Andy Cross, The Denver PostAn Elijah McClain protester gets close to the Aurora police line at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostTwo young girls stand off to Aurora Police dressed in riot gear during a rally for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostJannah Farooque helps her daughter Amani Washington, 8, keep a candle lit as they listen to musicians play violin in the parking lot during a rally for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020. Farooque's friend lived a few blocks away from where Elijah McClain was stopped by police. "When is this going to end?" Farooque had said. "Social justice is very important to our family. We've had encounters with police brutality, so it's very important to speak up and show support."
Andy Cross, The Denver PostAurora police officers charge towards Elijah McClain protesters at the Aurora Police department's headquarters at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostElijah McClain protesters clash with Aurora Police officers with batons at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostElijah McClain protesters get close to the Aurora place line at the Aurora Municipal Center on June 27, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostElijah McClain protesters clash with Aurora Police officers with batons at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostAurora police officers clash with protesters at the Aurora Municipal Center on June 27, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostProtest medics administer care to a young woman who was pepper sprayed in the face during the Elijah McClain protest at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostAurora police officers spray Elijah McClain protesters with pepper spray foam at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostAurora police officers charge towards Elijah McClain protesters at the Aurora Police department's headquarters at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostElijah McClain protesters close down highway 225 in both directions at Alameda while marching after leaving the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostYoung Black girls stand with the McClain family and other activists during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostColorado State Representative Leslie Herod stands with Sheneen McClain, mother of Elijah McClain, during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostYoung, Black women stand with the McClain family and activists as they speak during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostProtester Candace Bailey yells and voices her concerns during an Elijah McClain rally at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostKhalani Hall, 3, holds a Black Lives Matter poster up to her face during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostElijah McClain protesters shout at Aurora Sheriff's deputies in front of the Aurora Police department's headquarters at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostA large crowd gathers to hear people speak during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostElijah McClain protesters in front of the Aurora Police department's headquarters at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostLinda Campbell holds her son Jeremiah, 11, during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters. "We're here for Elijah McClain who was murdered," Linda said. "I have two sons, there needs to be reform. It has to end today." Her son Jeremiah added, "It's not fair for somebody to kill someone just because of the color of their skin."
Andy Cross, The Denver PostAurora police officers in riot gear stand behind a fence monitoring a protest over the death of Elijah McClain in police custody that took place outside the Aurora Police Department's headquarters at the Aurora Municipal Center on June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostProtesters gathered around a truck while Aurora Police in riot gear try to clear the area during a violin concert and rally held for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostTariq Peters, left, Rashad Williams, 14, and Danae Williams, 9, stand together at the steps near the doors of the police headquarters holding signs during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostMickey Majors, 31, left, and Phillip Johnson, 24, sit together during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters. "All of society has an issue with how they treat people with mental disorders," Johnson said. "It's a human issue."
Andy Cross, The Denver PostElijah McClain protest in front of the Aurora Police department's headquarters at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostAn aerial view of the crowd that formed in the late afternoon for a rally in honor of Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostElijah McClain protesters head down the northbound ramp to highway 225 marching from the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. The protesters temporarily closed down both sides of the highway Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostElijah McClain protesters close down highway 225 in both directions at Alameda while marching after leaving the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
Sam Tabachnik, The Denver PostHundreds gather outside the Aurora police headquarters to protest the death of Elijah McClain.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostProtestors begin to run away from Aurora Police dressed in riot gear after fearing they were going to release chemicals into the air during a rally for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostA protestor wears a jacket that says 'disarm and defund' to a rally for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostA woman is aided by protestors after she was struck by police during a rally for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostA young woman holds up a sign from a tree during a rally for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostCommunity members and "white allies" shield violinists and young children who were attending a concert in honor of Elijah McClain as things begin to get violent outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostA man stands up close to Aurora Police dressed in riot gear during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostA young woman is aided by several fellow protestors after being pepper sprayed by Aurora Police officers who fired the spray in to the crowd during a protest for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostLeaders of a youth rally speak to a crowd that gathered in honor of Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Rachel Ellis, The Denver PostProtestors exit Interstate 225 at 6th Avenue as they rally for Elijah McClain outside the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
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An Elijah McClain protester gets close to the Aurora police line at the Aurora Municipal Center June 27, 2020. Elijah McClain died Aug. 30, 2019 several days after a struggle with Aurora police. Elijah became unconscious during the encounter with police August 24, 2019 and had a heart attack while being transported to a hospital. McClain died after being taken off life support.
ExpandBy Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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Thousands of people filled Aurora’s municipal center and shut down an Interstate, marching and chanting, crying and screaming for justice for Elijah McClain, the 23-year-old who died after an encounter with officers last August.





































