in Colorado".
  12. ^ "Aurora Police launch investigation into driver who drove through protesters". 27 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Boulder Sit-In For George Floyd Death Quiet, Peaceful". May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  14. ^ "Hundreds march through Boulder, demanding justice for George Floyd". Boulder Daily Camera. May 30, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  15. ^ Grewe, Megan Hiler/Tony Keith/Lindsey. "Dozens arrested following Saturday protests; Springs mayor says no curfew Sunday night". kktv.com. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  16. ^ "PHOTOS: Second day of protests in Colorado Springs". FOX21News.com. May 31, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  17. ^ Keith, Tony. "Protests continue on Sunday in Colorado Springs tied to the death of George Floyd". kktv.com. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  18. ^ "Police cite four protesters who blocked I-25 in Colorado Springs".
  19. ^ "Police Accountability Protest At State Capitol Turns Violent With Shots Fired, Property Damage". 4 CBS Denver. May 28, 2020. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  20. ^ "Shots Fired During Denver Protest of Minneapolis Man's Death". The New York Times. May 28, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  21. ^ "Tear gas deployed, windows shattered as crowd marches in Denver protesting death of George Floyd". KUSA.com. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  22. ^ "Video: Driver appears to intentionally hit man protesting death of George Floyd". KUSA.com. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  23. ^ a b Campbell-Hicks, Jennifer; Johnson, Dacia (May 31, 2020). "Protesters facing off with police despite 8 p.m. curfew on day 4 of protests over George Floyd's death". KUSA (TV). Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  24. ^ Moshtaghian, Artemis (May 30, 2020). "Denver mayor sets citywide curfew beginning Saturday at 8 p.m. MT". CNN. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  25. ^ "Violent Denver George Floyd Protests: 13 Arrests, 3 Police Officers Hurt". May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  26. ^ Garcia, Jaide (June 2, 2020). "Suspect who intentionally drove car into Denver police officers during weekend protests arrested". CNN. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  27. ^ "5th night of protests in Denver : Monday's protests follow four previous demonstrations where peaceful daytime protests turned into nighttime riots". 9news.com. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ Denver police cite 54 during Monday’s George Floyd protest, Denver Post, June 2, 2020, accessed June 3, 2020.
  29. ^ "Federal judge orders Denver police to limit firing tear gas, projectiles at peaceful protesters". Denver Post. June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  30. ^ about police response to Denver’s George Floyd protests under investigation as demonstrations hit day 6, Colorado Sun, June 3, 2020, accessed June 4, 2020[dead link]
  31. ^ "Anti-police protesters mob rally supporting law enforcement in Denver's Civic Center". The Denver Post. July 19, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  32. ^ "BLM-Antifa Soup Drive". Facebook. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  33. ^ "BLM Event v. Patriot Muster at Civic Center Park: Recipe for Chaos?". Westword. October 9, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  34. ^ "Security guard in custody after fatal shooting near dueling Denver rallies". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  35. ^ "https://twitter.com/denverpolice/status/1315100293940441088". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-10-11. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  36. ^ "Security guard jailed in deadly shooting at Denver protests". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  37. ^ McBride, Jessica (October 11, 2020). "Matthew Dolloff: Security Guard Identified as Denver Shooting Suspect". Heavy.com. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  38. ^ "Fort Collins group joins nationwide protests against police violence". Coloradoan. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  39. ^ "Live updates: Monday protests over George Floyd's death in Denver, Fort Collins". Coloradoan. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  40. ^ Stroud, John. "In Glenwood Springs, dozens rally for justice in killing of George Floyd". aspentimes.com. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  41. ^ Nathan.Deal@gjsentinel.com, NATHAN DEAL. "Grand Junction sees week of protests in wake of George Floyd's murder". The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  42. ^ Roberts, Yzabelah. "Peaceful Protest in Grand Junction on Sunday Following the Death of George Floyd". nbc11news.com. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  43. ^ Sieg, Stina. "A Grand Junction Councilmember's Controversial Comments About Protesters Led To A Tense Council Meeting". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  44. ^ Markard, Tamara (June 13, 2020). "Greeley #BlackLivesMatter protest draws hundreds of community members". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  45. ^ Meade, Cuyler (June 20, 2020). "Flush with momentum, local Black Lives Matter movement eyes complicated next steps". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  46. ^ Sanchez, Hayley. "'We Can't Stay Silent Anymore': Littleton Rally Embraces Juneteenth's New Message". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  47. ^ "Protesters take to Pueblo streets in honor of George Floyd". The Pueblo Chieftain. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
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