Denver Police Department officers clear a man who fell to the street after they used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis, late Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Participants carry placards during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Close to 1,000 protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall during the protest.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Participants march during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Close to 1,000 protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall during the protest.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Keezy Allen leads a chant during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Close to 1,000 protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall during the protest.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Javon Block leads a chant during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Close to 1,000 protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall during the protest.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Denver Police Department officers stand over a man who fell to the street after they used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis, late Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Keezy Allen leads chants during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Close to 1,000 protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall during the protest.
Aubrey Rose, who earned the rank of staff sergeant during four tours of duty in the U.S. Army, holds an American flag during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Close to 1,000 protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall during the protest.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
A man who had fallen on 14th Street lands again on the street after he was cleared by Denver police following the use of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a protest outside the State Capitol over the Monday death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Denver police square off with protesters blocking an intersection during a demonstration outside the State Capitol over the Monday death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
A man argues with Denver Police officers during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, late Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
A Denver Police officer wears a gas mask before tear gas and rubber bullets were used to disperse a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, late Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall during the protest.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Denver Police officers wear riot gear before tear gas and rubber bullets were used to disperse a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, late Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall during the protest.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
A participant argues with Denver Police officers during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, late Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
DENVER – Denver Mayor Michael Hancock called for calm and unity Friday after the first of several planned city protests over George Floyd’s death turned violent, declaring, “Let not the story be about the riots and protests. Let’s keep the focus on the life that was lost.”
“I can tell you not to go out and demonstrate but the reality is it’s going to happen,” Hancock said at a news briefing, stressing he shared outrage over what he’s called the “senseless and tragic murder” of Floyd, an African American, by white police officers in Minneapolis.
Denver police officers fire canisters to disperse a protest outside the State Capitol over the Monday death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
The police officer seen on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck was arrested Friday after three days of often-violent protests in Minneapolis and around the country.
Hancock and Police Chief Paul Pazen blamed what they called a minority of agitators among peaceful protesters for inciting violence throughout downtown on Thursday. that violence included throwing rocks at police officers, setting small fires and damaging cars and businesses, the said. Both commended peaceful protesters and police officers for their restraint.
“We will hold people accountable if they look to hijack people’s pain for their own purposes,” Hancock said.
Pazen said three officers were injured and that 13 people were arrested for burglary, criminal mischief and assault Thursday. More protests were planned near the state Capitol on Friday and Saturday.
Participants carry placards as they march during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Close to 1,000 protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall during the protest.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
On Thursday, hundreds gathered downtown and chanted outside the Capitol; some protesters broke windows and spray-painted graffiti on the building, where a state patrol car and a lawmaker’s truck were heavily damaged. In other areas, police in riot gear fired gas canisters, used rubber bullets and walked in a phalanx through the streets. The protest briefly spilled onto Interstate 25, until police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Pazen said police were investigating who fired shots outside the state Capitol that sent people running. It was unclear if protesters were being targeted and no one was arrested, police spokesman Kurt Barnes said. Officers also were investigating numerous other incidents, including one in which a motorist appeared to intentionally strike a protester, Pazen said.
Both the mayor and chief said they supported continued peaceful protests going forward.
“I am proud that you stand up and want to hold people accountable for these actions,” Hancock said. “When individuals choose the path of violence, however, it drowns out the peaceful paths of change.”
Aubrey Rose, who earned the rank of staff sergeant while serving four tours of duty in the U.S. Army, carries a flag during a protest outside the State Capitol over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Close to 1,000 protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall during the protest.
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
Workers cleaned graffiti off the Capitol’s steps on Friday as the smell of tear gas lingered. A few blocks away, glass from broken windows littered the sidewalk outside a furniture store. Employee Fernando Martinez told KDVR-TV that he found rocks and broken tables inside and smaller items like pillows and a credit card machine gone.
Downtown’s Union Station, a bus and light rail hub, was closed for safety reasons. The Regional Transportation District suspended bus and light rail service into and out of downtown, citing the planned protests.
At the Capitol, the Democratic-led state Legislature suspended its work in anticipation of more protests. Senate Democrats said Friday the suspension was “in deference to the demands for police accountability” while condemning Floyd’s death as “a senseless, gruesome act of police violence.”
Protesters walk down the 16th Street mall during a protest over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis, Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Denver. Protesters walked from the Capitol down the 16th Street pedestrian mall.
