Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with Denver police officers outside the Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched across downtown Denver demanding justice for George Floyd.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with Denver Police officers outside the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched across downtown Denver demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostA protester lies in the street after Denver Police officers fired pepper balls at protestors outside the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched across downtown Denver demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostAn SUV drives through what appears to be a gas canister possibly fired by Denver police officers as they clash with protesters demanding justice for George Floyd at Washington Street and Colfax Avenue on May 28, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Police officers clashing with protesters demanding justice for George Floyd, killed by Minneapolis police, at Washington Ave. and Colfax May 28, 2020.20.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostPeople run away from pepper balls fired by Denver Police on Colfax Ave. in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrations broke out across downtown Denver on Thursday evening demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- A protester lies in the street after Denver Police officers fired pepper balls at protestors outside the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched across downtown Denver demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with Denver Police officers outside the Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched across downtown Denver demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with Denver Police officers outside the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched across downtown Denver demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with Denver Police officers outside the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched across downtown Denver demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with Denver Police officers outside the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched across downtown Denver demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostLaw enforcement officers in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrations broke out across downtown Denver on Thursday evening demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters and law enforcement officers near the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrations broke out across downtown Denver on Thursday evening demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with Denver Police officers outside the Capitol in Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched across downtown Denver demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver PostDenver Police officers dispersed protesters blocking part of I-25 near 15th St. in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched from the Colorado State Capitol building demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver PostProtesters block part of I-25 near 15th St. in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched from the Colorado State Capitol building demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostProtesters smash a State Patrol car at the Capitol May 28, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostProtesters smash a State Patrol car at the Capitol May 28, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostProtesters at the Colorado Capitol building in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrations broke out across downtown Denver on Thursday evening demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostDenver Police officers staged at their police station near Washington and Colfax clash with protesters demanding justice for George Floyd on May 28, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostProtesters hide behind cars near Colfax and Washington as police fire pepper balls at them May 28, 2020.
- Andy Cross, The Denver PostProtests at the Colorado Capitol building in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrations broke out across downtown Denver on Thursday evening demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters block 20th St. near Wazee St. in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched from the Colorado State Capitol building demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostAubley Rose, center, holds a flag as protesters face off with Denver Police officers near 20th St. and Chestnut Pl. in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched from the Colorado State Capitol building demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face Denver Police officers near 20th St. and Chestnut Pl. in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched from the Colorado State Capitol building demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with Denver Police officers near 20th St. and Chestnut Pl. in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched from the Colorado State Capitol building demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostRasllula Housch, center, holds a sign as protesters face off with Denver Police officers near 20th St. and Chestnut Pl. in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched from the Colorado State Capitol building demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face Denver Police officers near 20th St. and Chestnut Pl. in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched from the Colorado State Capitol building demanding justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters hold a rally for George Floyd at Denver on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
- Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostJovan Brock, center, holds a sign during a protest at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators demand justice for George Floyd, a man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
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Protesters face off with Denver police officers outside the Capitol in Denver on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020. Demonstrators marched across downtown Denver demanding justice for George Floyd.
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By Hyoung Chang | hchang@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Tiney Ricciardi | cricciardi@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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What started as a small, peaceful protest in Denver, demanding justice for George Floyd, escalated into chaos Thursday evening after someone fired gunshots near the Capitol, sending demonstrators scattering across the city.
Tension built throughout the night as protesters and police clashed in the heart of the city. The crowds grew larger as the night progressed, and, about 9:15 p.m., Denver police fired tear gas and pepper spray to disperse hundreds who remained on the Capitol lawn. Graffiti was painted on the building’s steps, doors and walls. Windows of a police car and a state senator’s truck were smashed.
A few protesters were arrested, but a Denver police spokesman said exact numbers were not yet available.