DENVER, CO – June 4 : Protesters march out of 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. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Communities across the state are seeing demonstrations following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd was a black man killed when a white police officer knelt on the back of Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd screamed “I can’t breathe!” Floyd was later pronounced dead and the officers involved have since been fired and arrested.
Denver is seeing its Sunday. Today’s protests started with a student-led march down Colfax Avenue downtown in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. During the first four days in Denver, the demonstrations turned violent with vandalism, looting and some people hurling rocks, bottles and insults at police. In return, Denver police officers fired tear gas, pepper balls and foam bullets at the protesters, many of whom were peaceful from the start.
Jay Marshall joins hundreds of people as they march together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Keith Gunter joined hundreds of people in demonstrating for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Tiffanie Ball fist-bumps another demonstrator at a rally in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020. Large crowds continue to gather in the evenings in downtown Denver and across the nation, calling for better police accountability and protesting the deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
As dusk falls hundreds of people continue to march together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Jay Marshall joins hundreds of people as they mach together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020. Large crowds continue to gather in the evenings in downtown Denver and across the nation, calling for better police accountability and protesting the deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Hundreds of people march together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Hundreds of people march together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Vanessa Burciaga wore a homemade dress as she joined hundreds of people in demonstrating for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - June 5 : Hundreds of people demonstrate for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020. Large crowds continue to gather in the evenings in downtown Denver and across the nation, calling for better police accountability and protesting the deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Selah Ruckard joins hundreds of people as they demonstrate for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Olivia Gardner joins hundreds of people as they demonstrate for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
A poster of George Floyd, whose recent killing by law enforcement in Minneapolis has galvanized people around the nation, is hung near the Capitol in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020. A bill making its way through the state legislature with near unanimous support would ban the use of respiratory chokeholds in all situations.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Bianca Mikahn, left, and Assétou Xango attend a rally held in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Left: From left to right minister and dean of students at DSST Green Valley Ranch Quincy Shannon, public safety director Murphy Robinson, mayor Michael B. Handcock and Rev. Eugene Downing of New Hope Baptist 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 afternoon, June 4, 2020. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) Right: Amias 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 evening, June 4, 2020. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Left: Quincy Shannon, minister of New Hope Baptist and Dean of students at DSST Green Valley Ranch, speaks to a crowd of thousands on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
Center: Denver Public Safety Director Murphy Robinson speaks about his role as both a black man and a public official who oversaw the city's response to protests in the streets of Denver on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
Right: Kenny White, who spoke up from the crowd about needing real change and reform after hearing Murphy Robinson (right), speak his mind on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. (Photos by AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Ayana Chopra, 7, chalks next to a mural of Breonna Taylor, who was recently killed by law enforcement in Kentucky, during a rally with in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Two people stand with clasped hands as they join hundreds of protesters during a rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Murals of George Floyd, left, and Breonna Taylor, both of whom were recently killed by law enforcement in Minneapolis and Kentucky respectively, are visited by people gathering in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Hundreds of people rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Hundreds of people rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Hundreds of people rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Hundreds of people rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020. Large crowds continued to gather in the evenings in downtown Denver and across the nation, calling for better police accountability and protesting the deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
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Jay Marshall joins hundreds of people as they march together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
