Joe Rubino, The Denver Post
Organizers gathered at the Colorado Capitol heavily emphasize that this is a peaceful protest. “If you see anybody causing a disturbance, hold them accountable. Understand this is about peace,” one speaker says. 
By Tynin Fries | tfries@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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After a weekend of protests at the Colorado Capitol, Denver began a fifth straight night of demonstrations Monday. The local protests mirror scenes across the country following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd was a black man killed when a white police officer, who has since been fired and arrested, knelt on the back of Floyd’s neck for several minutes as Floyd screamed “I can’t breathe!”
Earlier this week, protesters were met by heavily armed police in Denver who used tear gas, non-lethal bullets and more to disperse crowds.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock extended the city’s emergency curfew that orders residents to return home by 9 p.m. Those who violate the curfew could be arrested, like the 83 who are facing charges after breaking Saturday’s curfew.
Previous coverage
- May 31 — For fourth night, Denver police unleash tear gas and foam bullets as marchers again defy curfew
- May 30 — Tear gas flies, protesters set fires on third night of unrest in Denver | As Denver curfew arrives, George Floyd protesters cheer
- May 29 — Denver police deploy flash-bangs and tear gas as second day of George Floyd protests stretches into night
- May 28 — Tear gas, pepper balls used on Denver crowds in George Floyd protests Thursday night
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA protester stands in a cloud of gas from police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned less-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostPolice stand ready to disperse the crowd by force during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man killed by an officer while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned less-lethal fire into the crowd.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostDemonstrators flee law enforcement officers firing non-lethal rounds towards them near Civic Center Park during a George Floyd protest May 30, 2020. Protesters are outraged over the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who was killed by a Minnesota police officer who pinned him to the ground with his knee on his neck.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostProtesters attend to a fellow protester who was shot with a projectile by Denver police Civic Center Park during a George Floyd protest May 30, 2020. Protesters are outraged over the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who was killed by a Minnesota police officer who pinned him to the ground with his knee on his neck.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostLaw enforcement officers fire pepper balls and tear gas towards demonstrators near Civic Center Park in Denver during a George Floyd protest on May 30, 2020.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostBraxton Robertson pleads with the police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd Ð the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained Ð in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTwo anonymous men lock arms with fellow protestors in the face of a line of police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostBraxton Robertson pleads with the police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA man who asked to remain anonymous stands with fellow protestors in the face of a line of police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostPolice and protestors stand off on Broadway near the state capitol during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostProtestors line up against police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostAlexis Stepp shakes hands with a police officer as fellow protestors face off with the police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostAndrew Anslover pulls back his mask to reveal his face and eyes after being doused with milk upon being sprayed by police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostProtestors line up against police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA police officer stands near the library on Broadway during a protest after the killing of George Floyd - the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained - in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostProtesters gets in the faces of Denver police officers gathered near Colfax Ave and Broadway on the third day of George Floyd protests in Denver May 30, 2020. Protesters are outraged over the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who was killed by a Minnesota police officer who pinned him to the ground with his knee on his neck.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostPolice stand ready to disperse the crowd by force during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMichael leads a chant during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with law enforcement officers near the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Saturday night, May 30, 2020. It was the third night of protests in Denver with demonstrators outraged over the death of George Floyd this week at the hands of Minnesota police.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA man is injured after taking a projectile to the face from police during a protest held in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020, in response to the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA man is injured after taking a projectile to the face from police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostStanford Smith is helped after receiving pepper spray to the face during a protest after the killing of George Floyd Ð the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained Ð in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostProtestors line up against police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostDefying a city curfew order, protesters created a makeshift barricade facing off with law enforcement officers near the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Saturday night, May 30, 2020. It was the third night of protests in Denver with demonstrators outraged over the death of George Floyd this week at the hands of Minnesota police.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostPolice advance on people during a protest after the killing of George Floyd Ð the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained Ð in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with law enforcement officers near the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Saturday night, May 30, 2020. It was the third night of protests in Denver with demonstrators outraged over the death of George Floyd this week at the hands of Minnesota police.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostAlex Woods stands with milk dried to his face from a dousing after being pepper sprayed by police during a protest in Denver held in response to the death of George Floyd on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest after Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis officer while being detained in that city. In response to the protests in Denver police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostPeople begin to construct barriers to stop the advancement of police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostA law enforcement officer sprays pepper spray at demonstrators near Civic Center Park during a protest over the killing of George Floyd May 30, 2020. Protesters are outraged over the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who was killed by a Minnesota police officer.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA woman screams after receiving a point-blank shot of pepper spray from advancing police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostA Molotov cocktail that was thrown at Denver police officers burns out at 13th Avenue and Broadway. Officers massed while they were trying to fend off protesters during a protest in Denver on May 30, 2020. Protesters are outraged over the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who was killed by a Minnesota police officer who pinned him to the ground with his knee on his neck.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMen on motorcycles do burnouts as police advance during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostAlexis Stepp holds a Black Lives Matter Sign high as people run from the advancement of police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostPeople tag buildings as police advance during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostVandalized kiosk sign at the Denver Cultural Complex near 13th and Broadway during a George Floyd protest in Denver May 30, 2020. Protesters are outraged over the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who was killed by a Minnesota police officer who pinned him to the ground with his knee on his neck.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostDefying a curfew order, protesters face off with law enforcement officers near the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Saturday night, May 30, 2020. It was the third night of protests in Denver with demonstrators outraged over the death of George Floyd this week at the hands of Minnesota police.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostDefying a curfew order, a group of women hold their hands up in protest near the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Saturday night, May 30, 2020. It was the third night of protests in Denver with demonstrators outraged over the death of George Floyd this week at the hands of Minnesota police.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA group pushes a dumpster down a hill towards a line of police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned non-lethal fire into the crowd.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostProtesters face off with law enforcement officers near the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Saturday night, May 30, 2020. It was the third night of protests in Denver with demonstrators outraged over the death of George Floyd this week at the hands of Minnesota police.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostLaw enforcement officers detain people defying a city curfew order in Capitol Hill in Denver on Saturday night, May 30, 2020. It was the third night of protests in Denver with demonstrators outraged over the death of George Floyd this week at the hands of Minnesota police.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostDumpsters are tipped over in the intersection of 14th Ave. and Pearl St. in Denver on Saturday night, May 30, 2020. It was the third night of protests in Denver with demonstrators outraged over the death of George Floyd this week at the hands of Minnesota police.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
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A protester stands in a cloud of gas from police during a protest after the killing of George Floyd – the Minneapolis man, who was killed by an officer, while being detained – in downtown Denver on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Thousands gathered to protest as police enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew. As officers advanced, protestors began throwing objects as officers returned less-lethal fire into the crowd.
ExpandMore information on police and protests
- Amid protests, Colorado lawmakers float bill to counter police brutality
- Trump declares he’s president of law and order, warns of military deployment as protests resume
- Hancock extends Denver’s emergency curfew through Monday night
- RTD’s suspension of bus and rail service to and from downtown Denver continues through Monday
- Denver businesses assess vandalism, looting costs after George Floyd protests
- Protests prompt Denver City Council to cancel Monday meeting
- Voices from the George Floyd protest in Denver
- Denver leaders defend cops’ use of chemicals, gas during clashes with protesters
- Minneapolis cop who knelt on handcuffed black man arrested
- Four Minneapolis officers fired after death of black man
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