Thousands taking part in a Black Lives Matter march along Colfax avenue on June 7, 2020 in Denver. Denver Public Schools students organized the peaceful march in solidarity with the ongoing efforts around the country to proclaim that #BlackLivesMatter. The marchers gathered in Civic Center Park and marched along Colfax Avenue to the Martin Luther King Jr. statue in City Park. Marchers sang, danced and chanted the entire way.
Nationwide cries for police reform and more law enforcement accountability are being met by efforts from politicians to introduce legislation and launch investigations. Yesterday, that would limit legal protections for police and ban police chokeholds, among other changes
Locally, Colorado’s police reform bill was passed in the Senate today and is headed to the House. It is expected to be on the governor’s desk by the end of the week. In Aurora, Mayor Mike Coffman will announce changes to city policing policies while some city council members are calling for an independent investigation into the in-custody death of Elijah McClain.
The massive push for reform comes after the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd is being buried today in his hometown of Houston.
Check back here for the latest updates on the protests in Colorado.
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.
