Protesters dumped red paint on a memorial honoring more than 70 fallen police officers Saturday afternoon. They also plastered stickers on the memorial and nearby pillars.
“Some of these people were my friends,” police Cmdr. Matt Murray said, gesturing to the memorial. “This is disrespectful, and I don’t think it displays the values of this community. We’re extremely disappointed.”
Denver police said two males were arrested for criminal mischief after the protest ended. Firefighters assisted in quickly cleaning the memorial.
Up to 150 people marched along West Colfax Avenue from Mariposa Street, arriving at police headquarters, 1331 Cherokee St., around 4 p.m.
Some protesters held signs in support of Jessica Hernandez, a 17-year-old who was while she was driving a stolen car toward officers. Others carried signs with the message, “Free Sharod,” referencing a 23-year-old man during a traffic stop.
“We demand justice for Ryan (Ronquillo). We demand justice for Jessie. We demand justice for Carlos (Jurado). We demand justice for Sharod (Kindell) and Joel (Jurado). We demand justice for every single person who has been killed, maimed, kidnapped and wounded by Denver police,” the protesters said in a flier.
As they marched, the protesters chanted about justice and police brutality. A group of men described by marchers as “security” kept the protesters in a tight group. Each wore a mask made of black bandanas printed with AK-47s on them.
People in apartments and buildings along the route came outside and joined in the cheers. Police cars blocked off roads along the route, preventing traffic from interfering with the march.
“It’s important for the public to realize that we’re out there protecting these people protesting against us,” Murray said. “But we’re looking for legal and peaceful protests.”
Anna Gauldin: 303-954-1666, agauldin@denverpost.com
