AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostLeaders of the black community kneel as they honor an extended moment of Silence for George Floyd during a peaceful rally focused on unity, love, community, respect and understanding on Thursday, June 4, 2020. Hundreds showed up as leaders of the black community spoke and remembered Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer two weeks ago, while three other officers stood by.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRev. Eugene Downing of New Hope Baptist wipes his eyes as he and fellow black leaders kneel while they honor an extended moment of Silence for George Floyd during a peaceful rally focused on unity, love, community, respect and understanding on Thursday, June 4, 2020. Hundreds showed up as leaders of the black community spoke and remembered Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer two weeks ago, while three other officers stood by.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostQuincy Shannon, minister of New Hope Baptist and dean of students at DSST Green Valley Ranch, speaks during a peaceful rally focused on unity, love, community, respect and understanding on Thursday, June 4, 2020. Hundreds showed up as leaders of the black community spoke and remembered George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer two weeks ago, while three other officers stood by.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFrom left to right: minister and Dean of Students at DSST Green Valley Ranch Quincy Shannon, Denver Public Safety Director Murphy Robinson, Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock and the Rev. Eugene Downing of New Hope Baptist, kneel as they honor an extended moment of Silence for George Floyd Thursday, June 4, 2020.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostBlack leaders including minister and dean of students at DSST Green Valley Ranch Quincy Shannon, public safety director Murphy Robinson, mayor Michael B. Hancock and Rev. Eugene Downing of New Hope Baptist plant an oak tree in honor of George Floyd during a peaceful rally focused on unity, love, community, respect and understanding on Thursday, June 4, 2020. Hundreds showed up as leaders of the black community spoke and remembered George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer two weeks ago, while three other officers stood by.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDenver's First Lady Mary Louise Lee sings Marvin Gaye to the crowd during a peaceful rally focused on unity, love, community, respect and understanding on Thursday, June 4, 2020. Hundreds showed up as leaders of the black community spoke and remembered George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer two weeks ago, while three other officers stood by.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostBlack leaders including minister and dean of students at DSST Green Valley Ranch Quincy Shannon, public safety director Murphy Robinson, mayor Michael B. Hancock and Rev. Eugene Downing of New Hope Baptist plant an oak tree in honor of George Floyd during a peaceful rally focused on unity, love, community, respect and understanding on Thursday, June 4, 2020. Hundreds showed up as leaders of the black community spoke and remembered George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer two weeks ago, while three other officers stood by.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostA child speaks to the crowd during a gathering at Civic Center Park in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020. The death of George Floyd last week after a Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes sparked a wave of protests and calls for police reform across the country.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostAmias Anderson, 6, waits with his mother Dymond Starr, before Anderson gave a speech to the crowd during a gathering at Civic Center Park in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostAmias Anderson, left, 6, hugs Tavien Woods, 14, after Anderson gave a speech to the crowd at Civic Center Park in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostLila Cervantes, left, and Katherine Branche hold signs during a gathering at Civic Center Park in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostDemonstrators attend a gathering at Civic Center Park in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020. The death of George Floyd last week after a Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes sparked a wave of protests and calls for police reform across the country.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostSanaa Smith-Shabazz, 8, sits between her parents Ibn Shabazz, left, and Sidney Smith-Shabazz during a gathering at Civic Center Park in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020. The death of George Floyd last week after a Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes sparked a wave of protests and calls for police reform across the country.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostSa'Aadah Maynard tapes a sign to a car in advance of a driving "Defend Black Life Car Rally" at the Shorter Community AME Church in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020. The car caravan was organized by Black Lives Matter 5280 to help people protest while maintaining social distance.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostVehicles move in a caravan during a "Defend Black Life Car Rally" that left from Shorter Community AME Church in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostVehicles move in a caravan during a "Defend Black Life Car Rally" that left from Shorter Community AME Church in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020. The car caravan was organized by Black Lives Matter 5280 to help people protest while maintaining social distance.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostVehicles move in a caravan during a "Defend Black Life Car Rally" that left from Shorter Community AME Church in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020. The car caravan was organized by Black Lives Matter 5280 to help people protest while maintaining social distance.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostDayvion Crowe, 14, raises his fist into the air as vehicles move in a caravan during a "Defend Black Life Car Rally" that left from Shorter Community AME Church in Denver on Thursday, June 4, 2020. The car caravan was organized by Black Lives Matter 5280 to help people protest while maintaining social distance.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
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Leaders of the black community kneel as they honor an extended moment of Silence for George Floyd during a peaceful rally focused on unity, love, community, respect and understanding on Thursday, June 4, 2020. Hundreds showed up as leaders of the black community spoke and remembered Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer two weeks ago, while three other officers stood by.
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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Denver held a peaceful rally focused on unity, love, community, respect and understanding at Civic Center Park on Thursday, June 4, 2020. Hundreds gathered as speakers took the stage with impassioned speeches that sometimes turned into debates in which men and women spoke and heard one another as the crowd looked on.
Masses of peaceful demonstrators took to Denver’s streets Thursday evening on foot and in vehicles, with downtown marchers supplemented by a miles-long car caravan on this eighth straight day of activism in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Read the full story here.