Civil-rights activist Alvertis Simmons on Monday reversed his call for a boycott of the Denver Zoo.
Simmons said he changed his mind after he saw zoo president and chief executive Craig Piper cry while talking about Alonzo Ashley, who died after an altercation with police there last month.
“I made a mistake,” Simmons said at a news conference. “I apologize to the zoo because I said the zoo was not safe for black people to attend. The zoo is safe not just for a black kid but for all kids to attend.”
Piper said the zoo is considering additional training for its security officers at the suggestion of Simmons and members of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance. Zoo officials said they did not yet have details on the program.
Ashley, 29, died July 18 after a zoo security officer received a call from a staff member reporting that a man had passed out near the elephant compound.
The guard said Ashley made some irrational statements, then started yelling at his girlfriend and threw a trash can. When the guard called police, Ashley began chasing him. He tackled the guard and punched him, zoo spokeswoman Tiffany Barnhart said.
Denver police arrived a short time later, and when officers tried to restrain Ashley, he continued to be combative, even after they used a Taser. Police were able to pin him down, but while they waited for paramedics, Ashley started to convulse and stopped breathing.
His funeral was Monday.
